The Death of Saddam

12/30/2006

Paul Munnis


Several people have e-mailed and have asked how I feel about Saddam being hung.


Frankly, I take no pleasure in his death.


His life was not heroic or exemplary. He caused much death and destruction. He is responsible for mass murders, he was certainly no saint. He contributed nothing of note to human-kind or to his people. His life was wasted.


But my soul does not cry out for his death. I take no pleasure in his demise. I think death by hanging to be an especially cruel form of punishment that borders on the barbaric.


In a land whose middle name is death Iraq has claimed yet another life. Mr. Bush has been a willing accomplice in killing Saddam.


There is nothing to be proud of for Mr. Bush. Saddam’s death will not give Mr. Bush a ratings bounce. Mr. Bush will not become the beloved leader of the American nation because Saddam was hung. The war in Iraq is still very much in doubt and is close to being lost. The war in Afghanistan is too. Too many Americans are dying in the mid-east and too many Iraqi’s are also dying.


This is yet another sad chapter in the ill conceived and mismanaged war in Iraq.


I was asked: “If you don’t think Saddam should have been hung -- then what should have been done?”


He should have been turned over to the UN for trial in Den Hauge on human rights violations. He should have been moved to Holland for that trial. He would have gotten life in prison with no parole as a result. There would be no issue of whether or not he got a fair trial. He would be left as an example for mankind on what happens when human rights are trampled.


“Vengeance is Mine,” said the Lord. Then vengeance is a poor excuse for murder.