'Compassion' and Justice

I mean someday to post an essay on the relationship -- and inevitable tension -- between 'justice' and 'mercy.'

While that is not his focus, in the 'Grave injustice' essay, David Warren makes some good points in that regard. And, specifically, he draws attention to the (modern "liberal") project to substitute 'compassion' for both justice and mercy, which project must always pervert both justice and mercy and increase injustice.

Concerning the release of the Lockerbie terrorist --
David Warren: Grave injustice
David Warren: Sophistications

This is what 'Blood For Oil' really looks like.

KairosFocus: Matt 24 watch, 88: REAL blood for oil deals

I'd read about the deal for the release of the Lockerbie bomber, but I failed to make the "blood for oil" connection.

Here are a couple of recent news items on this --
Times Online: Secret letters reveal Labour’s Libyan deal
Times Online: Lockerbie bomber 'set free for oil'