The release of the Libyan terrorist by Scottish authorities so that he could spend his terminal days at home and with family is an example of differential cross-cultural attitudes between Europe and the U.S. Obviously it demonstrates that Scottish judges took into account that there is more to justice than the tit-for-tat mentality of the Americans. It is interesting that the Europeans weigh various aspects of consequences of certain actions and did not blindly reject the human element that to even in our worse hour , being compassionate is truly the quintessential human quality. There are other attitudes that distinguishes Europeans from the Americans in terms of prostitution,addiction,euthanasia,death penalty and many other. One distinguishing characteristic between the two continents is that there is an ambivalence about values in U.S culture and Americans appear to have a need to seek approval.As the cross-cultural dude on Tips,the Sottish justice system seem to take into account that justice may lead to some incarceration,compassion is right and needs no consensus from across the ocean.We all regret the loss of lives,but two wrongs do not make a right. This is beginning to remind me of bumper stickers I used to see in Florida "We don't care how you do it up North." Europeans may be expressing a similar theme-"We don't care how you do it in the U.S" I understand that in some European countries even the a life sentence is viewed as cruel.
So Stuart Mc Kelvie-Hail Scotland! Michael Sylvester.PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)
