Posted on 01/10/2007 1:43:32 PM PST by jmc1969
But do we want to stand on the level of a Saddam Hussein? We´re better, I hope. That´s what executionees in the US are treated with a rest of dignity, like allowing a last word, having a priest chat, a last meal, better clothing, no insults from the victim´s relatives, etc.
Obviously, the Shi´ite Iraq wasn´t better than Saddam. They made sure by ONE EXECUTION to offend the Kurds and Sunnis both, they used their fat chance.
You got it right!
Good points there Mike.
You may have put them up better than I have.
When I first heard this story today it followed the speech coming up story.I'm worried he'll make some comment on it tonight in the speech.I'll be disappointed if he says anything other than "good, he's dead."
Good points.
Who is the 900 pound gorilla there?
You have a point but we could have dictated the terms there and everyone knows it.
- Tony Snow actually ticked me off on this point.
The only solace I take from the whole sorid affair, other than that a mass murderer is gone, is that your point is valid.
That's just sanctimonious BS. Saddam was given a long protracted trial pressured by us and the coalition to go through this kabuki dance. It took more than three years to execute this tyrant who used the trial as a platform to spew his vitriol. A number of people and their families associated with the trial were assassinated. Since when do a few verbal taunts constitute "an air of mob rule and vindictive killing?" I viewed the video of the hanging. Saddam was not physically manhandled and was allowed to speak. His wishes not to use a hood were respected.
I question the motives of those who are "upset" with the hanging of a tyrant whose crimes probably touched directly or indirectly every Iraqi present at the hanging. The fact that some personal emotion was expressed in very human and understandable. Saddam's regime killed hundreds of thousands and his invasion of two countries caused millions of casualties. To expect some sterile, unemotional carrying out of the death penalty is unreasonable. I can imagine the tension in the room was palpable as this monster who ruled the country for over 25 years was finally despatched with far more dignity than any of his victims.
The Italians hung Mussolini and his girlfriend from a lamp post. The Romanians captured Ceausescu and his wife on Dec 22, 1989 and on December 25 the couple were hurriedly tried and convicted by a special military tribunal on charges of mass murder and other crimes. Ceausescu and his wife were then shot by firing squad. I don't recall any handwringing by the Western elite in either case.
You are confusing justice with the process. Saddam was brought to justice and the conditions of his execution were orderly and within the law. I respect the Iraqis for the way the execution was carried out. It must have taken great restraint not to tear him from limb to limb or to make the hanging a public spectacle.
Saddam was not a common criminal. He was a mass murderer who oppressed and terrorized an entire country for 25 years. He was given a fair trial and was treated well during his three years of captivity. He had ample time to have a last word. Better clothing? A last meal? No insults from the relatives? In the US, we allow the victim's family to participate in the sentencing phase of the trial.
You sympathy and concern should be directed to Saddam's victims, including the hundreds of thousands buried in mass graves.
When President Bush follows your advice, I´ll consider to do so too. Until then, I feel allied with him by criticizing the taunting of an executionee. Saddam was about to pay the highest price for his crimes, and we´re supposed to keep our dignity alltime, even when we hand somebody over to eternity.
By the way, Saddam wore good clothes when he died, and he got a last meal - because he was still guared by US soldiers then.
If Bush really said THAT, can tax increases be far behind?
For me, this is all D.C. feel good politcs, or at least an attempt to portray such.
F*ck hussein, hope he's enjoying his first couple weeks in hell with his boys..
It couldn't wait! Too much risk that if he stayed alive, that he could be freed or escape. He needed killing, and it should have been done months ago.
"The Dubya with a swagger, the Dubya that made "The Bush Doctrine". The "Bring It On" Dubya. The "You're With Us Or Against Us Dubya". The "Wanted Dead Or Alive" Dubya? "
What about the one that was the "compassionate" conservative?
Then sends 86 Million dollars too Fatah, that will end up in the hands of Hammas.
UGH
I'm not. Shame Bush is.
I wasn't giving any advice, just an opinion. Bush was giving his and I am giving mine, which is just as valid. Simple as that.
Until then, I feel allied with him by criticizing the taunting of an executionee. Saddam was about to pay the highest price for his crimes, and we´re supposed to keep our dignity alltime, even when we hand somebody over to eternity.
That is easy to say in the comfort of one's home distant from Iraq and in no way connected emotionally with the tyrant. If I had been in that room and had relatives murdered by this monster, I would have voiced, at a minimum, my hatred of him.
"...and we´re supposed to keep our dignity alltime, even when we hand somebody over to eternity." You mean like the orderly well run Nazi concentration camps, which carried out the execution of millions with factory like precision and no emotion? Since when is a justified emotional outburst a loss of dignity? Can you possibly understand the passion and emotion of the victims' relatives who have lived for 25 years under a monster? Was Saddam abused in any way except for a few verbal taunts?
As I stated earlier, the Italians hung Mussolini and his girlfriend from a lamp post. The Romanians captured Ceausescu and his wife on Dec 22, 1989 and on December 25 the couple were hurriedly tried and convicted by a special military tribunal on charges of mass murder and other crimes. Ceausescu and his wife were then shot by firing squad. I don't recall any handwringing by the Western elite on the lack of dignity in either case.
The Israelis hung Eichmann two years after they captured him in Argentina and spirited him to Israel for trial. He also refused to wear the hood.
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