Is hanging Saddam Hussein wrong?

[originalpckelly]

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Murder is murder even when it is sanctioned by the state. n/t

[Coventina]

2. I oppose the DP on principle. However, I am just cynical enough

to be tempted to say that if his hanging means that we can get out of Iraq (ha, ha) I would be willing to "sacrifice" him to get the hell out of there.

"Ok, he's dead. Can we leave now?" is the question I want to ask Bush once this nightmare is over.

Having said that, I am dreading this ghoulish spectacle. I am actually going to avoid the media as much as I can. I don't want to see it, I don't want to hear about it.

:puke:

[theophilus]

3. It is wrong strategically, morally, and intellectually. He has many

stories to tell and a life in prison would be a more visible punishment to last for years and years.
The Iraqis and the U.S. are making yet another blunder.

[ripple]

10. I suspect it's an intentional blunder

The US doesn't want Hussein to have the opportunity tell all about Rummy and Poppy Bush's complicity in his crimes.

Edited to add that I voted 'Other'.

[progressivebydesign]

26. You're right. It's stupid to make him a martyr.

The last thing in the world Iraq needs right now is more death. And.. a martyr with which they can recruit. It's a very bad move.

[peacebird]

4. the immortal words of Gandolf on whether Gollum deserved to die....

“Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."

[Kerrytravelers]

6. When we heard this line in the theater, my husband poked me and nodded his head.

It's been a favorite of ours ever since.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. I voted "other"

figuring the death penalty should be reserved for whoever posts the next Saddam Hussein poll.

My head really hurts.

:argh:

[devilgrrl]

7. Since you're asking the question, shouldn't you answer it first?

??????????????

[ck4829]

8. Other: It is wrong because there is so much we don't know

We need to try Saddam for his other crimes and find out the things surrounding them, and in return, keep him in prison for the rest of his life.

[Smarmie Doofus]

9. A kangaroo court is a kangaroo court is a kangaroo court.

No one should be executed as a consequence of such proceedings.


It is also wrong because his execution deprives the victims of other crimes for which he is accussed their day in court and deprives him of his right to confront his accusers.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. It Reminded Me Of Films Of A Soviet Show Trial

The verdict and punishment were decided before the trial began.
The Professor

[hobbit709]

12. "Verdict first

Sentence afterwards."

[ProfessorGAC]

18. Nah! They Knew The Sentence Beforehand, Too

Whether it was the occupation forces that made that decision or the opportunists now running what passes for a democratic gov't in Iraq that did it, they wanted him dead from the moment they captured him.

It was all pre-ordained.
The Professor

[TechBear_Seattle]

20. "All ways are MY way! Off with his head!"

Now that I think about it, this administration's attitude does bear a striking resemblance to that of the Queen of Hearts.

[MemphisTiger]

13. I oppose it because I oppose the death penalty for everyone

wouldn't it be more effective to keep him locked up like a common criminal rather than to martyr him? I think so.


What he did was wrong to kill those people, I don't think you'll find anyone to argue against that, but one more dead body doesn't bring them back. Make him go to prison and do hard time like commoner to see how the mighty have fallen.

[DinahMoeHum]

14. Bush is about to make the incredibly stupid blunder of making a matryr

out of a punk-ass dictator.

Them again, once he was "OUR" punk-ass dictator (Reagan, Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney's), along with
other stalwarts like Noreiga, Somoza, Reza Pahlavi, etc.

And Saddam, of all people, managed to do something no other dictator, not even Hitler, was able to do to a POTUS: He dragged the POTUS down to his level.

Thanks a lot, King George. :sarcasm:

:evilfrown:

[Marie26]

17. Whatever happened to Noriega?

And why did we attack Panama to capture him? I can't even remember the reason anymore.

[TechBear_Seattle]

21. Two reasons

1) His threats to seize the Panama Canal (then under US control.)

Since they couldn't take him because of that reason, they trumped up

2) Cooperation in running drugs into the United States.

Supposedly, we invaded Noriega and kidnapped the legitimate head of state on trumped up charges that he was a principle supplier of drugs. Those charges were never proven in open court, even though he was convicted on them and continues to serve a life sentence (?) in the American penal system because of that conviction.

[DinahMoeHum]

22. Noriega is in a federal prison in Florida. . .

The rest of the story can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Noriega

:evilfrown:

[progressivebydesign]

28. Florida, it's always Florida with the whole Bush crowd.

I always wonder why Jeb Bush is governor of Florida of all places... and why everything seems to lead back there.

[progressivebydesign]

27. Yeah, how come Khdafi is now America's pal, and Saddam is hanged? n/t

[msongs]

15. kill him so he can't testify AGAINST Bush #1, Rumsfeld, & Cheney!!!!!

that's the real reason he's gonna get it.

Msongs
www.msongs.com
batik & digital art

[MH1]

24. We have a winner. nt.

[Marie26]

16. Yes

Mostly because I disagree w/the death penalty & feel that hanging is inhumane. But also, if they rush to execute him now, he won't ever stand trial or give evidence regarding other massacres that took place in Iraq (Kurds, etc.)

[itsmesgd]

19. prepare for the shit storm to follow soon.

[Orsino]

23. Premeditated killing of a helpless prisoner? Yes. n/t

[progressivebydesign]

25. Somehow, it feels wrong.

I know that sounds awful, because he's been responsible for deaths in his country. I think my problem is that the court system and this trial, and supposed (worlds fastest) appeal, appeared to be a kangaroo court with a predetermined decision. Americans are raised to believe in the justice system here, and the idea that even suspected criminals should be treated fairly and given a fair court trial. That is what's bothering me.. this felt like a Bush Admin. production. What's the rush to hang him? What type of appeals process was accomplished within weeks? What can Saddam tell the world about his dealings with pals like Rumsfeld, Reagan, and Bush 41? Is that why they're killing him so fast? It would seem prudent, to not rush this... for the stability of Iraq, I would think they'd keep him in prison.. get Iraq back together, then revisit the death penalty ONCE the country was functioning. Hanging him is throwing a match in a pool of gasoline, and I fear for the safety of the troops. Does Bush fantacize that Iraqis will be dancing in the streets because of this? Seems that Iraqis who originally hated Saddam have been complaining that life under Saddam was far superior to the hell they're living now.

I just want to know why.. why is this being rushed? What' the political benefit for Bush, because that's what this is all about. Is it to keep him quiet? Or is it to make Bush's sad, pathetic, loserman, tenure seem more important by executing this particular bogeyman?