Posted on 12/14/2003 11:12:25 PM PST by GulliverSwift
Americans greeted the news of Saddam Hussein's capture with measured optimism while acknowledging the breadth of the challenges still facing the United States in Iraq, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted yesterday.
At least initially, the capture did not do much to change the overall shape of opinion on the war in Iraq.
Roughly 2 in 3 respondents said Hussein's capture would be at least somewhat helpful in ending attacks on U.S. troops and contributing to Americans' long-term security, although only 15 to 23 percent thought the arrest would "help a great deal." Larger percentages were hopeful the news would help restore stability to Iraq.
Nine in 10 Americans said big challenges still face the United States in Iraq, with fewer than 1 in 10 saying Hussein's capture would resolve the hurdles facing U.S. troops. Eight in 10 rejected the notion that with the former Iraqi president in custody, the United States should withdraw its forces from the country.
President Bush received immediate credit for his handling of the situation in Iraq, with his approval rating in that area jumping to 58 percent, from 48 percent in mid-November. In a separate survey conducted yesterday by CNN/USA Today/Gallup, 8 in 10 Americans said finding Hussein was a "major achievement."
Bush's overall job approval rating in the Post-ABC News survey was 57 percent, 4 percentage points up from a survey conducted last week and the same as this time last month.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Demons: "Well, let's focus on the economy. That'll do it."
Is this Dean after hearing the news of Saddam's capture?
Find out here
The picture you posted is from the Saddam Feday-Dean Militia.
A Bucs fan.
With Courage And Restraint, U.S. Troops Take Saddam Alive [Full text] W anted dead or alive, a breathing Saddam Hussein is much more valuable to the cause of Iraqi peace.
When his troops were being overwhelmed by the U.S.-led coalition, a defiant Saddam Hussein urged them to fight to the death. From hiding, he sent out crazed calls for more killings. Saturday, eight months after losing power, when U.S. troops finally closed in on him, he crawled out of his hole without a fight.
The bearish dictator was armed with a pistol and might easily have decided to go out in a blaze of gunfire, as his sons did when surrounded earlier this year.
The soldiers who uncovered his hide- out couldn't know what to expect, and it is a credit to their courage and training that they didn't shoot first. They deserve awards for bravery.
But what should be done with one of this generation's most notorious villains? Some say he deserves hundreds of death penalties. Others say he should be offered life in prison in exchange for confessing his crimes, turning in his confederates and calling for reconciliation between his loyalists and opponents.
All that is certain at this point is that his personality cult is over. As President Bush said Sunday, ``For Baathist holdouts largely responsible for the current violence, there will be no return to the corrupt power and privilege they once held.''
That is true, but a violent minority has the power to keep Iraq unstable for some time. If these terrorists continue to resort to tactics such as assassinating local leaders and police, dangerous operations such as digging snakes out of their holes must continue.
``The war on terror is a different kind of war, waged capture by capture, cell by cell, and victory by victory,'' Bush told the nation. ``Our security is assured by our perseverance and by our sure belief in the success of liberty.''
Where Saddam was caught, he lacked even a radio, so it's doubtful he was directing the insurrection. He was in a dank, dark hole, a sort of one-man torture chamber of his own design.
It would have been satisfying to simply seal him up there and forget about him. It will be far more satisfying to see him face the Iraqi people and account for all the horror and heartbreak he has caused them. Only good can come from that.
Are you following this story, Osama bin Laden? [End]
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