It was 1958, the height of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States. Just one year earlier the Soviet Union celebrated its success with the launch of Sputnik, the first man-made object to orbit Earth. Next the Soviets wanted to prove their earthly superiority and hosted the first quadrennial International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. The Soviets already offered pianist greats Gilels and Richter to the world. And Soviet conservatories were famous for “manufacturing” technically flawless pianists, who would be heavy favorites in the competition. Yet it was a tall, lanky, wire-haired, 23-year-old Texan named Van Cliburn, who unexpectedly came and conquered on foreign soil. Upon his return, Van Cliburn received a true hero’s welcome, a ticker-tape parade in NYC.
Today’s period in history may be viewed in retrospect as the height of the Values War between Western and Islamic nations. Just last week, the Scottish Government released convicted terrorist Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi on “compassionate grounds”. Al Megrahi was sentenced in 2001 to life imprisonment for his involvement in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scottland. All 259 people on board the plane as well as 11 people on ground were killed. The Scottish Government released Al Megrahi, who is suffering from terminal prostate cancer, so he may spend his final days with his family in Libya. Upon arrival to his homeland, he was greeted with what could be called a hero’s welcome.
The two heroes’ welcomes share interesting characteristics. Both were a manifestation of nationalistic pride, as well as a metaphorical celebration of the underdog, of David’s defeat over Goliath. However, Al Megrahi’s hero’s welcome was also that for a martyr, who had been held captive by his enemies for the murder of 270 innocent people, and whose release, albeit granted by his enemies, was viewed as a victory over his enemies. In stark contrast, Van Cliburn’s hero’s welcome was also that for an ambassador, whose musical prodigy won over the enemy’s heart, transcended nationalities and ideologies, and united people across the globe. As heroes, Van Cliburn and Al Megrahi could not be more unalike.
By the release of Al Megrahi, the Scottish Government desired to demonstrate its commitment to the Christian principle of compassion. However, its means of exercising this principle was far off-mark. Respect for both the law and the deceased (and their families) was completely neglected. Al Megrahi was tried, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a court of law for a horrendous crime and should serve his sentence in its entirety. The Scottish Government should have explored alternatives to freeing a murderer that would have demonstrated compassion while honoring the law and the deceased. For example, the Scottish Government instead could have made special accommodations that allowed Al Megrahi’s closest family members to visit and stay with him in prison during his final living days.
