Whether you were pro the execution of Saddam Hussein or against it, his execution today will mark a historic moment in the history of Iraq and the Arab World. This is the first time ever in modern Arabic history, where an Arab President found guilty by a national court and executed by his own fellow men after standing a lengthy trial. The question whether the execution resembled the prevalence of justice or pure revenge is to be answered in history books. However I was saddened to hear the news. The truth is that I have never been a fan of Saddam. I always thought of him as a brutal ego-maniac dictator who percieved himself as a living God. A harsh God figure who did not hesitate to commit herrondus acts in the name of protecting his own glory, power and fame.
While Hussein was in power, his statue guarded the entrance to every village, his portrait watched over each government office and he peered down from at least one wall in every home. His picture was so widespread that a joke quietly circulating among his detractors in 1988 put the country's population at 34 million — 17 million people and 17 million portraits of Saddam.
But I just can not celebrate the death of a human soul. I believe in redemption and I thought Iraq would and will be better if Saddam could have stayed behind bars. His excution, I argue will only divide Iraq across a sectarian line. In few months and as memories of his crimes fade in many Iraqis' minds, his status will be elevated to the martyrdom status particularly by Sunnis who will miss his and their golden era.
His excution will only then fulfil his wish for his name to be inscribed alongside those of the Kings Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar, not only as the builder of modern Iraq but also as "Saddam the Martyr." This of course will only help to recruit more fanatics In Iraq and our region and keep the "conspiracy theory" believers in our part of the world well and strong.
Saddam was 69 when he was hanged early this morning. He did not live to see 2007.
22 comments:
mike
Dec 30th, 2006 at 3:17 am
i’m a big fan of redemption also, but not at the price of justice. for me, one does not allow unknown phenomena to dictate something that is (or is determined to be) known and certain. to leave saddam in prison for the rest of his life would be such a breach of justice that it would render the concept void in iraq.
one can argue that his death could spur more problems, but is this unanswerable question enough to keep simple justice from being served? i think not.
Did you think it was a real “National Court “with all the setup of court and the way the court conducting the case?
Whatever he did what he did but I believe this case represents injustices and the Puppets in Iraq set things in way that Iraq misses the opportunity to develop his justice’s system build on rightness and Justices.
The other thing I would like to say is in these days where the Hajj and Muslims seek forgiveness from Allah and all the souls looks for his mercy and forgiveness from their mistakes, this is quite an appropriate to be dated on the first day of Eid.
I don’t know is the Puppets in Iraq new Islam and its rules and the way each Muslims believe or they are just Poppets and they obey their master who brought them to house.
”Remember O People! The name of the animal is Empire. And you and I have a choice. Sell your soul and bow your head in submission to the King. Or raise your head and it will be cut off. It's as simple as that. Freedom is as it will be defined for you. Justice is as will be given to you. Democracy is as is approved for you”.
http://justworldnews.org/archives/002303.html
Robert Scheer: Silencing Saddam
Truthdig.com, December 30, 2006
By Robert Scheer
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20061229_saddam_hussein_executed/
It was all over for him. He was captured and tried by a court that was recognised only by the US and a government backed by the superpower. Now we know that there were no WMDs. We also know that Hussein was not a sponsor of terrorism.
Maybe one day we will know whether the gory tales of his dictatorship were indeed true or not. There is no point in crying for a dead dictator, but a man hanged by a kangaroo court deserves to be seen in the right perspective.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Saddam_Hussein/Dont_cry_for_him_Iraq/articleshow/msid-996593,curpg-2.cms
Glaspie famously responded to Saddam as follows:
I admire your extraordinary efforts to rebuild your country. I know you need funds. We understand that and our opinion is that you should have the opportunity to rebuild your country. But we have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait.
I was in the American Embassy in Kuwait during the late 60’s. The instruction we had during this period was that we should express no opinion on this issue and that the issue is not associated with America. James Baker has directed our official spokesmen to emphasize this instruction.
http://www.gnn.tv/articles/2772/James_Baker_The_Man_Behind_the_Handshake_Pt_One
I am disgusted! Not that i liked saddam, NOT AT ALL ACTUALLY! But i can’t understand that some people consider that they are allowed to take away a life in the name of ” Justice” ….By doing this with Saddam, they turned the Accused into the Accuser! Death to the Death Penalty ( the most disgusting thing that humanity invented)
I agree with Ramzy completely. I’m not just disgusted because of my usual opposition to the death penalty. Even if I supported it, there’s nothing to justify the apathy in those vulgar celebrations of a man’s death.
What is MORE disugsting is the idea of executing a man as a Gift for the muslim “Adha” fiest! Well at this point, i tend to say that i hope a Civil war would EXPLODE in the face of the Tyrant G.W.Bush and his disciples…
Wow, I’m really surprised at the anger of the posts/comments here. Really interesting.
It was reported in the press here that the execution was early in the morning in order to avoid the “Adha” fest but to get it over and done with. Was that inaccurate?
Couple of thoughts -
As I mentioned in Yehudas post, I don’t really believe in justice as imposed by man. Neither executing him or imprisoning him really brings justice to those whose lives he destroyed - their lives are still destroyed. I’m not sure about redemption. I absolutely believe in restitution but don’t think there is any way (or will) for him to make restitution to those he hurt.
I am anti death penalty here in the US. I don’t believe that anyone has the right to take the life of another, and that includes a state apparatus. That said, his execution left me kind of cold. Saddam is not just a person here - he has become more than that, a symbol. To the Sunnis a symbol of prestige, to the Shiites a symbol of pain and humiliation. This execution is symbolic of the end of a specific era in Iraqi history.
I don’t know what the end result will be. His death and the attempts of his supporters to martyr him may bode ill. Then again, if he remained in jail they may always have harbored the ambition of bringing him back.
Only history will tell how this will play out.
Interesting reactions indeed. I’ve got to admit, I am completely uninterested/unmoved by the execution of Saddam. People get killed everyday, rightly or wrongly, and I don’t see the point in oohing and aahing about this particular death any more than the countless others.
Granted, Saddam did not personally touch my life in any way, and those who were touched by his regime might feel different.
And I don’t really expect this execution will have any impact (positive or negative) on the insurgence in Iraq, the sectarian conflict there, or anything else, for that matter.
“And I don’t really expect this execution will have any impact
(positive or negative) on the insurgence in Iraq, the sectarian
conflict there, or anything else, for that matter.”
Bad Vibel, I totally disagree with you on the insurgency matter. I think that his exctution will actually hurt the American interest in Iraq. One of
the options that the Americans were considering is out of the table right now.
And that to engage the previous Bathies and separate their unholy matrimony with Jihaddis linked with Al-Qaida. Seeing their heros slughtered yesterday take this option out of the table for good.
It was reported in the press here that the execution was early in the morning in order to avoid the “Adha” fest but to get it over and done with. Was that inaccurate?
Ramzi.S, I don’t know are these Puppets in Iraq knowing Islam and its rules and how Muslims should behave in these days as any Muslims or they are just Poppets and they obeying their master who brought them to the house.
Moreover those the Turban headed guys who call themself “Ayatollah” “Sayed form Al-Biet” and “Ruhollah” did they knew Allah that its part of their nick name or just given name to hid their ugly souls and faces.
Bathies and separate their unholy matrimony with Jihaddis linked with Al-Qaida. ....out of the table for good.
Shifaa: Are you sure with this?
How you know that Bathies still loyal to Saddam?
Have you any idea what’s happened after four years in Iraq? Or you just read those who sit Bubble-Boy's personal "Green Zone" and write about Iraq same as James Baker Study group went to iraq they did not tried to ask a single ordinary Iraqi whats his felling and his suffering of four years of occupations.
Guys whatever you believe you either don’t see the other side of the picture or simply you are blind.
BTW, Jihaddis linked with Al-Qaida./Zarqawi came from Jordan they are there in Zarqah.
I am amazed at some of the reactions to his death. He was a brutal dictator, who tortured and murdered many, many innocent Iraqis...as well as Kuwaitis...and Iranians. Yet. many people are upset that he received the death penalty..there is such outrage.
Buut...where is the outcry for the ordinary Iraqis that are killed every day...it seems the greater a persons' offfenses...the greater the outcry when he is brought to justice...but there are not nearly as many posts of outrage when ordinary innocent Iraqis are killed.
Hey, long time no post! Hope you all had a great Christmas.
I'm not celebrating, but I am relieved that he cannot return to create a new regime. I am sad that he did not repent or turn from his sin to a Saviour who would have received him even then.
Our Iraqi friends in Baghdad are rejoicing with caution, others in Kurdistan are dancing. I'm praying for a miracle for Iraq.
I'm praying for a miracle for Iraq.
Which God you pray for?
Wounder if Allah Ta'ala Look to what you said? Is this what Islam taught you dance on the dead body....?
Anon, Kinzi meant that she pray for the miracle of healing and reconciliation in Iraq not rejocing to God over a dead body.
Kinzi, good to hear from you. It has been very busy lately. Hope that you are having a happy holiday in this holy season.
"Shifaa: Are you sure with this?
How you know that Bathies still loyal to Saddam?
Have you any idea what’s happened after four years in Iraq?"
Say: Why would not they? The Bath party issued a warning to the Iraqi government not to harm Saddam. You can read their statment on the Internet if you want. The Jordanian Baath party had a mourning visitation in Amman. And the Yemeni Baathies also prayed over his soul last Friday. Why would the Iraqi Baathis be differetn?
Why would the Iraqi Baathis be differetn?
اكو مثل عراقي
الايدة بالنار مو مثل الايدة بالعسل
جماعتك بالاردن يلطمون على المصاري راحت منو يدفع بعد
Say, you made me laugh. May be you are right. So whom the Baathis are with these days?
Salam,
Happy Holidays !
Please visit us at the new Jordan Blogs portal: (http://jordanblogs.net)
Peace
After a trial so blatantly rigged that even Human Rights Watch---the largest single unit of the US Human Rights industry--- had to condemn it as a total travesty. Washington's orders; defence lawyers were killed and the whole procedure resembled a well-orchestrated lynch mob. Where Nurnberg was a more dignified application of victor's justice,
Saddam's lynching might send a shiver through the collective, if artificial, spine of the Arab ruling elites. If Saddam can be hanged, so can Mubarik, the Hashemite joker in Amman and the Saudi royals, as long as those who topple them are happy to play ball with Washington.
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=commentary&alt=&trh=20061231&hn=39621
Beasts of England: The Beasts of England Song
Soon and late the day is coming,
Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown,
And the fruitful fields of England
Shall be trod by beasts alone.
Rings shall vanish from our noses,
And the harness from our back,
Bit and spur shall rust forever,
Cruel whips no more shall crack.
Riches more than mind can picture,
Wheat and barley, oats and hay,
Clover, beans, and mangel-wurzels
Shall be ours upon that day.
Bright will shine the fields of England,
Purer shall its waters be,
Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes
On the day that sets us free.
For that day we all must labour,
Though we die before it break;
Cows and horses, geese and turkeys,
All must toil for freedom's sake.
Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,
Beasts of every land and clime,
Hearken well and spread my tidings
Of the golden future time.
another ignorant american media consuming writer. First of all its not a national court wouldnt be unless u consider paul bremer to be from Basra, he was the one who ordered the trial but the laws and the rest of the details in this play. Thats for the american influence. As for the the actual decision its political revenge by Iranian agents in Iraq and that aint national either. Their are tens of cases that are more important and prove saddam guilt than an assasination attempt by a party who loyalty is to Iran during a war with that country. As for the crap about how Saddam is sunni and that will increase the tension and remind the sunnis of their golden age. 36 of the 52 top iraqi politicians wanted onthe deck of cards thing were shiites more than 62% of baath members during the war were shiites. Saddam was also ruthless on sunnis the kurds were sunnis. Sunni arabs also got the worst from saddam and the tribes were always attacked sometimes with tanks and helicopters, Saddam was only good to people who were loyal to him he didnt care whether they were shiites or sunnis
Anon, you can say whatever you want to say without being rude. Your comment is informative about the make up of the previous Iraqi leadership. However, there is no doubt that Arab Sunnis are the main loser in the new Iraq.
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