Scotland freed the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds Thursday, letting the Libyan go home to die despite American pleas to show no mercy for the man responsible for the 1988 attack that killed 270 people.

The White House declared it “deeply” regretted the Scottish decision as Abdel Baset al-Megrahi left Greenock Prison and flew to Libya on an Airbus dispatched to Glasgow Airport, still insisting he was innocent.

Scotland’s justice secretary said freeing the bomber was an expression of the Scottish people’s humanity but U.S. family members of Lockerbie victims expressed outrage.

To recap, on December 21, 1988, the wreckage of Pan Am Flight 103 crashed near Lockerbie, Scotland, as a result of a terrorist bomb. Eleven townspeople were killed in Sherwood Crescent, where the plane’s wings and fuel tanks plummeted in a fiery explosion, leaving a huge crater. The 270 fatalities (259 on the plane, 11 in Lockerbie) were citizens of 21 nations.

Two men accused of being Libyan intelligence agents were eventually charged in 1991 with planting the bomb. It took a further nine years to bring the accused to trial. Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi was jailed for life in January 2001 following the 84-day Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial under Scottish law, at Camp Zeist, Netherlands. His co-accused, Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah, was acquitted, and returned to Libya. On August 20, 2009 the Scottish Government announced that Megrahi was to be released from prison on compassionate grounds as he has terminal prostate cancer.

No word yet from the Scottish Government on whether the 270 dead innocent people were allowed to voice their opinions on the matter.

Stephan Tawney replies:

Scotland, evidently having lost all concern for international terrorism and its victims, decided to release the man responsible for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 (which killed 270 people over Lockerbie) this afternoon. Apparently out of “compassion” for the dying man who’s only served about 8 years from his horrific crime.

In the rest of the world, “compassion” disappears for an individual once he’s decided to brutally murder 270 people on behalf of a state-sponsor of terror. Evidently in Scotland, mass murder doesn’t disqualify you from being released because you want to spend time with your family and friends back home. Remind me to chalk the country off my list of places to go.

But this isn’t the entirety of the story. You see, when this mass murderer, who only served 11 days in prison for each innocent person he killed, returned to a hero’s welcome in Libya. Says Allahpundit:

Palestinians notoriously celebrated on 9/11 and Lebanese rejoiced at the release of Hezbollah child-killer Samir Kuntar. It’s one thing to welcome home a soldier who fought enemy combatants; these people welcome home terrorists who mass-murder civilians. Pure, unapologetic savagery.

And Dafydd ab Hugh tells us:

Early releases of a vicious killer on grounds of “compassion” directly contradicts the principle of equal justice under law, a fundamental axiom of legitimate government; our protest to Scotland should begin and end with that point: Denying equal justice to a popular killer and to citizens of an unpopular country (the United States), Scotland, even the United Kingdom itself, are sinking to the same level as Libya, no morally better and no more legitimate; and the Scottish and British people should be deeply ashamed of their tainted government.

To which I fully agree. 11 days in jail for every innocent person he killed. He didn’t kill enemy soldiers on a battlefield – he killed students and children going home for the holidays. There is absolutely no honor in what this butcher did.

And there is no honor in what the Scottish Government did. In my mind they have now become equal to the savagery of al Megrahi. Although I am from Scot ancestry, today I am deeply ashamed of my people. Typical of Euro-weenie beta males.

Scotland, Lockerbie, Libya, al-Megrahi, Flight 103

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His friends chose to remember him after his death by drinking, eating, conversing, and reading poetry as he would have in life – lightly and freely.

As holidays and traditions often do, it has become more formalized over the years, so that a Burns Supper begins with a bagpipe welcome and a few choice remarks on the part of the master of ceremonies, then a reading of Burns’s own, Selkirk Grace:

Some hae meat and cannot eat.
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

The supper then starts with the soup course. Normally a Scottish soup such as Scotch Broth, Potato Soup or Cock-a-Leekie is served. Then everyone stands as the main course is brought in, which is always a haggis on a large dish. It is brought in by the cook, generally while a piper plays bagpipes and leads the way to the host’s table, where the haggis is laid down. At the end of a spoken poem, “Address To a Haggis”, a whisky toast will be proposed to the haggis. Then the company will sit and enjoy the meal.

Finally the host will wind things up, calling on one of the guests to give the vote of thanks, after which everyone is asked to stand, join hands, and sing Auld Lang Syne which brings the evening to an end.

Burns suppers are most common in Scotland, but they occur wherever there are Burns clubs, Scottish Societies, expatriate Scots, or lovers of Burns’ poetry. The object is to have a great time and share a bunch of laughs. Slainte’!

January 25, Burns Night, Scotland, Robert Burns, Selkirk Grace, bagpipe, haggis

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The current National Geographic magazine reports that less than two per cent of the world’s population has natural red hair, created by a mutation in northern Europe thousands of years ago.

Global intermingling, which broadens the availability of possible partners, has reduced the chances of redheads meeting and producing little redheads of their own.

It takes only one red-haired parent to produce ginger-headed babies, but two redheads obviously create a much stronger possibility.

If the gingers really want to save themselves they should move to Scotland.

An estimated 40 per cent of Scots carry the red gene and 13 per cent actually have red hair.

Some experts say that redheads could be gone as early as 2060, but others say the gene can be dormant for generations before returning.

National Geographic says the gene at first had the beneficial effect of increasing the body’s ability to make vitamin D from sunlight.

However, today’s carriers are more prone to skin cancer and have a higher sensitivity to heat and cold-related pain.

No more redheads? Folks, this is far more serious to the stability of civilization than any of that global warming junk.

Unique, feisty, smart, sexy.

Blondes may have more fun but redheads have more sex, according to new research. The study by Hamburg Sex Researcher Professor Dr Werner Habermehl looked at the sex lives of hundreds of German women and compared them with their hair color. He said: “The sex lives of women with red hair were clearly more active than those with other hair colour, with more partners and having sex more often than the average. The research shows that the fiery redhead certainly lives up to her reputation.”

Q: What’s the true definition of a blonde?
A: Redhead with the fire of passion missing.

Less than 1% of the human population has red hair. Red hair is the rarest type of natural hair color in humans. Red hair appears in people with two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a change in the MC1R protein.

While my own gentle bride is a natural brunette she has redhead in her blood. Her grandmother was a fiery, opinionated, stubborn redhead, character traits that were passed down to her. So while she may not be an “official” redhead she is certainly a Member of that Club. Even today she wishes her hair were red, and she’s looking for a redheaded grandchild of her own.

I suggest that all available men drop their California plastic blondes and do themselves a favor by seeking out a redhead … assuming you can handle one. They’re hard to find, and they put up a good fight, but think of it as protecting an endangered species from extinction. Global warming will then be the last thing on your mind.

National Geographic, redhead, Scotland, MC1R

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Glasgow Airport had no armed police on duty when an attempted terrorist attack was launched last Saturday, Strathclyde Police admitted yesterday.

While both Aberdeen and Edinburgh airports had armed officers present following the attempted bombings in London, Glasgow, Scotland’s busiest airport, was left unprotected.

Last night, a spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police explained that a mobile armed response team was on duty but was not at the airport.

She said: “Strathclyde Police always has a firearms capability ready and [the officers] were on mobile patrol. We only station armed officers at the airport when the national threat level is at critical.”

Yet the decision was criticised by Margaret Curran, Scottish Labour’s justice spokeswoman, who said: “Had people died, we would be asking, ‘Where were our armed police?’ I would urge the chief constable to urgently review this policy.”

Wow, I sure feel safer about flying in or out of Glasgow now.

Only a select few officers are “firearms capable”, and they weren’t even at the airport? Where were they and what was more important that protecting the thousands of innocent people flying there?

This is beyond absurd.

Glasgow Airport, terrorist

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From The Sun Online:

The break-up of the United Kingdom became a stark possibility last night as thousands of English and Scottish voters demanded home rule.

Most people on both sides of the border want their countries to “divorce” after almost 300 years together, according to a poll.

It showed that more than half of Scots and three out of five English folk want the two countries to go it alone. And thousands more want breakaway governments for Wales and Northern Ireland, too.

The survey revealed that backing for Scottish home rule has hit 52 per cent among Scots and 59 per cent south of the border.

Two-thirds — 68 per cent — of English people quizzed want their own parliament, an idea supported by 58 per cent of Scots.

And almost half of English voters — 48 per cent — want complete independence.

Only two weeks ago a Scottish poll found 51 per cent of Scots want to break away from the UK.

All three main political parties want the union to stay strong but have begun internal debates on its future. If public hunger for a parting of the ways grows they will be under pressure to act.

Experts warned last night that a four-way split would be the costliest and most traumatic divorce in world history.

The re-birth of four smaller nations would throw the Queen’s role as head of state into turmoil.

The Union Flag would be consigned to the history books as each country reverted to its own national standard.

Historic institutions like the armed forces would be carved up.

Independence would also turn the Westminster parliament into a seat of power for England only.

Scots MPs — like Chancellor Mr Brown and leadership hopeful John Reid — would be banned from sitting in a London parliament. The fact that Scots MPs can decide English laws is already contentious.

The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent state until May 1, 1707, when the Acts of Union resulted in a political union with the Kingdom of England to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. However, Scotland is no longer a sovereign state and does not enjoy direct membership of either the United Nations or the European Union.

Edward I, King of England, was asked to adjudicate between rival claimants to the vacant Scottish throne after the death of the Margaret, Maid of Norway in 1290. She was the last direct heir of Alexander III of Scotland. Edward I used the political divisions in Scotland to his own benefit. The Scots resisted the English under the leadership of Sir William Wallace and Andrew de Moray. In March 25, 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned, King Robert I. He won a decisive victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. However, warfare flared up again after Robert I’s death. Today, as one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, the head of state in Scotland is the British monarch. The Scottish Parliament is not sovereign. Debate continues over whether the Scottish Parliament should accrue additional powers, or seek to obtain full independence with full sovereign powers. It remains to be seen whether the current devolution system satisfies Scottish demands for self-government or will strengthen demands for full-blown independence. Give the good people of Scotland their independence. Make the dreams of Robert the Bruce and Sir William Wallace come to life. Scotland was a sovereign nation that was invaded by the English and forced to accept and adopt English rule – and now the time has come to give them back their lives.

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You might even see your humble host there. The colors you see in my top-of-page graphic is from my tartan.

The Stone Mountain Highland Games
October 21-22, 2006
Adult: $14
Child (6-12): $4
Stone Mountain Park Parking: $8 / car

• Whisky Seminar and Tasting
• Individual Piping/Drumming
• Pipe Band Competition & Demonstrations
• Highland Dance
• Scottish Harping
• Fiddling
• Scottish Country Dance
• Clan Gatherings
• Athletic Competition
• Parade of Tartans

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The picturesque grounds of Stone Mountain Park, a short drive northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, will once again resounded with the sounds of bagpipes, fiddles and harps. For the 34th consecutive year, thousands of Scots (even those that wish to be “Scot for the Day”) from around the world will don their family tartans and gather to greet old friends and make new ones too. Thrill to the Highland Athletic events, Highland Dancing, Piping and Drumming, Scottish Harping. Participate in the Scottish Country Dancing demonstrations, Kirking of the Tartans, Clan Challenge Athletic events and the Parade of Tartans.

You might even see your humble host there. The colors you see in my top-of-page graphic is from my tartan.

The Stone Mountain Highland Games
October 21-22, 2006
Adult: $14
Child (6-12): $4
Stone Mountain Park Parking: $8 / car

• Whisky Seminar and Tasting
• Individual Piping/Drumming
• Pipe Band Competition & Demonstrations
• Highland Dance
• Scottish Harping
• Fiddling
• Scottish Country Dance
• Clan Gatherings
• Athletic Competition
• Parade of Tartans

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From my home country of Scotland (so it’s OK if I laugh at them), via the UK Herald: Nearly one-third of 16 to 24-year-olds in Scotland lost their virginity below the age of consent, according to a new survey. Could it be because the other 2/3rds play bagpipes?

More on dear Scotland from BBC News: Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson announced laws to ban swords unless sold for legitimate reasons. I wonder if Cathy Jamieson would have said this to William Wallace at the Stirling Bridge in 1297, or at the nearby village of Bannockburn in 1314? Or what about Connor MacLeod, of the Clan MacLeod, when he faced The Kurgan?

Scotland, bagpipe, sword

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From ABCNews:

Smoky, honey, body, sweetness, medicinal, tobacco, spicy, winey, nutty, malty, fruity and floral.

For anyone trying to pick the perfect single malt whisky, these are the 12 “cardinal flavors” identified by a Scottish academic to tickle the tastebuds of connoisseurs around the world.

After sampling malt whiskies at almost 100 Scottish distilleries, Dr. David Wishart is still standing — and his classification has won official endorsement from the Scotch Whisky Industry.

“This is our national drink and it is Scotland’s biggest export after oil. The industry employs about 40,000 people and it should be taken seriously,” the honorary research fellow at the University of St Andrews told Reuters.

Now, after Wishart’s assiduous analysis, imbibers have an easily applicable guide to the taste and style of single malt whiskies, previously just classified by region.

“The industry has endorsed it,” Wishart said.

It appears this month in his book “Whisky Classified: Choosing Single Malts by Flavour,” published in seven languages.

You’re not a fan of single malt scotch? What you say? Poet Robert Louis Stevenson said it this way in ‘The Scotsman’s Return from Abroad’ in 1880,

Now updated to include the latest offerings from the main Scottish distilleries, and using a unique profiling system based on whisky’s 12 dimensions of aroma and taste, this rigorously researched volume is a superb and impartial guide to single malt whiskies. Featuring 200 color photos and illustrations.

In Whisky Classified, expert David Wishart eschews the confusing jargon often used to describe malts and replaces it with an objective, easily applied guide to taste. He presents the reader with a new flavor classification system—the result of many distillery visits, whisky tastings, and discussions with industry experts. The profile identifies 12 dimensions to the aroma and taste of malt whisky: body, sweetness, smoky, medicinal, tobacco, honey, spicy, winey, nutty, malty, fruity, and floral. These dimensions incorporate, in an easy manner, over 400 commonly used terms to describe malt whisky. This handy, fully illustrated guide also provides a comprehensive survey of Scottish distilleries, with a history and description of each, as well as tasting notes, visitor information, regional maps, and a profile of the whisky according to classification.

If all of this isn’t enough, then reserve a time with your humble host to sit on his front porch, chat about life, and sip a fine single malt with me. I really enjoy The Glenlivet. Glenfiddich is nasty. Talisker is somewhat potent. Macallan is OK. I would love to try some Oban (hard to find). Laphroaig should be left for cleaning engine parts.

Move ‘zig’. For great justice.

Wishart, Scotch, Whisky, Glenlivet

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On March 20th 1998, Senate Resolution 155 (S.Res. 155), proposed by US Senate Republican majority leader Trent Lott, was passed unanimously. It states:

Whereas April 6 has a special significance for all Americans, and especially those Americans of Scottish descent, because the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed on April 6, 1320 and the American Declaration of Independence was modelled on that inspirational document; Whereas this resolution honors the major role that Scottish Americans played in the founding of this Nation, such as the fact that almost half of the signers of the Declaration of independence were of Scottish descent, the Governors in 9 of the original 13 States were of Scottish ancestry, Scottish Americans successfully helped shape this country in its formative years and guide this Nation through its most troubled times; Whereas this resolution recognizes the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish Americans that have led to America’s preeminence in the fields of science, technology, medicine, government, politics, economics, architecture, literature, media, and visual and performing arts; Whereas this resolution commends the more than 200 organizations throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition, and culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish descent, residing in every State, who already have made the observance of Tartan Day on April 6 a success; Whereas these numerous individuals, clans, societies, clubs, and fraternal organizations do not let the great contributions of the Scottish people go unnoticed: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates April 6 of each year as “National Tartan Day”.

Hail to thee, all who have Scot blood running in your veins! One day Scotland will be a free nation again.

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