Saddam Hussein Is Guilty; Sentenced to Hanging
Saddam Hussein has been found guilty of crimes against humanity.
I don’t really care about what the Hussein verdict might mean for the U.S. elections. But I do care about what it means to Iraqis like my friend Mohammed, who says:
We have been dreaming for such a day to come and it will be a true turning point, not only for Iraq but for the middle east, for it will be the first time a ruler gets paid back for what he’d done by a court of law.
Saddam will indeed get paid back. He has been sentenced to death by hanging.
UPDATE: The above Mohammed quote was from before the verdict. Mohammed reacts here.
[…] UPDATE x2: A commenter notes that the chief investigative judge is indeed a former Baathist, and this is true. In announcing the timing of Hussein’s hanging (Saddam has been convicted; more here), “chief investigative judge Raed Juhi” said the hanging may not occur until early 2007. Juhi was a “former member[] of Mr. Hussein’s Baath Party.” […]
Patterico’s Pontifications » L.A. Times Has “Doubts” About Hussein Court’s Legitimacy (421107) — 11/5/2006 @ 8:48 amGreat news, a deterrent to tyrants ’round the world, although there’s much to be said in favor of dealing with deposed dictators much as the Italians did to Mussolini and the Romanians did with Ceaucescu.
The criticisms of the trial, mentioned in the previous post, leave me cold.
With the L.A. Times and other “international legal expert” groupies, it’s always about process, never about justice.
My old boss, a D.A. who lived on a ranch called The Hang ‘Em High, always told his new prosecutors that it’s never about winning trials and getting convictions; rather, the mission is always, “Do right.”
And in his old-time, right-and-wrong world view, doing right meant doing justice. Anything other than certain execution for Saddam is no kind of justice.
But one thing is certain: When it comes to the L.A. Times, no matter what happens to Hussein and Iraq, it will be wrong, it will be unjust, and it will be America’s fault.
I can’t wait to hear how they spin this verdict.
Mike Lief (ce60c1) — 11/5/2006 @ 8:49 amSaddam’s last line on this video was telling:
Christoph (9824e6) — 11/5/2006 @ 11:21 amRe above:
That may have been the trial judge who said that. You’ll have to watch the video yourself. You see, I was reading Saddam’s mind.
Christoph (9824e6) — 11/5/2006 @ 11:39 amUntil I read Mohammed’s remarks, I failed to appreciate the full impact the execution of Saddam would have in the Middle East. Now, I begin to realize it’s more broad implications. Thanks for the link.
mokus (539ee5) — 11/5/2006 @ 11:41 amFor this observer, the execution of Saddam Hussain is long overdue.
Another Drew (8018ee) — 11/5/2006 @ 1:03 pmDue to his massive crimes against his people, and in light of the religeous beliefs of same, I think he should be beheaded in the largest public square in Baghdad.
He resents the sentence of hanging, contending that as a military leader he is entitled to a firing squad.
I believe there is a solution to this dilemma: A gallows with about a forty-foot drop, with machine-guns set up to fire at the point-of-drop.
He gets his firing squad, the court gets his hanging, and the observant Muslim get a beheading.
Plus, it would be great theater.
What, isn’t anyone going to recommend the
dchamil (f13f2e) — 11/5/2006 @ 2:16 pmpeopleplastic shredder as a good alternative? A few years ago someone did a long piece in the Atlantic in which Saddam was quoted to the effect that he would never go to trial, since too many people wanted to kill him. I guess he expected the standard Middle Eastern system for regime change — assassination.Actus! Actus!!! ACTUS!!!
Dang it, actus, we need you now more than ever to bring your moral clairity and wisdom to this confusing swamp of moral relativism.
Help us, Obi wan-actus, you’re our only hope…
EFG (f0e683) — 11/5/2006 @ 4:18 pmWhat’s relative about this? was there ever any confusion as to what the verdict would be? Hooray for the rule of law. Lets hope it sticks.
actus (10527e) — 11/5/2006 @ 4:44 pm