Thoughts on the Saddam Trial...

[mikelgb]

So they are trying him first for this "lesser known" killing of 140 people... this offense carries penalty of death, sentence may be carried out 30 days after appeals are exhausted. So when they find him guilty and he appeals and loses they will kill him 30 days after... I mean why waste time with all those other "more difficult" charges and trials when we can get him on the easy one. No wasted resources...No really embarrassing testimony for the US. Sounds GREAT!!!!

[meti57b]

1. They want to kill him fast before he tells all about the reagan-bush .....

administration's collusion with him.

[applegrove]

2. You know - the USA was fighting communism at the time. I can see

the USA not wanting to get into that - unless they want every country in the world they "helped fight a war against the left" to take them to court. That makes sense that they would not allow that and the Iraqis would not want to go there. USA could face trials with Nicaraguans, Zairians, Vietnamese, Afghanis, Iranians, Chileans, El Salvadorians, Timorese, Cambodians, etc. etc. So I think it is highly unrealistic to think that the Iraqi people would in any way want to be the ones to open that door on the U.S.

I just wish that the sampling of trials was longer. Because as the Iraqis themselves admit - they have work to do and ownership to take of how they allowed themselves to live under such a monster. Most important for the Iraqis that they get a long trial and come together as a people in a shared experience & healing over Saddam. He was there 10 years before the US became his friend and 10 years after. The US involvement is more for people in the USA to think about.

Important for the people it is not quick or shallow trial. People need to take ownership of all the roles they played. The families of the disappeared need to heal and be understood by their neighbours. The Sunnis need to have it common knowledge that under Saddam - all was not well - amongst their own people. Important for them in so many ways.

Don't care about Saddam. He is not the reason for the trial. The trial is for the country & the people & the victims & the justice system. Trial isn't for Americans either.