What do Americans think of the release of the Lockerbie bomber?

Question

Scotland's Government says it acted compassionately and independently of the British Government, although people here in Britain are having difficulty believing that. Opposition parties in Britain have condemned the move and a specially convened parliament in Scotland have done likewise.

What is the mood in America? Has lasting damage been done to the "special relationship" between the USA and United Kingdom ?

Finally, did Hillary Clinton's arrogant manner in her dealings with the Scottish Government have any bearing on their decision to release al-Megrahi?

Answer 1

We are mad as hell at anyone who would side with terrorist murderers.



Did you notice how the terrorist was greeted by Libya, as if he was a hero? More than extremist Muslims support terrorism.



The UK has been a strong, steadfast and loyal friend of the USA, we don't hold it against you that you have a few cowards who sympathize with terrorists, we have the same problem here, we call them liberals.



About sHrillery- she is arrogant to everyone, she can not hide her horrific people skills very well. Its a bit ironic, our media chose Obama over sHrillery, because of her horrific people skills. Then, Obama makes this woman who's worst quality is people skills, the leader of our diplomatic dept, the "State Dept".



God bless the UK!

Answer 2

I think it was a terrible idea -- it's not like he was the recently-released and also very ill Ronnie Biggs, this guy meant to kill people -- but, barring further evidence, I choose to blame one man, the Scottish Justice Minister, rather than an entire country, be it the country-within-a-country that is Scotland or Great Britain as a whole.



The New York Post ran an editorial today saying that the Special Relationship has been destroyed. But the Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who also owns The Sun -- and if you're from Merseyside, let me tell you that the Post is rarely any more honest than that. The difference being that when the Post shows pictures of boobs, it's right-wing zealots, not women's bare breasts. Then again, after reading the Post's political views, The Sun's Page 3 Girls wouldn't help. It is an anti-Viagra.



If Hillary seemed arrogant, well, she often does. But in this case it was justified.

Answer 3

What Americans think is a moot point. What matters is what the victims families think.



The Americans will most likely think of this incident as "what if it was one of the 9-11 terrorists - would we let him go home based on humanitarian reasons- etc It is all under the blanket of the GOLDEN RULE- do unto others...........



Remember that as human beings, we internalize and personalize judgment- and we respond to the world based on our experiences.



Funny that you included |Hilary clinton in the same question.

I doubt that an "arrogant manner" would bear any weight on such matters involving intelligence, military operations and decisions.



Do you seriously believe this "arrogant manner" is enough to push people around?



There has to be something more in "trade" for that release. It may have been those 2 journalists. but I am guessing.

Answer 4

Well I think it was a slap in the face to the people's families of the people who died on that flight..... who were mostly American, from what I've heard.

We see it as an incredibly stupid move, but hey, it's not our choice to make.



What made it even worse is that, that man was treated as a hero, and they even had a parade when he arrived back home.



As for Hillary Clinton's attitude in dealing with Scottland; I don't know much about it since I didn't see it, but I'm sure it had nothing to do with his release.



We don't hate you guys, but your government made a bone-head move in releasing him. Our government does plenty to make us look bad..... on a regular basis, hopefully you guys see that there's a difference between us and our government too.

Answer 5

As an American, my opinion does not matter to the people that let him go..He should have been executed after his conviction. I don't think they do that across the pond. If he had been put to death, this question would be moot. He is on deaths door. Why should the government pay for his care any longer? He will be gone in the next few weeks. He should have been gone way before this. Europe needs to bring back the death penalty.

Answer 6

Will never damage the relationship, since the British government will change, in part to this oil deal for prisoner scheme.But we see right through Scotland's decision.



Hundreds die, and 8 years is justice?

Answer 7

Well, it's not really going to change my opinion on the UK one way or the other (I studied abroad there my junior year of college and I miss it terribly), but I think it's pretty obvious that Brown struck some kind of an oil deal with the Libyans.

Answer 8

I believe that the ball is going to keep rolling and every single Islamic Terrorist that is locked up is going to have to be given a compassionate release because of this. I can't picture anything good coming out of such a thing. If I had a family member who was on that flight, I would be more irate so i can only empathize with them and apologize for the Scots for being so foolish.

Answer 9

One of the worst decisions in a LONG time.



What is the point of a prison sentence (especially a life sentence) if you get to go home to your loved ones if you get too sick.



A life sentence should end with you dead in prison. Otherwise what is the point of calling it a life sentence?





@blueridge - what the heck are you talking about?



Too bad that "Orlando Bosch was acquitted because of technical defects in the prosecution evidence"



"Bosch was detained in the United States for six months until all charges were dropped and he was able to live in the United States freely. Many assume he was pardoned by President [H.W.] Bush"

But there were no charges or any convictions to pardon him from!



Your claims are based on bad info.

Answer 10

Well scotland is now the new tourist destination and sympathizer nation to terrorists.

They get whatever they deserve, and when they get blown off the map, don't ask for OUR military or money.

Answer 11

I don't care at all. Desire for vengeance is petty and childish. And there is a lot of doubt that he is actually responsible for the bombing. In any case, I believe prison serves 2 purposes, to reform criminals and if that isn't possible, to segregate dangerous people from the rest of society. Not so that people desiring revenge can feel good. This guy dying of cancer is not dangerous any more.



Look at all the righteous indignation here, but how many among them even know about the Iranian airliner full of innocent people shot down by the US Navy which has yet to be apologized for? How many care?

Answer 12

To be honest us average Americans really don't care, when we read it it was sort of a "Well that's idiotic. Sure we didn't pull that one." And then we went back to drinking our coffee.



It was a foolish move no doubt. A dying man can still set off a bomb, and has FAR more incentive to now that he knows he is dying anyway.



We thought it was a Pu$$y move on Scotland's part. But really don't do much more then that since it's not our country and thus not really our concern.

Answer 13

Most think he should have been worm food years ago. No it has not harmed our "special relationship. That has been harmed by hateful liberal Brits coming on Answers baiting us about Obama. Hillary can get shagged as far as I am concerned.

Answer 14

don't think the old man is going to do any more evil. Let him die in the hospital it;s better than having the other prisoners be around a sick old man. He will be judged after his death and that;s good enough for me.

as for what hilary accomplished i Haven:t read but I doubt very little.

It is arrogant of her to stick her nose in scottish affairs. who asked her except barry. If he had his way all ararbs would never be tried for anything.

Answer 15

i just read the guy's in intensive care. sounds like this point is going to be moot, soon.



much as i'd've liked to see his butt be taken out of that scottish prison in a body bag, i understand why their government didn't want to pay for his health care.

Answer 16

i would say: "He is a Dead Man Walking".........



i used to have End Stage Liver Cancer...a Transplant saved me just in time to make a come-back......



i see that his cancer has taken a turn for the worse, as of Today....





he won't be getting a Transplant or be able to do anything but Watch and Feel himself Die a Slow and Miserable Death, i know~!!!

Answer 17

Honestly, I hope a terrorist blows up the royal families of all those Brit twits and especially that POS from scotland.

Answer 18

It would be impossible for me to care less.



I'm still pissed off, however, about BUSH releasing the anti-Cuban terrorist who BLEW UP AN AIRPLANE FULL OF PEOPLE.



You guys do any "protesting" or "teabagging" about that?

***

"The terrorist activities of Orlando Bosch are fully documented in the book Deadly Secrets by Warren Hinkle and William Turner, who in turn drew their information from a Senate investigation led by Senator Kerry into the activities of the CIA.



Bosch was a cohort of Posada Carriles, a Cuban pediatrician who became a world renowned terrorist for the CIA. Carriles has taken claim for the recent wave of hotel bombings in Havana, Cuba. Both men were trained together at Fort Benning, Georgia. Bosch was the founder of the "Command of the United Revolutionary Organizations" formed to cooperate with the DINA Chilean secret police and other Latin American repressive organisms in the murder of leftists throughout the region, including the assassination of the Chilean ambassador, Letelier, in Washington, DC.



The US government has repeatedly declined to extradite Bosch to Cuba to stand trial for the bombing of the Cubana airliner in 1976. In my opinion, there can only be two clear reasons for the denial. One, Bosch would prove very embarrassing for the US at a trial in Cuba. Two, his extradition would destroy the close political relationship between the exile Cubans who demanded his release and the Republican Party.



The quarterly magazine Cuba Update, September 1992, page 3, of the Center for Cuban Studies, New York, also carries the complete history of Bosch's participation in the bombing of the Cubana airliner and his subsequent pardon.



According to the New York Time of August 17, 1989, Cuban right-wing congressperson Ros-Lehtinen met with former President Bush to negotiate Bosch's release. The meeting was arranged by her campaign manager, Jeb Bush, who had earlier met with Cuban hunger strikers also demanding the release. Bosch was pardoned on July 18, 1990 and the New York Times was the lonely voice denouncing Bush's pardon on an editorial published July 20, 1990."

Answer 19

I think it was appalling!!



A convicted terrorist went home to a hero's parade.

Answer 20

Bad move.

Answer 21

PURE B.S. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN HIS CELL WITH NO TREATMENT AND NO PAIN KILLERS.HE DESERVED A HORRIBLE AND PAIN FULL DEATH. HUMANITARIAN MY A$$.

Answer 22

Personally I couldn't careless, he will be dead in short while anyway.