OK... I'm no expert on real hangin's, but I've seen
enough fake movie hangin's to wonder ... what was the
possible purpose of all that material around Saddam's
neck that "padded" the noose?
(Flame Suit On)
It's bad enough getting hung without getting rope burn too. They couldn't find any Gold Bond Powder.
They didn't want to get the rope dirty.
It wouldn't surprise me if, in a nation that has reared generation after generation on lies and obfuscation (wait a minute ... that sounds like our own x 42 ... !) ... there will be people that will never believe its dead unless and until they can see it for themselves.
Just an opinion.
That black "padding" was loaded with K-Y lubricant.
Saddam has "slipped away" and is eating a big ham at Camp David with Karl Rove right now.
You said -- OK... I'm no expert on real hangin's, but I've seen enough fake movie hangin's to wonder ... what was the possible purpose of all that material around Saddam's neck that "padded" the noose?
Well, I'm not an expert in that either. BUT, I do know that the goal of these hangings is to snap the neck in a hurry, making it clean and swift. And so, I would suspect that it has something to do with allowing the rope to slide around to the proper position, giving it the full "snap" when dropped. I know that on skin, being that it's elastic, things (like the rope) could grab and "hang up" somewhat, making it less effective (although it would most likely kill him anyway).
So, that's my guess.
And, if I were going to go for a second try at guessing (this being less likely, I would think), it may possibly be related to not scarring up his neck as much as it could, if it were directly on his skin.
The first guess is the one I would pick as the most likely.
Regards,
Star Traveler