On so-called "justice".

[axver]

I am sure most of you by now are aware that Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging earlier today. I'd like to express my thoughts on the matter, especially as I am a vehement opponent of the death penalty

Comments

[liamtreasure]

What's your opinion on the Fifth Test?

[axver]

... you are so predictable.

England to lose before the first day is even over. :|

[liamtreasure]

What, do you want me to make a comment on Saddam?

England have already lost. The batting god plays his final test in his hometown. They can't possibly win.

[axver]

No, because I know it will be a tasteless joke!

England really might as well hop on the plane and go home. They are a disgrace to cricket right now. I can't believe they didn't even put up a decent fight during the Boxing Day test.

[la_vation]

It's insidious that the USA handed him over to Iraqi authority for execution. As if we wash our hands of this, whatever you say. The previous Bush regime was correct to asses that Saddam was at best a third rate leader after Desert Storm.

[axver]

Yeah, exactly. What also irritates me is that Saddam never faced trial for the multitude of his crimes.

[evilmissbecky]

Leaving out my own thoughts on capital punishment, the thing that worries me about Saddam's execution is the inevitable reprisals his followers will make. Against the US, and against the Iraqi regime that tried and convicted and executed Saddam.

Which is why he was so dangerous, even in a jail cell. Someone who can inspire such a fanatical following is not someone who can be safely kept in prison -- for his own sake, for the sake of his followers, and for the sake of those who deserved the peace of mind that normally comes from imprisoning the one who has does you harm. I can't see how anyone who was affected by Saddam's regime could have possibly felt safe with him behind bars -- but at the same time, I don't see how they could feel any safer now that he's dead.

It's a horrible Catch-22.

The only thing I can say with absolute certainty is I am damn glad the U.S. did not do this thing. That's all we would need...one more resaon for the Arabic world to hate us.

[axver]

Hmm. While Saddam's imprisonment certainly provided some inspiration as a "prisoner of war", I question just how influential this was. As I said in my post, I believe he's been an impotent windbag since his capture. For the vast majority of those fighting, Saddam simply provides a convenient justification for violence they would have found another way to justify. This conflict is just too strongly rooted in historical factors. However, I feel Saddam's execution now ups the ante a bit - my worry is that this is going to further pit Sunni against Shi'ite, especially due to the legal wrangling over the execution taking place on Eid.

I wish Saddam had at least been kept alive long enough to be tried for all of his other crimes. I have to wonder if the trial over his genocide of the Kurds was avoided due to Turkish pressure.

[isabelle_guns]

I to oppose the death penatly, however, in this case I believe it was the right punishment.

[miriamus]

Once again you prove that you are probably the sensiblest person I know *claps*

[axver]

Heh. Thank you. :)