Saddam sentenced to hang for war crimes

[DarkTemplarZero]

Ah Weasel Overlord, you read Dozor? What a coincidence, my dad's a big fan, I've never picked it up sadly though.

"the spin DOES matter because while its a fact saddams lawyers were murdered, it might not be for the reason the biased things give"
I wasn't talking about the reasons Saddam's lawyers were murdered, I was simply pointing out that they WERE murdered. I did not say they were assassinated for political reasons, I simply say that they interfered with due process, because how can you have due process when your lawyers are being murdered left and right? Although I really do appreciate your support for classic Star Trek series, without the angst of DS9 and Enterprise, although both were awesome series IMO.

Now for Weasel Overlord's statement, proof by contradiction. Assume that you have a Democracy where trials can be held arbitrarily and without conformity to international standards, no writ of habeas corpus. Therefore, the government has the ability to throw people in prison for no reason, so what is to stop them from imprisoning people who don't agree with them? That would be more of a totalitarian oligarchy a la George Orwell's 1984. Therefore it isn't a democracy, QED. However, I do agree with your little rant and I commend you for it. One thing though, if all everyone did was agree with each other then this would be quite the dull thread, no? It's more entertaining to have people debating.

*Agrees with RedStarWarrior* same with Athens, only 6,000 or so property-owning males were allowed to vote. Plus, it was a completely direct democracy, the 6000 or so citizens voted on everything for themselves. The Roman Republic was more American in that respect, although one would hope that nobody will be appointed perpetual dictator here in the states anytime soon.

[Craig]

Saddam is my idol, he is basically a fire breathing raging badass.

I can't believe they are doing this. All the things he did for his people, and the U.S goes and invades and fucking sentances him to death. I am deeply apalled by this decision and hope the UN dies in a fire.

[Weasel Overlord]

[color=silver]Well, to be honest, I didn't actually say it was a 'true' democracy, while America isn't, did I? I said it was, along with Athens, the first democracy.

(And I'll own up to not having read Night Watch... merely watched the amazing film... which, by the way, everyone should watch... o.o But I plan on reading it once my Eng Lit course reading has vanished. ^_^)

And I know that it's "entertaining" to have debates, but not flame wars, which is what I was on about, yah? 'Cos sometimes when people reply to these threads, it always seems like they're just arguing for the sake of it, or because they don't like someone...

Oh, how I do prefer British politics, even if our PM is a cretin who licks Bush's arse constantly...

[DarkTemplarZero]

Well if we go by commonly accepted dates then Rome was actually the first when they ditched their last king in 509 BC, most people attribute the Athenian democracy to Cleisthenes in 508 BC.

And these aren't flame wars, come on, that's weak. You haven't seen a real flame war.

[Magmar]

As Ghandi once said, "an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind".

This is more like "a skin cell for an entire person".

In my opinion, Saddam should sit there, and every single parent who had a young child killed by Saddam should approach him and be like "You killed my son/daughter/grandson/granddaughter/brother/sister." And he should have to apologize to them.

I also wanna see him swing. I don't care if you agree or disagree. I want to poke him with a stick as he hangs from a tree. I'm VERY Liberal, actually I just don't care about politics, but that man killed so many people. I want him to swing swing swing from the tangles of a rope.

[DarkTemplarZero]

This isn't about liberal versus conservative, there are many people on both sides who either support or oppose the death penalty (see: Catholic Church), the question is whether or not you believe that every human being, regardless of what they've done, is still a human being, and whether or not you believe that by taking perverse pleasure in brutally killing Saddam you degrade yourself until you are no better than he is. Clearly you believe one thing, I believe just the opposite, but I of course respect your opinion.

Oh and can you explain the whole skin cell thing? I really don't get it.

[Roy Karrde]

The skin cell thing is refering to your eye for a eye comment. The eye for a eye meaning equal revenge, I believe Rude Boy is saying that if a "Eye for a Eye" were to really happen, and for equal revenge to be carried out, then it would have to be a Skin Cell killed for each person, becuase there are just so many, and Saddam doesn't have that many eyes.

As for the hanging thing, I believe it is more of a belief of do you believe that Saddam has done something so horrible, so disgusting and revolting. That the only punishment left is killing, that by leaving a man that is so disgusting alive, when in and of itself be a crime against humanity. And that by leaving him alive, you run the chance of A: Him escaping through either a Insurgent attack, which does happen with Jails in Iraq, and even here in America. or B: He is able to create or write his thoughts into book form or get them out to the public, ala Hitler when he was in prison.

Either way neither of those are worth the risk, and the Iraqi people decided that Saddam is not worth that risk, and that his victums deserve some measure of peace for the first time in a long time.

[Magmar]

This isn't about liberal versus conservative, there are many people on both sides who either support or oppose the death penalty (see: Catholic Church), the question is whether or not you believe that every human being, regardless of what they've done, is still a human being, and whether or not you believe that by taking perverse pleasure in brutally killing Saddam you degrade yourself until you are no better than he is. Clearly you believe one thing, I believe just the opposite, but I of course respect your opinion.

Oh and can you explain the whole skin cell thing? I really don't get it.

I do believe there is a point where a person really doesn't deserve mercy. Should we hug Saddam and send him apology notes and flowers? Nah. Should we hang him? Sure! ^_^ yay

[DarkTemplarZero]

Well I'm back from Boston, and so here we go again.

Just what is this point where a person no longer deserves the right to life? Who has the right to say that at this point, this person no longer deserves to be treated as a human being?

[Roy Karrde]

When a point that some one no longer deserves to live is when they have created a crime so hanis, so horrible, that the only way to make absolutely sure that their reign of terror will be over. Is the ultimate punishment. Those that decide it should be your peers and the evidence itself. As for crimes that deserve it, I say crimes such as Genoside such as what Saddam has done, as well as those like Hitler, and Osama Bin Laden, and crimes to which there is no way to rehabilitate. If there is no way to rehabilitate then they just become a stain on society, in which there is always a chance for them to get out. What do I mean by those that cannot be rehabilitated: Serial Killers, and Multiple Offense Sex Offenders that either Rape or attack Children.

And as for those that no longer deserves to be treated as a human being, is again when those people have created a crime so horrible, that they forfit the right to being treated as a human, and even more, forfitted the right to exist.

Edit: To put it simply, if you wish to act Inhuman, if you wish to do acts that are clearly inhuman. Then you give up the right to be a human. You can't have it both ways in which you can act inhuman and treat others in a inhuman fashion, but at the same time want to be treated as a human.

[Asilynne]

My dad always says "If you have a mad dog, put it down"
While I dont particulary like the death penalty, I also dont like the idea of Sex offenders and the like getting back out to strike again and ruin lives so I see what you mean Roy.

[SoulflameNinetales]

I have been thinking very carefully about what has transpired over the time and I come to this conclusion.

Saddam should be hanged, I personally am not fond of hanging. I believe we have a responsability not to fall to lower levels. In my opinion, hanging is a little lower on the scale of civilised "killing" then say lethal injection. Granted, it is sometimes preferable to put the most heinous, most evil people out of comission, but we should not drop closer to his level by doing so in a crude and uncivilized manner. So even thro i'd prefer Saddam to die by lethal injection I'm not going to question the decision that has been made. However...i would want him to see the many faces of those who's lives he destroyed. No, I don't mean a public hanging...I would prefer his last thoughts be able those who suffered, even if he isn't at all sorry for his acts.

Technically neither Rome or the Greeks form of gov't were democracies, but rather they are the forefathers of democracy.

And as for your last post Roy Karrde, I believe not many people could of put it better. Well done.

[RedStarWarrior]

I hope the hanging is public.

[Arnen]

I want to see him hang. He's responsible for the deaths of countless people, so it's only fitting that he should die in such a humiliating manner.

Plus he kinda reminds me of a turtle, so it'd be funny to watch.

[DarkTemplarZero]

Well Athens and Rome were more or less democratic in terms that everyone who was considered a citizen could vote, i.e. male non-slaves, not that different from the United States in the early 19th century.

Hahah you guys remind me of the election in Ohio for the house, Hayes vs. Dodds, Hayes made a great commercial featuring a blown up picture of a random black man and said that "Dan Dodd does not want this man to be executed", because Dodd supported a moratorium on the death penalty in order for a commission to re-evaluate the system. Jon Stewart had some nice jokes on the subject on the October 31 Daily Show.

"I also dont like the idea of Sex offenders and the like getting back out to strike again and ruin lives so I see what you mean Roy."
There's something called life without the possibility of parole. And besides, in terms of sex offenders there are many ways to rehabilitate them, there are medicines to surpress their urges, etc. even without throwing them in jail for the rest of their lives.

[Roy Karrde]

For one you put them in jail for life and you will have the ACLU and every other organization trying to get a appeal, you know that and I know that. Second there is no way to rehabilitate sex offenders. They are like drug addics, young children, women, it's a feeling of control, and if you keep them away from drugs then they will do fine. The problem is that I know no place in this world and neither do you where there are no women or young children that they can get after.

And Drugs? Really you want to risk the safety of children on DRUGS? That is kind of scary.

It's kind of sad that we have gotten to a place in this world where we protect the rights of the guilty, more than the rights of the victims, or would be victims.

Anyway this topic is supposed to be about Saddam and the swaying he will be doing by the end of January, lets keep it there and move the other stuff to the Politics and History topic.

[mr_pikachu]

As a member of the "We hate Saddam" club, I'm currently waiting for my invitation to the execution. I'm sure it will arrive in my mailbox any day now.

But for a serious concern... I've heard that Saddam's being tried for more crimes now. Does anyone know whether this will be the last trial, or if more will be coming soon?

I understand that all the families and friends of people he had killed deserve their own, individual closure, and in a perfect world they would all get it through separate trials. But on the other hand, the delay in the execution is also a delay in everyone's closure. If this drags on for too long, it won't be worth getting special closure for a few more people because it will make everyone wait ever longer for the ordeal to be over. So, does anyone have any idea about any pending cases?

[Roy Karrde]

From what I heard he will be killed in late January. Until then he has the right to a appeal to happen. But he cannot appeal the appeal and so on. You know it is amazing for all those that believe that we set it up, or gave Saddam a false trial. we sure are going out of our way to make sure he gets his rights.

[Magmar]

he's not an American.
he's not being tried in America.
I'm not worried about him getting his rights. You have no right to bitch unless you are an Iraqi citizen.

More importantly, I am eating delicious fresh string beans. yummy

[Blademaster]

More importantly, I am eating delicious fresh string beans. yummy

Now, I do believe that that wins the 'Most Random Thing of the Day' Award.

[Magmar]

Umm all our lovely debate is gone. Tear

[Roy Karrde]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16384738/
The Butcher of countless people will finally be hanged by those that he has wronged. The execution is supposed to be carried out sunday, which would be saterday night over here. Meaning Sunday morning it will be up on You Tube.

[DarkTemplarZero]

*yawn* now if the Iraqis would go ahead and hang Bush for us I'd be a bit happier. And Putin too, that filthy bastard.

Whatever, I'd argue but I'm tired as all hell. All I have to say is that state-sponsored murder is wrong and Iraq shouldn't sink to his level and kill him for the pleasure of it.

[Master Rudy]

*yawn* now if the Iraqis would go ahead and hang Bush for us I'd be a bit happier. And Putin too, that filthy bastard.

Whatever, I'd argue but I'm tired as all hell. All I have to say is that state-sponsored murder is wrong and Iraq shouldn't sink to his level and kill him for the pleasure of it.

Ok now your going too far......however I'm not sinking back down to your level for that Bush comment. I really don't feel like feeding a troll tonight. Anyway I highly doubt Iraq is doing this out of pleasure. Has it ever occured to you that maybe this man needs to pay for his crimes?

[RedStarWarrior]

Well Athens and Rome were more or less democratic in terms that everyone who was considered a citizen could vote, i.e. male non-slaves, not that different from the United States in the early 19th century.

Except that the percentage of the population that had the rights to vote was much smaller in Athens and Rome. In addition, I don't consider early American government a democracy, but rather progression towards a democracy.

Anyway, Saddam had a fairer trial than you are being led to believe. Sure, his lawyers were being killed, but steps were continually taken to try to prevent that. Also, Saddam repeatedly made outbursts in court, but was not as quickly held in contempt as he would have been in an American trial. Hell, the US won't even hand him over until it is time for his execution, for fears that he may be tortured and abused (also, that he might escape). Regardless of whether you believe in the death penalty or not, the big question is whether you believe that genocide should go unpunished. The death sentence was the result of only one trial, one crime against humanity. This man has many other charges against him for similar and worse things. Even if he wasn't executed for this massacre, one of his other atrocities will surely see to his demise.

[Mewtwo-D2]

People, Saddam used to dip living humans in acid baths, have women raped and beaten to death in front of their husbands, had children disemboweled in front of their parents- for Christ's sake, the man built a multi-level rape auditorium for his sociopathic sons! And hanging is going to make us stoop to his level?

The weight of the person being hanged is what kills them. When the platform drops, their weight against the rope breaks their necks, killing them almost instantly. If he were being slowly strangled, you might have an arguement for a painful death, but hanging is not so much. Although if we wanted a truly painless, instanaeous death, we'd go with the guillotine. Personally, I'd want Saddam executed in his own favorite method of execution- slowly strangled while being dunked into an acid bath.


And DTZ, don't quote Ghandi to me. You do know the man fought in two wars and volunteered for a third, don't you? He also said he would pardon any number of murder to bring India's independence, and gave his blessing to a mandate that said 10 Muslims should be killed for every one Hindu.

[DarkTemplarZero]

Oh boy, here come the murderous unwashed Huns from Virginia and wherever Mewtwo-D2's from. Everybody! Lock up your children and hold on to your head, lest they chop it off and put it on a stick.

Rudy: There's a little something called a prison. Throwing somebody in jail is punishment, killing somebody is satisfying your personal vendetta. And why not hang Bush? He's guilty of quite a few crimes against humanity on his own, namely Article 7, part e (Imprisonment in violation of the fundamental rules of International Law) and i (Enforced disappearances). Also most likely Article 7 part f (Torture). So what makes him so different from Saddam Hussein, other than the fact that he hasn't executed anybody he's imprisoned illegally to the best of our knowledge?

Mewtwo: hahah I still have this old PM from you:
"I'm guessing you didn't read my post before. Insulting other fans is a crime no fan should commit. Some people don't like reading spoilers. There's no pride or shame in reading them, so it's a free choice. If you persist in attacking other fans, then you will be reported. This is your official warning.

Mewtwo-D2"
Hahah so funny. Anyway, your view of Gandhi is rather skewed, let me clarify your gross misconceptions.

Gandhi did organize Indians to join the South African War, but as a volunteer ambulance corp. Gandhi himself was decorated for his actions as a stretcher-bearer at the Battle of Spion Kop. However, I can't find any other wars he served in, so I don't know where you got that from. Perhaps you didn't know that the Second Boer War and South African War are the same thing?

And about the Muslim thing, whaaaaat? Where the hell did you dig that up? I find it hard to believe that a man who would go on a hunger strike to prevent all Muslims from being forcibly deported from India would do that, but that's just me. Can you give me a reliable source? Wikipedia sure as hell disagrees with you.

And finally, RSW, nobody says that Genocide should go unpunished. That's the whole premise of International Law. I have to disagree with you, the question is whether or not you believe in the death penalty.

[Roy Karrde]

Rudy: There's a little something called a prison. Throwing somebody in jail is punishment, killing somebody is satisfying your personal vendetta. And why not hang Bush? He's guilty of quite a few crimes against humanity on his own, namely Article 7, part e (Imprisonment in violation of the fundamental rules of International Law) and i (Enforced disappearances). Also most likely Article 7 part f (Torture). So what makes him so different from Saddam Hussein, other than the fact that he hasn't executed anybody he's imprisoned illegally to the best of our knowledge?

I wouldn't say Iraq is satisfying a personal vandetta, they are taking care of their past. Just a few weeks ago there was a jail break in Iraq where one of Saddam's half brother's escaped. Iraqi jails are not the safest place, and I think we all, or most of us can agree that Iraq will never really be able to push on to the future unless Saddam is dead.

As for the Bush thing, that is just sickning man. For one you and I have already talked and we have proven that there was no torture in Guitmo. If you are talking about Abu Gharbi, you would have to prove that he had for knowledge of it. Besides holy shit are you trying to quote UN Resolutions? The Same UN that allowed Iraq to violate it's resolution for years? The same UN that is allowing the world to come to a brink of war becuase they are too weak to deal with Iran?

Not only that but do you understand the absurdity of comparing what Bush has done to Saddam? Saddam the man that Raped, Murdered, Poisoned, Beat, Strangled, Tortured, Shot, Killed, Starved, and Mamed his own people becuase it was his way of keeping power. And that does not even account for the international crimes he has done as you so well seem to want to quote.

When your family is taken away, and you are forced to watch your mother and sister get raped, and then you are thrown off the top of a building so that every bone in your body is broken, or you are taken to a mass grave and thrown into it. Becuase of your remark about Bush, then you will have a point.

Until then, that is just crazy man.

[Mewtwo-D2]

Oh boy, here come the murderous unwashed Huns from Virginia and wherever Mewtwo-D2's from. Everybody! Lock up your children and hold on to your head, lest they chop it off and put it on a stick.

I'm from Virginia too, and everyone else has been far more civil than you. So us saying that a brutal, murderous dictator who's hobbies included raping women and dipping live people into acid should be executed is evil, but you saying Bush should be executed is "Free speech". Double standards, much?

Mewtwo: hahah I still have this old PM from you:
"I'm guessing you didn't read my post before. Insulting other fans is a crime no fan should commit. Some people don't like reading spoilers. There's no pride or shame in reading them, so it's a free choice. If you persist in attacking other fans, then you will be reported. This is your official warning.

Mewtwo-D2"

Hahah so funny.

I fail to see the irony. You were being obnoxious about people's choice to not read spoilers, calling them idiots.

Anyway, your view of Gandhi is rather skewed, let me clarify your gross misconceptions.

Gandhi did organize Indians to join the South African War, but as a volunteer ambulance corp. Gandhi himself was decorated for his actions as a stretcher-bearer at the Battle of Spion Kop. However, I can't find any other wars he served in, so I don't know where you got that from. Perhaps you didn't know that the Second Boer War and South African War are the same thing?

And about the Muslim thing, whaaaaat? Where the hell did you dig that up? I find it hard to believe that a man who would go on a hunger strike to prevent all Muslims from being forcibly deported from India would do that, but that's just me. Can you give me a reliable source? Wikipedia sure as hell disagrees with you.

"when the Nawab of Maler Kotla issued an order to shoot ten Muslims for every Hindu who was killed in the state, Gandhi gave it his blessing." Wikipedia is not reliable. It is biased and often vandalized.
By the way, did you not know that Gandhi suggested that all the Jews of Europe commit mass suicide rather than fight Hitler. Really peaceful guy. If you were willing to learn the truth about history, rather than the cleaned-up, PC version, than we wouldn't even have to have this argument.

Check these books:http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Cheris...e=UTF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/Gandhi-Nobody-.../dp/0840758715

[Magmar]

Hang'em! I can't wait to watch it.

Haha, I love this thread, can you tell? Who's got the popcorn? I'll make some tacos and call everybody over to chill on the couch and watch some ball, and maybe even catch a glimpse of Saddam hanging.

[DarkTemplarZero]

I'm kidding about the whole execute Bush thing, I'm just trying to make a point about that.

Ok, second of all, I'm sick of people hating on Wikipedia. Wikipedia is certainly more reliable than you. Any claims it makes are backed up by ligitimate sources and don't claim to know anything about vandalism on Wikipedia unless you actually edit Wikipedia articles, because you don't know shit. As a matter of fact, I defy you to find something on Wikipedia that you can completely disprove. Go. Try.

Woop-de-do, two incredibly obscure sources, a half-assed film critic and a guy who doesn't even have a Wikipedia article on him. It's an interesting read but I'll take it with a grain of salt.

Roy:
I admit it is slightly absurd, Bush isn't a rapist or murderer to the best of my knowledge. Still, both have committed crimes against humanity, and that is not debatable, because you and I both know that Bush knows and approves of secret prisons and detention without the right to a trial, and that is a crime against humanity under international law, forget even torture at Guantanamo (even though there are documents out tying torture at Guantanamo to Rumsfeld) or Abu Ghraib.

And deal with Iran? The UN has been doing all it can, but unfortunately the United States keeps screwing everything over by refusing to talk. Even when Iran wanted to talk about peace and stability with Iraq, the US was like "Nope, we don't recognize you, nah nah!". There's a precedent, look at China back during the Nixon era, it looked like another Cold War brewing, but just the simple act of diplomacy created a China that's now part of the global economy and what not. Why not try the same thing with Iran instead of just giving them the cold shoulder, because that is clearly failing miserably.

[Magmar]

I *do* edit Wikipedia articles, and have edited quite an arsenal of them.

Let me just say that you have to be careful and don't believe something that seems out of place. The odds are you're feeling uneasy about a certain piece of information because someone put it there to be an asshole. I wish they'd make editing members-only...

[Roy Karrde]

Roy:
I admit it is slightly absurd, Bush isn't a rapist or murderer to the best of my knowledge. Still, both have committed crimes against humanity, and that is not debatable, because you and I both know that Bush knows and approves of secret prisons and detention without the right to a trial, and that is a crime against humanity under international law, forget even torture at Guantanamo (even though there are documents out tying torture at Guantanamo to Rumsfeld) or Abu Ghraib.

And deal with Iran? The UN has been doing all it can, but unfortunately the United States keeps screwing everything over by refusing to talk. Even when Iran wanted to talk about peace and stability with Iraq, the US was like "Nope, we don't recognize you, nah nah!". There's a precedent, look at China back during the Nixon era, it looked like another Cold War brewing, but just the simple act of diplomacy created a China that's now part of the global economy and what not. Why not try the same thing with Iran instead of just giving them the cold shoulder, because that is clearly failing miserably.

First thing I will say is that I have given you articles in the past that shows that no torture took place in Guitmo, YOU even admitted it. Second we have already acknowledged that your crimes against humanity is very very broad, you believe taking out a military target such as a Progpagnda run TV station is a Crime Against Humanity, even if there are no humans in it at the time.

As for Iran, have you just gone crazy man? Iran wanting to talk about Peace and Stabability in Iraq? Is this before or after we found Iranian arms given to Iraqi Insurgents? Is it before or after we found Iranian Military Officers in Iraq? Is it before or after Iran gave their border over to Al Qaeda so that they could smuggle militants in?

As for the UN doing all it can, is this the same UN that could not stop North Korea from making a nuke? Is this the same UN that used the oil for food program to give Saddam arms and money? Is this the same UN that is currently allowing Iran to be on the cusp of making a Nuke? Is this the same UN that made resolutions condeming Iran, but decided to have them watered down becuase Iranian's allies would not like it? Well is it? Becuase I am quite confused, right now the UN is a toothless tiger to deal with the big problems, not becuase of the US, not just becuase of China or Russia. But becuase they would rather sit around and debate instead of taking action.

And that my friends is why the UN is worthless.

[Mewtwo-D2]

Okay, kiddo, you just try quoting Wikipedia in a real debate, or citing it in a paper. If there is one college professor out there today who will accept a paper citing Wikipedia as a source, I'd be shocked.

I trust it to a certain extent- great place to look up dates, but it is tremendously biased. Recently Ben Burke vandalized and then tried to have the Protest Warrior article removed, despite the fact that Protest Warrior was an active organization, had a blossoming message board, and was in the news with the conviction of Jeremy Hammond- a hacker who was stealing credit cards from right-wing organizations to give money to left-wing organizations. This was completely politically motivated, and Wiki allowed it, until the members of Protest Warrior raised a huge fuss. (For the curious, Protest Warrior is on hiatus now while they re-design)

Also, what torture are you talking about? There was no torture at Guantanamo, and Abu Ghraib... well, it was wrong, but I just spent six months working with sorority sisters, and what they do to each is much worse.
When you hear 'torture', shouldn't your mind spring to raping wives in front of their husbands, shaving off all hair and forcing your captive to stand naked in the freezing rain, covering someone in honey and leaving them out for the bugs? You know, actual torture? Just like this idiotic comparisons of Bush to Hitler. The people who do that don't have a fucking clue what Hitler was like. Torture is just a word now- it no longer means sociopathic, twisted acts of depravity. It means maybe some mean-spirited bullying. Hitler is just a name now, like Dracula. He's no longer the sadistic, psychopathic killer of over 7 million people, he's the bogeyman that you know is bad and you don't want to be compared to. Nazi doesn't mean anything, gulag doesn't mean anything, fascist doesn't mean anything, because reactionary nitwits with no understanding of history throw them around so much.

[Roy Karrde]

BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi television station Al Hurra said Saddam Hussein had been executed by hanging shortly before 6 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Saturday...

"We are very excited, we are very happy, we are dancing, we are over joyed that this tyrant, that this butcher is dead, he murdered most of my family and other families" <- Quote from one of the many Iraqi Immigrant Families, this one coming from Plano Texas.

1,000s are partying in Dearborn Michigan and in Detroit.

[Mewtwo-D2]

This is one death I'm glad happened. May God be with all his victims.

[Magmar]

I wonder if anyone actually mourned his death?

[Master Rudy]

I wonder if anyone actually mourned his death?

My money is on that Iraqi news reporter who claimed that the US was not in Baghdad while our tanks rolled through the center of town right behind him as being the only one to actually give a fuck. Killing people is always ugly but there are those in this world that do not derserve life. This was one such person. Glad to see it's finally over. A major step towards Iraqi peace was taken today.

[DarkTemplarZero]

I'm rather grossed out to see the videos on yahoo and what not, I can't stomach to watch them. Partying for somebody's death, what are we, Atilla the Hun? No wonder why the majority of the world doesn't like us, we're filthy barbarians.

Mewtwo-D2: Funny, I would call you a reactionary nitwit <3. You think gulag doesn't mean anything to me? Two of my great-grandparents spent decades in one. You don't think psychological attacks are torture? You don't think that bringing somebody to the edge of death by drowning repeatidly is torture (see waterboarding, something straight out of the Spanish Inquisition) ? Typical idiot, just because you lack a functional brain doesn't mean that attacking somebody's mind is not evil.

Second, I actually did cite it in a paper last year, I didn't have the money to actually buy a translation of Aeschylus' Agamemnon for my Odyssey paper, and so I just cited the Wikipedia article on Agamemnon, MLA format and all. Highest grade out of anybody in the class. Owned. But that was just a high school paper, let's talk about college papers. Over the summer while I was at Harvard Summer School I wrote a short paper on a very cool computer science concept, cited Wikipedia's article on it, my professor had no problems with it. So don't doubt Wikipedia, it's some great shit.

[Roy Karrde]

I really dont see the problem with the video being on Yahoo and what not. A few years ago Al Qaeda released the be heading video of a innocent man, and that was everywhere. People even played the audio on the radio.

As for the people partying, Dearborn Michigan has a large, large Iraqi Population, many of those escaped the wrath of that brutal dictator. Those were the ones that they were showing partying. The people that lived in Plano, lost a Sister, Mother, Father, and I believe 30 Cousins to Saddam Hussain. They never showed regular white Americans partying in the streets, just as I doubt there were any. The only parties were those of Iraqis who had lived under his wrath and have good reason to party. Just as there were parties happening in Iraq.