Originally Posted By JohnS1 Death by hanging - to be completed within 30 days of today's date. Two other death sentences, one life sentence, three get 15 years and one minor party official released. Get ready for supportive AK47 fire in the air in Baghdad... And my favorite aspect of this trial - Ramsey Clark ejected from the court.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Minor correction- he's got 30 days to file an appeal, and there's no limit on how long the appeal can take, but CNN said probably 3-4 weeks. If the verdict is confirmed, then he has to be hanged within 30 days. This wasn't unexpected, of course, and now people are making hay over the timing, so close to Tuesday's elections. I don't see where it makes a difference. This was one of the biggest foregone conclusions in legal history. Had he been acquitted, THEN you'd see a reaction, both here and in Iraq. He's got another trial yet, but nothing was said if that one goes to completion before this sentence can be carried out. Likely not. Hanging is a rather brutal way to go. He had previously requested a firing squad, but was told only military courts have those. Curiously, the Iraqi president is in Paris right now.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer The appeal would take approximately two years, with the trial ending on the Sunday before the first Tuesday of November, 2008.
Originally Posted By JohnS1 "Hanging is a rather brutal way to go." But it sure beats having your head hacked off, or being shoved in a chipping machine.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <a href="http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7042&Itemid=21" target="_blank">http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index. php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7042&Itemid=21</a> Statement by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on Verdicts Issuedby the Iraqi High Tribunal Sunday, 05 November 2006 U.S. EMBASSY – BAGHDAD News Release Statement by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on Verdicts Issuedby the Iraqi High Tribunal "Today is an important milestone for Iraq as the country takes another major step forward in the building of a free society based on the rule of law." - - - - "A former dictator feared by millions, who killed his own citizens without mercy or justice, who waged wars against neighboring countries, has been brought to trial in his own country – held accountable in a court of law with ordinary citizens bearing witness. Although the Iraqis may face difficult days in the coming weeks, closing the book on Saddam and his regime is an opportunity to unite and build a better future. As the Iraqi people move forward, the United States will support them in their efforts to build a just and democratic society. "
Originally Posted By crapshoot <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov" target="_blank">http://www.whitehouse.gov</a> November 6, 2006 | Last Updated 12:48 a.m. (EST) President's Statement on the Saddam Hussein Verdict President Bush on Sunday said, "Today, Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced to death by the Iraqi High Tribunal for the massacres committed by his regime in the town of Dujayl. Saddam Hussein’s trial is a milestone in the Iraqi people’s efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law -- it's a major achievement for Iraq’s young democracy and its constitutional government."
Originally Posted By crapshoot <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/05/AR2006110500774" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/05/AR2006110500774</a> Bush Applauds Hussein Verdict On the Campaign Trail, Both Parties Hail Court's Decision By Peter Baker Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, November 6, 2006; Page A16 GRAND ISLAND, Neb., Nov. 5 -- President Bush and politicians from both parties hailed the conviction of Saddam Hussein on Sunday but disagreed on its larger meaning as campaign strategists tried to gauge the political impact just 48 hours before hard-fought midterm elections. Some key strategists in both parties, however, said they doubted the verdict would make much difference. In a campaign that has been dominated by debate over the Iraq war, it provided a rare day of good news for Bush at a key moment, they said, but most voters had already made up their minds about how they view the situation there. "It makes the environment incrementally better but only incrementally," said Ed Rogers, a Republican lobbyist close to the White House. "It reminds everybody of what a bad guy Saddam was. It reminds everybody of why we were there in the first place. I don't know that it drives any votes at this point. I wish it did, but it doesn't." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This is all the Republicans needed, but it is just too late in the day for any real difference to occur. Notice that it made Sec A, but way back on Page 16. Interesting.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper If someone is voting tomorrow and they are only considering Iraq when they pull the lever, that is unfortunate.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Perhaps, but it was that very thing that the GOP wanted folks to do in 2004.
Originally Posted By Shooba While it's not a good idea to cast a vote based soley on one issue, at least the Iraq War is a major issue worthy of a voters attention, and not a distraction like gay marriage or flag burning.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <Perhaps, but it was that very thing that the GOP wanted folks to do in 2004.> That's not the way I recall it.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <Perhaps, but it was that very thing that the GOP wanted folks to do in 2004.> That's not the way I recall it.
Originally Posted By DAR I'd rather have an election be about something other than "hey were not the other guys."
