I think there's a place for compassion and forgiveness, and there's a place for vengeance. The two are not mutually exclusive.

As I've already said, there's a place for perception of continuing danger presented by letting someone give aid, comfort, and information to those who wish to do us harm.

The self-satisfaction of those who are convinced that compassion was a creditable, legitimate, and appropriate action in this case balances poorly with their lack of compassion for victims of the crime who are very vocal in their non-acceptance of this action and the cavalier manner in which it has been determined and prosecuted. They are making judgements on the feelings of others, which are real nevertheless.

What if I were to balance the 'good' feeling on the part of the convicted felon and his Libyan compatriots versus the 'bad' feelings of the families of the murdered? Has more 'good' than 'harm' come out of this?