Saddam sentenced to death

[JMK]

http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStories/ContentPosting.aspx?newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20061104% 2fhussein_verdict_061105&feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V2&showbyline=True

I didn't follow his trial that closely only because I was certain that some form of corruption would take place and he's get off free as a bird. Looks like I was wrong, but there is still an appeals process. If his appeal is shot down, he will be executed by hanging within 30 days.

[Ryan Pode]

I heard. Good.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Wow. I didn't expect this at all.

[Ryan Pode]

Actually, I was watching Meet the Press and the field reporter, was standing infront of a giant stone hand, gripping a sword. I want to see what the whole statue is.

[Rod Stafford]

This doesn't feel like a victory for justice to me.

[Salem Ave]

This doesn't feel like a victory for justice to me.

I have to agree. That's why I wasn't expecting it. I thought they'd lock him up forever and a day.

[Morgan Evanar]

Whelp, that's that.

[Sanis Prent]

Oh well :(

[Grev Drasen]

I can respect that it's an Iraqi trial and they're free to do what they want with it, but to me this just reaffirms that the last three years in Iraq have been a waste. What kind of freedom are we spreading in a country that justifies hanging as a reasonable punishment?

[Jaime Tomahawk]

I can respect that it's an Iraqi trial and they're free to do what they want with it, but to me this just reaffirms that the last three years in Iraq have been a waste. What kind of freedom are we spreading in a country that justifies hanging as a reasonable punishment?

I am very much against the death penalty, but for what Saddam and co did to the Kurds, it is one of the very few times it is appropriate and as to the method, whatever floats their boat - There are much better reasons to think of Iraq as a waste other than Hussein's execution.

[Grev Drasen]

I am very much against the death penalty, but for what Saddam and co did to the Kurds, it is one of the very few times it is appropriate and as to the method, whatever floats their boat - There are much better reasons to think of Iraq as a waste other than Hussein's execution.
I'm not opposed to the death penalty in this case, but I just think a humane execution should be in order. I don't really see a hanging to fit that description.

[Liam Jinn]

Humane execution? Uh what?

[Grev Drasen]

Humane execution? Uh what?
Euthanasia.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Well, if the hanging is done correctly, then the neck is snapped instantly and he'd not feel a thing. There's screwups in just about every method of execution, so I don't really see hanging as being any different than say, lethal injection.

As for what the Iraqi people do to their own criminals, I really don't care. Nobody comes in and tells the US what we should do with our big-name bad guys, so I'm of the opinion that we should extend the same treatment.

[Sanis Prent]

I don't believe in such a thing as humane execution. I don't consider execution morally excusable in any fashion.

That being said, if we're trying to create an Iraq with any auspices of sovereignity, this is one of those ugly compromises we may have to turn our heads on. Either way, its dirty. Completely dirty.

I'd love to ban capital punishment everywhere, but to think that a Middle Eastern nation, even a democracy, is going to operate without some semblance of Sharia Law, is a pipe dream.

[Grev Drasen]

As for what the Iraqi people do to their own criminals, I really don't care. Nobody comes in and tells the US what we should do with our big-name bad guys, so I'm of the opinion that we should extend the same treatment.
Likewise, I just find it disappointing that we've lost so many lives in the name of spreading "freedom and democracy", yet a situation like this can suggest it's all been in vain.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

I agree.

Letting them do what they want to their own people ties into my belief that America could stand to stop being 'world police' and focus on its' own problems. I won't argue that starving children in Africa is a terrible thing, but we've got our own that need help.

America needs to adopt the philosophy of 'look out for number one'; at least for a long enough while that it can sort out the problems within its' own borders. Of course, this would mean that the public would have to start thinking with their brains, so that might be too much to ask.

My faith in the people of this country has been plummeting at an exponential rate lately, so I doubt common sense and logical thinking is going to become a popular thing in the near future.

[Razielle Alastor]

I agree.

Letting them do what they want to their own people ties into my belief that America could stand to stop being 'world police' and focus on its' own problems. I won't argue that starving children in Africa is a terrible thing, but we've got our own that need help.

America needs to adopt the philosophy of 'look out for number one'; at least for a long enough while that it can sort out the problems within its' own borders. Of course, this would mean that the public would have to start thinking with their brains, so that might be too much to ask.

My faith in the people of this country has been plummeting at an exponential rate lately, so I doubt common sense and logical thinking is going to become a popular thing in the near future.

Excellently put. My precise sentiments.

As for Sadam. I really don't care either way. It's their business, I guess. I won't miss him?

[Jedieb]

I'm surprised they're not stoning him to death. That's a common form of execution in Saudi Arabia. So's throwing people out of helicopters during airshows.

He'll be killed, so what? The next Iraqi leaders will commit the same kinds of crimes he did in order to restore some semblance of order. Death squads, both Sunni and Shite, are carrying out killings across the country right now. So many people seem to think that Saddam was some kind of one man killing machine. Please, many of the crimes he commited were supported by large numbers of Iraqis. He even had support of some Sunni Kurds.

The withdrawal handwriting is already on the wall. Even some of the biggest chickenhawk neo-cons that supported and drove on the war are starting to abandon the ship. We'll be out of there within 5 years and Iraq is going to have itself a big and bloody civil war. Who knows what kind of government will take shape, but it sure as hell wont be the fantasy land democracy Bush and company envisioned.

[Jaime Tomahawk]

I agree.

Letting them do what they want to their own people ties into my belief that America could stand to stop being 'world police' and focus on its' own problems. I won't argue that starving children in Africa is a terrible thing, but we've got our own that need help.

America needs to adopt the philosophy of 'look out for number one'; at least for a long enough while that it can sort out the problems within its' own borders. Of course, this would mean that the public would have to start thinking with their brains, so that might be too much to ask.

My faith in the people of this country has been plummeting at an exponential rate lately, so I doubt common sense and logical thinking is going to become a popular thing in the near future.


But on the other hand, I've been more comments like that from Americans lately, so that gives me hope. Katrina seems to have woken a few people up and the recent scandals even more so.

Who knows, it might be business as usual next week. But I think tomorrow for Americans, it could be beginning somethign different, or you can hope so.

[Mitch]

I support the death sentence. Wholeheartedly.

I believe that capital punishment should never be removed from the justice system, and that his actions deserve death, not a long life behind bars at the expense of his people.

Hang him. Hang him, shoot him, give him the gas chamber or the electric chair. For what he is done, pain is deserved.

[Sanis Prent]

What benefit to the people does this man's execution generate, aside from macabre bloodsport?

[Mitch]

Not having to pay for him being alive? Knowing he can't escape and cause havoc?

[Sanis Prent]

1. This isn't any kind of excuse, any moreso than we can have a Logan's Run style argument over when we should just kill off old people on the marginal benefit - marginal cost scale.

2. In the rare possibility that he did escape, exactly how much havoc do you expect? Iraq is utterly swamped in civil strife as it is, and well-to-do Tikriti Baathists aren't exactly major players in that anyway.

[Yog]

Im against death penalty as well, on a principal basis. Its wrong on so many levels. I would have preferred seeing a sentence for life imprisonment. There is nothing about death penalty that restores 'justice', what is done is done. Although, if there is anyone deserving this kind of punishment, I guess Saddam would be one of the top candidates.


I am very much against the death penalty, but for what Saddam and co did to the Kurds, it is one of the very few times it is appropriate and as to the method, whatever floats their boat - There are much better reasons to think of Iraq as a waste other than Hussein's execution.

Correct. In this case, the Iraqi people should be allowed to decide for themselves what to do with no interference, because they are the ones who suffered under his rule. I may not like it, but as you said, whatever floats their boat. And there are far bigger concerns in Iraq than the court and justice system right now.


I don't believe in such a thing as humane execution. I don't consider execution morally excusable in any fashion.

Agreed. The closest thing I can think of is overdose by morphine. The target is simply "put asleep" the same way anyone is before a major surgery, except a bigger dose.

[Park Kraken]

Good to see that Saddam is being put to death. Now we just need to cut our losses, withdraw, and let them have their little civil war in peace. Considering how brutually they conducted their warfare, if Nazi Germany and then the Soviet Union couldn't tame the Middle East, why is it that we feel we can do the same?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

But on the other hand, I've been more comments like that from Americans lately, so that gives me hope. Katrina seems to have woken a few people up and the recent scandals even more so.

Who knows, it might be business as usual next week. But I think tomorrow for Americans, it could be beginning somethign different, or you can hope so.

I really hope you're right. Hearing stuff like SUV sales going up because gas is going down makes me want to pull my hair out. I mean, do people not realize that gas is going to go right back up after the elections? And let's not discount how sue-happy Americans can get over the smallest, stupidest things.

I suppose time will tell.

[JMK]

I really hope you're right. Hearing stuff like SUV sales going up because gas is going down makes me want to pull my hair out. I mean, do people not realize that gas is going to go right back up after the elections?

No, they don't. For every 1 person that follows the news and is generally well-informed, there are 50 who don't know their dog crap from their toothpaste.

It's really quite sad.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

That's the thing that frustrates me to no end. It's an epidemic of voluntary ignorance that I'm worried is only going to get worse with future generations. It's gotten so bad that I'm seriously considering purchasing one of these (http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/mcs/venox250/index.html).

[JMK]

Every time you buy one of those, 5 more needless pick up trucks are sold. ;)

[Pierce Tondry]

I want to buy a pickup truck as a first or second vehicle myself. Something easy to maintain with decent carrying capacity. I'd get a lot of use out of a vehicle like that and I'm sick to the teeth of dealing with cars whose simple problems cost boatloads to fix.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

But see, that's the thing. You'd have a use for it, instead of some soccer mom with her one kid sitting in the back of some huge gas-guzzling SUV. Your vehicle would be put to use, and the money you spent on that gas would be actually worthwile and well spent.

[Sanis Prent]

Every time you buy one of those, 5 more needless pick up trucks are sold. ;)

You shut your pie-hole, frostback :mad:

My truck is pretty and awesome. ;)

[Pierce Tondry]

But see, that's the thing. You'd have a use for it, instead of some soccer mom with her one kid sitting in the back of some huge gas-guzzling SUV. Your vehicle would be put to use, and the money you spent on that gas would be actually worthwile and well spent.

That's a slippery slope, though. Yes, it sucks when a person isn't practical about their car choice. Yes, it becomes a real problem when impractical car choice is systemic through the US population. But there's some need satisfied in the process of that stupid choice for each idiot SUV buyer. To them, the money is well-spent or they wouldn't buy the vehicle and "us" thinking "they" are stupid doesn't really address anything. It just puts us in the position of wanting to revoke their freedom of choice, and that's not cool.

And really, I don't think the problem is with the buyers. I think it's either the economic system that builds and promotes impractical vehicles as valid choices, or the system that doesn't account for MPG fuel expenditures in assigning costs of taxation. Because there are unresolved costs in the pipeline, that's for sure. The only question in my mind is how they ought to be passed along to consumers to affect their buying habits.

Edit: We now return you to your regularly scheduled hanging commentary. ^_^;

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Well, carting around a kid can just as easily be done in a more fuel efficient sedan rather than an Esacalde, Suburban, or H2.

But you're correct - on with the hanging :)

[Pierce Tondry]

I know, and I agree with that choice. But, I also know that if we all made choices based on purely practical reasoning, there are many things we'd do differently that would result in as bad or worse outcomes.

If a single-child mother wants to drive around in a huge gas guzzling SUV because it makes her feel "safe" or whatever, that's her choice and I won't begrudge it. But like I said, I think the true costs are being under-represented in our current system. If they were included more accurately in the form of higher prices or fees and whatnot I believe things would work much better.

[Leten Snat]

Hang him, shoot him, burn him, whatever. People like Saddam do not deserve to live. I my opinion criminals should loose all human rights upon convicion, and the less that people have to pay for them to live the better...

As for the car choice part, I'm going to stick with my bicycle and Bike Tralier till I have no other choice to get a car. At that time I hope that they will have Eco friendly fuels for the cars that we can have easy access to.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

That's the thing that frustrates me to no end. It's an epidemic of voluntary ignorance that I'm worried is only going to get worse with future generations. It's gotten so bad that I'm seriously considering purchasing one of these (http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/mcs/venox250/index.html).
Try one of these (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30439-2004Dec27.html) on for size then. ;) Also, here (http://www.smart.com/-snm-0166599148-1157920782-0000021140-0000011824-1162856062-enm-is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/mpc-uk-content-Site/en_UK/-/GBP/SVCPresentationPipeline-Start?Page=issite%3a%2f%2fmpc-uk-Site%2fmpc-uk%2ecom%2fRootFolder%2fsmart%2fmodelle%2epage). An all electric model coming in the next few years. :)

Unfortunately, they're tiny and you can't go grocery shopping in one. I still want my Mini. :love

Sorry, hijack. :D

Mitch: ditto ditto ditto, I agree.

[Rod Stafford]

Edited: I don't want a part in this discussion.

[Jedieb]

In a perfect world you can catch a murderer in the act and with one bullet take care of business right then and there. We don't live in a perfect world and that's where my problems with the Death Penalty begin. The system is run by human beings and all of the science in the world will never change that. We make mistakes, innocent people get sent to prison everyday. The finality of the death penalty doesn't allow us to correct a mistake. Then there's the social inequalities inherrent with the death penalty. When's the last time someone who can afford an attorney like Johhny Cochrane got the needle? If you have enough cash, you can avoid the needle no matter the crime you commit. Religous arguments are irrelevant to me when it comes to the death penalty or the taking of human life.

[Rod Stafford]

Edited for same reason.

[Park Kraken]

Even so the death penalty is a very necessary form of punishment to help control crime and criminal population. The death penalty is mainly used as a form of intimidation, IMO. For exactly the reason that death is so final, so ending. I could certainly see myself much less willing and tempted to commit a crime if I was to be put to death for it rather than waiting out a 40 year jail sentence in which I could win any number of appeals, pardons, or undertake escape attempts.