Saddam to be executed by 10 PM

[ornotna]

Local NBC http://www.nbc-2.com/index.shtml


No story yet, just a headline.

A little more here. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16389128/

[maxsolomon]

1. that means we can go home at midnight?

the war is over!

:sarcasm:

[daleo]

2. For what it's worth, today is the first day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage

I wonder if this was significant to Bush (and his Iraq government)? Given the religious sensitivities around the invasion, a more neutral date would have made more sense, I think.

http://www.ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,20985569%255E401,00.html

[PCIntern]

3. There was a reason why Napoleon was not executed. Twice.

As far as I'm concerned, I couldn't care less about this guy's life. The ramifications are enormous for leaders, movers, and shakers of all other countries.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

4. Wonder if this will be a major event in History?

or will it fade into the background?

Will you remember where you were when the great dictator died?

[PCIntern]

5. Dahm Triplets?

Don't ask for much do you??


:evilfrown: :evilgrin: :hippie: :party: :toast: :bounce: :mad: :puke: :eyes: :smoke: :think: :crazy: :silly: :wtf: :argh: :freak: :dunce: :hangover: :nopity: :hurts: :boring: :spank: :wow: :beer: :grr: :nuke: :scared: :thumbsdown: :thumbsup: :hi: :dem: :kick: :shrug: :puffpiece: :loveya: :donut: :tinfoilhat: :hug: :grouphug: :cry: :pals: :headbang: :yourock: :banghead: :dilemma: :blush: :rant: :sarcasm: :woohoo: :applause: :hide: :popcorn: :rofl: :spray: :patriot: :yoiks:

[Countdown_3_2_1]

6. The Barbie Twins are getting too old...nt

[PCIntern]

8. As an aside...

and the PC police are gonna be all over me...didja see that special on the old playmates on E! ? Wow...they'd really been around the block a few times. Glad I married who I married, believe me...and, for you PC Crowd, she's brilliant too!

[Countdown_3_2_1]

9. The Triplets are real good at calculus...

I was hoping we could have good...um conversations.

[PCIntern]

11. Perhaps they post at DU!

yeah...that's the ticket...

:evilfrown: :evilgrin: :hippie: :party: :toast: :bounce: :mad: :puke: :eyes: :smoke: :think: :crazy: :silly: :wtf: :argh: :freak: :dunce: :hangover: :nopity: :hurts: :boring: :spank: :wow: :beer: :grr: :nuke: :scared: :thumbsdown: :thumbsup: :hi: :dem: :kick: :shrug: :puffpiece: :loveya: :donut: :tinfoilhat: :hug: :grouphug: :cry: :pals: :headbang: :yourock: :banghead: :dilemma: :blush: :rant: :sarcasm: :woohoo: :applause: :hide: :popcorn: :rofl: :spray: :patriot: :yoiks:

[54anickel]

7. Iraqis gather in Green Zone to witness Saddam’s execution

http://news.bostonherald.com/international/view.bg?articleid=174480

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The witnesses to Saddam Hussein’s impending execution gathered Friday in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone in final preparation for his hanging, as state television broadcast footage of his regime’s atrocities.

The Iraqi government readied all the necessary documents, including a “red card” - an execution order introduced during Saddam’s dictatorship. As the hour of his death approached, Saddam received two of his half brothers in his cell on Thursday and was said to have given them his personal belongings and a copy of his will.

Najeeb al-Nueimi, a member of Saddam’s legal team in Doha, Qatar, said he too requested a final meeting with the deposed Iraqi leader. “His daughter in Amman was crying, she said ’Take me with you,”’ al-Nueimi said late Friday. But he said their request was rejected.

Munir Haddad, a judge on the appeals court that upheld Saddam’s death sentence, said he was ready to attend the hanging and that all the paperwork was in order, including the red card.

“Saddam will be executed today or tomorrow,” Haddad said. “All the measures have been done. ... There is no reason for delays.”

As American and Iraqi officials planned to meet in Baghdad to set the hour of his death, Saddam’s lawyers asked a U.S. judge for a stay of execution.

The physical transfer of Saddam from U.S. to Iraqi authorities was believed to be one of the last steps before he was to be hanged.

“We have agreed with the Americans that the handover will take place only a few minutes before he is executed,” a senior Iraqi government official said on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.


more...

I thought he was already transferred from US custody. There's just so much information/misinformation floating around about this whole thing. I'm hoping that somehow, someone will stop the execution. This trial was a farce. I want him to be able to testify as to just how involved the US was in his rise to power and tyranny. Seems Rummy and the BFEE have more motive to see him dead than the Iraqi people do these days.

[Generic Brad]

10. There is no way this is will bring about a positive outcome

If Saddam Hussein is hung, the Sunnis will open up a big old can of Jihad Ass on our military.

[Bonescrat]

12. I don't think there's anymore "if" or "when"... nt.

[Amonester]

15. Yup. And pissypants' Saudi lover is gonna fund them more.

:silly:

[54anickel]

13. Saddam to hang at dawn: officials

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-12-30T001308Z_01_IBO034602_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-IRAQ-COL.XML

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein will hang at dawn on Saturday, Iraqi officials told Reuters, setting a dramatic end for a leader who ruled Iraq by fear for three decades before a U.S. invasion and his conviction for crimes against humanity.

"They just called to tell me to be ready to attend the hanging at 5:30 a.m. (O230 GMT)," said a court official whose presence is demanded by law. The execution was planned by 6 a.m., he added, although he did not know where it would happen.

A senior politician in the Shi'ite Muslim majority behind Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he would also attend: "It will take place by 6 a.m.," Bahaa al-Araji told Reuters.

Senior government officials, who have the final say on the timing, were unavailable for comment. One aide said Maliki had ended a meeting in the small hours with U.S. officials but would not say whether they had agreed that the former president could be hanged before a week-long Muslim holiday starts on Saturday.

Maliki gave an execution order on Friday, with approval from the president and justice minister, said a close party ally.

But the feast of Eid al-Adha from noon could have delayed the hanging if final details, including the site of the gallows and fate of the body, had not been agreed with the Americans.

U.S. officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

more...

[Strathos]

14. I really wonder

What the ramifications will be?

[BrotherBuzz]

16. It appears the brain trust in Texas doesn't know

[54anickel]

17. I like the 2nd one where they all hang their heads in shame. What

a sorry-ass looking bunch. I can't believe these folks are still "in charge".

[BrotherBuzz]

19. I think that's where Bush* claims he lost his homework

"Uncle Dicky, I swear I did my homework. I had the Iraq plan right here in my pocket, it was a swell plan. Help me look for it fellas."

[Strelnikov_]

30. Who's The Fuckstick On The Far Right, First Picture?

Chimps new boy-toy?

[BrotherBuzz]

31. General Peter Pace

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. They had better not preempt the Champs Sports Bowl

I'm mad enough that I am missing the beginning of it becasue the Liberty Bowl isn't over yet.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

20. A "respectful hanging"??

OMG!! This is hideous...

BAGHDAD, Iraq
...A senior Iraqi official says, "We have agreed with the Americans that the handover will take place only a few minutes before he is executed."

A member of Saddam's legal team says U-S authorities are maintaining physical custody of Saddam to prevent him from being humiliated before his execution.

He says the Americans will also try to prevent the mutiliation of his corpse -- something that's happened to other deposed Iraqi leaders.

The lawyer says, "The Americans want him to be hanged respectfully." He says if that doesn't happen, there could be "an uprising."




http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20061229-1654-saddam.html

[pitohui]

23. "tasteful" too say the washington post!

i'm glad he merits a tasteful, respectful hanging, damn, i hope a good champagne is served

[VegasWolf]

21. The FReepers are all outside their trailer homes shooting their guns off. nt

[pitohui]

26. they are here too, well, fireworks anyway EOM

.

[cureautismnow]

22. Barbarians killing Barbarians

"What a piece of work is man!"- WS

[Bonescrat]

24. it would now be after 10pm est...nt

[54anickel]

29. Look like it's done. 9:57 per this other thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2669458

[54anickel]

25. Saddam sentence is just 'political show,' analysts say (China)

http://english.people.com.cn/200612/28/eng20061228_336464.html

snip>

As the White House hailed as a milestone the decision by an Iraqi court to uphold the death sentence against Saddam Hussein, the verdict could become a flashpoint for many Iraqis, who continue to suffer from the daily chaos and bloodshed unleashed by the US invasion. The verdict could focus their anger on the US's inability to stop violence in the war-torn country, analysts said.

"The date of the execution depends on the needs of different interest groups, especially the White House, rather than the explanation of law," said Ye Qing, deputy director of Middle Eastern Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies.

The influence of Saddam has declined since he was captured by US forces at the end of 2003, Ye said. "The sentence is just a political show. Every step was indeed under the control of the White House," he added.

The Iraqi High Court first delivered the death sentence right before the American people were about to cast their votes in the mid-term elections early last month because the Bush administration believed that the verdict would help win more votes for his Republican Party, he said.

"As Washington doesn't know what its next step should be, sending Saddam to the gallows could open a door to a new path," said Hua Liming, former Chinese ambassador to Iran and an expert on the Middle East.

snip>

"The Bush administration just wants to keep the situation from getting worse, so it can leave the burden for the next president," Hua said.

more...

[Thor_MN]

27. CNN reporting it done.

They are echoing one channel Al Hura (sp?) as saying ten minutes ago.

[calimary]

28. NBC quoting confirmation that he's been executed - sometime around

6:08 am Baghdad time. That would be 7:08 pm here on the west coast.