Hussein executed with 'fear in his face'

CNN ^ | December 30, 2006 | Staff

[Anti-Bubba182]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi dictator who spent his last years in captivity after his ruthless regime was toppled by the U.S.-led coalition in 2003, was hanged before dawn Saturday for crimes committed in a brutal crackdown during his reign.

The execution took place shortly after 6 a.m. (10 p.m. Friday ET), Iraq's national security adviser, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, told Iraqi television.

"This dark page has been turned over," Rubaie said. "Saddam is gone. Today Iraq is an Iraq for all the Iraqis, and all the Iraqis are looking forward. ... The [Hussein] era has gone forever."

Rubaie, who witnessed the execution, said the former leader was "strangely submissive" to the process.

"He was a broken man," he said. "He was afraid. You could see fear in his face."......"

[Anti-Bubba182]

"....You could see fear in his face."......"

We need video to see that. If that is true Iraqis would benefit from seeing Saddam shake. Fox was reporting that the Iraqi Government may hold the video so as not to stir up emotions. If they do not show Saddam dead it is a mistake.

[SheLion]

We need video to see that. If that is true Iraqis would benefit from seeing Saddam shake. Fox was reporting that the Iraqi Government may hold the video so as not to stir up emotions. If they do not show Saddam dead it is a mistake.

Everyone is reporting something different.  On Fox News, they are saying he showed no remorse.  He refused to wear a hood, and he was dressed all in black and had his Koran. 

[kinoxi]

Good. Too bad it was too quick.

[Orange1998]

I wonder if President Bush got to see the CCTV live. It would be a good question to ask.

[AbeKrieger]

Me and my boys are out drinking and we just drank a toast to the oxygen this murderer is no longer stealing from the earth.

[Anti-Bubba182]

I saw the Fox report too. We need video to see for ourselves,
but the Iraqi government may wuss out.

[GulfWar1Vet]

and he also was reported to be screaming "God is great" before he died.

[Allegra]

Fox was reporting that the Iraqi Government may hold the video so as not to stir up emotions. If they do not show Saddam dead it is a mistake.

I don't think they'll hold it for long. They know the Iraqi people need to see it to truly believe it. They don't want all the rumors that would result from not having proof to grip the country.

[Theresawithanh]

CHEERS! *clink*

[dfwgator]

They should have hanged him using piano wire.

[kinoxi]

They should have used his own slow execution devices on him.

[rawhide]

I wonder if President Bush got to see the CCTV live. It would be a good question to ask.

From the article:

White House deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel said President Bush was asleep when the execution took place and was not awakened. The president had been briefed by national security adviser Stephen Hadley before retiring and was aware the hanging was imminent, Stanzel said.

[karnage]

Sweet.

[packrat35]

I'd say it deserves another round. Drink up!

[Anti-Bubba182]

Mowaffak al-Rubaie on Fox now.

[packrat35]

I'd say President Bush did the right thing. No sense losing sleep over a POS like Saddam.

[JillValentine]

I hope they will see it. Then the Iraqi people can see the true Saddam...tough-talking when he's surrounded by bodyguards and henchmen, but a pathetic coward when he has to face justice.

[Talking_Mouse]

...he also was reported to be screaming "God is great" before he died.

Everyone is reporting something different. On Fox News, they are saying he showed no remorse. He refused to wear a hood, and he was dressed all in black and had his Koran.

Lets look at it from his perspective. He expects to be judged by Allah, who while being called All-Merciful, is not seen anywhere near the forgivingness of the Christian God. He has killed other Muslims, which is a major no no to Allah. He has not given 2% of his wealth to the poor, another mark against him. He is not a real martyr, he has not been killed in battle against the enemies of Allah (he was executed by his captors - he did not die in battle) so he is not promised paradise. He has not prayed 5 times a day, one of the other pillars of Islam.

He most probably did shout Great is God, and carry his Koran. By his own religion he is facing an unfriendly Judge.

[kinghorse]

Exactly. The nationalism cum old time religion is all these goons got. Why give this attitude any free press? The frigging Arab press is dying to make him out to be a poor victim. A martyr. What a crappy albeit highly effective propaganda program they have going with their culture. Given the modern press, one wonders how the Bushido would have been sanitized into something other than what they were.

[My2Cents]

When Saddam was thrown in the arms of Allah, I'm sure he was shocked to see him wearing a red suit, with horns, and a pitchfork.