Iraq on high alert ahead of Saddam verdict

[ECH1969]

Iraq's beleaguered armed forces were ordered on high alert ahead of the verdict in the trial of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, while a US spy chief made an unannounced visit to Baghdad.

The Iraqi High Tribunal trying Saddam for crimes against humanity will deliver its verdict on Sunday, and Iraq has cancelled all military leave to thwart any outbreak of violence before or after the ruling.

"All military personnel are on alert. Leave has been cancelled and we are on alert for any possible emergency. Those on leave should report to their units," said defence ministry spokesman Major General Ibrahim Shaker.

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=149625

[JuniperLea]

1. I'm sure the Devil hisownself looks pretty good to the Iraqis now

Compared to the horrors they deal with thanks to GWB, our very own asshat extraordinare.

[patcox2]

2. Rove is gonna regret timing the sentencing before the election.

Turd Blossom has bit the big one, it seems.

[NanceGreggs]

3. Yeah, the last thing you want to do (it would seem) ...

... is remind those fence-sitting undecideds out there that the man being sentenced for killing innocent Iraqis KILLED LESS OF THEM than GWB.

RIP, GOP.

[ECH1969]

4. No

The only way this hurts Bush is if the insurgents manage got on a real massive rampage which could very well happen.

[NanceGreggs]

8. Yes, that could very well happen.

But I still think this is another loser move from the WH. Their initial plan was to keep the focus AWAY from Iraq throughout the election cycle. And now they're hoping, in a last-ditch effort to get some voters back, to turn this verdict into a 'win' for the GOP.

It's apparent that at this point, they're figuring that it might not help, but if hurts - well, this election is lost anyway, so ...

[ECH1969]

9. This date was planned a month and a half ago

[NanceGreggs]

10. And could have been changed ... n/t

[ECH1969]

11. The insurgents know about our elections as do the Iraqi government

Both want to influence our elections. The Iraqi government sees its money and security potentally drying up if the dems win and the insurgents are counting on that.

So yes this big spike in violence with 8 troops dead yesterday is about our elections and so is Saddam verdict and execution.

Everything is political.

[ShortnFiery]

5. Now is not the time to announce this verdict ...

BushWorld is infamous for the reverse-Midas touch.

Heartless Warmongering Assholes! :grr:

[humbled_opinion]

6. WHAT IF THEY FIND HIM NOT GUILTY ?

[VegasWolf]

12. Not with this Bush puppet government. nt

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Rove spin: "Al-Queda is in Iraq causing chaos." n/t