Saddam Sentenced to Death...

[dave87]

I don't think a death sentence is the right answer to Saddam unfortunately. We all knew it was going to happen, but that doesn't make it right. As others have mentioned, it makes him a martyr against 'western oppression'. I'd far rather he find himself removed of most of his liberties and be forced to look back at what he has done. I'd gladly pay the extra penny in taxes to the EU to see that happen.

Dave

[e-LAN-go]

Personally I'm against the death penalty and would've rather have seen him sentenced to life imprisonment.

But I wonder like someone else who pointed out earlier if he had received a different punishement would it have made any difference in how it would affect the Iraqi people.

I just hope for their sake it doesn't make the sectarian violence any worse than it already is.

[Bazzlad]

Just for the record - this is aimed at the general public, not Hexus. It's been written after reading the drivel on the BBC- your say website.

I'm shocked by how many people are against this, would you be so against it if your family had been taken in the middle of the night, tortured, murdered and you never saw them again?

Of course not. But it's easy to sit there with your anti-American media induced sentiments and start preaching.

I swear to God if I hear "When is bush and bliar going to hang 2 LOLOL" again I'll go mad. People who state anything like that disgust me. Why not hang Churchill? By today’s standards he was a "War Criminal" he killed thousands of innocent Germans.

By today’s standards the Nurnberg Trial was an illegal kangaroo court, its witnesses "US plants" and Hitler Goering and Hoess, - innocent leaders being punished by barbaric victors.

And the comment about "Stability being gone." Don't make me laugh - there's a huge bloody difference between Stability and repression. Now repression is going stability, and REAL stability will invariably come. It's a marathon - not a sprint.

Today's verdict is a great one, and I'll be drinking a beer to celebrate it, in honour of all the innocent people Saddam murdered. And also, the tragic loss of an innocent Iraqis killed in the process of gaining peace. (Although the majority view seems to suggest Bush not only killed them himself, but did it on purpose.)

The end justifies the means.

Just remember - we invaded Iraq for cheap oil. Which is why we pay 89p a litre. Job done.

[AlCapacino]

Shouldn't they be chasing after osama instead? I mean Saddam is someone between shia and sunni sects where Osama is america's real enemy.

[Bazzlad]

Bringing democracy to the region and stabilising it was the aim. I believe. Not trying to kill Saddam.

[chuckskull]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GgXgBe1GB8&eurl= An interesting watch about the state of Iraq these days.

[Kezzer]

Why not hang Churchill? By today’s standards he was a "War Criminal" he killed thousands of innocent Germans.

Not to mention he was utterly racist

[Byatt]

I recognise that you aren't aiming this at hexites, but I'm worried that if you aim it at anyone they're not really going to be swayed by your discourse.

I swear to God if I hear "When is bush and bliar going to hang 2 LOLOL" again I'll go mad. People who state anything like that disgust me. Why not hang Churchill? By today’s standards he was a "War Criminal" he killed thousands of innocent Germans.

I agree with the fact that oversimplification by a lot of morons is annoying, but if anything your Churchill reference is more fuel for the same fire - I'm sure you yourself can point out at least three colossal differences between your example and the reality of the Iraq war.

And the comment about "Stability being gone." Don't make me laugh - there's a huge bloody difference between Stability and repression. Now repression is going stability, and REAL stability will invariably come. It's a marathon - not a sprint.

Rawr hulk grammar smash - are you arguing that the current state of chaos is just a temporary blip?

Just remember - we invaded Iraq for cheap oil. Which is why we pay 89p a litre. Job done.

I honestly can't work out if you're being sarcastic or not here.

Bringing democracy to the region and stabilising it was the aim. I believe. Not trying to kill Saddam.

Odd, as this campaign is only going to achieve one of those things. There's a fragment of a possibility (some would argue, I'm personally undecided) that we could have made Iraq into a shining paragon of democracy for the Middle East to follow, the complete and utter lack of planning, and the absolutely piss poor execution of the aforesaid lacking plan have seen to it that's it's gone abegging.

Equally I'm somewhat distressed that you think the US's main objective was democratisation.

[menthel]

I am against the death penalty and do believe that this could have him held up as a martyr. There is, however, no doubt that he is an evil man. As for our involvement in Iraq, it was a bad thing all along. America's thirst for power and New Labour's blind following have caused the Iraqi's more pain than being under Saddam's rule. He had to go, but with a little prompting I am sure the Iraqi's would have done the job themselves. Our imposing 'democracy' on countries that do not want it, or do not understand it is not a good idea.

[neonplanet40]

I do not find the above arguement by Bazzlad to have moved my opinion whatsoever.

Yes Hitler was evil we all know that but i wouldn't of thought he should of got the death penalty either (if he hadnt of committed suicide).

I find that if you were to spend the rest of your life in prison that it would have a more satisfying affect than killing him. he has to reflect on what he has done for the rest of his life where as if he gets the death penalty he gets the easy way out. (only using hitler as an example)

I also do not think that the reason for war on Iraq was because of oil. I do see it as one of the aims but not the sole principle. If you also look at it america has basically just made itself a satelite state to China. What a better way to monitor the new superpower (and possible threat) than to get up close to them with military units nearby and within striking distance if ever needed. But that is just an assumption.

Lets remember that america cares nothing for the iraqi people. They are only there for their own long-term goals. Whatever they are iraq has something that america needs. Oil and a middle-east base of operations. Assumptions that may or may not prove fact, who knows.

But back to the point. Saddam should have served life in prison. This death sentance is just a way to take peoples attention of the complete balls america has made in iraq. And to give them something positive to say in the elections.

Neon

(sorry for any typos)

[shelley bda]

I think death is far too good for him, that's an easy way out. They should keep him in Prison and let him spend his days in solitary until insanity takes over

[Madafwo]

I dont know, I have some pretty close ties with people who were born and have lived in Iraq and managed to get away from Saddam and I know when I speak to them on monday they will have the biggest smile on their faces because he gets the same treatment that their family members got, death.

Whether the US went into it for oil or other reasons is a topic that will NEVER be answered because we are not George Bush and he will never give the real answer.

Is it a coinsidence that this verdict came out 2 days before the mid-terms? Again, who knows, but my opinion is that it isn't, it's all about spin.

I would personally have liked to see him left to rot in a prison cell for the rest of the days, and just keave a little stool and a piece of rope in there with him so he can contemplate what he has done and do the right thuing himself.

[alterion]

I disagree with the idea of show-trials such as these. In reality there was no possibility of any other sentance. A good example would be the trail of Karl Donitz (btw, incase any historians attack me here yes i know he was a nazi and supported hitler, so did most of the rest of GY at that time) after the second world war. If you want to know why we went to war i suggest you look on TPB for a film called "why we fight" which will explain the issue very clearly.
I also disagree with the enitre idea of capital punishment- i think life imprisonment is not only a much more powerful punishment but also a lot more humane and effective.
It does seem sad that the republican party must rely on thier worst enemies to win them elections through fear though.
BTW bazzalad your hopelessly naieve if you think that the iraq war was intended in any way to stabilise the middle east situation. Indeed we are fortunate that only iraq is in civil war. had the WMD's been anything other than american fiction it is entirely possible that iraq would be a turkish ruled wasteland and jerusalem am arab-coalition held nuked city.

[FrontSideBus]

Better to kill him now and get it over with.

[chemo]

I am against the death penalty and do believe that this could have him held up as a martyr. There is, however, no doubt that he is an evil man. As for our involvement in Iraq, it was a bad thing all along. America's thirst for power and New Labour's blind following have caused the Iraqi's more pain than being under Saddam's rule. He had to go, but with a little prompting I am sure the Iraqi's would have done the job themselves. Our imposing 'democracy' on countries that do not want it, or do not understand it is not a good idea.

I totally agree with this and because of this situation they have created it makes no difference whither they hang him or lock him up for life the violence will continue.
It’s a no win situation.

[BEANFro Elite]

I don't think they should kill him, as there'd be a good chance of him being forgotten and then history will have a good chance of repeating itself.

Not only that, hes not even afraid to die and he won't even suffer much as he'll be given a considerably more humane death than the thousands of people who died because of him.

That'd be ironic as how many deaths is Bush alone responsible for, people would reaslise this and there'd be a backlash on this basis alone however, there is always going to be violence they just need any excuse.

I'd say let him rot in a high-security prison somewhere and have televised broadcasts of him being tortured etc.