Saddam Sentenced to Death

I sincerely apologize for my lack of posting on Sunday. It was a long day capped off by me yelling about a New England Patriots loss.


More than two years after his capture, former president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein was convicted of crimes against humanity on November 5th by Special Iraqi Tribunal. He has been sentenced to death by hanging. "You can't decide. You are slaves. God is great. Life is for us and death for our enemies. Life for the nation, death for the enemies of our nation," snapped Saddam upon hearing the judgmentent.

The New York Times reported that Saddam Hussein's verdict and sentence will "come under review by the nine-judge appellate chamber of the trial court. There is no time limit for the appeal court's review, but Iraqi and American officials who work with the court said that the earliest realistic date for Mr. Hussein's execution, assuming it stood up to review, would be next spring." According to Iraqi law executions must take place within 30 days of the end of the appeal process. The law also forbids the executions of people over the age of 70. Saddam Hussein reaches that checkpoint on April 28, 2007.

The sentence has received a mixed reaction from the people of Iraq and it is unclear exactly what will happen in Iraq if Saddam's sentence is indeed carried out as planned. Many people are please withverdictaying that justice is served. Others fear further deterioration of the nation and perhaps even civil war because it. Still others are angry over the verdict.

Here are some of the reactions are reported on Reuters.co.uk I found it interesting to see what the everyday people thought rather than the Political analysists.

"The verdict issued against Saddam today was fair for crimes he committed against the Iraqi people of all sects. But what about crimes committed after Saddam was toppled, such as the sectarian killing which is much worse than the crimes which Saddam committed?": Kana'an Shaker, an official of the Turkman Party.

"The sentence against President Saddam will make the situation deteriorate more. Saddam will remain a symbol for all Iraqis because he refused to concede to the Americans. Everyone collaborated against Saddam (in the trial).": Mohammad al-Dulaimi, 55, tribal leader.

"(These) are happy tidings for us families of the victims and mothers who had children and sons killed. This is the least that Saddam deserved. He should be hanged 10 times and not only once.": Ahmed Ajail.

"If Saddam is executed this country will indulge in civil war. The Iranians and the Americans are pushing us towards disaster.": Halima Jabar, 50, housewife, who was weeping.

"Like every oppressed Iraqi, I feel happy, although to execute Saddam once is not enough as Saddam destroyed a whole country. And the real joy will be the occupation forces leaving Iraq.": Hazim Messabih, 35.



My Opinion: While this is without a doubt exactly what Saddam deserves, I cannot help but share in the fear of the Iraqi citizens over what will happen to Iraq when Saddam is executed. If civil war breaks out, how much longer will U.S. forces have to stay? Will they stay? How much more violence will there be against U.S. forces and Iraqi civilians? What will Bush do?

Also, hanging? C'mon, really? The Special Tribunal couldn't come up with anything a little more original? Hanging is so 1600's. The man that is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Iraqi citizens is subject to one quick snap and that's it? I would've come up with something a little more prolonged and perhaps painful. He should experience exactly what he put his own people through. While I am not an advocate of the death penalty, I will make an exception in Saddam's case. I only pray that it does not result in increased violence against U.S. soldiers and innocent Iraqis.