The Art of Politics

Trial By Firing Squad

Saddam appears in court, checks his chair for attached electrodes...

Saddam Hussein got his first taste of his impending doom during a visit to the Iraqi court that will be evaluating his crimes.

Defiant and at times cocky, Hussein continued to proclaim himself rightful elected leader of Iraq - of which he is most certain, as he personally created the vote total himself. The Iraqi judge, for his part, tried to contain Saddam's more fanciful claims, including slandering the Kuwaiti's and President Bush.

Increasing calls have come from more handwringing quarters asking if Saddam can get what his regime arguably never provided - a fair trial. If one defines a 'fair trial' as a trial where the defendent has a chance to go free, or a 50/50 chance of being found not guilty, then no, certainly, his trial will not meet that misguided standard.

If, however, 'fair' means justice, the rule of law, punishment befitting the crime, settlement of a debt incurred by criminal recklessness and malice - then this trial can only barely achieve fairness. For how can a court impose a punishment fitting so heinous a group of crimes as genocidal warmongering and torturous, barbaric tyranny? Saddam is unworthy even with his life to begin to compensate and deliver justice to the families of perhaps one million people who were subjugated and slaughtered under his regime.

If Saddam cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for him, unless they are in a mass grave in the Iraqi desert...

Posted by MEC2 at July 1, 2004 08:13 PM