[cyborg]

Democrats, ANSWER protestors, PETA and other leftys are deeply saddened at this unfortunate turn of events.

[EggsAckley]

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

Excellent pic.

[TomGuy]

Great sentiments. I was thinking of our young men and women whose blood was spilled to make Iraq free. I hope the Iraqis do appreciate the price those young men and women paid.

[cake_crumb]

Nice pic. Saved for my (very extensive) collection

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Was watching the Cowboys game (my Cowboys won!!!). One of the fans in the Washington crowd held up a sign saying "I hope you like your new hole, Saddam.";-)

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[gitmo]

Chill bumps.

[ladyinred]

Wonderful picture. Brings tears to my eyes actually. God bless those people who have been freed from that evil tyrant, who proved himself a coward hiding in a hole!

[Clara Lou]

bump for later

[Sir Gawain]

Will the tipster get the award? Doubt it.

[cake_crumb]

President Bush Addresses Nation on the Capture of Saddam Hussein
Remarks by the President on the Capture of Saddam Hussein
The Cabinet Room

12:15 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. Yesterday, December the 13th, at around 8:30 p.m. Baghdad time, United States military forces captured Saddam Hussein alive. He was found near a farmhouse outside the city of Tikrit, in a swift raid conducted without casualties. And now the former dictator of Iraq will face the justice he denied to millions.

The capture of this man was crucial to the rise of a free Iraq. It marks the end of the road for him, and for all who bullied and killed in his name. For the Baathist holdouts largely responsible for the current violence, there will be no return to the corrupt power and privilege they once held. For the vast majority of Iraqi citizens who wish to live as free men and women, this event brings further assurance that the torture chambers and the secret police are gone forever.

And this afternoon, I have a message for the Iraqi people: You will not have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again. All Iraqis who take the side of freedom have taken the winning side. The goals of our coalition are the same as your goals -- sovereignty for your country, dignity for your great culture, and for every Iraqi citizen, the opportunity for a better life.

In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over. A hopeful day has arrived. All Iraqis can now come together and reject violence and build a new Iraq.

The success of yesterday's mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq. The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator's footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate them.

I also have a message for all Americans: The capture of Saddam Hussein does not mean the end of violence in Iraq. We still face terrorists who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the rise of liberty in the heart of the Middle East. Such men are a direct threat to the American people, and they will be defeated.

We've come to this moment through patience and resolve and focused action. And that is our strategy moving forward. The war on terror is a different kind of war, waged capture by capture, cell by cell, and victory by victory. Our security is assured by our perseverance and by our sure belief in the success of liberty. And the United States of America will not relent until this war is won.

May God bless the people of Iraq, and may God bless America. Thank you.

END 12:18 P.M. EST

[facedown]

US soldiers from 1-22 Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division celebrate the capture of ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein as he is shown on TV during a press conference in Baghdad, at 4ID headquartes in his hometown of Tikrit, 180km north of Baghdad.(

[jocon307]

Great post! Today is a good day, I have been awake since 4 am and happy since I saw the good news here first!

The lady has a nice, determined look on her face. Determination is under appreciated, it can move mountains.

Well, no, it really can't but it can do A LOT!

[facedown]

An Iraqi youth displays a victory sign following the news of the arrest of ousted leader Saddam Hussein, in Baghdad, December 14, 2003. Iraq's former Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, in U.S. custody for seven months, helped to confirm the identity of Saddam Hussein after his capture, an official with the U.S.-led administration said.

[facedown]

Iraqi-American muslim women celebrate with about 100 Iraqi exiles in Dearborn, Michigan, December 14, 2003 the capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Dearborn has one of the largest arab speaking populations outside the Middle East.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

FOX News interviewed a Muslim cleric this afternoon.It was so refreshing to see a Muslim cleric who wasn't wishing for death to America. He said that he prayed everyday for Saddam to be captured and just after he finished his prayers today,he heard the news and was elated.He said that our prayers were answered. He also said that "we" got our Christmas present early this year. Then he happily wished all Americans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[facedown]

Wilhelm Petersen makes a sign on the marquee outside the U.S. Calvalry store that is across from the main entrance of Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Army Airborne Unit, Sunday Dec. 14, 2003.

[mercy]

Let's pull out the other prop from under the Pali hate machine now.

[FairOpinion]

Iraqis celebrate in the southern city of Nasiriyah after the capture of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) in his hometown of Tikrit. The head of Iraq's US-installed interim Governing Council, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, said that DNA tests had confirmed that the man captured by US forces in Tikrit was ousted president Saddam Hussein.(AFP/Abdelhak Senna)

[wai-ming]

"Iraqi people happy today.
Thank you, thank you USA"

Couldn't have said it better.