Posted on 12/16/2003 7:59:53 AM PST by mikeb704
You’d think that bagging the butcher of Baghdad would be cause for near-universal celebration for at least a while. You’d be wrong.
The first accounts sent hearts – my heart, anyway – soaring. Living in a small hole in the ground with something less than luxurious accommodations, the big bad dictator decided he wasn’t quite ready for paradise and those 72 virgins after all.
Sure, he’s urged young men to go contentedly to their deaths in his name. He’s rewarded the families of suicide bombers with $25,000 a blast. He saw his own two sons die in a firefight with U.S. soldiers rather than surrender.
Hussein found himself more than a little short in the guts department. When the moment of truth arrived, the best he could do was squeal like a sissy and tell our troops he was willing to negotiate.
Realizing this possibly could have a negative effect on aspiring terrorists, Saddam’s sister immediately claimed that Americans must have drugged big brother. Otherwise, he would have gone down fighting. This strongly suggests someone in the family is on heavy medication, and it’s not Saddam.
Senator Joseph Lieberman is a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. He’s an exceedingly dangerous man, mainly because he’s the only Democrat running who occasionally lurches into rationality.
Mr. Lieberman commented about one of his opponents: "If Howard Dean had his way, Saddam Hussein would be in power today, not in prison, and the world would be a much more dangerous place."
For his part, Dr. Dean claimed that Hussein could have been captured six months earlier. Presumably, this is if Howard Dean were president.
But then, if Howard Dean were president we wouldn’t have been looking for Saddam. We wouldn’t be in Iraq at all. We’d patiently be waiting for the United Nations, that anti-American loony bin that pretends it’s a moral beacon, to give us permission to do what it tells us.
The head spins. Little wonder that Howie is extraordinarily popular with two important segments of the electorate: Rank-and-file Democrats and current White House staffers who won’t have to worry about job security if he nails the nomination.
The doctor isn’t the only spoilsport. Jesse Jackson complained that bin Laden is still on the loose. Some guys you just can’t satisfy.
On Sunday’s 60 Minutes, Lesley Stahl wanted assurance from no less than the secretary of defense that the Red Cross would visit Hussein soon.
Then she asked Don Rumsfeld about, "for lack of a better term, torture. Let’s say he’s not forthcoming. Would we deprive him of sleep, make it very cold where he is, or very hot? Are there any restrictions on the way we treat him to get him to cooperate more than he has been?"
Saddam’s responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Mass graves, unspeakable atrocities, and jails for children are part of his legacy. And Lesley’s concerned that this despotic monster might be too cold?
I’m surprised she didn’t insist that Secretary Rumsfeld promise Hussein would be provided cable TV. With all the movie channels, of course.
It’s only a short step to the Hussein apologists we’ll likely hear from next. Someone will claim that there really isn’t sufficient evidence to prove that Saddam knew what was being done. Or that he shouldn’t be put on trial because of mental incompetence and/or an advanced case of lice. Or that he was raised in a dysfunctional family and consequently isn’t responsible for anything he’s ever done.
The ACLU will check in, fretting that Saddam’s civil liberties might be ignored. Self-styled human rights organizations will do the same.
There’ll be demands that Hussein’s trial is conducted under the auspices of the UN. This is because the maximum punishment there would be a harshly worded reprimand and mandatory counseling.
A defense fund will be set up. Ed Asner, Barbra Streisand and the rest of the usual suspects will whine that the U.S., already guilty of all the maladies afflicting mankind – make that peoplekind, - has no right to impose its views on the rest of the world. Just because we think Hussein is a brutal murdering tyrant doesn’t make it so.
It’s been reported in the Islamic press that Ramsey Clark, attorney general under Lyndon Johnson, has expressed interest in serving as Hussein’s lawyer. Can Mark Geragos and Johnnie Cochran be far behind?
It will be a circus. One can only hope that America makes certain the right thing is done: Give Hussein a fair trial and then kill him.
Which the environazis will immediately blame on global warming and demand that "we all stop driving now or we're all gonna die"
Leftist, environmentalist, socialist, democrat. All words for idiot
A strong possibility although the network might be satisfied if she spends a couple of years in journalism school. If that doesn't re-educate her, what will?
For a guy who gets arrested a few times a month, he sure doesn't stay locked up for long. Much to my displeasure.
Perhaps the DNC will make up the difference.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.