"...today’s verdict represented a moment of triumph and catharsis for many Iraqis after decades of suffering under Mr. Hussein’s tyrannical rule.
Spontaneous celebrations broke out across Iraq in spite of an around-the-clock curfew imposed on the capital and other regions. People fired pistols and assault rifles into the air in a common gesture of jubilation."
...
"'We saw this trial, along with the others, as an opportunity to bring justice to those Iraqis who had suffered horribly under Baath Party rule,' Richard Dicker, director of the international justice program at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement today. 'Unfortunately, we believe the serious shortcomings in the fairness of the proceedings undermined the legitimacy and credibility of the trial.'"
Mr. Dicker said the proceedings were marred by 'some disturbing court practices,' including, he said, the court’s failure to deliver documents to the defense in a timely manner; public criticism by government minister of the first presiding judge, Rizgar Amin, who resigned in protest in January 2006; and the failure of Mr. Amin’s replacement, Mr. Rahman, 'to demonstrate proper judicial demeanor in his management of the proceedings.'"
Now, regardless of those questions about the fairness, and true just nature of what was thought from the beginning in many minds to be a sham set-up, am I misguided for thinking that the execution of Saddam as early as the spring, will unite his Sunni supporters under a martyr figure? Instead of dissolving this insurgency as is being optimistically touted, will that lead to another large scale upwelling in violence? Remember how those U.S. forces were going to be greeted with flowers and celebrated as liberators when Saddam was overthrown? Eternal pessimist, or realist?
And in "do as I say, not as I do" news, Pastor Ted has resigned (or been removed, depending on the source) from his position over drug possession and alleged homosexual activities with a masseuse. Alter boys and wine must have lost their edge, and required some envelope pushing. Hopefully the congregations donation envelopes weren't included in any of that activity. Meanwhile a female bishop has taken over a leadership position for the first time anywhere in the Anglican church. One stride forward, one leap back.
The first game of the Slo-pitch playoffs goes today. Looking at the bracket, the one other good team we wanted to meet, got knocked out by one of the bottom seeds. The lesson learned is that we can't go in cocky and risk losing an otherwise dominant season. Its not below freezing with windchill today so, either way, it should be a fun game.
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