Elise Cooper for BLACKFIVE With 9-11 approaching, Americans need to reflect on another terrorist mass murder: the downing of Pan Am Flight 103. Yesterday the Libyan terrorist Al Magrahi, who placed a bomb on that flight, was released by the Scottish government. Because he is dying of prostate cancer, the Scots decided to be compassionate and allow him to celebrate the Ramadan holiday and die in his homeland with his family. Those interviewed by backfive.net unanimously felt his release was a travesty. All of the family members interviewed felt that Magrahi’s release is the exact reason why Guantanamo Bay terrorists should not be released to other countries. They expressed sympathy and camaraderie with the 9-11 families. All felt the same as Congressman Hoekstra(R-MI) who stated “that Magrahi’s release shows what a bad idea it is to allow other countries to control the terrorists’ destiny. He stated to backfive.net that “it’s foolish to surrender the terrorists to other countries…why would we release some of the worst people in the world knowing as soon as we do we would lose control of them?” The family members told blackfive.net that they are disheartened by the way different administrations handled this case. Susan Cohen, whose daughter Theo died, angrily explained that “it’s been difficult with the Republicans and Democrats alike. George Bush did not send condolences for six months. Obama did not send condolence at the 20th anniversary commemoration when asked. He cited that he was not in office yet; even though he was already elected President.” Furthermore, the families believe that the administrations capitulated to Gaddafi after he decided to destroy his weapons of mass destruction. A large majority of the American families believe that Gaddafi should have somehow been brought to justice. Peter Lowenstein, who lost his son Alexander, expressed the feelings of the families. He frustratingly stated that there should have been outrage against Gaddafi and that “He (Gaddafi) should be in prison. He is the guilty culprit. It (the terrorist act) was initiated by the Colonel.” Bob Monetti, who lost his son Rick, concurred and explained that “he (Gaddafi) is a terrorist and people should not forget it.” The majority of the families were stunned when they found out that Gaddafi was going to be allowed to speak before the United Nations in September. Instead of being recognized as a terrorist, he is being elevated to a role of statesman. Bob Monetti is organizing a protest to “make the world remember Gaddafi is a terrorist.” Susan Cohen is upset because President Obama shook Gaddafi’s hand at the GA Conference even though Libya has one of the worst human rights records. She feels by allowing him to speak before the United Nations is “a miscarriage of justice…I have to watch this right around my daughter’s birthday (September 10th).” In the past, the families were outraged that there was no justice against Gaddafi; today, they are outraged that this mass murderer was released for compassionate reasons. Monetti noted that “talking about compassion is utter nonsense.” Susan Cohen explained that “the compassion for him is insane. I want him to be in prison for his evil act. The release of Magrahi is an argument for capital punishment. He went to jail for a few years—that’s nuts.” Blackfive.net was told that most of the American families could not understand the explanation by the Scottish government for Magrahi’s release. Lowenstein sadly and dejectedly noted that “he murdered 270 people. He showed no compassion for them and didn’t allow them to die in the confines of their families. I see no reason why we should do the same for him.” One can see similarities between Pan Am 103 and 9-11 families. Yesterday, Gordon Haberman, who lost his daughter at the World Trade Center, told blackfive.net that “the families of Pan Am 103 remain the inspiration for the families of the 9-11 victims. The Pan Am 103 families never gave up. Whenever I give up I remember those families who persevered.” When asked about these similarities, Susan Cohen sighed, paused and then explained that “there was a time when Americans would have said you can’t do that to Americans. We really did nothing for the victims. What does that say about us now? What have we become? I feel the greatest generation is certainly gone now.”
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/jen61SAOFq8/scottish-sympathy-lybian-perfidy.html
Posted
Aug 21 2009, 03:01 AM
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BLACKFIVE