">
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.
FREE WILLY
FREE SADDAM
Uh, Saddam? Hate to tell you this, my man, but that noose over there? That ain't a prop.
">
Hey Saddam ...your name aint Jean Luc Piccard of the Starship Enterprise...and Pres Bush is not a member of The Q
Saddam must have been watching US TV in his cell. He's got the presstitute line down pat.
And I am Zontar, king of the planet Xantu.
It was substantial - 'thicker than a Bic'; and I was amazed that he even had it. Would think they would give him nothing more than a two-inch pen to use; and then make sure he handed it over; before leaving room. . .I believe he put in back in his pocket; but not sure.
I was thinking; what if before he entered 'chamber'; he were handed a poison pen/one that could shoot a letahal gas; or one that was sharp enough to do damage should he decide to act up. . .
Think they'll spring him so he can deliver the keynote address to their convention?
Tactic? Hell, you will be able to take Saddam's words and directly place them next a number of lefties and you could not tell the difference between them. They hate America so much that they would side with genocidal dictators who employed rape rooms.
You beat me to it. His script was either written by McAwful or Michael Dinty Moore.
Get ready for some real theatrics.
Such a lovely marriage, the American left with brutal, murdering dictators.
If liberals had any conscience left, they would be ashamed......
That's exactly what Mr. and Mrs. Nikolai Ceaucescu insisted in Romania before they were made into swiss cheese.
What a coincidence.
I'm liking this Saddam appearance alot, vis-a-vis the link to the Democratic mantra. If only we could get him to do that Dean "YEEEHOW" scream from Iowa - it would be perfect!
"We're going to go to Mosul, and to Kirkuk, and to Sadr City and Basra, to chase George Bush out of the white house. YEEEHOW!"
Fox News just now a translation of a phrase he used: "Truth is a relative issue."
Boy, if that doesn't just sound like x42!
LOL!
I wonder how the left feels that they have been asserting the EXACT same thing Hussein (who's been in complete isolation for months) has been thinking about every minute of the day since December?
Do you think it will dawn on them that they are in complete agreement with a person like Hussein?
I switched over to MSNBC when Fox had on a Bush basher, and this is what I found. They were interviewing Iraqi's on the street, and they said Saddam should not be in court. That Bush is the criminal and he should be in court. These were young men, too.
I have an uneasy feeling that Saddam will be set free and take over Iraq again. If not bold faced, but underground.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
You forgot, Kennedy, Kerry, Gephardt, CBS, NBC, ABC, NPR, Alan Colmes, Al Bore, Barbara Streisand, Big Fat Moore.. I know there's 'more'.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.