Saddam's Verdict Arrives Sunday -- We are pretty fucked.

[progressivebydesign]

Friday news dump... Iraq is getting ready for the verdict in Saddam's trial (which really seemed like a ridiculous show and less like a trial).

This means that everyone already popping champagne corks around here, speculating that the latest republican sex scandal is going to tip in our favor, or believing that we're gonna get control again, better take a deep breath. Do you honestly believe that Negroponte and others have been flying into Iraq a lot in the past week to check on things? No.. they are making sure the verdict hits JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUNDAY NEWS SHOWS. It was supposed to be a bit earlier, but wow.. it was delayed until this SUNDAY before the election. Gosh, didn't the OBL tape that crushed Kerry arrive on SUNDAY night before the election?

So.. here's the deal. Count on this. The GOP, WHite House, etc. have already gone through elaborate preparations of talking points, photo ops, a live Bush speech on Monday.. or perhaps on Sunday night. Count on it. Bush will call a supposedly hasty event, so he can talk about how HE AND THE GOP have made sure that justice was done on a well known terrorist supporter, Saddam. Yeah, doesn't matter that Saddam hated OBL and Al Qaida.

Bush and company are already working on their October surprise, just as they did the sunday night before the election in 2004. Be ready.. it's coming. And it's supposed to impress those that have wandered away from Bush and the GOP because of the war. Expect Bush to be talking in front of a group of CHEERING troops!!

[rodeodance]

1. bad timing that is for sure

[WinkyDink]

7. Why is that? Will "Mission" be REALLY "Accomplished" then?

I think not.

[libhill]

59. I have a hunch

that they have Osama on ice, and they're waiting to make the announcement - that would play a lot better for the Rethugs than a verdict on Saddam. Only morons still believe Saddam had anything to do with 911. Even Bush admitted not too long ago that Iraq had nothing to do with it. And it should be obvious by now that his capture has done exactly zero to ease terrorism.

[adigal]

63. I think Americans know that it makes no difference

and I think many Americans realize that this is timed to help the republicans, who they don't really feel like helping right about now.

Buck up - most Americans HATE the republicans right now.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Oh more doom and gloom idiocy.

No we are not fucked. Don't worry about old Saddam. Worry about getting out the vote.

[Tempest]

29. You're absolutely correct

It's a foregone conclusion that Saddam is going to get the death penalty.

Also, it will be a reminder that capturing Saddam has done nothing to stop the violence like Bush said it would.

[libhill]

42. Any one with gray matter between their ears -

should realize by now that the invasion of Iraq and the capture of Saddam have not done a damned thing to ease terrorism, it has only made the world a more dangerous place. In fact Iraq is worse off now than when Saddam was in power. I don't think it's going to wash, the majority of Americans have awakened from their slumber...

[RiverStone]

74. Agreed! The timing is obvious...Relax folks. Tuesday's gonna rock!

[ellenfl]

3. the verdict was a foregone conclusion. i doubt there will be even a blip. eom

[Ignacio Upton]

14. The MSM will tell you otherwise

Which in turn will sway a few voters.

[ellenfl]

88. but it's a LIBERAL msm so the rw will ignore it. eom

[BOSSHOG]

4. Expect there to be riots throughout the country

regardless of the verdict. The violence in Iraq will be the lead story on Monday Night News. bush and his criminal party are fucked.

[Ignacio Upton]

5. Blunt the Saddam verdict and tell the DNC to run ads about the nuclear documents

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/11/3/14523/1257

[lazyriver]

26. Every ad the DNC can put together at this point

should focus on the nuke documents. Let the GOP be too busy trying to spin, duck and run from that story to have any time to tout Saddam's pointless verdict.

[think4yourself]

6. Whatever.

If this is the October Surprise©, Y a w n ....

[swag]

8. I think you're overestimating the likely impact of the verdict,

and also the viewership of Sunday shows.

[phylny]

9. Do you really think anyone is waiting with bated breath to find out what the

"verdict" is for Saddam's trial?

I think the Republicans and the Bush White House will trumpet this, and everyone else will say, "Uh, so?"

[stopbush]

10. No one cares. Another reminder that hundreds of thousands have

died because bush went after the wrong guy.

[annabanana]

11. Nope...That just gives Iraq enough time to explode

in another horrible, blood drenched round of sectarian torture and execution...I do not wish this on the Iraqi population, but I fear that whatever the sentence, that will be the response.

[Duer 157099]

12. I'd think that'd be their worst nightmare

Just gives our side another excuse to point out the non-connection of Saddam/Iraq to terror.

[Hubert Flottz]

13. Iraq will melt down IMHO...

Edit...Maybe the entire Arab world will too.

[itsmesgd]

91. I agree, this will blow up in their face and backfire

Riots and chaos in the streets with our soldiers and marines having to take shelter in the fortified green zone will not make * look good. It will only show that even his staged death penalty for Saddam was a non-plan. I think that anarchy in Iraq will play well for the dems and also give us a reason to immediately withdraw our troops in days to weeks instead of months to years.

[TheCowsCameHome]

15. Who gives a %*#@ ? He's irrelevant, except for the riots it will cause, if guilty

Saddam is a non-event.

[DrDan]

16. so where are the Democrats

Announce it far and wide that the WH is going to do this as a partisan stunt

Then when it happens - "what did I tell you?????"


Damnit - don't let these bastards get away with this . . .

[libhill]

52. That's the whole problem -

the Dems get a huge pile of Rethug screw ups and dirty laundry handed to them on a silver platter, and they just sit there and stare at it... wtf?

[texasleo]

17. not bloody likely

[Bobbie Jo]

18. Right...

Ohhhhh...now there's a shocker.

Just another example how politics drives policy in this administration....totally staged. I big yawner if you ask me.

[Disturbed]

31. A Guilty verdict for Saddam and the 7 others and

a sentence of Death by hanging will be a surprise to the American populace?

Will this change anyone's mind about who they will vote for?

[joemurphy]

19. Well, the Dems have known this was coming for at least 2 weeks.

My guess is we're ready for it.

My reaction is, so what. Does it surprise us that he'd be found guilty?

My biggest concern is what it will mean, if anything, in Iraq. I suspect you'll see lots of pleased Iraqis (Supposedly 1 family in 3 lost a relative due to Saddam). But there are a lot of Baathists that loved him. Could mean an upsurge in violence. We'll see how it all plays out. But why should it affect the elections?

I think it's been discounted.

[boolean]

What if he's found NOT GUILTY?

OJ! OJ! OJ! OJ! OJ!

[LSK]

20. I dont think it will make any diference

Nobody is debating that Saddam was a bad guy. This is no news.

[ecstatic]

They might also find more human remains at the towers

I hate to sound so cynical and I really don't mean to offend anyone, but it just seems a little too convenient that 5+ YEARS after 911 they are suddenly identifying more remains. I really want people to learn the truth about their loved ones, but why did the Bush admin drag their feet on this for so long?

[Whoa_Nelly]

21. THe US media needs to be reminded and should report

That it was a Kurdish group, NOT US soldiers, who found Saddam, and it was a US photo-op in making it look like US found him..

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1221-02.htm

http://www.sundayherald.com/38816

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/21/1071941612613.html

[Turbineguy]

22. If he's

found guilty, so what? No surprise. If he's found not guilty it will show what a complete farce this whole Iraq debacle is.

[Midlodemocrat]

23. Holy Crap. Cats and Dogs living together. MASS HYSTERIA

Did anyone really think he wouldn't be convicted? C'mon. :eyes:

[Phillycat]

30. LOL!

:thumbsup:

[SoCalDem]

53. Yep.. If only Johnnie Cochran had not died.. he was the only one who

might have been able to "help" poor old Saddam :evilgrin:

"If the terrah doesn't square-a,
you must not be a conviction bear-a"

[Phillycat]

65. Johnny Cochran died?

Where the hell have I been?

[SoCalDem]

68. I think he died last year.. He had a brain tumor

I always liked him :) even though he was a rascal.. He reminded me of my friend, who'd a dead ringer for him .even sounds like him :)

[Phillycat]

69. He was really more of an entertainer, I always thought.

:hi:

[guinivere]

75. roflmao

:spray:




:evilgrin: Oh, you're good.

[NanceGreggs]

24. You're kidding, right?

Yep, everybody who has 'left the fold' and decided to vote Democratic all did so because Saddam hadn't been found guilty yet. This will, of course, be the turning point.

People are out of work, paying through the nose at the pump, sick to death of Iraq and its attendant casualties with no progress, tired of being lied to, enraged by the now-obvious hypocrisy of their GOP leaders, worried about the escalating national debt ... this list goes on forever.

But they're all going to go running to the polls to vote Republican now, because of Saddam's verdict.

Please ...

[yasmina27]

25. This could have a silver lining

We heard on the radio that Iraq is mobilizing all its reserves (didn't know they had any!) and cancelling all leave for its military in anticipation of violence erupting. Pictures of violence there could have a very negative impact, regardless of the reason.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favor of violence in any way, but if it's going to happen, might as well use it to our advantage.

[usaftmo]

27. Here's one active military member

who won't be cheering. Earlier this year his wife came to the base but I wouldn't go.

[RaleighNCDUer]

37. Welcome to DU!

:patriot:

[Jack Rabbit]

28. Everybody knows the verdict will be announced Sunday

If there's a surprise, it will be if Saddam is found not guilty.

The effect on the election will be minimal. Anybody who still thinks Saddam was a direct, immediate threat to the US is voting Republican anyway.

[Bouncy Ball]

32. Where I live, I'm surrounded by republicans.

No one cares about Saddam Hussein. I never hear him mentioned, ever. And we talk current events. NOTHING about him is even touched on. Yeah, I know it'll be on the news, but the general feeling here seems to be a big shoulder shrug where SH is concerned.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

33. Oh, yeah, once again we're DOOMED! DOOMED!

Yadda, yadda, yadda. "If they announce the Saddam verdict on Sunday, we're DOOMED!!" http://gprime.net/video.php/doomed

Gimme a break...

[Red State Prisoner]

34. I'm going to be watching....

The Patriots Vs. the Colts during that time so....
I'm sure millions of bubba's across the nation will be doing the same.

God bless NBC Sunday Night Football. :)

[TheCowsCameHome]

35. It might as well be Who?dam.

Talk about a dull issue..................

[Old and In the Way]

36. Seriously, you think this is going to change anyone's mind?

If anything, it will serve as a reminder that we took down the person who gave Iraq decades of stability. As much as he was a ruthless authoritarian, I don't think there's an Iraqi alive that wouldn't rather be living under him in pre-invasion Iraq then what passes as a puppet government in a country whose infrastructure is pretty well destroyed. Perhaps now everyone also realizes that it took one nasty guy at the top to keep warring factions separated and the entire country together.

[n2doc]

38. Nobody is going to give a damn

There has been too much that has happened. Too much hypocracy, too much incompetence, too much lying. No one is going to care about a pre-ordained verdict on a dictator. In any case he is, shall we say, old news.

[ClintonTyree]

39. I don't think there's ever been any doubt about the verdict.......

why everyone thinks this is going to be such an all consuming headline is beyond me. Saddam is guilty. :shrug: How many Americans thought otherwise? This does not vindicate george bush's invasion and validate the subsequent thousands of deaths. I really don't see this as that big of an issue. They could have phoned this verdict in. Perhaps I'm wrong, but there are many more pressing issues that should take the "luster" from Saddam's verdict. Besides, there's no sex involved and Americans do love to hear about others' sexcapades. I say Haggard remains the big story, especially if more lurid details emerge.

:shrug: We shall see.

[hatrack]

40. What's this going to do? "Oh! Look! Iraq!"

And with 7 more US KIA in the last 24 hours, more people thinking about Iraq is the last thing the Pukes need.

It's Osama or bust, and they dont have Osama.

[WilliamPitt]

41. Like clockwork

People get optimistic around here, and the "We're doomed" threads start sprouting up.

It's like DU is allergic to good news, and threads like these are the forum equivalent of hives.

Gadzooks.

[Phillycat]

67. Seriously, WTF?

We had a massive sex and drugs scandal, a Repuke resignation in the face of criminal conviction, and the most respected newspaper in the country coming out with a story about the administration giving plans for nukes to the terrorists - all in one 24 hour period. Today is like a fucking Democratic holiday!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

43. This Thread Ain't Nothing But Shit

Thanks to Jim Sagle...

[KingFlorez]

44. Hardly

The verdict won't improve the situation in Iraq either way. It's essentially a non-story.

[LiberalEsto]

45. Just think ahead to the Bush verdict

in 4 or 5 years

:evilgrin:

[Grebrook]

46. Overrated, only 2,000,000 watch the news everyday, that's less than 5% of electorate

for this year. And anyway, people are deadset against the president to begin with, and it's not going to make the anti-GOP state environments out in Kentucky, Ohio or Indiana any better for them.

[Patchuli]

47. Pardon me if I don't get it

but why should a verdict on Saddam have *anything* in the world to do with re-electing or not re-electing rethugs?????????!

That's as dumb as thinking Kerry's joke was going to sway minds. Minds that tiny shouldn't even be allowed to vote!

[elehhhhna]

48. NEWSFLASH: no one cares. Hope our troops in Iraq duck & cover, tho.

Might get more ugly than it is now

[Beetwasher]

49. May I Suggest You Shit & Piss Your Pants, Crawl Into A Corner

Roll around in it, shiver uncontrollably and pull your tongue out w/ "concern"? Think about it, it just might make you feel better. :eyes:

[progressivebydesign]

80. may I suggest that you screw yourself? n/t

[Imagevision]

50. We.re not fucked! -- the US. troops are fucked!

[SmokingJacket]

51. Puh-lease. No one cares anymore.

However, the timing is totally deliberate, or I'm a fucking freeper.

[warrens]

54. Too late

And you forget the football factor. No one is listening to Smirky anymore. It would take new news, really SHOCKING new news, to cut through the clutter. Believe me, Mr. and Mrs. America is not watching MSNBC and FoxNews on the weekends. Numerically, they're not watching any of them. Is there anyone here who thinks Saddam is going to be found not guilty? Anyone?

If I were a disaffected repuke, my thought would be, "we wasted thousands of lives for THIS?"

[Connie_Corleone]

55. Oh please!

No one cares about Saddam Hussein. What's there to be doom and gloom about? Husseing gets sentenced to death and all of a sudden Iraq enjoys peace and prosperity??

Iraq will still be fucked up after the verdict and sentence. Hussein is nothing more than a footnote at this point.

[irislake]

56. Ho hum

Ho ho ho hum. Sadam is so yesterday's news. I can't imagine anybody not reaching for the channel changer. It never was about Sadam. Don't fret. It will backfire. Everybody has had Iraq up to the back teeth. (Sadam's back teeth.) Every time they try to create or stage some sort of "spectacle" it turns out to be so hilarious (Bush with his plastic turkey, Mission Accomplished, the staging at Katrina) that I wonder if I'm watching Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report. Bathos!

[ProgressiveFool]

57. I dunno...

Maybe if they put a really funny hat on him, that might do it...

:sarcasm:

[mhatrw]

58. The more they focus on Iraq, the better for us.

This verdict will cause massive insurgent violence.

[PlanetBev]

60. Oh my God!

I'm shocked! I thought he was going to get community service!

falls on floor....

[seabeyond]

61. We are pretty fucked.... bullshit, how wussy. you make me laugh

[progressivebydesign]

79. Thanks for the personal attack.. I knew I could count on you. n/t

[kellenburger]

62. actually it's a win win for us...

If he's guilty (99.99999%).... riots break out, the Arab world wrenches it's hands
over what his sentance will be and America says "Jeez what a clusterfuck Iraq is."

If he's innocent... Everyone bitches about the fact that "we lost 3000+ lives
for this!?" and "Jeez what a clusterfuck Iraq is!"


See win win.

[texasleo]

64. who recommended this thread? lol

just kidding.

[Red Right and BLUE]

66. I really don't think it means jack shit.

We Americans will all be thinking about WHERE IS OBL???

[RiverStone]

70. To most, the timing seems very obvious - little effect or may backfire.

With the billions of dollars that are unaccounted for in Iraq, not to mention the tail wagging the dog of this fucked up and tragic war; hard for any sane person to think there is no timing connection. At the very least, I think most Americans will suspect the Nov 5th date of the announcement was manipulated. Or maybe its even collusion.

Yea, lots of rethug talking points; though doubt it will have much effect on the fence sitters.
The timing actually could make it seem like a political ploy; that could back fire as so many other rethug plots have.

We got tons of momentum on our side. Relax folks. Victory is just 4 days away!:party:

[Blue_In_AK]

71. Please. Nobody cares about Saddam Hussein anymore...

He's a footnote in the War for Oil.

[Quixote1818]

72. Will have zero impact. Plus, violence is expected to explode over the verdict. nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

73. Wow....Saddam guilty?

Holy shit, what a shock, Bush WAS right!

Gimme a freaking break.

[Canuckistanian]

82. You shouldn't make assumptions like that

Just like the sun coming up in the morning or bears defecating in the woods.

Anything could happen.

[roamer65]

76. Zero impact on elections and Iraq violence will get a LOT worse.

The Baath'ist insurgents will go berzerk if the sentence is death.

[progressivebydesign]

77. Yes. intelligent people KNOW Saddam does not equal 9/11 HOWEVER.

Polls STILL show that the majority of Americans believe that Saddam had something to do with 9/11. For anyone to discount that thinking is deluding themselves. I'm just going to sit back and watch the media salivate and spin and work at the behest of Bush as soon as the verdict is announced. And many of you will remember my post.. and think, 'wow, I overestimated the intelligence of voters once again, as I did in 2004 when the OBL tape was released on a SUNDAY to harm Kerry". And I wont' gloat, because I'll be too busy being pissed at the lapdog media.

So.. do you think that Bush will do his press conference or speech in the Oval Office or in front of the troops (who unfortunately tend to believe that they went to Iraq to avenge 9/11, as well).

[progressivebydesign]

78. Can't believe the DUers don't get it...

It's not about Saddam being a bad guy. Hello?? That's fucking obvious. It's about how this will be used, like the OBL tape was used against John Kerry. The timing was postponed, deliberately, to coincide with the election. I can't believe that I'm actually having to explain this... when you all know how many millions are spent each day by the White House to influence politics and the media.

The point is (and thanks to those who got it).. well it's NOT that everyone knows Saddam is a bad guy. Yeah, duh. It's that this event will be used and bled to death by the media and by the White House. Oh.. look look, Bush got that BAD MAN!

Fine, ignore it. Mark my words. It's not a non-event. If you think it is, you aren't paying attention to the Rove machine.

[Mr_Spock]

86. It's pretty much meaningless

He's been dead to the US since he was captured.

Convicting him is a forgone conclusion.

[warrior1]

81. Hasn't he all ready been convicted?

By the press, bush the Iraqi people..

As well he should. Doesn't really change anything as far as I can see.

[American Jesus]

83. Saddam's trial is for things he did over 20 years ago.....

....with the full blessing of Ronald Reagan and Poppy Bush. Be sure to point that out to Republicans. This show trial has nothing to do with the current invasion and occupation. It couldn't, or else Chimpy would be facing more charges than Saddam.

[sampsonblk]

84. Big impact which we could have avoided

by being strident and taking better (and more real) positions all along.

[Mr_Spock]

85. I don't buy this thinking AT ALL

Focusing on Iraq is good for us. There will likely be 50+ killings that day - more than when Saddam was in power.

Only RWers care about this idiocy.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

87. Nobody gives a shit.

[robertpaulsen]

89. I already posted this yesterday. This is Dumbya's Hail NAMBLA pass.

This is desperate last minute misadministration theatrics that will have as much resonance with the American voting public as a wet fart.

You want to focus on something we should REALLY be concerned about come November 7? Check out bradblog. And keep your eyes open.

[malaise]

90. It won't matter when the Army Times editorial

hits the airwaves on Monday. They will demand Rummy's resignation according to KO.

[lonestarnot]

92. hmmmf. You think this might be good news for the pukes egh?

News to rub their dicks in... :rofl: This fuckwad didn't mean shit, doesn't mean shit, and is not ever going to amount to a pile of shit. Our invassion has resulted in the death of more people than he ever thought about. I'd say they have nothing, not even a pot to piss in, and that's what I'll say on Sunday. On edit: In fact, I'll be even more pissed that they bring this up. Reminds me of what fools they are once again.

[Onlooker]

93. It will completely backfire

It would take an idiot not to see that the Iraqi government is attempting to manipulate our elections. It will further increase opposition to the war, especially among conservatives already feel that the Iraqis have exploited the goodwill of the right-wing.

[Jcrowley]

94. This like the Kerry gaffe

will have zero impact on the election. These may serve as cover for the theft but that is all. Focus should be on either celebrating what is a statistical certainty (assuming no massive vote fraud) or ardent protest strategies
that go beyond the usual plaints and waiting for the legal channels to rectify the burglary. All else is shadow boxing.

The OBL tapes did not crush Kerry at all. Massive voter fraud did. The election was stolen big time in numerous states. I'm not a Kerry fan but he won handily.

Be prepared for vote fraud with the 1-2 combo of Kerry gaffe, Saddam show trial as cover for a massive undertaking in voter manipulation, voter suppression, machine jigging and outright intimidation. It's gonna be a mess but Saddam's verdict is not in the equation.

Either that or crack the champagne. Keep it handy either way.

[Octafish]

95. Use it to point out it was POPPY who gave Saddam the weapons to begin with.

http://archives.cjr.org/year/93/2/iraqgate.asp

[Terri S]

96. don't think so!

Saddam's conviction is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Besides, everyone is predicting riots in the streets all over the Muslim world when it comes.. that would help them? The repubs have accomplished nothing but getting mired further and further into disaster since he was captured. They'd be better off staying far away from anything Iraq related.

[The Gunslinger]

97. Whats the big deal

He was captured how long ago? I don think the verdict was ever in question.

of course to the 40% or so who think the Saddam had anything to do with 9-11 it might make them wave their flags ad stick their chests out a little bit.