So, they finally got around to condemning Saddam to death. After months of wrangling and shouting, the much anticipated death sentence has been handed down, despite serious questions about the legitimacy of the court which tried him.
Now, don't get me wrong - I have no time for this numbskull, and I will shed not a tear for him when he hangs. Indeed, I was protesting against Saddam twenty years ago, at a time when the US was supporting and arming him.
However, it is interesting to reflect that a lot of what he says is perfectly correct: this is a kangaroo court with no real legitimacy, he remains the president of Iraq - despite the illegal occupation of his country and the verdict was such a forgone conclusion that it is hard to imagine him getting a fair trial. To be tried by your peers is bad enough, but to be tried by your enemies is a very bad thing indeed. And probably not the best way to ensure that due process is observed.
Again - to be clear - I abhor Saddam, and will shed not a single tear when he dies. But if the occupiers want to string him up they should just do so. What sickens me is the shabby facsimile of a court hearing that we have (sort of) witnessed. I think the US administration has reached a point where it no longer matters how wafer thin the pretence is, they know that they are playing only to their supporters. Those who oppose them will oppose them in any case.
I suppose that this bogus trial will go down as just another footnote in the history, that will one day be written, of this awful and stupid middle-east adventure.
Methinks that 100 years from now, sooner probably, Bush will be looked upon as a turning-point president. The one who turned the world against America. And turned America's back on the world.
Now, don't get me wrong - I have no time for this numbskull, and I will shed not a tear for him when he hangs. Indeed, I was protesting against Saddam twenty years ago, at a time when the US was supporting and arming him.
However, it is interesting to reflect that a lot of what he says is perfectly correct: this is a kangaroo court with no real legitimacy, he remains the president of Iraq - despite the illegal occupation of his country and the verdict was such a forgone conclusion that it is hard to imagine him getting a fair trial. To be tried by your peers is bad enough, but to be tried by your enemies is a very bad thing indeed. And probably not the best way to ensure that due process is observed.
Again - to be clear - I abhor Saddam, and will shed not a single tear when he dies. But if the occupiers want to string him up they should just do so. What sickens me is the shabby facsimile of a court hearing that we have (sort of) witnessed. I think the US administration has reached a point where it no longer matters how wafer thin the pretence is, they know that they are playing only to their supporters. Those who oppose them will oppose them in any case.
I suppose that this bogus trial will go down as just another footnote in the history, that will one day be written, of this awful and stupid middle-east adventure.
Methinks that 100 years from now, sooner probably, Bush will be looked upon as a turning-point president. The one who turned the world against America. And turned America's back on the world.
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