Posted on 12/29/2006 9:55:42 PM PST by jdm
Statement of President Bush on the death by hanging of Saddam Hussein, as provided by the White House:
Today, Saddam Hussein was executed after receiving a fair trial — the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime.
Fair trials were unimaginable under Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule. It is a testament to the Iraqi people's resolve to move forward after decades of oppression that, despite his terrible crimes against his own people, Saddam Hussein received a fair trial. This would not have been possible without the Iraqi people's determination to create a society governed by the rule of law.
Saddam Hussein's execution comes at the end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops. Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror.
We are reminded today of how far the Iraqi people have come since the end of Saddam Hussein's rule and that the progress they have made would not have been possible without the continued service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.
Many difficult choices and further sacrifices lie ahead. Yet the safety and security of the American people require that we not relent in ensuring that Iraq's young democracy continues to progress.
If you don't know the atrocities committed by Saddam..you are a very uninformed "reporter" .I suppose you didn't mind that he paid the families of Palestinian suicide bombers.
Nice animated Icons! I saved the middle one!
Why is it that there is such swift justice in Iraq, but not in America???
Too many serial killers, like the Green River killer, Gary Ridgeway get life in prison.
Too late. You already went "down this path" with your earlier posts.
All national leaders -- ALL -- lead in the context of the times in which they are in office. During the Carter presidency, radical Islamists declared jihad (war) against the United States. During the Reagan presidency, with the Cold War still extant and Iran becoming a growing threat, President Reagan helped Hussein in the Iran-Iraq war. In retrospect, with the benefit of about a quarter century between us and those times, we can see that President Reagan's support of Hussein may have been a mistake. Or was it? Would Iran now be sitting atop not only their oil fields, but those of Iraq as well if President Reagan had not supported Hussein back then? Did President Reagan spare the world the specter of an Iran more powerful by orders of magnitude? I think we can safely imagine the correct answer.
In any case, aside from children and adults with mental impairment, the only people who cannot understand the difference between our hindsight and Reagan acting within the context of his times are those who are: (a) stupid, (b) willfully obtuse, or (c) anti-American.
In the Clinton years, the growing menace of Hussein was well known. Clinton even signed the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 making regime change in Iraq the national policy of the United States. But Clinton never acted. Not on any of the many terrorist attacks against the United States during his presidency, nor on the growing menace of men like Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, and the Iranian and North Korean dictators.
President Bush has had the courage to take out the Taliban, take out Hussein, and stand aside while Ariel Sharon made Israel safer.
People like you, IsraelBeach, sicken me to the core. If we lose this war against Islamofacism, it will be due to people who think like you.
BUMP!
President Bush's unspoken thoughts...
"The bas**rd tried to kill my father! My father! Well, I sent an army half-way around the world and killed his cousins, his brothers, his sons and now I got him! Justice is served!"
I wasn't just living in Israel with my gasmask by my side, I was living in Ramat Gan where most of the Scuds fell. One landed about 100 meters away from my home, destroying a neighbors' house. Luckily for them, they were not home.
And yes, I have and continue to serve in the IDF. I know something about combat duty. I also know something about knowing your enemy.
I have no love for Saddam. Yes, he was evil. Yes, he deserved a trial and punishment. I simply object to "how" the US threw him to the Shiites. One would not exactly define that as an "objective" and "international" court!
I object to the timing of his execution. It's not my personal opinion regarding the "timing." I interviewed several Palestinians in Israel today. Yes - they were pissed off. Not so much at his execution, but rather that he was executed on a holiday which is holy to the Muslims.
THAT is called blind arrogance.
THAT alienates those moderate muslims who we wish to make peace with.
THAT helps to produces suicide bombers who walk into coffee shops, buses and shopping centers in Israel. It's easy to be an arm chair general from the States. Israeli civilians are on the front line with Katushas from the North and Qassams falling from the South on a daily basis.
Lastly, the White House knew and cooperated with Saddam after his crimes of 1982. But it was critical for the White House to find a bad boy after 9/11. Saddam took the fall.
I have only one question. Where is bin-Laden? Why are we not focused on bringing him to justice?
ps - The Palestinians I spoke with today who were pissed off were Shiites - the ones who opposed Saddam in Iraq. We gave the Iranians a gift today. We also united some Sunni and Shiite muslims for executing a muslim on one of their holiest days. How many civilians died today in Iraq as a result of a show trial / hanging? But then again they are only numbers, right? How many US and British troops died today? How many Westerners were taken hostage?
This ain't the way you win a war! Someone needs to read Dale Carnegie and make friends while holding a very big stick. For now I only see a big stick waving blindly. US troops, Iraqi and Israeli civilians need not to pay a high price for images of Saddam hanging. It could have been and should have been handled in a different manner. Remember Yaser Arafat? Israel did not need a noose and a horse and pony show.
Many of you may have seen combat. You know what I am talking about. I am no bleeding liberal. Rather I am a soldier who will not be sacrificed for PR hanging show which served no purpose. Only negative results. Either be smart and win the war in Iraq or get out! There is no middle ground. And this is not Vietnam where the Chinese are drawing lines ;>
I again thank FreeRepublic for placing "Loose lips sink ships." under the comments we make. The enemy is in this room. And his name is not Saddam. Don't get "passionate" with your responses :>
Support our men and women in uniform with good food, good coffee and good decisions!
He was tried for crimes against his own people..and he was judged by his own people..You gave yourself away when you suggested The Hague and an International Tribunal..Piffle.
You should know better if you are a loyal Israeli.
The Muslims don't mind killing each other or us on Holy Days..
They go gaga over cartoons,too.
Clever, clever. And it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I wonder if any Iraqis will say "Thank you, George Bush".
Saddam is no doubt wondering why it's so hot and where all the virgins are.
Or in Nifong's North Carolina..
Or in prosecuting Sandy Burgular..
Or in Impeaching Bill Clinton...
Or in prosecuting murderers in Mexifornia(O.J.)..
Only the elite have a license to steal.. anywhere..
Wonder what justice COSTS these days in Boston?...
Most Palestinians want peace. Those who are launching the Qassams rockets are doing it for the money.
What we need is to create jobs for the Palestinians. Take them off the Hamas payroll!
http://www.israelnewsagency.com/stefwertheimer.html
We need a far reaching and powerful educational campaign. More Web sites in Arabic. Net videos (youtube format) in Arabic. We need to reach these people - not alienate them through "show hangings."
Best wishes to all for a safe and productive week.
And finding bin-Laden dead as a Hanukkah / Christmas gift ;>
How you have lasted here this long is amazing - but hopefully not much longer with your posting of far-left lies and propaganda. The U.S. did not invade Iraq on false pretenses, and "we" did not summarily execute him - nor did "we" execute him at all. Learn to tell the truth.
Very well stated.
Good luck on educating .Bin Ladin is educated..The 911 bombers were educated.
Thanks to both of you. :)
Thank you for a great post!
The U.S. did not invade Iraq on false pretenses,WHERE ARE THE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION? and "we" WHO DETAINED SADDAM? did not summarily execute him WHO GAVE SADDAM TO THE SHIITES (no, we didn't pull trigger, just passed the gun)- nor did "we" execute him at all.
I wish I was "far-left" it would be less painful.
Next you are going to tell me that Nixon had nothing to do with WaterGate.
And as for "lasting here for so long" - that is what Conservatives describe as free speech and debate. Do you wish to silence everyone you disagree with? That would be very unAmerican. Something that Saddam would do ;>
I am very conservative - but refused to be "played." Rumsfeld resigned. That was a good first step. How many others conservatives here have the guts to speak up? Lastly, please avoid personal attacks. Stick to facts and good, friendly debate :>
You can't solve the problem until you see it!
I see a "problem".
Thats it!!!!!
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