[Miss Marple]

There is one other possibility, Dog. If Saddam is severely injured and perhaps disfigured, he may have sent the bodyguard as a "minder" to the Information Minister, to make sure he trumpets the party line. No TV surrenders, for example. The Information Minister may be speaking with a gun in his back.

Personally, I think Saddam is dead, too, but I always try to look at all possibilities.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Unconscious, or more likely drugged out to stop the pain of internal injuries.

If he were permanetly unconscious, killing him/replacing him would be easier than if he were infrequently awake and had bodyguards around.

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

"If Saddam is severely injured and perhaps disfigured, he may have sent the bodyguard as a "minder" to the Information Minister, to make sure he trumpets the party line. No TV surrenders, for example. The Information Minister may be speaking with a gun in his back."

Miss Marple, I agree with you. I think they're "circling their wagons" or trying to "keep their ship afloat" as long as possible.

I also think they're trying desperately to get Saddam back to his "normal" condition.

It looks to me like thery're using this time as a bridge in time...

[Timeout]

I saw the report about Saddam's bodyguard, but I wasn't at a computer. I noticed something that wasn't remarked on.

When introducting the video, Brett said, "Look at this press conference. There is something defense analysts noticed ....". Before he pointed out the bodyguard, I noticed THERE WAS NO PICTURE OF SADDAM BEHIND THE PODIUM! That's what I thought Brett was going to say. Then he pointed out the bodyguard.

Did anyone else notice there was no portrait????