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.
Works for me.
Must be about that time for the trolls to step up the FR attacks. It'll continue to grow since we are inside 125 days until the election.
Saddam: "Vote Early! Vote often! Vote KERRY and GET ME OUTTA HERE!"
But, didn't Saddam say he was still the President of Iraq and that since he wrote the laws he hasn't broken any? He must know what he's talking about. After all he wrote the laws. (sarcasm)
No. Saddam Hussein is, himself, a Leftist. His hero is one of history's worst mass murderers, Josef Stalin. Why do you think the Euro and American Left are so hysterical about GWB's takedown of the Hussein regime? Plenty of them still yearn for a world ruled by communism. That is the truth stripped naked of the soft veil of "socialism," which is merely communism lite.
Long live Zontar...long live The King!!
LOL...MUD
Both are acceptable
Every time I see a reference to this Muslim belief, I'm even more happy that I'm a proud, unabashed admirer of the canine race.
Saddam should be the keynote speaker for the Dem convention.
Precisely!
They worked very long shifts, and many even died on the job.
This competition could hardly be called "fair." I was forced out of the place where I had worked for 34 years.
Not a single government program was there to help me.
How can Bush call himself "compassionate?" Far worse, I lost two of my sons in Bush's evil war in Iraq. They gave their lives for their country, and for what? So that Bush's oil buddies can get rich. My pain of losing my sons is indescribable.
While it is trivial next to the loss of my sons, I regret to say that I also lost my home. I simply have nothing left. How can Bush call himself a Christian when he neglects people like me? I am a senior citizen with various medical problems. I'm not in a position where I can begin a new career. I was reduced to the point where I had to live in a hole in a ground, all because of President Bush.
And when the authorities found me there, did they have any compassion for my misfortune and ailments? No, I was arrested. Mr. Bush, I dare you to look me in the face and tell me you are a compassionate man! I dare you to look me in the face and tell me you are a Christian. If I had any money left, I would donate it to the Democrat Party.
If Al Gore had been elected in 2000 I would still have a job, a home, and most importantly, my dear sons!
Regards, Saddam Hussein
Originally authored by Our man in washington
I'm sure that Ridgway99 will be outed as troll.
Then the mods or Jim Rob will post that this troll is serial troll on Free Republic.
And before that he was a member of the Nazi party just like Yasser. His, Yasser's and Gerhardt's comparisons of Bush to Hitler were classic projection, but the typically ignorant public ate it up.
I hope so. They've been coming out of the woodwork lately. It'll only get worse until election day.
Re your #111, brilliant!
In all honesty, until I started reading freerepublic, I had never heard anyone saying Hitler was a lefty. Can you link me to a study that argues this point of view? I google a bit but all I managed to find was this http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-hitler.htm
You are right. Frankly, I'm not at all sure he will be found guilty even if he does ever stand trial. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he "escapes" once he is out of US control.
Yep. All Hitler's loyal followers then went with the stronger horse: Stalin.
What is the Kerry position?
Perhaps that the UN should try him, eventually letting him off on a technicality.
Or if convicted, sentenced to 5 years at a remote tropical island.
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