Posted on 07/01/2004 7:33:18 AM PDT by johnny7
BAGHDAD - Downcast but defiant, Iraq's deposed dictator Saddam Hussein appeared before an Iraqi tribunal on Thursday, refusing to recognize its authority and saying the "real criminal" was President Bush.
Saddam, who arrived at the courthouse in handcuffs and chains, was read seven charges under a preliminary arrest warrant and told his rights, pool reporters granted access to the heavily guarded proceedings said. "I am Saddam Hussein, president of Iraq," he repeated. Video footage of the 67-year-old Saddam, looking thinner, haggard and with a mostly gray beard, was broadcast around the world soon after his 30-minute court appearance. He had heavy bags under his eyes and was wearing a dark gray jacket and a white shirt, with no tie. It was the first footage shown of Saddam since he appeared unkempt with a bushy beard in photographs and videotape shot after his capture in December.
Saddam refused to recognize that he was guilty of a crime in invading and occupying Kuwait in 1990, telling the judge: "I did that for the Iraqi people. How can you defend these dogs?" The judge reprimanded Saddam for his language and reminded him he was in a court of law. He looked around with half-smile, saying: "This is all a theater, the real criminal is Bush."
He arrived in a U.S. helicopter at a military base and was then driven in an armored bus to the makeshift courtroom in one of his former palaces near Baghdad international airport. Two burly Iraqi guards escorted him into the courthouse where his chains were removed. His handcuffs were taken off inside the courtroom itself, where he sat down facing cameras.
TRIAL MONTHS AWAY
The arraignment was the first step toward a trial which could help Iraq come to terms with 35 years of Baath party brutality, though it may not start for many months.
Saddam should be the keynote speaker for the Dem convention. By satellite, of course. (He would be if there were a smidgen of honest in the leaders of that cabal.)
Some time ago the US switched Michael Moore with Saddam. Now I'm sure of it, besides it was in a documentary so it must be true.
Obviously Saddam received his DNC talking points fax this morning.
Kerry is trembling in his hidden hideout in fear that Saddam might endorse him as the way to get rid of President Bush.
Naturally Saddam forgot about the 37 gazillion U.N. resolutions he violated, not to mention shooting missiles at our planes every day - all in violation of the Gulf War treaty.
An aside; there should be a pool as to which RAT in congress will start saying Saddam's being railroaded and being treated unfairly.
Pelosi, Leahy, Rangel, Bernie Sanders, Sheila Jackson Lee? Hmm, tough choices....
Yes, Saddam is a DemocRAT soulmate.
A current thread on DU:
The right will connect Saddam, Moore, and the left.
Yeah, I know, "no shit." But I mean specifically. They are going to take his own defense at his court appearance today and show how he makes the same accusations that Moore and "the fringe left" does. They will take quotes from Moore and others and put them side-by-side with Saddam's claims.
I'd love to know where this tactic shows up. If you hear it today or tomorrow, please let me know.
Kerry can't tremble too hard -his Botoxed face will fall off.
Combined with the photos of Saddam as the "man in charge" that have been shown on other threads and on television, The Democrats have all they could have hoped for out of this. Saddam will be built up in the Arab press as a defiant hero. Face it, he made a large segment of the Iraqi people feel good and powerful. There is such hatred for Americans and Bush in particular that the guy will become a rock star wth the media's careful and willing help.
We will often regret the fact we didn't blow him away.
9 out of 10 Democrats agree with Saddam. And they don't even blush about it.
Haggard? Saddam?...That's it, I knew he reminded me of someone! - Merle Haggard!
Actually I'd guess it will be Maxine Watters that leads the way.
Maybe at least some of the Democrat population will be able to recognize the enemies we have here at home; by the common rhetoric they share with our worst enemies.
Did Saddam say anyting this morning that Ted Kennedy would not have said; Hillary and the rest of the cadre you mention?
Don't think so. . .except they probably do not consider the Kuwaiti people 'dogs'; rather they think Republicans are; and have as much as said so.
FREE SADDAM!
Cult of Clintonism.
Old Saddam sounds just like bjclinton going after Ken Starr.
I knew it! Kerry's going to pick him for running mate.
Kerry/Hussein - has a kind of ring to it.
Well, DUmmies, when you blindly support a lying movie that argues that Bush is "a bigger a-hole than Osama", then you ARE in bed with Saddam, bin Laden, and their buddies.
Nice conundrum the Bush-bashing left has found itself in; either they ease off on their "Bushitler" stuff, or else they align themselves with Saddam and bin Laden.
His entire regime was based on delusion, why should not his current state?
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