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Compassion and forgiveness are two strange concepts. For compassion doesn’t the other side need to show remorse? For forgiveness doesn’t the other side have to be truly sorry?
Ronnie Biggs has been released on health grounds because he is dying in hospital only to see him again flout the compassion shown by bragging he’s able to leave hospital because he’s no longer under the stress of being under guard.
We now have the spectre of the Lockerbie Bomber, Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi released and sent back to Libya because he has terminal Cancer.
For those who died at Lockerbie, they weren’t given respect or compassion – it was cold bloodied murder. Life in prison is supposed to mean what it says. When someone dies that is the end of that sentence. Why should Abdul Baset be treated with dignity when his action was cowardly and gave no dignity to those murdered or their loved ones left behind.
Not much in life is clear cut; it is the shades of grey that provide the challenge and complexity.
But unfortunately even though the vast majority of people are honest and have integrity; those that act without regard deserve their just desserts. Of course the good guys will always offer out the compassionate hand of forgiveness.Perhaps I am just too cynical but I suspect that Abdul Baset will go back to Libya and the terminal cancer will miraculously go into remission and he will live on.
13 Aug 2009 09:42:50