FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It was like pulling teeth and then some to get Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi convicted and sent to prison. Families of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing were relentless in their pressure on the government to pursue justice.
Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was serving a life sentence for the attack that killed 270 people. Megrahi, who is terminally ill, was released on compassionate grounds to spend his remaining days in Libya.
In the end, justice was done only to be undone. The man responsible for the slaughter of 270 innocent people is now being allowed to return to his native country, Libya, and his family, loved ones and friends, to die in peace from terminal cancer.
It's outrageous. Al Megrahi is a cold-blooded murderer. Libya was a state sponsor of the terrorism that killed these people. Compassion was shown this man when he was given a life sentence and not the death penalty.
Now Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary, who probably didn't have any family or friends aboard Pan Am flight 103, decides to turn this animal loose. He should be ashamed of himself. What's the message here? That if you commit murderous acts of terrorism and kill hundreds of innocent people, it's okay? All you have to do is get sick and all is forgiven?
And what about the United States standing by and watching it happen? Where's the condemnation? We said we "deeply regret" the decision. Not enough.
I find it very hard to believe that if Washington felt strongly enough about this man's release they couldn't have done something to prevent it. After all, didn't we just extract two journalists from the grasp of the madman Kim Jung Il in North Korea?
Here’s my question to you: How do you feel about Scotland releasing the Pan Am 103 bomber?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Stacy writes:
He should have stayed in jail were he belonged. To see him get on a plane and go home to his country were they have treated him like a hero when his plane landed is a joke. I myself live in Scotland and he has made a total joke of us! Life means life no matter what is wrong with you.
Holly writes:
This is a decision obnoxious to all who have fought to eradicate terrorism at home and abroad. Shame on Scotland.
Donato from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico writes:
Congratulations, Scotland. In a world bloated with hate and vengeance, there's still plenty of room for rare acts of compassion and forgiveness.
Bill from Lampe, Missouri writes:
Jack, What if he gets chemo/radiation treatments and lives for another 30 years? My dad is 84 and has had prostate cancer for 20 years. He finally had his prostate removed 5 years ago and is doing just fine.
Jay writes:
MacAskill claims he's adhering to a set of "values" by releasing this guy. These "values" are twisted, and a deep insult not only to the victims' families, but to the civilized world.
Tom from Newark, Delaware writes:
He should be allowed to die with dignity and comfortably in his Scottish bunk next to his stainless steel toilet. He received enough "humane treatment" by escaping the death penalty. Convicts die all the time in prison of illnesses.
Kyle from Portland, Oregon writes:
This man took away his victims' rights to die surrounded by those they loved. Why should he be shown this kind of compassion? Life in prison should mean LIFE in prison, regardless of how the person eventually dies. My heart goes out to the victims' families who now have to see this man receive a hero's welcome home.