Reason Morning Links: Lockerbie Bomber To Be Released, Election in Afghanistan, Swiss Banks Not So Secret Anymore

- Scotland may soon release Abdel Baset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, the Libyan man convicted of bombing the 1988 Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland. He has terminal prostate cancer, and may be released on compassionate grounds.

- Life expectancy in the U.S. hits a new all-time high.

- Afghans head to the polls under threats from the Taliban.

- Dealers pulling out of Cash for Clunkers, say feds are too slow to pay.

- Swiss government bends to allow Swiss bank UBS to provide IRS 4,450 cases of "client data" identifying possible tax cheats.

Comments

[brotherben]

See, just the possibility of Universal Health Care Coverage, or UHCC, has raised our life expectancy!

[Seward]

A lot of the time people try to hide their financial information because it can get them, well, killed. Namely by their home governments. I'd like to know how many of the individuals involved are American citizens.

Anyway, secrecy of financial information is a good way to keep governments honest.

[Kevin]

Life expectancy in the U.S. hits a new all-time high.
Dealers pulling out of Cash for Clunkers, say feds are too slow to pay.

Why do we massive government intervention in healthcare again?

[Nick]

A morphine drip isn't compassionate enough? Freedom isn't something he deserves when he didn't give the same courtesy to those he killed.

[Xeones]

Anyway, secrecy of financial information is a good way to keep governments honest.

Why, thanks for the opening to link to "The Great Simoleon Caper" again!

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

Let's see...

1. teh 'Shurance companies be evil because they occasionally deny a claim for incomplete information.

2. The USG can't even get a straight-up transaction like a used-car trade in right, leaving auto dealers on the hook for $M's.

3. We should turn over 15% of the GDP to them because they would "streamline" healthcare.

Sounds about right

[John]

Nick,

The rumor is that the guy may be innocent. He is pursuing an appeal. A lot of people think the Iranians were responsible for Lockerbie and this guy took the fall. If the Iranians were responsible it will be a lot harder for Obama to normalize relations with them and pay them protection money in hopes they don't build nukes. So, it is possible they are letting this guy out to kill his appeal and keep any uncomfortable facts coming out about our new friends the Iranians.

[John]

"Life expectancy in the U.S. hits a new all-time high."

My God our healthcare system is failing. It's a crisis!!

[Anthony]

If he has cancer, sending him back to Libya may not be the most compassionate alternative.

[Mike M.]

The biggest news of all not listed here: democratic senator Max Baucus says that Social Security might officially run out of money in two years, far earlier than all of the projections.

The Post Office, Social Security, Medicare, is there is government program that ISN'T bankrupt, or very close to it?

[Warren]

Taking down the Swiss banking secrecy. There's no way that could come back to bite us in the ass.

[Rich]

The Post Office, Social Security, Medicare, is there is government program that ISN'T bankrupt, or very close to it?

Mike, calm down. IIRC, Barney Frank recently went on record that Medicare is not technically bankrupt.

[Ben Kenobi]

Well if Barney Frank said it Rich then I ceartainly believe it. That guy is the definition of fiscally responsible.

As for cash for clunkers not paying dealers, all I have to say is: if you get in bed with the government, expect to get fucked.

[Rich]

@ Ben: Just so there's no misunderstanding -- we're both being sarcastic.

[15% of the GDP and Everybody\']

"Sounds about right"

Agreed.

[Mike Laursen]

I'm glad I opened my secret bank account in Nigeria, instead!

[15% of the GDP and Everybody\']

"We are God's partners in matters of life and death," Obama said, quoting from the Rosh Hashanah prayer that says that in the holiday period, it is decided "who shall live and who shall die."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0809/We_are_Gods_partners_in_matters_of_life_and_death.html?showall

[Johnny Longtorso]

Obama is willing to let God be a partner? I didn't expect that much humility from him.

[Tricky Prickears]

Life expectancy in the U.S. hits a new all-time high.

This why people don't want the government interfering with their Medicare.

Dealers pulling out of Cash for Clunkers, say feds are too slow to pay.

The government can take up to 90 days to pay on contracts. So, contractors have been adjusting their bids for government contracts to make up for that time. Now, on many government contracts, you have to offer the government discounts for "prompt payments". Sometimes more than one. One for 60 days another for 30 days. Leagally, I think you are allowed to charge the government interest on anything over 90.

[Spartacus]

Dealers pulling out of Cash for Clunkers, say feds are too slow to pay.

Anyone who has received a federal grant could have told them this a long time ago.

[Nick]

is there is government program that ISN'T bankrupt, or very close to it?

The DEA's budget?

[J sub D]

My morning Detroit governance link.

Damn, I wish our new mayor the best. He's speaking truth to a city that's been in denial since the '60s.

The City of Detroit is not immune to the economic ills that plague the country. Our population is down, and all aspects of our revenue are down. Yet we continue to be one the largest employers in the region, with 13,000 employees, and operate the way we did when our population was at or above 2 million.

That way of thinking and doing things is what has contributed to our economic downfall.

That doesn't sound like a dumb jock, does it?

[TrickyVic]

""" So, it is possible they are letting this guy out to kill his appeal and keep any uncomfortable facts coming out about our new friends the Iranians."""

Maybe, he did drop his appeal. But even if he had his conviction overturned, it wouldn't mean the Iranians did it. I doubt it would be investigated further. Many people would claim the appeal was unjust.

[henry]

What, all we all of a sudden giving out FREE Lunches? Since when??? Under what premise? Did this guy learn his lesson? Who knows, right? Well I guess we'll have to find out the hard way, maybe???

[KenK]

Abdel Baset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi should have been released - at 30,000 feet over the ocean.

[Bob Smith]

Showing an Islamic terrorist compassion is insane. What assurances do we have that al-Megrahi won't go out in a blaze of suicide-bombing glory? He has nothing to lose, and 72 virgins to gain.

[Lisa]

Even though he is dying,he should not be trusted and he should still be monitored.