Saddam in Court: mixed reactions - Poop on a stick

The former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussain, made his first public appearance since his capture in December in an Iraqi court today. Wearing a civilian suit (you know, the ones you see EVERY Iraqi man wearing in the movie Three Kings) and looking quite shaken, declared "You know that this is all a theater by Bush, the criminal, to help him with his campaign," Saddam was charged with several war crimes, which he brushed off without regard.

Wether you agree with Bush or not, and regardless of if you think we should be in Iraq or not, you have to agree, having Saddam finally facing charges in an Iraqi court after 35 years of crimes against his own people seems like justice will finally have a chance to be served. That, if nothing else, is a major plus that has come from this war. Among the charges brought up in today, were the gassing of thousands of Kurds in 1988, the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the suppression of 1991 revolts by Kurds and Shiites, the murders of religious and political leaders and the mass displacement of Kurds in the 1980s.

The beginings of the trial didn't go without resistance by the former dictator, when asked to state his name, he stated "Saddam Hussein al-Majid, president of Iraq" and insisted he be refered to as the "president of the Republic of Iraq." Saddam also refused to sign a document stating the crimes he had commited as president of Iraq without a lawyer present. He made it seem as if he had immunity to the accusations because he was president. Yeah...that makes sense...way to use your expert logic to sway the court Saddam...

For the most part (or at least the side the media is playing up) the Iraqi people are glad to see Saddam in from of the court, and they want him to not only be punished, but tortured and humiliated. But not every Iraqi citizen feels this way. They still feel Saddam should be in power in Iraq and that the country was better off with him in power. Some feel he provided them with security, where America has not been able to provide them with that.

*Although I don't intend to have my column become a news board, I do think it is a good idea to highlight major news articles that some people may not read elsewhere.

*Some parts of this column based off AP News articles.

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The Mexican @ 07/01/04
"yea..im glad he was brought to justice"

Hauck @ 07/01/04
"i am glad but i would be happier if both sides hadnt burnt all that oil i might be able to fill a tank for less that 30 dollars "

Almeida @ 07/01/04
"After reading the transcript, I think Saddam was perfectly just in the majority of his actions in Court today. And, SpIkE, I will agree that "justice is being served" when a jury of his peers convicts him based on evidence, and not before. And the next time someone hands you a document and tells you to sign it without a lawyer present, go right ahead and do that. Oh wait, you probably have with every bank account and software box you've ever opened. Especially in this situation, if I were being tried for war crimes I would want an experienced attorney present to read anything prior to signing it."

FacUtVivas @ 07/01/04
"Now if only someone would prosecute President Bush for being a federal asshole, after all it is too late to arrest Regan for treason and Clinton for adultery. Then we should go and overtake some other countries who have not threatened us. Saddam Husein means nothing other than economic assets not under western control."

Hauck @ 07/01/04
"adultery isnt a crime infact it is recomemded by most psychologists"

selle @ 07/01/04
"maybe bush should emulate clinton a bit, you know, screw an intern not the country....."

SpIkE @ 07/01/04
"Almeida, I never said he wasn't right to not sign it, I wouldn't have either. Basically, I am just telling what happened today. I just thought it was funny that he was though everything on the list was ok...and on all your feelings on bush...I am pretty sure he hasn't killed your family and countless others. Comparing Bush and Hussein is asinine. Don't be stupid guys."

SpIkE @ 07/01/04
"through? lets try thought..."

SpIkE @ 07/02/04
"when i said all your thoguhts....i wasn't talking to you Risley...i was pretty much addressing everyone else at that point....just wanted to clear that up."

Riev_Mordred @ 07/02/04
"My flangoids hurt"

Kallie @ 07/04/04
"Hauck, I want to see a source on that."

The Mexican @ 07/04/04
"fat chance..its hauck"

Hauck @ 07/05/04
"what is it you want a source on?"

FredFredrickson @ 07/05/04
""He made it seem as if he had immunity to the accusations because he was president." Reminds me of a certain other president I know..."

Kallie @ 07/05/04
"A reliable source that says that most psychologists reccomend adultery."

The Mexican @ 07/06/04
"clinton?"

flushmaster2000 @ 07/06/04
"Yeah, there's a psych major over here who that's news to."

flushmaster2000 @ 07/06/04
"Actually, I do know what Eric is talking about, snd its not "most psychologists" its "most psychoanalysts." In the world of psychology, psychoanalysts are considered the inbread cousins. Their theories are based off of bad science (and in most cases, none at all) and their therapy methods have been virtually proven to be ineffective. "

Hauck @ 07/07/04
""

Hauck @ 07/07/04
"actualy it was ment as a joke mroe than a statement thank you "

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