Free Republic

Five days after he took delivery of a metal detector and seven steps into his first treasure hunt, a novice archaeologist has helped to rewrite Scottish history and may be a millionaire after he unearthed four 2,300-year-old torcs made of pure gold a few feet from his parked car. David Booth, a game warden at Blair Drummond Safari Park, in Stirlingshire, bought his £240 detector from a website that claimed “treasure need not be an idle dream”. What then seemed an absurd sales puff has proved strangely prophetic. The hoard he discovered at the edge of a field was described...

Tuesday November 3, 2009 Scottish Gay Rights Activists Found Guilty of Pedophilia Sentenced to Life Imprisonment By Thaddeus M. BaklinskiEDINBURGH, Scotland, November 3, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - An influential gay rights activist and youth group leader, and another homosexualist activist, have been jailed for life for their involvement in the largest pedophile ring ever uncovered in Scotland.James Rennie, one time co-coordinator of the homosexual rights group LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Youth Scotland and a former teacher, and Neil Strachan, the former secretary of a Celtic boys club and campaigner on homosexual issues, were convicted in May on charges including sex attacks...

Scottish lawyer denies reports Lockerbie bomber deadThu, Oct 22, 2009 AFP LONDON, UK- A lawyer for Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi denied Wednesday a report that he had died, two months after being freed from a Scottish jail. Sky News television, quoting unidentified sources, said there were reports that Megrahi had died. He was freed from a Scottish prison and returned to Libya on August 20, on the grounds that he was dying of prostate cancer. "It's not true... he's alive and I know that for a fact," Scottish lawyer Tony Kelly told AFP, while declining to give details...

Shotgun and rifle crime has more than doubled in Scotland because police have been so effective in cracking down on handgun smugglers, it emerged yesterday. Gangs finding it harder to access the smaller weapons are instead arming themselves with shotguns and rifles stolen from licensed holders. The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency says that a recent rise in illegal handgun trade led officers to crack down on smugglers. In response, many criminals have been robbing legitimate shotgun owners, in particular focusing their attention on country estates. New figures show that shotgun and rifle offences are at a ten-year high....

Macbeth's castle unearthed in Inverness garden? LOCAL history enthusiasts believe they have unearthed positive evidence that a former King of Scotland maintained a castle in Inverness. Tradition has persisted that Macbeth had a stronghold at Auldcastle Road in the Crown area of the city - hence the name. Now an archaeological dig by members of the Inverness Local History Forum in the garden of the appropriately-named house Dun Macbeth has uncovered what could be the most important finds to date. Some artefacts, including pieces of medieval glass and what are thought to be whalebone and porpoise or dolphin bones have...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Michael hits the nail on the head . . . and then comes this: The Obama administration has notified Congress of the State Department's intention to contribute $400,000 to foundations run by Muammar Qaddafi's two children — $200,000 each for daughter Aisha and son Saif. Saif, you may recall, is the son who escorted the Lockerbie terrorist Abdel Baset al-Megrahi home to a hero's welcome in Libya after President Obama sternly "warned" Qaddafi that there was to be no hero's welcome. Illinois Republican congressman Mark Steven Kirk (House Appropriations Subcommittee on State/Foreign Operations) has sent Obama a letter asking him...

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today urged President Obama to withdraw his Administration's request to provide $400,000 to Libya's Qaddafi Foundation, just weeks after they celebrated the release of a terrorist responsible for the murders of 189 Americans. Last month, when Scotland freed Abel Baset Megrahi, the only man convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi greeted him with a hero's welcome. Qaddafi's son, Saif, was involved in the negotiation for Megrahi's release and accompanied the terrorist back to Libya. Despite the U.S. Administration's strong condemnation of Megrahi's release, the State Department...

Vikings 'were warned to avoid Scotland' Scotland is full of dangerous natives who speak an incomprehensible language and the is weather awful. That was the verdict of a series of 13th century Viking travel guides that warned voyagers to visit at their peril.

A British army officer who, after running out of ammunition, used his bayonet to charge a Taliban fighter has been awarded the Military Cross. Lt James Adamson, who is 24 and serves with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was given the medal for his "supreme physical courage". His actions while on tour in Afghanistan saved the lives of soldiers in his platoon. He said he ran out of ammunition after killing one man, so charged the second. Lt Adamson, who is from the Isle of Man, and part of the 5th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, said: "To be honest...

Sir – As a long-term employee in the oil and gas industry, having worked in various locations around the world including Libya, I would like to pose a few points for all and sundry to ponder. When I worked in Libya several years ago many locals were, at that time, quite adamant that Mr al-Megrahi would someday return to Libya – they have been proved right. Some went as far as to say they were sorry for the death of non-Americans on the doomed flight, but not necessarily for the American fatalities. Within the oil and gas industry wherever you...

Back from summer recess, Congress faces continuing outrage over Scotland's release of Libyan terrorist Abdel Bassett al-Megrahi, convicted of destroying Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988. How did this happen? How is it possible, at the supposed height of "Obamamania" worldwide, that Great Britain, our closest ally, would free a terrorist who killed 270 innocents, 189 of them Americans? What does this mean for our policy against terrorism? British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's own ministers now concede, despite earlier denials, that Megrahi's triumphal return to Tripoli was linked to British interest in greater trade and investment with Libya. In the...

Exclusive: Lockerbie families could exploit legal loophole to raise conviction appeal after al-Megrahi's deathLockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi's appeal could be back on, the Record can reveal. Family members of those killed have learned a legal loophole will allow a third party to have the case reopened on Megrahi's behalf after his death. The convicted terrorist - who is dying from cancer - sensationally dropped his case days before being freed on compassionate grounds. The move was viewed as a massive blow to the chances of the public ever getting to the truth of the Pan Am flight 103 explosion,...

Many people around the world, not just the relatives of the victims of the 270 people killed when Abdel Baset al-Megrahi blew up Pan Am Flight 103 over a Scottish town, are still furious about his release from a Scottish prison and the warm greetings extended to him when he arrived in Libya. The TV cameras showed the gala reception, Qaddafi hugging Megrahi, and Megrahi kissing the Libyan despot. Libya's leader then praised his "friend" British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the British government on Thursday for what he called their "courage" in allowing Megrahi's release. "To my friends in...

Britain's release of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi-- the Libyan terrorist whose bomb blew up a plane over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 270 people-- is galling enough in itself. But it is even more profoundly troubling as a sign of a larger mood that has been growing in the Western democracies in our time. In ways large and small, domestically and internationally, the West is surrendering on the installment plan to Islamic extremists. The ostensible reason for releasing al-Megrahi was compassion for a man terminally ill. It is ironic that this was said in Scotland, for exactly 250 years ago another...

From the London Times: Gordon Brown was dragged into the centre of the row over the early release of the Lockerbie bomber last night after it emerged that a key decision that could have paved the way for the terrorist to serve his sentence in Libya was approved by Downing Street. A source close to Jack Straw told The Times that the move to include Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi in a prisoner transfer agreement in 2007 was a government decision and was not made at the sole discretion of the Justice Secretary. "It wasn't just Jack who decided this. It...

Gordon Brown was dragged into the centre of the row over the early release of the Lockerbie bomber last night after it emerged that a key decision that could have paved the way for the terrorist to serve his sentence in Libya was approved by Downing Street. A source close to Jack Straw told The Times that the move to include Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi in a prisoner transfer agreement in 2007 was a government decision and was not made at the sole discretion of the Justice Secretary. “It wasn’t just Jack who decided this. It was a Government decision....

The British government decided it was “in the overwhelming interests of the United Kingdom” to make Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, eligible for return to Libya, leaked ministerial letters reveal. Gordon Brown’s government made the decision after discussions between Libya and BP over a multi-million-pound oil exploration deal had hit difficulties. These were resolved soon afterwards. The letters were sent two years ago by Jack Straw, the justice secretary, to Kenny MacAskill, his counterpart in Scotland, who has been widely criticised for taking the formal decision to permit Megrahi’s release. The correspondence makes it plain that the key...

Imagine how the families of those 240 dead feel now? The British government decided it was “in the overwhelming interests of the United Kingdom” to make Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, eligible for return to Libya, leaked ministerial letters reveal. Gordon Brown’s government made the decision after discussions between Libya and BP over a multi-million-pound oil exploration deal had hit difficulties. These were resolved soon afterwards. (Excerpt) Read more at floppingaces.net...

The next time some Muslim group claims their religion is being mocked, point them in the direction of this story from Scotland. Note to John Murtha & Dick Durban: Muslims help fund exhibit that encourages defacing of the Bible Art Show Encourages People to Deface the Bible, Write Obscenities A publicly funded exhibition is encouraging people to deface the Bible in the name of art - and visitors have responded with abuse and obscenity. The show includes a video of a woman ripping pages from the Bible and stuffing them into her bra, knickers and mouth. The open Bible is...

It's one thing to argue that we shouldn't torture terrorists. It's rather another thing to let one go to a hero's welcome. In case anyone missed it, Kenny MacAskill, Justice Minister for Scotland, ordered the "compassionate release" of Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi. Al-Megrahi was one of the persons responsible for the bombing Pan Am 103, which came down on Lockerbie. Two hundred and seventy people died, including eleven on the ground. Al-Megrahi was apparently suffering from prostate cancer, and was said to have had less than three months to live. That three months is apparently key under Scottish "prison guidance,"...

The furore over the release of the Lockerbie bomber intensified today over the medical advice given to the Scottish government on how long he has to live. It emerged that the prognosis that Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi had a life expectancy of only three months or less was supported by an unnamed doctor who had no expertise in terminal prostate cancer. The final report on al-Megrahi’s condition which went to Kenny MacAskill was drawn up by Dr Andrew Fraser, director of health and care with the Scottish Prison Service. The three-month time limit is important because Scottish Prison Service guidance...

JUSTICE secretary Kenny MacAskill was last night under pressure to reveal more details of the medical evidence that led to the release of the Lockerbie bomber, after it emerged that only one doctor was willing to say Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi had less than three months to live. Labour and Conservative politicians have demanded the Scottish Government publish details of the doctor's expertise and qualifications, amid suggestions he or she may not have been a prostate cancer expert. The parties have also raised questions over whether the doctor was employed by the Libyan government or Megrahi's legal team, which could...

The Rev is really fired up . Check out his newest video .

He killed 270 people. He spent a mere 11 days in person for each of the men, women and children he killed. Suggesting that compassion should supersede the severity of an attack is ridiculous and could warrant an entire essay of rebuttal, but the more egregious error (and insult) here is that a man who murdered 270 innocent people in mid-air over Lockerbie, Scotland in December 1988 has been released by Scotland on “compassionate grounds” because he is stricken with prostate cancer. Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi may have prostate cancer, he may want to return to Libya to see his...

As the terrorist Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who was convicted of aiding in the deaths of the 297 men women and children on a Pan Am Boeing 747, including 189 Americans, was greeted in Libya as a hero, it became obvious of how little respect Scotland and England have for President Obama and the United States.

The 270 victims who died in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 more than two decades ago included 189 Americans, among them dozens of college students and military personnel heading home for the holidays. Former Libyan intelligence agent Abdel Baset al-Megrahi was convicted of the terrorist act in 2001 and sentenced to 27 years in a Scottish prison. That's where this monster should have ended his days.

Scotland's justice minister has defended his decision to release the man convicted of the 1988 Pan Am airline bombing at an emergency debate in parliament. Kenny MacAskill reiterated that the decision to free Abdel Basset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds was made in accordance with Scottish law and was not influenced by politics, diplomacy or trade. "In Scotland we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity. The perpetration of an outrage ... cannot and should not be the basis for losing sight of who we are," he said. He also added that Libya, which celebrated al-Megrahi's return, had previously...

The Libyan authorities broke their promise not to hold celebrations for the return of the Lockerbie bomber, the Scottish Justice Secretary said today. Kenny MacAskill was speaking at the start of an emergency session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which was recalled for MSPs to debate his decision last Thursday to release Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds. America has responded with outrage to the release and to the scenes of jubilation that ensued in the Libyan capital when al-Megrahi arrived back in his homeland. Relatives of some of the 189 US victims said that the hero's welcome...

Scotland’s government faces a fight for its survival as the furore over its decision to free the Lockerbie bomber escalated last night. Opposition parties north of the Border are preparing to hold a confidence vote over the decision by Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary, to free Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi. Alex Salmond, the First Minister, has confirmed that he would resign if the Holyrood vote went against him. The development comes after a weekend of fierce criticism from the United States of the decision on the ground of compassion to return al-Megrahi to Libya, where he was fêted as...

Scotland's first minister has defended his government's decision to free the Lockerbie bomber after a blistering attack from the FBI chief and insisted that US-Scottish ties would remain strong. Robert Mueller, the director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, said in a strongly worded letter to the Scottish justice minister that releasing Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi "gave comfort to terrorists around the world". Mueller said the decision to free Megrahi, who has terminal cancer, on compassionate grounds made a "mockery of justice". But Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said he "clearly disagreed" with the FBI director. "It is difficult...

August 24, 2009 Lockerbie release could topple SNP government Alex Salmond, the First Minister, has confirmed that he would resign if the Holyrood vote went against him Scotland’s government faces a fight for its survival as the furore over its decision to free the Lockerbie bomber escalated last night. Opposition parties north of the Border are preparing to hold a confidence vote over the decision by Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary, to free Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi. Alex Salmond, the First Minister, has confirmed that he would resign if the Holyrood vote went against him. The development comes after...

Britain was warned last night it faces ' payback time' from the U.S. over the release of the Lockerbie bomber. The alert came as American consumers were urged to boycott British and Scottish exports and holiday in Ireland instead of the UK. The special relationship was under strain over new allegations linking UK trade interests with the freeing of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi on compassionate grounds - he has terminal cancer. U.S. government sources urged Gordon Brown to end his silence and Opposition MPs demanded records of all meetings between ministers and the Libyan regime. Security sources expressed concern...

The spectacle of a crowd, bussed in by the Libyan government, to greet convicted terrorist Abdel Basset al-Megrahi upon his arrival in Tripoli yesterday --complete with T-shirts bearing his photo and placards singing he praises -- turned the West's collective stomach. Al-Megrahi assisted in the 1998 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 onboard and on the ground. Now, he has become an Arab folk hero. In justifying his order to release the lone Flight 103 culprit so far convicted, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said Thursday it was in keeping with the "Scottish values" of...

KENNY MacAskill's political career was on the line last night after the head of the FBI said that his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber had "made a mockery" of justice. FBI director Robert Mueller wrote to MacAskill to tell him he had given "comfort to terrorists" around the world as opposition MSPs planned to force a vote of censure that could result in his departure as justice secretary. Mueller called the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi "inexplicable and detrimental to justice" as international fury grew over MacAskill's decision to free the mass-murderer convicted of killing 270 people two decades...

This is swell. Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was handed over to a Scottish court seated in the Netherlands in 1999 after he was indited in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in December 1988 which killed all 259 passengers and another 11 on the ground. He was convicted, got cancer and released this week back to Libya. Libya’s dictator through him a party.

The freed Lockerbie bomber, remorseless and unbowed, proclaimed his innocence as sickening photos emerged showing the terrorist rejoicing with his family. In his first public comments since his controversial release from a Scottish prison, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi said the fury of the victims' relatives is misdirected. "They believe I'm guilty which in reality I'm not," Megrahi, 57, told The Times of London inside his home in Tripoli. "One day the truth won't be hiding as it is now. We have an Arab saying: 'The truth never dies.'" The gaunt and graying Megrahi evaded the question when asked who was responsible for...

Alex Salmond hits back after FBI chief attacks Lockerbie bomber release Charlene Sweeney The Scottish First Minister was today forced to defend the decision to set free the Lockerbie bomber as outrage over his release continued to mount. Alex Salmond maintained that the move was made in accordance with the Scottish judicial system and was taken for the “right reasons”, after Robert Mueller, the director of the FBI, claimed that Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi’s release “made a mockery” of the law and rewarded terrorism. Mr Salmond’s predecessor at Holyrood, Scottish Labour’s Jack McConnell, described the decision as a “grave error...

I smell a rat in the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi. Here's what U. S. President Barack Obama had to say about the release. "We thought it was a mistake." In a written statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pronounced herself "deeply disappointed." Does that not seem like strangely mild language to use about the release of a man convicted in the worst international terrorist attack against U. S. citizens before 9/11? Two hundred and fifty-nine people were killed aboard Pan Am Flight 103 by a planted bomb. One hundred and eighty of them were Americans;...

It is something I love dearly, but I am so outraged by the actions of the Scottish judge and government that I hereby pledge not to buy another bottle of Scotch whisky, blended or single malt, until an official apology is made for this despicable act. The rationale can be found in the main thread: Pan Am 103 Bomber To Be Freed

Already badly shaken by American outrage and opprobrium over the release of the convicted Lockerbie airliner bomber, the British government faced fresh embarrassment on Saturday when the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, met with the newly liberated prisoner in Tripoli and thanked Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain, “my friend,” for interceding with the Scottish government to let the man go. In an appearance characteristic for its capricious mischief-making, Colonel Qaddafi heaped praise not only on Mr. Brown but on Queen Elizabeth and her second son, Andrew, duke of York, for helping in the release of the bomber, Abdel Basset...

Lord Mandelson has dismissed claims that the release of Lockerbie bomber is linked to a trade deal - as the head of the FBI slams the Scottish government. The claim was made by Seif al Islam, the son of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, in a television interview filmed as Abdelbaset al Megrahi was flown home. "In all commercial contracts, for oil and gas with Britain, (Megrahi) was always on the negotiating table," he said. "All British interests were linked to the release of Abdelbaset al Megrahi." He said he had met Colonel Gaddafi twice in the past year, and on...

Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has defied strong criticism from the UK and the US by meeting Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on Libyan TV. The Scottish Government freed the terminally-ill 57-year-old on compassionate grounds on Thursday. Col Gaddafi said he hoped the move would improve relations between Libya and Britain, state media reported. But the UK Foreign Office has strongly denied claims Megrahi was released to ensure trade deals with Libya. Col Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam, told Libyan TV Megrahi's case was raised during talks over oil and gas. 'Humane decision' His father also praised the "courageous" Scottish Government during...

The release of the Lockerbie bomber has damaged the reputation of Scotland across the globe, former Labour first minister Jack McConnell has warned. He condemned the move and said it must be made clear it was not done in the name of the Scottish people. Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was freed from Greenock prison on Thursday to be allowed home to Libya to die. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr McConnell said the sight of the Scottish flag being waved as Megrahi arrived back in Libya had brought shame on Scotland. He said: "The way in which the decision has been made...

They are expecting a magnificent party in Tripoli on Tuesday week when Libya marks the 40th year in power of Muammar Gadaffi and pays tribute to the deft diplomatic footwork of Saif al-Islam, his son. SNIP In the end, he was freed by Scotland on “compassionate” grounds and escorted home to Tripoli by Saif, who thrust Megrahi’s hand into the air as they came down the steps of Gadaffi’s airliner to a hero’s welcome that has outraged the families of Lockerbie’s victims. Yesterday the protests were undimmed, but the official responses were evasive — unsurprisingly, because behind Megrahi’s release lie...

The international furore over the release of the Lockerbie bomber deepened today after he was seen embracing Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. In scenes that will provoke outrage among victims' families and the U.S. government, TV footage showed Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi meeting Gaddafi in Tripoli. It came as Gordon Brown faced fresh pressure after shocking claims by Libya that the release of the bomber was linked explicity to trade deals benefiting Britain. Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam said Megrahi's case was discussed at every meeting between the then Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Libyan leader. But the Foreign Office...

Here is video of Libyan Dictator Col. Mohammar Khaddafi (Gadhafi) embracing released terrorist Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi upon his return to Libya. The video is from a Sky News report that also says Khaddafi thanked the British Government - Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Andrew - whom he claims helped convince Scotland to release the terrorist bomber, responsible for the deaths of 270 people aboard Pan Am Flight 103 in December 1988. The British government denies the allegations. . . . . (Watch Video)

"Your action," he wrote MacAskill, "makes a mockery of the grief of the families who lost their own on December 21, 1988. You could not have spent much time with the families, certainly not as much time as others involved in the investigation and prosecution." He ended the Lockerbie letter with a frustrated question: "Where, I ask, is the justice?" President Barack Obama on Friday called the elaborate homecoming in Libya for the freed bomber "highly objectionable."

Great Britain is on the defensive as criticism intensifies over the release from prison of the bomber of Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 270 people. British newspapers have been rife with speculation that the release of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, who is said to be suffering from terminal prostate cancer, was motivated by lucrative Libyan oil deals and even anti-Americanism rather than compassion for a dying man, as was originally claimed. Megrahi, who had served only eight years of a life sentence, was released from a Scottish prison on humanitarian grounds on August...

Can they be serious? Yesterday in the United Kingdom there was a lot of red-faced huffing directed at Libyan dictator and lunatic Moammar Khadaffy. It wasn't cricket of the good colonel, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a statement, to give convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi a hero's welcome home on his return home to Libya. Brown had personally asked that Khadaffy "act with sensitivity" over the mass murderer's repatriation, following his release from a Scottish prison, eight years into a life sentence for the killing of 270 people. Why on earth hadn't the Libyan leader complied with...