Another touch of arrogance from US Senators

Arjay wants to treat this thread as his personal outlet to whine about the US. He doesn't want to hear any reasons the senators did what they did or any facts or circumstances...

Only respond in this thread if you agree with him.

The whole premise of this thread is xenophobic, and probably racist, too. (just threw that last part in there -- seems to be in vogue these days)

Yep; Tex has just arrived home from a heavy lao-khao session at the local mini-mart with the tuk-tuk boys ... get in there Tex .. a bit of abuse hurled makes one sleep better.

Sorry to disappoint Barry, I don't drink lao khao, nor anything stronger than beer. And I haven't had one of those for several days. Keep trying though, maybe someday something will stick...

And please be careful, your inconsiderate and inappropriate attempt to drive this thread off course will very possibly be met with the harshest of punishment from the finger-wagging moderation experts.

PS: Cleveland Indians are beating the New York Yankees, 1-0, in the bottom of the third.

Watch for the Yankees to stage a rally and win 3-2. Tampa Bay will no-hit the depleted Tiger lineup too. The Senators will play later tonight vs. Atlanta.

Texpat wrote:Arjay wants to treat this thread as his personal outlet to whine about the US. He doesn't want to hear any reasons the senators did what they did or any facts or circumstances...

That's yet another incorrect statement. My annoyance was directed at the behaviour and arrogance of a specific group of people, the senators, not Americans or America. My feelings would have been the same, regardless of where they came from! Similarly the circumstances were irrelevant.

Unlike certain others I am not racist, xenophobic, or have a hate or dislike of particular Nationalities. My dislike is simply of arrogant people, in this case clearly acting outside their authority. That applies whether they were American, Puerto Rican, or even my own Nationality, British. In this case they happened to be US Senators. I don't know of any others that have had the arrogance to behave in that way.

And getting back to the actual topic, here's some latest news on developments:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10783710

US Senate Lockerbie hearing postponed

US Senate hearings on whether BP oil deals influenced the release of the Lockerbie bomber have been postponed because key witnesses declined to take part.

Senator Robert Menendez accused witnesses, including outgoing BP boss Tony Hayward, of "stonewalling".

Former UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill have also refused to attend.

A British diplomatic source denied the UK government had stonewalled.

The source, in Washington, said the government had provided a "clear, comprehensive and credible account" of its understanding of the circumstances that lead to Megrahi's release, and Prime Minister David Cameron had met with four US senators "at very short notice" last week.

"It would have been extremely unusual for a parliamentarian of one country to be held accountable to the parliamentarians of another," he said.
"But more importantly, individual testimonies from former British ministers would not have materially added to anyone's understanding of what, how and why Megrahi was released by the Scottish Executive."

US politicians are looking into claims the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was linked to oil deals with Libya.

The hearing, due to be chaired by Senator Menendez of New Jersey, was due to get under way on Thursday.

Announcing the postponement - which he stressed was a not a cancellation - the senator said it was "outrageous" none of the key witnesses would co-operate.

Ignoring the fact that they weren't "key witnesses", (but Government Ministers,)I consider it was "outrageous" that they should have even been asked at all!

"It would have been extremely unusual for a parliamentarian of one country to be held accountable to the parliamentarians of another," he said.

Absolutely!

Being that,the wishes of the American gov't and its victims survivors were not addressed in relationship to his release,I don't think it was arrogant to ''invite''anyone that was privy to the crcumstances to testify.

''Arrogant'',would be ''the demand'' that they come testify!

Although,I am not an Obama fan by any means,nor feel that I am an American that is standing up for ''my country'',I think it was a reasonable request and the refusal of an invitation to ''friendly gov't officials''to show their ''transparent'' position ,unfriendly and arrogant!

Arjay,the fact that you show so much ''passion'',by your multiple posts on ''your topics'' regarding BP,UK officials etc. in this case,could easily be construed as xenophobic on your part.

It is one thing to state an opinion,another to be ''so'' defensive about others remarks and opinions rergarding ''your opinionated topic''!IMO,your mod hat was worn more often and intently involving your topics,versus other topics!

Although Texpats comments show a strong bias against Britain in many of his posts.your posts on these two topics,caused me to immediately feel you have some bias against America ,a kind of tired of America being the ''Big Brother'' or ''the most powerful and influential leader of the Free world'',especially since they were one of Britains colonies and possibly perceived as''less sophistcated''???

The Senators are slipping. They missed an opportunity to bilk the US citizenry of a few more million dollars. They could have gone to the UK on a "fact finding vacation" to ask their questions. They would have gotten the same answers that they got in the letters but, why would that stop them from spending.

Of course, calling a hearing and "inviting" dignitaries from another country has a little more the grandstanding effect. Makes them look like they are doing something especially during an election year. Aah, politics...gotta love it.

nkstan wrote:Being that,the wishes of the American gov't and its victims survivors were not addressed in relationship to his release,I don't think it was arrogant to ''invite''anyone that was privy to the crcumstances to testify.

''Arrogant'',would be ''the demand'' that they come testify!

Announcing the postponement - which he stressed was a not a cancellation - the senator said it was "outrageous" none of the key witnesses would co-operate.

Stan, to me, to be "outraged" when someone declines your "invitation", suggests to me arrogance, particularly, as said before, when it comes from government officials in one country to government officials in another. Note I did also use the words "presumptuous" and "unconstitutional", both of which I feel also apply. No matter what way I seek to view the situation, I find it totally unjustifiable.

caused me to immediately feel you have some bias against America ,a kind of tired of America being the ''Big Brother'' or ''the most powerful and influential leader of the Free world'',especially since they were one of Britains colonies and possibly perceived as''less sophistcated''???

Honestly, I have no bias against any country, nationality or people, only against certain types of people and only after they have demonstrated the behaviour I dislike (meaning I don't prejudge people). (I have a number of American friends).

I always try and see both sides of a situation and rarely hold strong views, though when I do and I feel a situation is wrong, I will stand up for my point of view. I think you may know me enough to agree on that and that I am generally a humble person.

nkstan wrote:the most powerful and influential leader of the Free world'',especially since they were one of Britains colonies and possibly perceived as''less sophistcated''

The part about "the most powerful and influential leader of the Free world" sounded a bit arrogant to me. However, IF that should be so, then all the more reason for him/his Senators to be setting a better, more diplomatic, less arrogant & presumptuous example (to others), - instead of what I see as "bullying", - another of my pet hates!

Stan, I most certainly do NOT see the US as less sophisticated!

I don't feel I have taken advantage of my moderator position when posting my views on the topics in question, nor when responding to some of the unfounded attacks (and sweeping generalisations) by others on my nationality. Maybe it has surprised some people that I have stood up and been counted! There are however far more vociferous people than me on this forum.

However, as some may feel that I have made my point of view more than sufficiently clear, I will now bow out of the discussion and allow others to represent or pursue their viewpoints.

To suggest the US Congress doesn't have the authority or mandate to ask very serious and meaningful questions regarding

1. Humanitarian release of a convicted terrorist that killed more than 100 Americans
2. A oil drilling incident that has destroyed hundreds of miles of coastal wetlands and millions of Gulf Coast livelihoods

because the offending officials are Britons -- exhibits pretentiousness in it's most revolting form.

Disgusting.

Texpat wrote:To suggest the US Congress doesn't have the authority or mandate to ask very serious and meaningful questions regarding

1. Humanitarian release of a convicted terrorist that killed more than 100 Americans
2. A oil drilling incident that has destroyed hundreds of miles of coastal wetlands and millions of Gulf Coast livelihoods

because the offending officials are Britons -- exhibits pretentiousness in it's most revolting form.

Disgusting.

You've got a point to a certain extent. Why doesn't the US congress go and ask it's meaningful questions in the UK ?

OT......

Exactly Bob; or William Calley .. don't forget that mass-murderer.

Your government is a hypocritical mess. They simultaneously admit releasing al Megrehi was a mistake yet don't seem to care about looking in to why and how it happened, or seeing that it doesn't happen again. If they don't give a rat's butt about the 43 ******, why should I mention them? There were 270 victims from 21 countries. Why don't you seem concerned about the others?
Did you expect a breakdown for each nationality?

Pretentious -- yes, that's the perfect descriptive.