Hangin' Around

Saddam Hussein, the former dictator of Iraq was executed yesterday at approximately 10:00pm Eastern Standard Time on December 29, 2006. He was hanged

In March of 2003 the United States formed a coalition of the willing to fight Iraq and bring down Saddam Hussein's reign. In December of 2003, United States forces found Hussein hiding in a "Spider Hole" near his hometown of Tikrit. It has been considered one of the few highlights for the military fighting in Iraq.

Saddam was charged with crimes against humanity in the summer of 2005. A long, controversial trial ensued, in which several lawyers, and judges were replaced, and Saddam removed from the courtroom on numerous occasions. He was found guilty on November 5, 2006 of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. He was convicted of ordering the murders of 148 Shi'ite villagers in 1982 after an attempted assassination.

On December 26, 2006 the Iraqi Court of Appeals upheld Saddam's conviction and sentence. They said that the execution would take place within 30 days. It would be only 4 days later.

President Bush warned that Saddam's execution is not a solve all problems solution. "Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the war on terror."

Many Iraqi-Americans are thrilled with the results. According to the AP approximately 200 Iraqi-Americans gathered outside a mosque and chanted "Now there's peace, Saddam is dead!", in both English and Arabic.

My Opinion: A true victory for the Iraqi people. Whether or not Saddam got a fair trial no one knows for sure. But, does that really matter? Did he give anyone a trial at all in Iraq? I'm happy for all those families that finally know justice after 24 years of waiting.

But, as good as his execution is symbolically and psychologically, it is equally bad in reality. I fear that his death will spark new outrage and determination in the insurgents. I fear that there will be more attacks on Shi'ites and American troops in Iraq. While Saddam is gone, justice and innocence are still at risk.