Lockerbie // Kenya: We are losing our way

The West is livid with Scotland for releasing one of the Lockerbie bombers back to Libya for compassionate reasons. The felon is dying of cancer and apparently has less than 3 months to live.

From my perspective, Scotland did the right thing. Its actions exemplify how we differ from our enemies and may it ever be so - although the jury is out on this very issue.

The real losers here, in my estimation, are the Libyans given the way they celebrated their compatriot's return. It reminds of the old saying about the leopard and his spots. Libya has proven once again that it cannot be trusted despite its past feeble efforts to convince otherwise.

It also brings to mind Obama's position against torture which I support. If we act like our enemies then the only difference between us and them is in respect to degree.

Now on to Kenya.

Surprise, surprise the Canadian immigrant lady who was standed in Kenya for a few months is suing us - the Canadian taxpayer for 2.5 million dollars. It was Kenya after all that refused her passport.

It is reminiscent of the Arar case. There the USA sent him to Syria - his first country of citizenship where he is allegedly tortured, but it is the Canadian taxpayer he sues and reaps a $10.5 million lottery.

This despite (probably because) of the fact that Canada has the most generous immigration / refugee system in the world - which in itself costs us a bundle. Where does it end?

The messages here are that we, in the West, must retain our compassionate ways to distinguish ourselves from evil but we do not have to be patsies in so doing.

Enough said.

"Galagher"