Abdel Baset al-Megrahi

For some, the December 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 is a very distant memory.

For some, it's not even that. "The Lockerbie bombing? Never heard of it."

For others, those personally touched by the terrorism, the family and friends of the 270 people who lost their lives, the bombing is a life sentence of sorrow and grief.

In short, the significance of the release of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, one of the terrorists responsible for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, isn't the same for everyone.

Naturally, the people who actually lost loved ones in the bombing experience the release of al-Megrahi in a very personal way. Their perspective is that of a participant, not someone watching from the comfort of afar.

But what about the rest of us?

Should it be significant in our lives? Should al-Megrahi's release elicit a strong reaction in us?

I think it should.

Al-Megrahi, merciless murderer, was granted mercy. Today's terrorists, al-Megrahi wannabes, were granted a victory.

From the New York Times:

Despite strenuous American opposition, the Scottish government on Thursday ordered the release on compassionate grounds of the only person convicted in the Lockerbie bombing, permitting Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, a 57-year-old former Libyan intelligence agent, to return home after serving 8 years of a 27-year minimum sentence on charges of murdering 270 people in Britain’s worst terrorist episode.

He qualified for compassionate release after medical evidence showed he would die within months of prostate cancer, the Scottish authorities said.

...Scotland’s Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, said it was his decision and his alone that Mr. Megrahi “be released on compassionate grounds and allowed to return to Libya to die.”

“I have followed due process,” he said.

Mr. MacAskill acknowledged that Mr. Megrahi “did not show his victims any comfort or compassion” and that they were not allowed to go home to their families. “No compassion was shown by him to them,” he said. “But that alone is not a reason for us to deny compassion to him.”

Why should al-Megrahi be allowed to return home to die?

Is deteriorating health reason to release a terrorist, a cold-blooded killer?

Get terminally ill and get your freedom?

I guess al-Megrahi really lucked out.

I don't like the reaction of the Obama administration to this travesty.
The White House expresses regret and disappointment.

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration said Thursday it regrets Scotland's decision to release the Libyan man convicted of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 that killed 270 people.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the United States had repeatedly asked Scotland to keep Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in custody. Gibbs said: "On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones."

The State Department released a brief statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is on vacation, saying she is "deeply disappointed" by the decision to release al-Megrahi.

...Attorney General Eric Holder released a statement saying he was "extremely disappointed" with the release.

...Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the order to release al-Megrahi grew out of the convicted bomber's deteriorating health. He has prostate cancer and is not expected to live much longer.

He had served only eight years of a life sentence in Scotland for the December 21, 1988, bombing over the town of Lockerbie.

These expressions of regret and disappointment are woefully inadequate.

These are not statements indicating zero tolerance for terrorists.

I think this is a defining moment for the Obama administration.

WEAK ON TERROR.