Granted, the jeering did nothing to enhance the perceived legality of the execution. Nor did it enhance the credibility of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that it was carried out in such a non-professional manner.
The taunts of "al-Sadr" by the onlookers shouldn't be taken as a sign of that pseudo-cleric's strength. They were just trying to get under the skin of Saddam Hussein.
What the U.S. can really take away from Saddam Hussein's execution is other people have their own minds. If the U.S. makes a point of endorsing a candidate, relevant voters will rebel. No nation's leader will allow themselves to be seen as taking orders from the U.S. So they will rebel too, even if their choice is ill-advised. And that includes Iraq. Yes, we fought a war to get rid of Saddam Hussein
But that's the thing about a gift. Once you give it, it's theirs.
4 comments:
Saddam’s execution
His trial on the TV was
simply TV, and when they said
he would hang I didn’t listen, didn’t think,
that what they intended,
was to kill him.
Switched on the TV and watched
in uncomfortable silence and pity
for an old man in his best coat
so strong is my pity
I feel a rush of fear, to die
a most awful prospect
how would I cope, would I fight
and struggle and so to be dragged
snotted and panting to that place
bleeding and shouting, dignity
forgotten in the mess, a spectacle
for the press, to headline and to judge,
to spin in their carousel of shallow
temporary reverence.
Or would I cope and keep
a grip on the then and now
to focus on the task and face
the inevitable with cool grace
compliant with respect for them
who wish my end, but I shall not rush
I’d have my say, with steady poignant
voice, my final words declare;
that I repent and I regret; and I’ll forgive
the taunting masks with their rope
I’d whisper, ‘don’t be afraid’ get on
and be swift in your work.
This last, I hope, would endure
as an echo in their mind,
to haunt, in quiet reflection; not to die
but to live and to remind.
I think you wrote off the Al-Sadr taunts too easily. Yea, they were trying to get under his skin right before his swing time.
But it could also be that the hooded henchmen WERE supporters of Al-Sadr. and why would this be a shock? The majority of the population are Shi'a - as you well know. So guess what happens in an election? Who wins the majority?
We took Iraq away from Saddam and handed it to the next Ayatollah Khomeini. The audio from the cell phone video camera is just more evidence of this happening while we watch.
Iggy,
I do tend to give al Sadr short shrift because he lacks the chops of a real cleric. And he is clearly teaming up with thugs and that is eroding his popular support. Al Sadr is a short-timer in my book. His strategy is off.
Possibly. So maybe Al-Sadr is not the next Ayatollah Khomeini. But someone is. And I do think this is road Iraq is heading into.
10 years from now Iraq and Iran will be good close personal friends. Odd considering how the memory of the Iran/Iraq war is still somewhat fresh in the memories of so many people living in that region.
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