posted December 31, 2006 01:53 AM
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Published: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 06:20 GMT 06:20 UK
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 23:05 GMT 23:05 UK
No one has the right to take the life of another, regardless of what they have done. Saddam was an evil man but he should have been given a trial at the Hague and should have been imprisoned for what he did rather than executed. The execution looked like it was carried out by some form of militia rather than the legitimate government of Iraq. It looked like one of the videos we have seen of the execution of western hostages.
Nicky Whiting, Cambridge
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 23:05 GMT 23:05 UK
As a Middle East specialist I view this action as a judgement by the people and governmant of Iraq. It's their business, the rest of us have no grounds for comment one way or the other. On the other hand, I believe it's incumbent on the media to respect the justice meted out this morning by the Iraqis, and be culturally sensitive enough to support the action by simply no longer showing Saddam's picture in any form, or for that matter even mentioning his name. Oblivion - true justice for him.
Dick Barratt, Carmel Valley CA USA
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 23:05 GMT 23:05 UK
Why was Saddam not tried at the Hague for Genocide like other leaders. In this case he could not have received a death sentence.
His hanging was pre planned by the Americans and carried out by the puppet Iraqi government.
ajmal nasir, manchester
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 23:04 GMT 23:04 UK
2 wrongs don't make a right!
niraj shah, london
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 23:04 GMT 23:04 UK
It seems hard that we in the civilised world would wake-up to the news that the ruler of IRAQ has been put to death when the two leaders that put him their are either asleep or on holiday!
The only person that the British government can put up for comment is our new foreign secretary who because of the time of year and our seasonal climate, was not away on a caravan holiday.
How can anyone think that we are not under the spell of the USA when our leader is holed-up in the USA and when this
peter payne, burnham on crouch
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 23:03 GMT 23:03 UK
I think that it is unacceptable that in the 21st Century we still have such inhuman acts. I don't believe that Saddam was a saint and neither do I believe that he did not deserve punishment but not in this way.
His executers just proved that they are as good as him: remorseless killers.And is Saddam's death going to solve Iraq's problems?hardly.It will only worsen them.
Anastasia, Berlin
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 23:03 GMT 23:03 UK
Sadam needed to be executed for his crimes against his own people, the Iranians and the world. This is the just punishment for all murderers, expecially terrorists irregardless of the circumstances.
Ian T Blacker, Lamar
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:59 GMT 22:59 UK
Not to forget that Saddam had a very cruel upbringing during his early years of childhood. Being brutally beaten and only God knows what other painful experiences Saddam had been put through by his stepfather.
Saddam should have received professional help.
Capital Punishment/ Public Execution is a cheap and quick way to get rid of sick people in society, but in the long run it does not help or prevent the loss of further lives, instead it makes us just as bad and heartless as the perpetrator
shazna begum, north london
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:59 GMT 22:59 UK
Only if humans could answer hate with forgiveness (love), we would have a better world. I am strongly against killing in any shape and form. Only god has the right to take life.
Sina Rabbani, Laguna Beach, CA
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:59 GMT 22:59 UK
I don't understand the gloating.
Saddam was just hanged for an incident that occurred in 1982, while he was our ally. Why didn't we cut off relations with the "monster" then?...Because he was too helpful against Iran, and served our purposes.
He is accused of using the poision gas the CIA gave him in 1983 against the Kurds in '89. Now, gassing civilians is a horrific crime against humanity, but who is more guilty, the dictator who used it or the country that gave it to him?
Brian Kasbar, Spokane, WA
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:59 GMT 22:59 UK
I guess a lot of people feel justice has taken its course. That may well be, but beware of selective justice that breeds only hatred and violence... I hope the Americans won't have to regret another miscalculated move, that might backfire in their direction. Counting all the screw-ups so far (whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine or the Lebanon), one wonders if the World isn't run these days by amateurs. But then of course, Saddam got sentenced by an Iraqi court..
J
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:59 GMT 22:59 UK
Irrespective of what Saddam's past actions he did not receive a fair trial in Iraq. I think he had a better chance of a proper trial in US courts if that was ever jurisdictionally possible. Plus seeing people celebrating a death, again no matter what he was found guilty of doing in the past is deeply disturbing. justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.
Peter, NYC, USA
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:58 GMT 22:58 UK
The hanging of Saddam was pointless because he was a leader but also a fighter that did not fear death however he would of feared life behind bars and poorly treated this would of been better than sending him to his death which he would of wanted. Us Britains do not have the death penalty anymore so why invade somewhere and then allow them to keep the death penalty when the country where the troops are from dont allow someone to be killed by the law.after all we are ment to bring peace ti iraq.
Francis Twizell, Blackpool
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:58 GMT 22:58 UK
The death of one does not create a balance with the deaths of hundreds of thousands caused by an illegal invasion
Richard Donaldson-Alves, kanthararom
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Added: Saturday, 30 December, 2006, 22:47 GMT 22:47 UK
Does anyone deserve to die?
Sophie
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