Alot of interesting discussion here, some I agree with, some that I don't. Personally...I side with those who say good riddance. However, Saddam's death is nothing to cheer about. Nothing to rejoice on, from an Arab perspective.
Altho this jurisdiction was purely an American setup, there is no doubt in my mind that if this was purely an Iraqi court case, that Saddam wouldve been found guilty.
Regarding Arab perspective taking into account ReBeL's points in particular, I think I understand where he comes from and you guys shouldn't react bitterly to this. For Arab pride, it is a real shame, degrading, humiliation when you have a US Army trooper grabbing a slovenly looking Saddam from some underground hole and telling him, "The president sends ya his regards." (2003)
Iraq is a nation that is TREMENDOUSLY rich in history and culture, and it really hurts to see what the yanks and the west are doing to it now. Yes Saddam is murderer, and deserves to rot like a piece of crap in the hottest place in hell. But in comparison, look at Iraq now and Iraq before: More people are disappearing now, than during Saddam's era. (altho I heard the contrary in a chat-room once, but that is pure BS)
True he ruled out of fear, but you guys need to understand something, and I've heard this stereotype from more than one person (and please any Iraqis here, I do not mean this offensively) - Iraq can only be controlled by a man like Saddam, otherwise it's just a huge free-for-all between Kurds, Sunni, and Shi'a.
This could be blown way out of proportion, but look at what's going on now. Car bomb after car bomb. Holy sites being bombed, that are sacred not only to Shi'a but to Islam as a whole.
I've spoken to several moderate Iraqi Sunni/Shi'a and they all say they don't have problems with the other sect.
Another reason why Saddam is widely popular amongst Arabs (mainly Palestinians and Jordanians) is because of hitting Tel Aviv with two missiles in 1991. Not a single Arab country outside Occupied Palestine had even DARED to hit Israel, while the whole world just sat and watch as poor Palestinians threw rocks at tanks, and armed men.
However, Saddam's actions didn't liberate Palestine...but neither did Oslo, a couple years later.
Iraq is now being conveniently carved up by the Americans into a Sunni-istan, Shia'istan, and a Kurdistan. Saddam still has supporters, Shi'a want revenge after 20 years+ of oppression, and the Kurds want a legitimate country with a flag, and recognised worldwide.
Zarqawi's gone, but his henchmen are still lurking about, and fuelling the Sunni-Shi'a hatred even more.
I honestly don't know how this mess called Iraq can be solved, but I sure hope peace and order are restored for the sake of the people in this great nation.
Altho this jurisdiction was purely an American setup, there is no doubt in my mind that if this was purely an Iraqi court case, that Saddam wouldve been found guilty.
Regarding Arab perspective taking into account ReBeL's points in particular, I think I understand where he comes from and you guys shouldn't react bitterly to this. For Arab pride, it is a real shame, degrading, humiliation when you have a US Army trooper grabbing a slovenly looking Saddam from some underground hole and telling him, "The president sends ya his regards." (2003)
Iraq is a nation that is TREMENDOUSLY rich in history and culture, and it really hurts to see what the yanks and the west are doing to it now. Yes Saddam is murderer, and deserves to rot like a piece of crap in the hottest place in hell. But in comparison, look at Iraq now and Iraq before: More people are disappearing now, than during Saddam's era. (altho I heard the contrary in a chat-room once, but that is pure BS)
True he ruled out of fear, but you guys need to understand something, and I've heard this stereotype from more than one person (and please any Iraqis here, I do not mean this offensively) - Iraq can only be controlled by a man like Saddam, otherwise it's just a huge free-for-all between Kurds, Sunni, and Shi'a.
This could be blown way out of proportion, but look at what's going on now. Car bomb after car bomb. Holy sites being bombed, that are sacred not only to Shi'a but to Islam as a whole.
I've spoken to several moderate Iraqi Sunni/Shi'a and they all say they don't have problems with the other sect.
Another reason why Saddam is widely popular amongst Arabs (mainly Palestinians and Jordanians) is because of hitting Tel Aviv with two missiles in 1991. Not a single Arab country outside Occupied Palestine had even DARED to hit Israel, while the whole world just sat and watch as poor Palestinians threw rocks at tanks, and armed men.
However, Saddam's actions didn't liberate Palestine...but neither did Oslo, a couple years later.

Iraq is now being conveniently carved up by the Americans into a Sunni-istan, Shia'istan, and a Kurdistan. Saddam still has supporters, Shi'a want revenge after 20 years+ of oppression, and the Kurds want a legitimate country with a flag, and recognised worldwide.
Zarqawi's gone, but his henchmen are still lurking about, and fuelling the Sunni-Shi'a hatred even more.
I honestly don't know how this mess called Iraq can be solved, but I sure hope peace and order are restored for the sake of the people in this great nation.
