DEAD HUSSEIN 1/1/07

Hussein is dead. The American Friends Service Committee [Quakers] condemned the hanging before procedural questions regarding his trial were investigated. Human Rights Watch, an organization which condemned the trial, continues to protest his swift death just before sunup the other day and at the beginning of the Muslim eid named Eid al-Adha-- a day associated with clemency and devotion. Although Cuba still has the death penalty, the country condemned Saddam Hussein's hanging as one that was carried out by force of the occupation of Iraq by the United States rather than due to the wishes of Iraq itself. The Iraqi government is launching a probe into reports of the taunting of Hussein by gallows guards. There is video and photos available on the web which depicts the actual hanging itself-- more than Americans were shown on their teevee sets.

Saddam was hanged on the gallows that his own secret police used for similar hangings. His body was buried in Ramadi, near his hometown of Awja in Northern Iraq.

radical sapphoq says: Good Riddance. I don't care that the United Nations, the Vatican, the European Union and others have condemned his hanging. Saddam Hussein was on trial for crimes against humanity when the order to rush his execution came in. Violence and civil unrest continue in Iraq, Bush 43 considers his death a democratic victory, and there are accusations abounding that his trial was "illegal." I would have been willing myself to pull the switch [hanging is perhaps more intellectually honest but I am after all a Westerner] and willing to endure any "karma" for thinking that I have the right to judge Saddam Hussein for the things he did while alive. I know what I know. Regardless of how he got into power or his brutal childhood or any other factor, Saddam Hussein followed in Mohammed's bloody footsteps. I will not be leaving flowers at his grave.

FORD IS DEAD AND HUSSEIN IS GONNA BE 12/26/06

Gerald Ford is dead. He was 93 years old. One of the lucky ones. He died at his ranch. He had a pacemaker which did help for a bit but ultimately his body gave out. The Fords have been married for about 60 years. Mrs. Betty Ford had her own battles with addiction and with breast cancer. Richard Nixon selected Gerald Ford to be his vice-president in the midst of the Watergate Scandal. Gerald Ford later pardoned Nixon. Ford was President during a difficult unpopular war and worked very hard to improve the fiscal practices of the government. In spite of political differences and a lost presidential race, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford reconciled in later life, becoming good buddies. Ford will be missed by many Americans. Saddam Hussein won't be.

Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to die by an Iraqi court for the deaths of 148 Shias in a small town north of Baghdad whose name is Dujail. He was sentenced on November 5th. Since his appeal fell today, he must be hung within thirty days of tomorrow-- 12/27/06. The European Union and a former U.S. Attorney General-- Ramsey Clark-- and the Human Rights Watch have all accused the trial as being part of a kangaroo court and/or have protested the death sentence.

Hussein may be tried separately for the Kurdish genocides which took place in the 1980s. His death sentence can be carried out at any time within the next 30 days, whether the next trial runs to its conclusion or not.

Saddam Hussein is not a nice guy. To him, regardless of the circumstances, I say "good riddance." I wonder though if he will kill himself rather than allow himself to be hung.

radical sapphoq