Scotland has a government?
Surely you’ve had enough time to check Wikipedia etc in the 2 weeks or so since the media started talking about the ‘Scottish Justice Minister’ and the "Scottish First Minister’?
Not according to most posters in this thread…
Scotland has it’s own parliament and criminal justice system. The parliament has limited powers, with the UK government having the rest, but as far as I know the criminal justice system is separate.
This is pretty relevant in this thread, seeing as all logical explanations paint the Iranians as the real originators of the bomb that brought down the Lockerbie flight. They had a motive: the US had shot down one of their civilian planes then spat in their eye awarding medals to the men responsible, with the bomb design being consistent with bombs that the Iranians were using at that time.
Yes, the criminal justice system has been completely separate, ever since the union in 1707. Until devolution in 2000 the minister responsible for it would however have been part of the Westminster government (and new statutory crimes were passed in London, but generally applying only to Scotland). Since then justice has been an entirely Scottish concern (as long as it operates within the European Convention on Human Rights and related things). This is one of the reasons why Jack Straw would not attend hearings in the USA - he had no power to alter the decision, in law or in reality.
To ensure that criminals guilty of crimes against US citizens are punished in a manner fitting the crimes committed, the same way that the USA has obligation to Scotland if a true Scotsman is murdered in New York, to ensure the murder gets an appropriate sentence. Eight years, a hero’s welcome in Tripoli and a fat oil contract to BP, does not fulfill those obligations. You failed.
And whatever happened to “six months” and “very limited”? Is that a particular Scottish slang for “10 years or more”?
Senator Menendez is a Democrat.
No true Scotsman gets murdered in New York.
I really liked the whole “true Scotsman” thing. Just remember, New Yorkers - if Sean Connery gets stabbed in the bronx, you boys are beholding to us. If it’s Rod Stewart though, meh.
Anyway, once more for the hard of thinking. Megrahi was lawfully released by the Scottish Justice minister. If you feel that was some breach of obligation to relatives of the deceased, I’m sorry, but tough shit. If you really want to start looking at conspiracy theories about perversion of justice in this case, how about we look at the entire fucking case, starting with the trial. I’d have a fuck of a lot more sympathy for those who feel his release is a terrible thing, if it wasn’t as blatant a stitch up job by the UK and US government from the start.
I really like the way that BP has now become the villain du jour for the US. I feel it’s only a matter of time before someone points out they supplied the aviation fuel for the planes that hit the WTC, and links them to Osama. Don’t get me wrong - they’re a bunch of bastards, and really should be hung out to dry for various misdeeds over the years…but that could equally be applied to Shell, ConocoPhillips, and a whole pile of service companies too. For years people have ignored the various dodgy deals that oil companies have been doing with some really, really disagreeable regimes. It’s almost funny how of all things they’re finally being hounded for, it’s probably one of the most reasonable deals they’ve done in years. What is it about people’s need for one dimensional panto villains?
Actually, it was brought up again by Democrats. Republicans have been falling all over themselves to caress BP’s balls.
Scotland is part of England. Like a county.
Is this a whoosh, or are you just being really, really stupid ??
Cf. “Texas is part of Oregon. Like a country”
Same meaning, equally dumb.
America and India, too. Sun never sets on the British Empire.
I’m sure most people know this anyway, but to clarify for the hard of thinking: England is not synonymous with either Britain or the UK. England and Scotland are, and always have been separate countries.
Separate nations, yes. Separate countries, arguable, especially prior to devolution.
Hilarious.
You may now leave the discussion, as there is nothing you can say that will be taken seriously from this point on.
Actually, I was wrong and going by a strict definition they’re not separate countries at all. They are separate nations, which is what I meant.
Ah, I see. So, courtesy between sovereign nations, you think are obligations. That’s good to know.
Hey, don’t look at me, I’m French. You probably have thousands of reasons to despise the place, but this one ain’t.
If you want to take pedantry to hilarious new levels, they are separate kingdoms.
Tabula rasa. You basically have the most appropriate username ever. Although aren’t you a bit old to still be one. Better get on with that experience and perception thing, laddie!