Saddam Hussein's Execution and Trial - discuss

NOTE: The last thread on this topic was locked because of immaturity and the somewhat disturbing attitude that some users had towards the subject. If this thread goes the same way it will be locked as well and this will be the last topic about it. I and other mods will do our best to keep this flame and spam free, as well as free of the comments that caused the other to get locked. I wanted to do this because I think we can talk about this maturely and in a reasonable fashion. I also believe this is something we should talk about, not shy away from. If you want to take a cheap shot at Saddam or make a crude joke or inappropriate comment or find a link to any videos relating to his hanging, do it elsewhere.

Back on topic:

My views have changed somewhat after considering it. Although I believe that death was probably the right form of justice for Saddam (and I have no pity for him whatsoever), I do believe that the trial process was rushed simply to appease the victims. I think he should have stood trial for every single crime he committed, and all the victims should have had the chance to present their case and evidence.

I think it's easy to question the morality and ethics of the death penalty from a detached point of view (i've done it many times myself), but when you consider the horror, and sheer wickedness of the man death does not seem like a cruel option. In the grand scheme of things, it might not achieve much for us as a society, but where is Saddam's right to life? How can you defend the life of a man who committed such atrocities?

You can't. He does deserve to die, but only because of the horror of his crimes. The death penalty isn't a "peaceful" solution, but in some cases it's necessary.

You can't. He does deserve to die, but only because of the horror of his crimes. The death penalty isn't a "peaceful" solution, but in some cases it's necessary.

Death is their way of eliminating what they are scared of. Body parts which could have saved lives have gone to waste.

 

You can't. He does deserve to die, but only because of the horror of his crimes. The death penalty isn't a "peaceful" solution, but in some cases it's necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Death is their way of eliminating what they are scared of. Body parts which could have saved lives have gone to waste.

Huh?

The way I look at this is this:

If he had to stand trial for every crime, he would have to be in prison for some and people could of tried to rescue him which would of caused alot of trouble. In my view, it wasn't done fairly but what they have decided on is their choice.

Don't you think it's just a liiiittle bit hypocrytical, though? I mean I understand the crimes he committed were completely unacceptable but even so, you can't say he's not allowed to kill and then kill him. :?

And it seems as though they're simply satisfying everyone's need for peace with a bit of violence. Though he probably would have escaped anyway.

And as for those who were purposefully looking for videos of the death - I was absolutely disgusted. People want to watch a man die? That was really surprising.

Thanks, locking the thread was unneeded, but thanks for this.

Like I said in the thread earlier, the matter is a lose/lose situation. For the people who don't want him dead, what exactly would you prefer done to him? Lock him up in jail? Let him loose?

putting saddam in front of a court was necessary, but in my opinion the court was biased. (made under US occupancy)

killing him wasnt the right way to restore justice and to unite society.

saddam didn't deserve to be hung. No one does, He killed which makes us hypocrits like Issy said to kill him

Issy: Some people want to see the video so they can see him pay for all the horrible crimes he committed.

Don't you think it's just a liiiittle bit hypocrytical, though? I mean I understand the crimes he committed were completely unacceptable but even so, you can't say he's not allowed to kill and then kill him. :?

 

 

 

The difference is though, we (or the justice system) hadn't committed crimes like he did. It's not like we're on the same playing field. Yes, killing is wrong, and by taking the life of a mass murderer we are reinforcing that to the highest.

 

Don't you think it's just a liiiittle bit hypocrytical, though? I mean I understand the crimes he committed were completely unacceptable but even so, you can't say he's not allowed to kill and then kill him. :?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The difference is though, we (or the justice system) hadn't committed crimes like he did. It's not like we're on the same playing field. Yes, killing is wrong, and by taking the life of a mass murderer we are reinforcing that to the highest.

Still hypocritical, end death by death.

Some people will wreak more havoc dead than alive.

 

Don't you think it's just a liiiittle bit hypocrytical, though? I mean I understand the crimes he committed were completely unacceptable but even so, you can't say he's not allowed to kill and then kill him. :?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The difference is though, we (or the justice system) hadn't committed crimes like he did. It's not like we're on the same playing field. Yes, killing is wrong, and by taking the life of a mass murderer we are reinforcing that to the highest.

But it boils down to this - the justice system says taking a life is wrong (which, in general, I agree with) but goes and kills Saddam. To be honest my first statement was aimed at all criminals, but him included. His crimes were terrible and I'm not denying that but no-one deserves his life taken away.

They should have shot him on sight. It would have honored his wishes, as well as ending it without a bunch of this crap.

But it boils down to this - the justice system says taking a life is wrong (which, in general, I agree with) but goes and kills Saddam. To be honest my first statement was aimed at all criminals, but him included. His crimes were terrible and I'm not denying that but no-one deserves his life taken away.

I think though the message is more along the lines of "taking the life of an innocent human being is wrong" I know that's not how it's presented but it's how I think it could be interpreted. How you define who is and who isn't innocent is what's left to the justice system.

Of course that doesn't mean that all people who have committed a crime lost their right to life, but Saddam Hussein had deliberately taken away so many people's rights to life that I see no reason why his should be respected.

They should have shot him on sight. It would have honored his wishes, as well as ending it without a bunch of this crap.

Why should we honour his wishes? Shouldn't he be made to stand trial for his crimes and accept the consequences of his actions instead of being given the easiest way out for him?

wait... whats that court in Den Haag for again? :-k

thats where the trial shouldve been held.

Issy: Some people want to see the video so they can see him pay for all the horrible crimes he committed.

But don't you see - he's not paying for them! Imagine he killed your parents. Would watching him die really make you feel better? It wouldn't bring them back. It wouldn't ease the pain of their deaths. It would do nothing except give you the knowledge that he couldn't hurt any more people.

It was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth...

But some people didnt get a chance to have a trial cause Saddam was convicted already...

Everything was too... rushed...

But then again, the longer it takes, the more dangerous it was for the people involved.

Wait wait... That would mean justice was not served properly... It should have taken as long as a judicial process should take.

On the other hand... They do have different laws and procedures in there.

Can't make up my mind... :wall:

Eh... I'd rather see him rot in jail than take the easy way out. :-k

 

Issy: Some people want to see the video so they can see him pay for all the horrible crimes he committed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But don't you see - he's not paying for them! Imagine he killed your parents. Would watching him die really make you feel better? It wouldn't bring them back. It wouldn't ease the pain of their deaths. It would do nothing except give you the knowledge that he couldn't hurt any more people.

That's what I'm saying. A lot of people want to watch the video for closure.

They should have shot him on sight. It would have honored his wishes, as well as ending it without a bunch of this crap.

That's a bad thing, it proves that supposedly our great Western democracies have a very lose hold on justice. Personally I think he should have been given life, to rot in a cell till he dies and he fades from memory only to be found dead one morning in ten years time.

70 people were killed in bombings after he was hanged, if "bringing him to justice" involves losing the lives of more innocent people, it's not worth it. They made a martyr out of him, he got his wish and whever or not Allah exists (lets not get sidelined with Gods right now), Saddam got his wish and has decent rights to believe he will go paradise.

Saying, people could of freed him or he could of escaped to set up his regime again, is balderdash locked up in a hidden location somewhere in the US (simply because it's the biggest country of the invading forces) would have worked, and besides he probably hasn't got too long before he dies naturally anyway.

the death penalty does not solve anything, no matter how bad the crimes. We caught Saddam Hussein, and we had him in custody. What good does it do us to kill him? You might as well keep him alive in the hope that he may one day regret the crimes he commited and ask for forgivness.

70 people were killed in bombings after he was hanged, if "bringing him to justice" involves losing the lives of more innocent people, it's not worth it. They made a martyr out of him, he got his wish and whever or not Allah exists (lets not get sidelined with Gods right now), Saddam got his wish and has decent rights to believe he will go paradise.

Seeing as he wasn't quite the religious sort, I sincerely doubt that mattered much to him.

 

70 people were killed in bombings after he was hanged, if "bringing him to justice" involves losing the lives of more innocent people, it's not worth it. They made a martyr out of him, he got his wish and whever or not Allah exists (lets not get sidelined with Gods right now), Saddam got his wish and has decent rights to believe he will go paradise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing as he wasn't quite the religious sort, I sincerely doubt that mattered much to him.

Actually, I'm pretty sure he was a devout Muslim.

Seeing as he wasn't quite the religious sort, I sincerely doubt that mattered much to him.

Well he's saying his prayers before he gets hanged, so while obviously not the most devout chap in town, he still had religious beliefs. Still for the Sunnis who followed him, they can use his death as a symbol more than if he's locked up in jail till he dies.