Saddam Hussein will die at 10:00 PM EST, and I am glad
By AcademicElephant Posted in Breaking News — Comments (14) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Rick Moran wrote today about the execution of Saddam Hussein as a sad event, and argued that this is no time for celebration. As always, Rick's work is interesting, well crafted and thoughtful--and I agree that from our perspective, rejoicing over his death might be unseemly. But I must say I am not sad.
Read on...
The trial of Saddam Hussein was not perfect. But then again, perhaps our horses should not be so high. I have little patience for the hand-wringing that is going on over the "flaws" in his trial(s), which I think tell us much more about the situation in the United States where self-loathing is fashionable then I do about real concern about what is happening in Iraq. Our judicial system isn't without flaws of its own. Innocents can be persecuted. Guilty men can go free. Victims of terrible violence can go unavenged. This does not excuse faults in the Iraqi system, but the fact remains that it it is a system, and against all odds it did function. Saddam had representation. Evidence was taken. An appeal was made. While there may be valid criticisms to be made, there are also things to compliment and admire. And in the end, a man that was unquestionably culpable for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of his countrymen--if not millions--will be forced to take responsibility for them. If we feel equivocal about celebrating this event, we should not be too quick to judge the Iraqis who do. They may well feel some pride in this process that we disparage, given what they have been through.
Perhaps in all the bad news from Iraq that saturates our media it is hard to see good news for what it is. Call me callous, a swaggering cowgirl, whatever, but I'm not entirely sure that there is no satisfaction for the United States in this event. It may be a matter of perspective. You see, I don't think of our intervention in Iraq in "Pottery Barn" terms because I don't think that deposing a vicious dictator is breaking a country--I think it's taking the first step towards fixing it. I think Saddam Hussein did pose a serious threat to the United States, and that if he had been left to fester he would now present an even more grave danger. I think that installing a constitutional democracy in the middle east is a cause for national pride. I think the Iraqi people have been deeply traumatized by the decades of repression and persecution that Saddam's regime inflicted upon them, and that they need to bring this terrible chapter in their history to a close. In a way, the justice represented by this execution may have a cauterizing effect that the prolonged disintegration of a Fidel Castro or a the truly farcical trial of a Slobodan Milosevic could not achieve. I think Iraq is facing its demons now, something that may turn out to be a strength for the country down the line, and Saddam is one of its primary demons. As simple--or simplistic--as it may seem, I think Saddam was one of the bad guys. I think the Americans who toppled him and captured him and the Iraqis who tried him, found him guilty and will execute him in a few hours are the good guys. I think for the first time in decades, Iraq has potential for a decent future ahead of it.
Yes, tonight will be a moment for the sober remembrance of Saddam's many victims, and his death cannot bring them back. But I for one believe that they will rest easier tonight. His reign of terror is over. He, too, will not be coming back. And for that I am glad.
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Saddam Hussein will die at 10:00 PM EST, and I am glad 14 Comments (0 topical, 14 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Yes, tonight will be a moment for the sober remembrance of Saddam's many victims, and his death cannot bring them back. But I for one believe that they will rest easier tonight. His reign of terror is over. He, too, will not be coming back. And for that I am glad.
And maybe, just maybe, the next tinpot dictator will think twice ... probably not, but one can hope.
John
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Why would God create something like whiskey? To keep the Irish from ruling the world of course.
In particular, this:
As simple--or simplistic--as it may seem, I think Saddam was one of the bad guys.
Simple, perhaps, but I think you'll find few here to argue against simplicity in matters such as this. As for simplistic, certainly it is not. The perpetrators of atrocities such as those Saddam Hussein committed are evil, and there is no more appropriate word for them and their deeds.
I liked the American-problem examples as well...
Allowing a monster like Saddam to continue breathing is just an invitation for his supporters to continue hoping for his return to power. I will not lose any sleep over his passing.
This will not end the problems in Iraq, but it will settle one problem.
A quick smile, tempered with sobering thoughts of all that still needs to be done in Iraq.
On the other hand, Iraqi beer is pretty good (seriously, it really is). I say throw a keg party if some can be procured.
There is a difference in not feeling sad or in feeling some satisfaction that justice is being done and in gleefully celebrating the death of a fellow human being. If anyone deserves the death penalty, Saddam is surely the one and I certainly don't feel sad either. However, I will not be celebrating either.
Winning wars are times for celebration and one of the main events that mark the winning of wars is
the slaying of the King.
Celebrate Iraq, America. You deserve it.
Gamecock, DeVine Op-Ed for Charlotte Observer, blogs at Race 4 2008
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"?
Every Saddam sympathizer should be required to go to Auschwitz and Birkenau or be pushed one of the mass graves in Iraq for a few minutes.
Israel sends all its school kids to the concentration camps. You just do not get the impact unless you actually visit. Words cannot do justice to the magnitude of the atrocities committed by Saddam and Hitler.
Iraqi national television has been showing video of Saddams crimes all day. Our MSM has been showing triumphant defiant video of Saddam all day. What is wrong w/ this picture?
If you always find yourself arguing the exceptions rather than the rule you just might be rapidly sliding down your own slippery slope to irrelevance. -CommonCents
sentence carried out according to their laws.
A step forward for Iraq, for the Coalition, and for humanity.
and TPM Cafe are selling Saddam t-shirts and cd cases?
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"?
Go read Kos. There's a market. Che t-shirts with Saddam Starbucks mugs for you latte. I'm confident they'll sell.
You know, thinking as I type (and my wife thinks I can't do two things at once, heh), I may come up with the marketing myself. Market Saddam goods, give the money to an anti-CAIR organization or something.
Nah, I'd spend it on a new motorcycle...
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If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"?
this is a "purple thumb" moment.
Stacks hit on it earlier...this should be a proud time for GWB and his admin, and a moment of pride for the coaltion forces over in Iraq.
part of the goal was to provide an opportunity for freedom....and given that opp, the Iraqis have shown they want to be taken seriously..