I think the American attitude to my country absolutely stinks. Im glad McAskill didnt roll over and let himself get bullied into an American view. One thing America doesnt have is respect for any other countries laws. Al Megrahi is an animal, but he has to be treated like every other Scottish prisoner who could end up in that situation. I have the upmost respect for the SNP, Salmond and McAskill for taking the unpopular, but absolutely correct decision. Also, calls to boycott Scotland is deeply insulting. I seem to remember when the American soldiers were getting their ass kicked in Fallujah a few years ago, the "3 Scots" stepped in and helped the Americans when no one else would? Should the Scots boycott America and withdraw the thousands of troops we send to Iraq and Afghanistan to help an American war? Some more respect is needed from America to Scotland. I think they need to remember that 10% of Americas population are Scottish-American and 22 presidents are of Scottish descent
I agree with most of what your saying, but it is funny how Americans are jumping on a bandwagon. What if everyone boycotted them because of Guantanamo (sp)? Or over some of their decisions in the past?
I live in the US, and I've only learned about a boycott from reading this thread. I Googled it, and found boycottscotland.com
They're only angry since a country which is 125 times smaller than America has stood up for themselves and not allowed bullying from American politicians to influence their decision, unlike the UK which leads British and Scottish troops into Iraq and Afghanistan just to keep the Americans happy, despite the party in charge of Scotland being opposed to the wars?? You know what? Ive never been more proud to be Scottish. We have a leader in Alex Salmond who is prepared to fight for the Scottish people and a Justice Secretary prepared to make the correct decisions, however unpopular they may be. Alba Gu Brath.
I don't believe the boycotters really give a damn about the size of your country, or the fact that you have your own laws. The relatives of the victims are simply outraged that the man convicted of killing their family members has been let off "scot-free."
Maybe so. Although its quite hard to take when you hear people sending death threats to Kenny McAskill who was just trying to do his job. Scotland has no responibility to anyone apart from the Scottish people. We cant control the Libyan reaction but I think it was more to do with Obama's warning to Libya not to celebrate his return which made the reaction like it was. imho
Im just annoyed. Scots are proud people and when you hear people trying to make our country out to be a terrorist loving, skirt wearing, haggis eating, american hating state, it really is hard to take.
That's what people can't see. Because Scotland stood up to America, who think they rule the world, they don't like it. I believe it was wrong, but he'll be dead in 3 months anyway.
That's awful, I wasn't aware that Kenny McAskill had a death threat! By and large, American people love Scotland. It's just that this has a few people upset, but it will blow over.
I like how thats what you got out of everything I just said... It's not a joke of a system. I wouldn't say it's perfect, but it's better than a lot of legal systems out there at the moment (e.g. capital punishment).
I think our legal system is one of the fairest in the world. And to be honest, there isnt a lot wrong with living here. - Free healthcare for all - Free University for all (in fact, i got paid over $5,000 a year to go to uni from the Scottish Government) - Free prescriptions - Free personal and nursing care for the elderly I wouldnt live in any other country.
Plus, we have a sense of decency (and in this case, compassion) that many countries, the USA for example, don't have. Along with all those benefits, not found in any other country I know of, we have some of the best places to visit in the world and much more.
It's quite ironic. Scotland doesn't need lessons on its justice system from the people who waterboard suspects at guantanamo bay.
While you're patting yourself on the back for being so great, I did want to point something out. This was compassion for al-Megrahi and his family, for the victims of Pan American Flight 103, it was not.
While the victims in America (not surprisingly) believe everything they are told and believe Al Megrahi was the bomber, almost all on the British side of the atlantic do not, and feel indifferent about his release because they are sure he was not behind it.
Did you see the trial? It was a complete farce... Unlike the yanks who would rather any random Muslim be put behind bars, the people over here want to see the actual people responsible put to justice (and it definitely wasn't one man who carried this out, it was a group of highly trained and sophisticated individuals).