Imagine the unthinkable: what if Saddam is acquitted?

[bluestateguy]

We all assume that the Saddam trial is rigged to produce a guilty verdict, but what if it isn't and he is found not guilty? The Bush Crowd isn't going to get any credit for a Saddam conviction because it's so obvious that that will happen, but if he were somehow found not guilty, they could very well have a big egg on their face.

[Sapphocrat]

1. It will just confirm...

...that the Iraqi justice system is a failure.

Either way, ShrubCo wins nothing.

[LeftCoast]

2. The trial's been a travesty

That's something I think almost everyone could agree on. Totally out of control. Lawyers being murdered. Hunger strikes. Judges replaced.

:crazy:

[Erika]

3. He at least could keep the religious factions under control

The fact tha his sons were executed without trial will also play into the decision.

[Vexatious Ape]

4. sounds good to me

But what I really wanted to see was Saddam getting grilled in court about his gas attacks on Kurds and have him tell the the court--the world--about all the chemicals the US and other Western countries sold him, back when he was cool (killing Iranians) with people like Reagan and Rummy.

[saracat]

6. Now THAT would be justice!

[AJ9000]

7. It's questionable as to whether he did that. There's evidence

the Iranians actually did it during a battle.

[Vexatious Ape]

8. Your right, there is some contoversy about that

but we do know that American and, I believe, French corporations sold him chem's used in warfare.

[Joyce]

9. Saddam could still surprise us...

He just might spill all of those beans when he's declared guilty. But of course his statements would not be allowed to be shown on t.v.

[Finder]

15. That is the current trial, not the one related to the verdict. n/t

[EST]

5. Even if he should be acquitted as to these specific charges,

there are many, many more charges to be laid.
He will never get out of jail unless there is an Iraq government which demands he be released and returned to power. Merely releasing him would probably do little beyond changing the nature of his execution.

There are far too many local warmongers who have had their own tastes for power sharpened by his deposing and they will not allow him to resume the mantle and start his own pogrom against them.

[Syrinx]

10. That would be funny

"Ha-Ha" or "Hmm?" :shrug:

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Saddam could fire the verdict. The trial was a circus anyway.

[KharmaTrain]

12. This Is Lose-Lose...

No matter what the verdict is on Monday, a large portion of the Iraqi population will be pissed. As Saddam is a Sunni, a conviction...especially at the hands of a regime in control of Shiites will trigger even greater strife...especially aimed at American soldiers in Al Anbar. While an acquittal will be seen as a big insult to the Shiite who suffered the most under his oppressive regime and Al Sadr and his militia will find the need to extract vengence another way. Sitting in the middle...150,000 or maybe 200,000 or more of our young mean and women.

The biggest loser will be meeeester boooosh (as pronounced by a Happy Iraqi) whose disastrous war for profit will be completely repudiated by the military on Monday (that Military Times editorial is HUGH...I'm Series) and then at the polls on Tuesday.

[Bucky]

13. "as pronounced by a Happy Iraqi"? Does such a creature exist on this planet

I mean, not counting Ahmed Chalabi, that is.

[Vanje]

14. The judge would be fired (again)........

and Saddams'lawyers would be assasinated (again), and the trial would begin again (again).