Ding, dong, Saddam is dead . . . almost
Apparently, Saddam will shortly shuffle off this mortal coil. Although I am not filled with glee at this prospect, I must say I disagree with Cardinal Martino and other Catholics who believe this situation does not merit the death penalty. Saddam Hussein's crimes were an outrage against the whole people of Iraq and his staying alive does imperil civil society in that country. Even if it is unlikely he would return to power in the way he was before, he is still a rallying point for Baathists and Sunni insurgents. Although his death would create a certain amount of "martyrdom", it would also end his "cult of Saddam", which is still strong and exists as long as he lives. All in all, Saddam is one of those few cases that really does cry out for capital punishment. Justice must be tempered with mercy - but it is hardly merciful to the people of Iraq to allow Saddam to go on living.
Although the commenter at small dead animals who suggests "I'm for letting him live. In a cell. With one television. Tuned to the View. Until eternity", may have a point . . .
posted by Meg Q at 12/29/2006 04:57:00 PM
3 Comments:
Hi-ho, Meg,
I think it was "shaken" who made that hilarious remark about "The View." I started to say over there that that was a punishment that should be reserved for the worst dictators and serial killers.
I'm completely in agreement with you. Although you know that I am very fond of the Catholic Church, (I probably have about equal regard for Catholicism and Protestanism) I'm very much in disagreement with those who were against Saddam's execution.
My perspective is that were Saddam to be left alive, those that preserved him would have been enablers for more terrorism and bloodshed. For some dictators, being arrested and taken before the Hague is more like a switch to a new career path than punishment that fits the crime. I was also surprised but please to see how quickly the execution took place. After the trial, I could just see the MSM and the chattering classes comfortably settling back in their chairs, stirring some half and half into their lattes, and getting ready for an orgy of nuanced, critical examination of why Saddam was not altogether a nice fellow, of course, but still, it really was all Bush's fault.
A few clowns are out there still trying to do that now. I guess they were shocked that their subject pacifier was so quickly removed from their teething ring.
Personally, my feeling is that anytime, any way, under any pretext, a monster like Saddam can be eliminated, that is a very good day.
************************
Note... D Magazine said that Peggy Sue's BBQ restaurant in Snider Plaza is the best barbeque in Dallas. Well, after a decade's absence, my wife and I went over there to check it out. Meg, this barbeque at Peggy Sue's is horrible. It's like trying to eat dried out pieces of cat. Believe me, we can show you places around the metroplex that have barbeque to die for. It makes me wonder if someone paid off D Magazine... And for what it's worth, the waiters were 'tranees'. (I'm speaking in the completely weird sexual sense.)
All you folks here in Big D, spare yourself the ghastly experience. Write off Peggy Sue's BBQ in Snider Plaza.
--Greg in Dallas
Hi Meg, it's me again.
..came over and saw the same topic is up, so I might as well add something.
Down here in Big D there is now a Catholic radio station called the Guadalupe Network. I listen to it and enjoy the specifically Catholic perspective that the network espouses. I'm glad Catholics have a network, although I could do without the overt competitiveness with Lutherans, Methodists, etc.,etc.
Unfortunately, I have heard opinion on this network that is regretful about Saddam's death when looking at it from a Catholic moral perspective. (Also they're big on illegal immigration.)
Well, I like the network. However, I am pleased that the face of Catholicism in the United States is Bill O'Reilly and Laura Ingraham. Now here you have two aggressive and unapologetic Catholics who speak to the nation as a whole and are very pleased with Saddam's execution. So it is nice to know that there are distinguished and famous Roman Catholics who disagree with some of the opinion on the Guadalupe Network.
Finally, I'll say that I wish Protestants and Catholics had sister churches, like cities do. And people would be encouraged to go back and forth as they wished between Protestantism and Catholicism, viewing both as equal participants in the Christian tradition. Each having something unique to add, each contributing to the whole, and each helping the other retain perspective.
Insane, I know. It will never happen, but that would be the way I would run things if I were God.
--Greg in Dallas
Great points, you called it well, I agree; although living in a 'spidey hole' for the rest of his life would have been a worse fate for Saddam. Like his sons, he got off easy.
Seems the Wicked Witch theme was strong before and after his death.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe sings
DING DONG THE BUTCHER'S DEAD...
if there is a BIG bad HELL
Saddam's registered by NOW
.
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