Sic semper tyrannis

[kentuck]

This is from the Colorado Springs Gazette...
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http://www.gazette.com/display.php?secid=13

<snip>


Say what you will about the “new” Iraq, but these folks don’t dawdle when dispensing justice. It won’t be a happy new year for the deposed Saddam Hussein, who was sentenced to hang for ordering the murder of Kurds, but whose other crimes make the gallows a fitting destination. And there’s no ACLU standing by to ensure that he lives out his days on death row and cheats the executioner, as so often happens in the United States.

Saddam’s death won’t change much on the ground in Iraq, at least visibly. For minority Sunnis and deposed Baathists, who for decades were Saddam’s ruling clique, it likely will mean calls for vengeance or retribution. Islamic terrorists will proceed apace with their bombings and kidnappings, since Saddam’s fate is for them beside the point. For many waffling European onlookers, it may provide an opportunity to lament the uncivilized nature of capital punishment, and the United States, of course. Shiites who were persecuted under Saddam may cheer and feel that justice was done.

But Iraqis and non-Iraqis might also draw broader inferences from the episode — that a brutal murderer of his own people has been held accountable for his actions in a public courtroom, by his former subjects. Despite the rough edges and bumpy procedural journey of the newly re-established Iraqi criminal court system, justice was served.

The execution of Saddam should tell non-Iraqis that despite the nation’s turmoil and ongoing violence, Iraqis have managed to bring a measure of justice out of chaos. And for that, Iraqis can be proud and non-Iraqis inspired. The tension on Saddam’s noose ought to be a felt by tyrants elsewhere, including in North Korea, Iran, Syria and Cuba.

The truth is that despite the likely subjective spin of self-interested parties, and the ongoing tribulations in Iraq, Saddam’s death is a reason for hope.

[Eric J in MN]

1. It's great that there is no ACLU in Iraq to fight for fair trials...

...and appeal unfair trials.

I wish I lived in Iraq to enjoy their wonderful justice system, which lacks liberals slowing down executions.

(sarcasm)

[madeline_con]

2. Why do you say that Iraqis did this?

They're puppets with big, fat U.S. hands up their wazoos.

I'd bet money not one Iraqi was even in the room when Saddam was hanged.

[bperci108]

3. Gee....such "compassionate Conservatism"

And from Colorado's Pharisee Central: Colorado Springs, too.

Why am I not surprised?

All of those good christians have had such a healthy influence, eh? :puke:

[ixion]

4. "the truth is...Saddam’s death is a reason for hope."

People like this are so freakin ignorant that it is simply mind-boggling. Their complete and total lack of historical perspective and human nature really amazes me to no end.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Does the writer of the article hate America for its freedoms?

'And there’s no ACLU standing by to ensure that he lives out his days on death row and cheats the executioner, as so often happens in the United States.'

He sounds really sorry to be living in a free country rather than a tin-pot dictatorship.

BTW, the UK abolished the death penalty in 1965; and most countries in Europe also haven't had it in a long time.