NationStates Jolt Archive

Hi all -- Just could not help but snicker after seeing this headline! What do you think this means about the character of Saddam? Do you think that most/all despots would have similar personality traits if under the same situation (out of power/in prison/being held accountable)?? And feel free to expand on this whole Saddam issue if you want -- such as can he ever get a fair trial in Iraq?

See the Article: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13495887/

the man is hungry, it makes sense

It was not so much as a hunger strike as a protest.

Unless you mean to say skipping a meal is qualifies as one...

Now that's selfless courage and determination :D

If he would have persisted he'd probably have gotten lunch in the form of an enema or something, like those poor chaps in Guantanamo.

It takes more than a missed meal to constitute a hunger strike.

what a f***in moron.

Hi all -- Just could not help but snicker after seeing this headline! What do you think this means about the character of Saddam? Do you think that most/all despots would have similar personality traits if under the same situation (out of power/in prison/being held accountable)?? And feel free to expand on this whole Saddam issue if you want -- such as can he ever get a fair trial in Iraq?

See the Article: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13495887/

1. Oh, he's the kind of guy who shows real commitment to his cause. Recall him cowering in a hole in the ground on some guy's farm. Then again, he does like those Cool Ranch Doritos.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8288955/

2. The Iraqis are trying him. Think about it. He spent most of his life fucking them over, and killing their family members. He's getting a fair trial, followed by a first-class hanging.

His minions lasted longer, they missed lunch and dinner before they decided to follow the leader. His glorious example and dedication to his holy cause will be long remembered and emulated.

His minions lasted longer, they missed lunch and dinner before they decided to follow the leader. His glorious example and dedication to his holy cause will be long remembered and emulated.

You know, when people talk about American fast-food and junk-food taking over the world, remember the power of Doritos - it stopped Saddam from a hunger strike.

Maybe those Amnesty International people and International Committee of the Red Cross should put Doritos in care packages for detainees. This raises the question - is denial of junk-food torture?

2. The Iraqis are trying him. Think about it. He spent most of his life fucking them over, and killing their family members. He's getting a fair trial, followed by a first-class hanging.
It's not a fair trial if three of his defence lawyers have been murdered, and several members of the court coerced into withdrawing from the trial. Had the killings, threats and intimidation happened to a US court, the trial would have been moved or re-run long ago.

It's not a fair trial if three of his defence lawyers have been murdered, and several members of the court coerced into withdrawing from the trial. Had the killings, threats and intimidation happened to a US court, the trial would have been moved or re-run long ago.

I'd agree with you except...

...Do you really think it matters? Can Saddam Hussein get a fair trial?

I think it's an impressive display of security that he's still alive.

It's not a fair trial if three of his defence lawyers have been murdered, and several members of the court coerced into withdrawing from the trial. Had the killings, threats and intimidation happened to a US court, the trial would have been moved or re-run long ago.

I'm not saying that it's perfect. It's an Iraqi court, not a US court. And, the people killing his lawyers are Iraqis as well - not US soldiers. One can hardly hold the US to blame for the manner in which the trial is conducted.

I suppose that it might have been less exciting to send him to the Hague, but he would never have been executed there, and I'm sure that by handing him over to an international court (which would make many Europeans happy) we would have pissed off the Kurds and Shiites, which would effectively triple the insurgency in Iraq. We have our hands full with the Sunnis, and a few rogue Shiite elements.

Maybe he's just striking between the meals. :)

Maybe he's just striking between the meals. :)
That's called "the American Diet" and you know how poorly that weight loss program works.

1982: Invades Iran
1988: gasses Kurds
1990: Invades Kuwait, promises that the US led coalition will be defeated in the "Mother of all Battles"
1991: Proclaims himself victor of the 100-hour war.
2003: looses entire nation in 3 weeks. Later captuered in hole in dirt.
2005: hunger strike lasts 10 hrs.

Anyone else notice the downward trend? :cool:

1982: Invades Iran
1988: gasses Kurds
1990: Invades Kuwait, promises that the US led coalition will be defeated in the "Mother of all Battles"
1991: Proclaims himself victor of the 100-hour war.
2003: looses entire nation in 3 weeks. Later captuered in hole in dirt.
2005: hunger strike lasts 10 hrs.

Anyone else notice the downward trend? :cool:

He's tired. Give the man some credit. It takes a lot out of a man to be a ruthless dictator.

1982: Invades Iran
1988: gasses Kurds
1990: Invades Kuwait, promises that the US led coalition will be defeated in the "Mother of all Battles"
1991: Proclaims himself victor of the 100-hour war.
2003: looses entire nation in 3 weeks. Later captuered in hole in dirt.
2005: hunger strike lasts 10 hrs.

Anyone else notice the downward trend? :cool:

He should have stuck to his writing career.

He should have stuck to his writing career.
Bestsellers, I hear.

Bestsellers, I hear.

It's easy to write a bestseller if you're an all-powerful dictator.

Aww Man............I wish he would keep his hunger strike. Just imagine what a great day it would have been to hear he died!

It's not a fair trial if three of his defence lawyers have been murdered, and several members of the court coerced into withdrawing from the trial. Had the killings, threats and intimidation happened to a US court, the trial would have been moved or re-run long ago.
I agree.

I don't believe that the trial can be properly characterized as "fair", though they are at least trying.

...Do you really think it matters? Can Saddam Hussein get a fair trial?
Yes, he would have received a fair trial in the Hague, no scope for intimidation there, although he would have died in prison before it was concluded.

Yes, he would have received a fair trial in the Hague, no scope for intimidation there, although he would have died in prison before it was concluded.
I've gotten the impression that the length of your trial at the Hague is on a 1 to 1 time basis with how many years you were a ruthless dictator.

I've gotten the impression that the length of your trial at the Hague is on a 1 to 1 time basis with how many years you were a ruthless dictator.
And you're basing this assumption on Milošević alone?


Besides, he wouldn't be sent to the Hague. There are no competent courts to handle this case there.