(Updated below)
It seems pretty obvious that Saddam Hussein will be executed this weekend. Within hours actually. It’s nearly 4:00PM EST here in NYC, which means it’s nearly midnight in Baghdad. Saturday already. So, if an early morning execution is scheduled, it would be just in time for a prime time announce here and the long weekend news cycle to expand.
My thinking in this regard is “sources” don’t release such information simply to be proven wrong. Not in regard to something this important. The time and place of his death are tightly held secrets impossible to know unless you are given specific information. So, Saddam will be dead before the cock crows, as it is said.
The general consensus amongst Iraqi’s towards Hussein’s imminent death, much like their attitude toward his incarceration, seems to be mixed.
Apparently, the execution will be videotaped, and you can expect that video to be “leaked” and it will most definitely appear on most of the conservative blogs first since they have a direct line to the White House propaganda machine. It will be on You Tube no doubt as well, and all the rage by next week. Expect a still picture or two first, then the video. It may take a number of days to play out. Although, there is still a chance it will also be aired on Iraqi TV.
My perspective on all of this is pretty simple: While I’ve no love for a scum bag such as Hussein, let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that his execution was the result of a real democratic court process. From the beginning, the outcome was preordained. That’s not democracy by a long stretch. So, the conservative posturing on this is just silly and rather sad. The proof is rather obvious: Three members of Hussein’s defense team were killed, yet no mistrial occurred. Speaks for itself. Matthew Yglesias has a post on principles in regard to this matter that is worth reading.
It was a constructed media circus meant to be used to political advantage. It had nothing to do with democracy. Like every other aspect of the Iraq Debacle- the war, the reconstruction and the battle for hearts and minds- Saddam’s trial was mishandled. But, the wingnuts eat it up.
I’d have a lot more respect for right wing goose steppers such as Allahpundit at Hot Hair if they simply admitted that the Hussein trial was a public relations effort to prop up the new Iraqi government and to be used as political ammunition by the White House as needed. It was a failure in both instances. Placing public relations before policy is always a mistake. But, tell that to the true believers.
They should have gotten rid of Saddam in the same manner his son’s were eliminated. If you are going to do it, do it fast and move on. The Kurd’s were more than willing to do the deed, and had the opportunity as well. But, it was decided to make a circus of it all, to literally mock democracy, and it’s pretty obvious to most, thus the “mixed” attitude of the Iraqi public. They’ve got more important things to worry about, such as will there be electricity this afternoon and will I get killed by a bomb if I go to Mosque?
The media aspect of it all is interesting as well. I find it interesting how such propaganda, when it suits their needs, is like heroin to the wingnut bloggers. They see a kangaroo court and an execution as true vindication for their rabid and misplaced support of a losing policy and a lost war. Rather telling isn’t it?
Update: Drudge has the bright red font up announcing Hussein’s imminent execution, and links to Breitbart, which says that witnesses to the event are being assembled. So, as predicted, he’ll hang tonight. It will be interesting to see if it’s broadcast on Iraqi TV, Taliban style. Doubtful, but possible I suppose. The propaganda value is pretty powerful, but the concerns for Sunni uprisings may be too great for such a broadcast. Expect stills and then leaked video, as noted earlier.
Update 2: Hussein is confirmed executed. Will comment on the video and such when it occurs.
