Distraction of the Week: SADDAM TRIAL! >

[Stephanie]

It's all over the radio this morning. Saddam, Saddam, Saddam!

I thought they would get this one going for the U.S. election last fall, but they kept the ace card in their pocket for an emergency, such as indictments. Get ready now! Saddam, Saddam, Saddam, torture, murder, rape rooms, gassed his own people.

Once-feared Saddam faces judgement day

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051018/ts_afp/iraqsaddamjustice_051018104551;_ylt=AuLUhGFBtuQYotBfh.tvnnqs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY-

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Once feared by many, still loved by some, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein gets his day in court in the first of what is likely to be several trials on atrocities he allegedly committed during his decades in power.

The much-anticipated trial begins Wednesday amid high security and a veil of secrecy just four days after the country held a largely peaceful referendum on a proposal for a new constitution.

***

Other charges that Saddam, now 68, is likely to face include the gassing of 5,000 people in the Kurdish village of Halabja in March 1988; the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, during which around one million people were killed; the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, and the violent suppression of a Shiite uprising the following year.

These high-profile cases however have been put aside for an otherwise obscure case: the 1982 killing of 143 residents of the Shiite village of Dujail, allegedly as revenge for an attempt on his life.

Saddam is charged along with three former top lieutenants and four local Baath party officials. All face the death penalty if found guilty.

[Atman]

1. We're in denial, or something

We've been so excited at the prospect of seeing BushCo brought down, I don't think anyone wants to think this would happen again.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5089424

[thecrow]

2. He's being prosecuted for a war?

I thought we helped him out during that war.
Are we being held responsible, too?

If only we could try our leaders for wars.

[xultar]

3. I was cracking up about this cuz last week there was no mention of it

now all of a sudden.
Saddam
Trial
Saddam
Trial

This shit is so obvious!

[zanne]

4. Is it being televised?

I can't believe Bushco. would pass up the opportunity to drag out Saddam right now.

[MojoXN]

5. Distraction of the Week? HA!

More like distraction of the rest-of-the-year-through-next-April-or-May. They'll wave this one around five times longer than your average missing white woman. This'll make the Michael Jackson fiasco look positively tame in comparison.

MojoXN

[G_j]

6. I would be interested to know

when this trial date was set. That would tell us quite a bit.
Anyone know?

[Stephanie]

7. I'd like to know too

And I'd like to know if it will be televised. I can picture 24/7 OJ style coverage. All Torture All the Time.

[applegrove]

8. Those people in Iraq deserve to sit through a trial and share the

event with each other. That is very important - for them.

Saddam was a bad man. We should be happy this is taking place - as it may help Sunnis (who didn't work for Saddam) to understand really what took place.

I am only sorry the trial will not go on for a year. It seems that - all the horrid events will not be accounted for. And that is what the Iraqis need. No doubt American politicians and RW are afraid about all that could come out about their dealings with Saddam. It is a shame that "all" will not be discussed in the trial.