Saddam Hussein executed

Jag Singh Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 05:26:41 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

We've just received news that Saddam Hussein, the ousted Iraqi leader, was executed about an hour ago. Do I sense an open thread coming into play? You guessed it!

Does this affect the direction that Iraq will head in over the course of the new year? (of course it does!)

Does Saddam's execution even matter at all? We have prevailing opinion that suggests that we're all about to witness a country torn apart at its roots by civil war - is this the precursor to such a  scenario?





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Saddam Hussein executed | 27 comments (27 topical)

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#1)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 06:30:38 AM GMT

It is very unlikely that the death of Saddam Hussein will make any real  significant difference to the internal politics of Iraq. Undoubtedly there will be a surge of violence instigated by supporters of the old regime, but they are but a small part of the insurgency. The question that must be asked is what will Iran and Syria do now, as they are the main players in this scenario.  With these two nations facing each other there is a recipe for a major regional war.


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#2)

by alexanderbaker on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 08:29:28 AM GMT

The news of Saddam Hussein's death has troubled me somewhat.

It's not that I'm upset that he has been punished for crimes against his own people, just that the manner in which we've arrived at today's events have left a very sour taste in my mouth.

I fear now that in death his will be seen as a martyr, and that it will do little in the end to quell insurgency and suffering in Iraq.


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#3)

by otware on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 09:23:32 AM GMT

I agree. The whole thing seems almost engineered to cause maximum offence to the Sunnis. They should reall have kept him alive to be tried for his oher crimes, and when they did finally kill hm he should have been allowed to be killed by firing squad.

By dictating how a forme president was to die, they robbed him of his dignity and I am sure some Iraqis will not forgive the west/Iraqi government for that. This whole thing will inevitably lead to more sectarian violence.

It seems somewhat ironic that Saddam's evil legacy of violence will be guaranteed by him being brought to justice.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#4)

by pauldburgin on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 10:03:41 AM GMT

Given the Islamic culture of martyrdom I disagree with his execution. True he was frightened as he faced death but he never said a word of regret and this shows what fine line there is between punishment and revenge. I would have preferred life-long imprisonment, plus his execution will make him a rallying point for some insurgents


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#6)

by swatantra on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 03:03:04 PM GMT

It is a shame that the whole Iraqi episode ended in this way. Saddam showed great composure and dignity at the gallows, befitting a former Head of State. Like many, I too was troubled by the images of the execution, but in the end it seemed inevitable, the final Act to his brutal reign of terror. It won't solve the quagmire that is Iraq now and the prescence of US an British troops will not help the Iraqi peoples. They will have to sort it out themselves.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#5)

by guido fawkes on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 12:08:57 PM GMT

Never too early for a celebratory drink.


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#8)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 03:28:22 PM GMT

For once I aggree with you Guedo.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#7)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 03:26:48 PM GMT

  Doctors say Saddam's condition is satisfactory... I  concur with their diagnosis


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#9)

by Loz on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 04:13:11 PM GMT

Great news. The bastard is burning in hell.

As for him becoming a 'martyr', surely keeping him alive will only continue to strike fear into the hearts if iraqis and inspire what the bbc and other idiots like to call 'fighters' into battle in the desperate hope they could return him to power?

These people love the death of infidels, so hopefully they can celebrate this one with us.

As for the decision itself, it was made under iraqi law, which is the choice of the iraqi people. Nobody has the right to tell them what to do.


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#11)

by davidfloyd on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 07:53:11 PM GMT

Well, whether or not anyone has the right, the US government certainly has the means to tell the Iraqi government what to do, whenever they choose to do so.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#13)

by Loz on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 07:57:45 PM GMT

I see no proof of that at all. I see a rather chaotic government at this point, that can't even muster up a coherant strategy, let alone playing lap dogs to the americans.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#21)

by davidfloyd on Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 05:36:37 PM GMT

There are thousands of American troops on Iraqi soil, there are also thousands of British troops their to help with them.

If the Iraqi government tried to do something that the Americans really didn't want them to do, there would be fight, which the Americans would win.

Unless you're thinking that the Iraqi government currently controls an army capable of fighting the Americans, it's unclear what more proof you need of their relative impotence.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#26)

by Loz on Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 10:37:15 PM GMT

Like the iraqi government negotiating with terrorists?

In some cases having links to terrorists?

I can't see the US fighting them on that one, unless you think they agree with such a thing?

It baffles me that you would have made such accusations in the firt place, considering that everyone knows the iraqis want him dead more than we do.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#10)

by swatantra on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 05:18:52 PM GMT

I am appalled by Fawkes's, and some other contributors, glee at the wretched fate of Saddam.
After all, it was the West that helped create this monster in his hey days by supplying him with arms. I only hope that those who now rejoice at his execution feel comfortable with themselves.


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#12)

by davidfloyd on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 07:55:59 PM GMT

I think you'll find Saddam was a monster before the West supplied him with arms.

The doesn't excuse the supplying of arms to him but the West's misguided support helped to preserve his brutality rather than caused it.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#15)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 09:01:10 PM GMT

The vast majority of Saddam's arsenal were supplied by the Chinese, through NORNCO the Chinese state arsenals export division.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#14)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 08:41:50 PM GMT

I feel  very comfortable.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#16)

by JR on Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 02:41:49 AM GMT

He should never have been killed at all.

There's no questioning the evil of the man but he should have had a lifetime in prison. How anyone can tolerate the death sentence is beyond me.

Putting him in prison for life would have been more of a punishment anyway - instead he's got what he wanted - a quick way out of it. No prolonged punishment, no trials for all his other crimes and no chance for him ever to repent (however unlikely that may be). He wasn't in the least bit scared in the seconds approaching his death, so he hasn't been punsihed at all.

I've just watched the video of his hanging as it seems to be doing the rounds on many news websites now and it's not a pleasant viewing. It's crazy how anyone thinks that this kind of punishment is necessary in the 21st century - it just looks barbaric and uncivilised. Now matter how evil a man he may be.

An eye for an eye will make us all blind.


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#17)

by Loz on Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 02:38:36 PM GMT

I believe in the death sentence myself, although I will say, having no intention to see the hanging video itself, what I have seen makes me somewhat dissapointed.

The scene was chaotic and somehow they allowed many 'enemies' into the witness area, including even some of the excutioners.

Scenes of flashing camera bulbs and chanting crowds makes it all seem far too much like tribal african justic, or worse a terrorist video.

This is not the message the iraqis should have conveyed. They have messed this up badly and I am massively dissapointed that the execution will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Most importantly, it shows very clearly that the iraqis have a very long way to go.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#18)

by swatantra on Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 03:03:45 PM GMT

The later mobile phone pictures show that Saddam went out with a lot more dignity than the rabble that watched and gloated over his gruesome demise. We should be more magnanimous in victory, if victory it is.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#19)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 05:03:13 PM GMT

Shades of Ceausescu. Not really but almost similar, in a good type of way. Plus I like the way it sounded. Good riddance, he dosen't quality for the RIP file because he dosen't deserve it, Payback is painful (something we never learn) and people from the Middle East have very long memories. Bush is finally successful at something besides making the rich, richer but this is sure to have unforeseen consequences.
(Cut from Debweb's blog).


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#20)

by Optimistic on Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 05:06:05 PM GMT

I am appalled over this weeping for a tyrant who launched two wars against neighbouring states and oversaw the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Saddam Hussein was a mass murderer, his death by hanging is appropriate, he died with two other associates; his former intelligence chief and one of his so called judges. I wish people would see beyond the knee jerk reactions I read here.

Don't feel pity for Saddam Hussein and his fellow assassins and torturers think about those who died resisting he barbaric regime.


Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#22)

by alexanderbaker on Mon Jan 01, 2007 at 11:37:12 AM GMT

What you take as weeping for Saddam is actually weeping for the human race that we should be reduced to a braying lynch mob.

I doubt many would argue that heinous crimes such as those Saddam committed should go unpunished. However, it is morally inconsistent to hold that murder is wrong, and to simultaneousely punish those who commit the act of murder with murder itself.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#23)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Mon Jan 01, 2007 at 03:09:57 PM GMT

I can live with it.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#27)

by Loz on Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 10:38:58 PM GMT

The trouble is, the poor sods out there can't as when the shit hits the fan, they're standing in front of it.

I support the execution, however the way it was carried out was not at all acceptable.


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#24)

by JR on Tue Jan 02, 2007 at 01:05:34 AM GMT

Nobody feels in the least bit sympathetic towards Saddam. People just feel ashamed that we still murder people and call it justice.

The new Iraqi government are supposed to be better than Saddam, so why resort to his level of brutality and ignorance?


[ Parent ]

Re: Saddam Hussein executed (#25)

by Glass House on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 01:00:03 PM GMT

I don't believe in the death penalty, but I'm not going to shed any tears for the son of a bitch.


Saddam Hussein executed | 27 comments (27 topical)