Letters to the Editor
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Saddam: The death of a dictator
Juan Cole begs the question, justice or revenge?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave advice, I believe, to his son on giving a speech, “be concise, be brief, be seated.” ; assuming that relates to making a point, I will follow that advice.
We all know who and what Saddam Hussein was. He was a tyrant who ruled with a heavy hand. He mercilessly butchered people he perceived as enemies, along with his enemies, or for that matter, anyone who even resembled a perceived opponent. He has been compared to Hitler, Stalin, et al.
For many years, where it was convenient for the United States, Hussein was their man. The U.S. had him on a short leash even when he fell out of favor and Hussein never posed a threat against the United States. Yes, he barked no differently than North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, but never bit. In actuality, Kim Jong Il poses a legitimate threat to the United States and yet, he is left alone rattling his pocket knife.
When Hussein’s hubris and self aggrandizement took over all of his senses, he attacked Kuwait to expand what Hussein perceived as his glorious empire of Iraq. When he was checked by George H.W. Bush, he publicly declared he was going to put a hit on the former President.
It has been widely admitted to by many senior staffers that George W. Bush Jr. wanted to attack early on in his presidency. The events of 9/11 gave President Bush, in his mind, the green light to exact his revenge.
The United States has entered into a an inexplicable war. Costing many thousands of innocent American and Iraqi lives for no clearly definable reason, this occupation of Iraq continues. G.W. Bush Jr. has admitted to his many mistakes in this decision and yet, there exists no end-game or strategy.
In closing, George Bush’s mandated execution of Saddam Hussein is the crowning achievement to the President’s many failures in this entire matter.