[Burkeman1]

No- Iraqi dissidents lie? Why would they do that? They wouldn't have a motive would they?

I have never heard of Iraq practicing this kind of thing. Sadaam, I suspect is a lot like Stalin (whom he openly admires) in how he kills- quitely and out of public view.

[dsutah]

I would go along with you to a point. But what I'm wondering, is that there is a disturbing rise in Islamic fundamentalism in Iraq. I know Saddam himself is not particularly religious. He is mostly a secular ruler. However, there is the incident regarding the elderly nun who was tortured and killed in her house. It is believed that hard-line Islamic groups could've been behind this. I wouldn't put it past Saddam to coddle the people who do these dispicable things.

And consider, there is reason to believe that Osama Bin Laden could be sending his goon squads into Iraq. Whether it's him or someone pretending to be him on tape; this individual is terribly upset and throwing threats around at us, and the allies for talking about war! Wouldn't you be a little suspicious at least that Saddam could be 'winking' and looking another way; when these groups terrorize and kill his people, even if he's not doing it himself?

It does seem like the m.o. of similar groups or squads of extremists in Saudi Arabia, and other places. Don't you suppose these people are present all over the M.E.? Saddam or his sons might not be doing this themselves, but I myself, wouldn't put it past them to secretly support others doing it! And as much of a villain as Saddam is, his sons are said to be even worse than he is, particularly
Uday!