Ruthless Saddam Hussein hanged at age 69

AP ^ | 12/29/2006 | By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer

[Prost1]

Within days of taking power, Saddam Hussein summoned about 400 top officials and announced he had uncovered a plot against the ruling party. The conspirators, he said, were in that very room. As the 42-year-old Saddam coolly puffed on a cigar, names of the supposed plotters were read out. As each name was called, secret police led them away. Twenty-two people were executed. To make sure Iraqis got the word, Saddam videotaped the entire proceeding and distributed copies across the country. The plot claim was a lie. But in a few terrifying minutes on July 22, 1979, Saddam eliminated his potential rivals, consolidating the power he wielded until the Americans and their allies drove him from office a generation later.

Saddam, who was hanged Saturday at age 69, ruled Iraq with singular ruthlessness. No one was safe. His two sons-in-law were killed on Saddam's orders after they defected to Jordan but returned in 1996 after receiving guarantees of safety.

Such brutality kept him in power through war with Iran, defeat in Kuwait, rebellions by northern Kurds and southern Shiite Muslims, international sanctions, plots and conspiracies.

[Prost1]

This is an excellent read. I am no fan of AP but I am unfamiliar with this reporter.

This reporter has earned title of Reporter.

A commendable report. Please read.

[dfwgator]

I only wish they had hung Saddam with piano wire.

[Allegra]

The conspirators, he said, were in that very room. As the 42-year-old Saddam coolly puffed on a cigar, names of the supposed plotters were read out. As each name was called, secret police led them away. Twenty-two people were executed.

Actually, some of them were shot right there in the assembly room in full view of everyone in attendance. I've seen video footage of it.

Chilling.

[Calpernia]

In two years, with less loss of life than we suffered on 9/11, America has liberated 25 million Iraqis, ended the most heinous tyranny of the 21st Century, inflicted terrible defeats on our terrorist enemies, and created the first democracy in the history of Islam. -- David Horowitz

Thank you Multinational Forces!

[elhombrelibre]

Image:

From the rat hole to the gallows thanks to the American forces and its coalition allies.

[dfwgator]

[SoldierDad]

A rare piece of journalism without any personal bias interjected into the report. Well written, and well read. Thanks.

[Calpernia]

The Viking Kitties are even happy I see :)

[Freee-dame]

A commendable report. Please read.

Too bad it doesn't mention the many mass graves revealed when we invaded.

The MSM certainly doesn't want Americans to be aware of just how brutal this man was. MSNBC is showing various pictures of Sadaam with his followers. CNN is having a discussion of the unfairness of the trial. Only Fox is showing some of the pictures of the Iraqi people as they found their loved ones' remains in the mass graves. It is so discouraging.

[SoldierDad]

Morning Allegra. I hope things are calm there. Stay safe.

[yoe]

Please take a minute and thank this tireless President via Fax or e-mail for his foresight and determination to rid the world of Saddam and his sons.

FAX: 202-456-2461
President George W. Bush:
president@whitehouse.gov

Never in modern history have such an evil father and his sons done such barbaric things to their own people and gotten away with it for so long. Uday and Qusay were raised to be cruel beyond belief by their father Saddam. Iraq and the world are undoubtedly far better off with the demise of these living devils.

Thank every soldier you meet on the street for their courage and sacrifice. Islam as it stands today and tomorrow must accept its part in the horror these three people perpetrated on the innocent for they were of that faith and used it for excuses to torture whom ever they pleased.

The Human Rights Council of the United Nations did absolutely nothing – Gitmo and Abu Ghraib became their focus so the world would blame President Bush for freeing a tortured nation….the obvious question is WHY. Why are so many still unwilling to admit that shredding a living human in a giant paper shredder or burning a person alive with acid for amusement not worthy of the Human Rights Council or the New York Times or Ted Kennedy or Michael Moore or Cindy Sheehan. Why are they so opposed to freeing Iraq of this unimaginable tyranny?

Thank You President Bush for understanding what so many do not.

[KoRn]

"This reporter has earned title of Reporter."

Very true. A very well written and accurate summary.

[Republic_of_Secession.]

Saddam might be gone but his brutal legacy will not be gone any time soon.

[Prost1]

"A rare piece of journalism without any personal bias interjected into the report. Well written, and well read. Thanks."

That is what I 1st thought, as well. Pleased you agree.

[Freee-dame]

The following is from today's CNN.com: Notice the use of the words "tucked away" and the "many people say" On December 13, 2003, coalition forces found Hussein tucked away in an underground bunker at a farmhouse near his hometown of Tikrit. His capture was one of the biggest coalition achievements in what many people say has been an ill-fated, mistake-filled expedition.

[SoldierDad]

I'm pleased to have been able to read something unencumbered by the journalists own biases and op-ed viewpoint. Breath of fresh air - for a change.

[yoe]

The Sept. 11 terror attack on the U.S. focused attention on Saddam as a sponsor of terrorism. His refusal to meet U.N. demands for full disclosure of his illegal weapons program provided a justification for war.

[El Sordo]

I understand that Saddam made people pull the trigger on friends that day as a way of forcing them to prove their loyalty.

Chilling indeed.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Amen! Thank you President Bush! Thank you, American military and our allies. God bless America!!!

[wireman]

His two sons-in-law were killed on Saddam's orders after they defected to Jordan but returned in 1996 after receiving guarantees of safety.

Were they the two dumbest Iraqis???

They deserved whatever they got. Morons.