Safire: From the 'Spider Hole'

The New York Times ^ | 12/15/03 | William Safire

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I think Saddam is still Saddam — a meretricious, malevolent megalomaniac. He knows he is going to die, either by death sentence or in jail at the hands of a rape victim's family. Why did he not use his pistol to shoot it out with his captors or to kill himself? Because he is looking forward to the mother of all genocide trials, rivaling Nuremberg's and topping those of Eichmann and Milosevic.

Wrong. He didn't kill himself because he is a coward.

[07055]

The meticulous presentation of his offenses against humanity will demonstrate again that all that would have been necessary for the triumph of evil was for good people to do nothing.

There is nothing "good" about the people who demanded we do nothing in this case. They have the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis on their hands.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

The meticulous presentation of his offenses against humanity will demonstrate again that all that would have been necessary for the triumph of evil was for good people to do nothing.

Good people don't "do nothing." Democrats do nothing. They advocate doing nothing, and they castigate good people for doing something.

[dead]

Because he is looking forward to the mother of all genocide trials, rivaling Nuremberg's and topping those of Eichmann and Milosevic. There, in the global spotlight, he can pose as the great Arab hero saving Islam from the Bushes and the Jews.

I love good television, and this is going to be the best!

After each episode, we’ll let the Democratic Presidential candidate rebut the prosecution’s case.

Seriously, if that don’t kick the crap out of Survivor 19 and Friends reruns, I don’t know what does.

Give me a six-pack, some hot dogs, a comfy couch and the Saddam trial, and I’ll think I’m in heaven (although you could throw in 72 virgins, if they're not busy.)

[Lauratealeaf]

Safire on Saddam, spider holes, lamb chops and potato pancakes. He connects these various strands and ends by reminding us that the removal of Saddam Hussein would not have happened if good men had done nothing. Most good men are good men because of good actions.

[mylife]

Why did he not use his pistol to shoot it out with his captors or to kill himself? Because he is looking forward to the mother of all genocide trials, rivaling Nuremberg's and topping those of Eichmann and Milosevic. There, in the global spotlight, he can pose as the great Arab hero saving Islam from the Bushes and the Jews.

The answer to the million dollar question.

[witnesstothefall]

On Saturday night, I stuffed myself on lamb chops and potato pancakes at a holiday party at the home of Don and Joyce Rumsfeld.

This is Safire's real point. "I am the ultimate insider," he never fails to communicate. Safire has never been accused of being humble in the least.

More importantly, it is unethical for reporters and government officials to be so cozy, and dangerous.

[Senator Goldwater]

"There is nothing "good" about the people who demanded we do nothing in this case"

Which is why Hussein's capture and continued ability to generate attention to his atrocities will become a permanent and ongoing albatross to Bush's opponents in the War on Terrorism.

[ontos-on]

No, your virgins will never have been busy before in their lives, until your time with them has arrived.....

[GeronL]

Uber Court-TV!!

[wattsup]

All of this didn't have to happen if the previous administration had the B^lls to "Correctly Motivate" saddam

[IncPen]

I'm rather disposed to set Saddam loose in a field, surrounded by his countrymen. Let them do what they will, as long as they don't kill him.

Wake him from dead sleep on random nights by dousing him in ice water.

Pipe in the voices of the families of his victims, at ear splitting volumes, and as desperate whispers.

Above all, keep him alive, and broadcast video (only) of him to his countrymen 24/7

Lather, rinse repeat, for the rest of his days.

[wizardoz]

Democrats here are already saying ruefully "because we `got' Saddam, we'll `get' four more years of Bush."

Heh heh heh...

[A Citizen Reporter]

"On Saturday night, I stuffed myself on lamb chops and potato pancakes at a holiday party at the home of Don and Joyce Rumsfeld. Along with other media bigfeet, I chatted up Rummy and C.I.A. chief George Tenet, both of whom were in on the secret of the capture of Saddam a few hours before. Neither man even hinted at a thing. So much for being a Washington Insider. "

Gee, that's funny Mr. Pompous of the NY Times, Brit Hume reported about being at the same party, and noted that Rummy and company were unusually jubilant. When asked about it, Rummy responded that he had had a series of good meetings that day. Brit did not note what he had stuffed himself with.

[expatpat]

Nidal was permanently silenced by Saddam's police, the only "suicide" to be found with four bullets in his head.

I thought that was quite common at one time in Arkansas.

[Joe_October]

...Because he is looking forward to the mother of all genocide trials, rivaling Nuremberg's and topping those of Eichmann and Milosevic. There, in the global spotlight, he can pose as the great Arab hero saving Islam from the Bushes and the Jews.....

That was plan B. Plan A was to stay crouched in a mud hole until dementia took him. If your plan was to have the great trial, why wouldn't you put on your best duds, ride your best ride into Baghdad and turn yourself in for your great dramatic moment.

Wishful thinking. Saddam is a chick.

[South40]

[expatpat]

That's how Washington works. It seems to me that it would be desirable to move the US government to another part of the country -- but then it would become the same, once again.

[piasa]

No, it's not unethical- it's very honest. Unethical is when you are cozy but never admit it to the public.