US Confirms Saddam's Capture

Saddam was hiding in a "spider hole" in the basement of a home in Tikrit.

Congratulations to coalition forces.

 

YES, Good Job Troops!

Now, lets get Osama.

 

We got him!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually it's suitable that he was found, lice ridden and beaten in his self-made tomb, the way he deserves to live. He only had 50K which is why he probably got captured. With so little money, nobody was willing to cover for his broke ass anymore. The US reward of 25M was far greater than his assets to protect him.
I say they should have him publically executed by firing squad in the center of Bagdad. Death to Saddam and death to anyone who stands against the ideals of peace the US forces stand for. To our military, take a bow for a job well done!!!!! If I could, I'd fly down right now and celebrate with you all!!!

God Bless America and God Bless our US Armed Forces!!!!!!!!

 

Did you hear that from Drugs Limbaugh? The U.S. military says that Saddam had $750K. (Not that it makes one damn bit of difference. But for precisely that point, I wonder why people choose to exagerate and lie about such things.)

Yes, this is a great opportunity to show the Middle East what democracy is all about. And as far as I understand, the hallmark of democracy is public executions. (Trial optional.)

So, by "ideals of peace," you mean the war, right?

Among Americans, the people who I see who are most against those "ideals of peace" are those damn peace protesters. How can anyone not understand that when we talk about peace, what we mean is war? Clearly, they should be executed.

On each of these statements, I could not agree more.

 

What?

What does "God bless America" mean, exactly?

Is this America the concept, the geographic entity, the bill of rights, the current administration?

And which God, too, while you're about it.....

And then the big question, Why???????

 

Congratulations to everyone involved.

It's ironic that the great dictator who built dozens of huge lavish palaces complete with golden toilet fixtures was found hiding in a tiny rat-hole, confused and disoriented, looking like a homeless vagrant (which I guess he technically was).

We need to interrogate him, but his ultimate fate should probably be decided by an Iraqi jury in a public trial that is as scrupulously fair and correct as possible, while bringing the evidence of his many crimes to graphic life.

I'd hate to give him a podium from which to try to turn the tables and put the US on trial though, and I'd hate to see him go to his likely execution playing the Arab nationalist martyr.

This is going to need careful handling. The saga of Saddam may not be over quite yet. He still has his final scene to play.

 

To me the most significant aspect of this story is that he was discovered in this little hole alone. No one was guarding him, no one was defending him, there was no fire fight, there was no resistance. NO ONE was willing to take a stand for him. He's less than nothing.
Jack

 

I think it is an expression stating that God will always bless America because they are the ones that are in the right. We are the good guys so, God should bless us. Now not everyone thinks that America (The US.. American as in the ideals behind the USA, not an administration, or whatever else you said) is doing the right thing (I personally feel we should get out of Iraq and pursue bigger threats.. or perhaps stand down on the pursuit and worry about our own national defense).

I also think some Americans say "God bless America" because it has become a phrase commonly used since 9/11. I also think (maybe), "God Bless America" is a rebellion against all the "politically correct" stuff that has happened in the US lately regarding religion. It gives people an excuse to use American and God in the same sentence.

I have no problem hearing it. It kind of makes my teeth hurt hearing it over and over again (all I can think of is some trashy folks from Jerry Springer with teeth missing when I hear that term... [forgive me! ]).

Anyways, Saddam is captured. Let's do what we have to do to make that country self sustaining and get out. I feel we have more imminent dangers ahead of us than what would develop if we left Iraq too soon and it developed into a "safe haven for terrorists".

Bill

 

Re: What?

Angela,

Why? You have got to be kidding me. America is not perfect. Not by a longshot. But America has done many things that have had a tremendous positive impact on the entire world.

At this point in history, regardless of how we got here, capturing Saddam is one of the most positive things that could have occured in the world today.

Are you saying that you would rather see Saddam still at large? Would you rather see him still in power?

Jeff

 

So, if America is always in the right, then it was right to sell chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein, correct?

And was America also in the right for allowing slavery?

America is certainly not always in the right. Hopefully, most of the time we are. That is far more than anyone could ever say for Saddam's government, though.

 

I am not going to argue the rights or wrongs of going to war with Iraq, but no tear should be shed for Saddam, he was a bad man.

What makes me smile though is when I think of Bin Laden shaking in his boots now, wondering if he is next.

 

No... Look, there is a lot of stuff we do that probably isn't right. I am not saying that the US doesn't do anything wrong. I was just explaining what I thought people meant when they say, "God bless America."

Bill

 

God bless America

I think the expression "God bless America" highlights the differences between Europeans and Americans.

For Europeans, the reaction to it is usually a combination of bemusement and anger, because to many of us it sounds parochial and arrogant, as if America thinks it does something remarkable for which they can lay claim to divine assistance. Americans treat it with emotions ranging from a shrug to chest-puffing, flag-waving patriotism. Europeans are alsways amazed at the amount of religious fervour within the US mainstream. To hear a Spaniard say God bless Spain or a Swiss say God bless Switzerland would be unusual.

Lets just say its an expression that does better domestically (in the US) than when its heard outside!

Oh, and none of this should be interpreted as supported for Scumbag Saddam. But of course the option of trying him in the International Criminal Court won't happen, be the good old USA isn't a signatory.......

 

Re: God bless America

That doesn't matter. Saddam Hussein was the Commander-In-Chief of the Iraqi military when combat operations commenced. To underline that point, Saddam had a habit of appearing in public while dressed in uniform, which makes him an enemy combatant, and therefore fair game under the Rules of Land Warfare.

I suspect that he'll be given the chance to tell everything he knows about WMD, payoffs to other governments, and every other dirty little secret. In response, he'll be tried by a U.S. Military Tribunal with the promise that the death penalty is off the table. Otherwise, he'll be handed off to the new Iraqi government, which I'm sure has much more devious plans for him. Public torture and beheading come to mind.

I expect Hussein will live out his years at Gitmo or some other U.S. Military base outside the United States (where the ACLU can't get to him).

 

Question

I bow to your legal knnowledge, but your scenario of SH appearing before a military tribunal - while perhaps legally correct - doesn't sound the way most people are calling it. Seems they may set up an Iraqi court to try him.

In either case, I wonder how much of the proceedings will be for public consumption? If it goes the US military route will all the proceedings be in public? Does it usually happen that way?

 

Re: Question

Well, I'm no expert on legal procedure, I'm just offering my opinion. Initial news reports have said that Saddam has been "talkative and cooperative", which leads me to think that he'll spill his guts if he gets the right deal.

I think the ideal would be a Military Tribunal similar to Nuremberg...absolutely fair trials where the defendants were allowed to retain private counsel who argued on their behalf. I don't think anyone involved in Nuremburg would ever suggest that the proceedings were not fair.

The fact that Saddam gave up without a fight and without killing himself, tells me that he's a coward. That's good, since cowards can be easily manipulated.

As for the jurisdiction of the trial....I really think that Saddam knows enough to spare him the death penalty. As long as he tells us everything he knows, I think it would be worth it to spare him.

And, let's be honest.....what kind of life will he have after his conviction? The rest of his life in a Federal maximum security prison.

 

I always understood "God Bless America" to be a petition of prayer to God for His blessing, not necessarily as a statement of fact.

 

Sounds like the right answer to me.

 

Me too! Let's not forget that a majority of Americans are Christian, and have been through out our short history.

Hey, in England they say God save the Queen!!!

 

Actually, a number of national anthems (Switzerland, Latvia, Hungary, New Zealand, South Africa--old or new--come to mind immediately) are cast in the form of prayers.

As an adherent of a religious body which refuses categorically to participate in civil religion, to me, all this is neither here nor there.