A Boycott Of Scotland?
Some in US call for boycott of Scotland
The release of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi has sparked calls for a boycott of Scotland by some Americans angry that he was allowed to go home to Libya to a hero's welcome.
According to Bloomberg, "Visit Scotland, the government-funded agency promoting tourism, received e-mails from Americans saying they plan to cancel holidays and staff have been preparing for a backlash after the release of al-Megrahi, spokeswoman Alison Robb said. A Web Site was set to encourage people to boycott Scotland."
The Web Site in question, Boycott Scotland and the United Kingdom, is calling for a tourist boycott of Scotland and Great Britain as well as a boycott of Scottish and British products. The anger expressed by the friends and relatives of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing, which took the lives of two hundred and seventy people, has been fanned by suggestions that the release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi had more to do with furthering British commercial interests with Libya than with compassion.
The release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber has become a political issue in both Great Britain and Scotland. Revelations of high level talks between the government of Great Britain and representatives Colonel Gaddafi, Libyan leader, have led to calls for an investigation by the opposition Conservative Party in Great Britain.
Scotland receives about 260 million pounds a year in revenues from American tourism. A tourism boycott would be very damaging to Scotland's economy. The Scotch Whisky Association has expressed concern over the possible ramifications of an economic boycott of Scotland over the Abdel Basset al-Megrahi release.
People advocating an economic boycott of Scotland have suggested that not only should tourists and businessmen avoid traveling to Scotland (Ireland has been suggested as an alternative), but that people should avoid buying petroleum products from British Petroleum and avoid buying Scottish products such as Scotch whisky.
Comments
Be aware that whilst Scotland was releasing Gadaffi's footsoldier on compassionate grounds so he might die of cancer at home, your own Senator McCain and a US congressional delegation was having friendly meetings with his boss (Yes: the 'Mad Dog' himself - the mastermind apparently dehind the Lockerbie attack) to lobby for US oil interests and regularise relationships. McCain apparently praised Gadaffi and called for expanded US ties with Libya.
And you want to Boycott Scotland?
Lockerbie – First Tragedy, Now Shame!...
The release of the Lockerbie bomber was very enlightening, I now understand why the Scottish people remember William Wallace so very fondly. People remember, by their nature, things that are no more. Gone is William Wallace. Gone is Scottish honor. Gone is Scottish bravery. Gone is the idea justice and punishment for the acts of evil men. Yes the sword once wielded for these ideals has become embarrassingly dull. Abdel Baset al-Megrahi served a mere 11 days for each life taken, ouch! I’m quite sure Mr. Wallace would have made this same decision, to send this killer of innocence back to his homeland to live out his days in peace as a returning hero, and possibly a cup of tea and shortbread, in a display of Scottish compassion. After all, it was mostly Yanks that died that day, not so many Scots eh. So on the day your countrymen set aside to remember William Wallace and the honor and bravery that is no more, also take time, time to remember this fact. The only “stones” left in Scotland are the ones used to keep the sheep from blowing into the sea. I hail from the land of Tennessee, a land known far and wide for its whiskey. I no longer feel a desire for Scotch. As long as there is a Tennessee and a Kentucky, there is no need for a Scotland.
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