White House Launches Campaign To Politicize Saddam Verdict Ahead of Midterm Elections
White House Launches Campaign To Politicize Saddam Verdict Ahead of Midterm Elections
The verdict in the trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was recently postponed until November 5, two days before the U.S. midterm elections. Media Matters has questioned whether “the date for the verdict’s release [was] set to provide maximum political benefit for the administration and congressional Republicans.”
Asked today whether the verdict would be a factor in the U.S. elections, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said, “You are absolutely right, it will be a factor.” Snow said the verdict “may fit into a larger narrative about an Iraqi government that has been doing what the president has said all along.” He portrayed the decision as yet another turning point for Iraq. “This is a benchmark episode, where the Iraqi people are taking control of their own destiny,” he said.
Watch it:
The day Hussein was captured, President Bush addressed the nation. He said the capture “marks the end his of the road…for all who bullied and killed in his name.” For ordinary Iraqis, it was “further assurance that the torture chambers and the secret police are gone forever.” Bush said, “A hopeful day has arrived. All Iraqis can now come together and reject violence and build a new Iraq.”
In the three years since, all of these claims have come undone. Since Hussein was captured:
– 2,358 U.S. soldiers have died, roughly 85 percent of the total U.S. fatalities during the Iraq war.
– Iraq has “become the “cause celebre” for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement.” [Link]
– Torture in Iraq “may be worse now than it was under Saddam Hussein, with militias, terrorist groups and government forces disregarding rules on the humane treatment of prisoners,” the U.N.’s anti-torture chief said in September. [Link]
– Prospects for the “new Iraq” have fallen sharply. The 10-member bipartisan commission that is charged with assessing Bush’s Iraq strategy has reportedly “ruled out the prospect for victory.” [Link]
Full transcript:
KUDLOW: Tony Snow, thanks for coming on the program. Let me begin with this question: Is there a November surprise come out of Iraq? Will the Iraqi court find a guilty verdict for Saddam Hussein and a possible death sentence? Rumors are flying that it’s going to come down this Sunday, November 5th — which of course will dominate the political news cycle, in the last two days in the midterms. Tony what can you tell us about this?
SNOW: Larry that is when this verdict is scheduled to come down. I’m not going to tell you what it will be, because I don’t know. But you are absolutely right, it will be a factor. But you know what, it may fit into a larger narrative about an Iraqi government that has been doing what the president has said all along which is developing the capacity to sustain itself, defend itself and govern itself and to help us out on the war on terror. And you have an Iraqi economy, as you know, that is getting stronger and the military is getting stronger and more assertive in going after terrorist elements and separatist elements within their midst and those are the kinds of things. Slowly but surely you are seeing come to fruition. It is a tough war. The enemy does not want to lose, they are dug in and they are going to fight to the finish but this important thing is you do see signs within Iraq that the government itself is taking steps to make sure there is no new era of Saddam Hussein and know new era of terror.
KUDLOW: Tony, getting Saddam Hussein on the sentence, a possible death sentence, for all of the hundreds of thousands of atrocities for which he is directly responsible. Will that be used in the last 48 hours, as an important justification for the war in iraq?
SNOW: No. i mean, you are no going to use a court verdict as a justification. The justification, though, a little bit of it lies on what you just described which is a Saddam Hussein who killed tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of his countrymen, simply because he didn’t like them or they disagreed with him. What you now have is an Iraq where people are fighting and working actively to bid a democracy where they don’t have to worry about that kind of reign of terror in the future. This is a benchmark episode, where the Iraqi people are taking control of their own destiny and saying to the world, we will not be — we are going to be free, trust us, watch usu, help us and that is what the United States is doing and that’s what we are going to do. We are going to finish the job.
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122 Responses to “White House Launches Campaign To Politicize Saddam Verdict Ahead of Midterm Elections”
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And ths verdict will stop he sectarian violence? Will it get our troops out of Iraq? I don’t think either are likely and Bush relying on this shows how cynical the GOP spinmeisters really are.
Want a good read? Try David Kuo’s new book, get a real inside view of these neocons.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:30 pmDoes anyone in the GOP actually think that it’s wise to remind us about Iraq this close to election day?
Btw, Ken Melhman can suck my rosy red dick.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:33 pmwhy else did anyone think they pushed back the sentencing till the 5th…
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:35 pmeverything they do is political…
We’ve had so many turning points I can’t remember which direction we’re supposed to be going in…
Z.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:35 pmYes Tony just one more follow up question, you and the administration are daily talking about Terrorists in Iraq and Iraq being the front lines of Iraq but why is it that 2% of bodies in the Iraqi morgue are those of foreign fighters?
Why do you continue to spin and justify the purging of our capital, blood, and credibility on a Theocracy that does not want us there. Isn’t that how Great Briatan became England?……..Mr Snow……………Tony…………Are you still there?
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:37 pmThis is going to be a disgusting display of republicans dancing in the streets and speaking in tongues.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:38 pmSo it was an impartial trial by a newly liberated nation in charge of its destiny. NOT.
The very fact that a so-called independent court 10,000 miles away is willing to delay its verdict until the eve of the US elections, show they are nothing but a puppet of neo-cons.
If this is Rove’s November surprise, I hope it comes back and bites him in the crotch, the d**kless bastard.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:38 pmBrilliant Tony Snowjob, remind us of the purple fingers strewn around iraq. Great milestones you got to run on. Sad thing is after getting all 14 markers wrong you expect us to believe you?
So impotent
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:39 pmso irrelevent
So 29%
So long
This has absolutely nothing to do with anything. Anybody with a third of a brain can spot the strategy behind postponing the verdict. I would hope that every American takes this stunt as an insult to our collective intelligence.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:40 pm69% of the public are not gonna buy the obviously contrived timing of this bullshit. Nice try, Karl.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:43 pmI would love to see the look on Rove’s face if they read a verdict of “Not Guilty”.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:44 pmYeah, we couldn’t see this one coming!
Even so, what a bunch of jerks.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:44 pmIt’s all they got. Fear from a decrepid old jailed dictator….They need to make him more scary looking, maybe put a hannibal lecter mask on him, wheel him into the room strapped to a dolly…
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:46 pmTrue JP, he’ll be guilty,not guilty or guilty with an explaination?…of course he’ll be guilty, and the neocons will honk their own horns loudly over nothing….I can hear them now..
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:48 pm“We took out your dictator Iraq,sorry we had to kill so many of you to do it, only 660,000+++,and oh by the way, we got your oil.”
Naw, people haven’t for the most part paid attention to Saddams trial. It’s been a circus from day one. Secondly it shows that Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11 as he was not charged in the WTC attack.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:49 pmSaddam makes zero difference on the war on terror wether he lives or dies, guilty or innocent.
Wait, i just got this story after i had closed this window. How does Bushco already know the verdict?? Certainly this was a fair and impartial trial right?? Knowing the verdict ahead of time makes it seems, well, kangaroo courtlike. That wouldn’t be the case now would it????
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:49 pmYeah if terros over there try to influence the elections over here by stepping up their attacks over there (dixit Cheney), why can’t we over here try to influence the elections over here by strategically postponing the verdict over there.
A lot of Iraqis will all feel warm of fuzzy about this.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:53 pmSunday, hmmm isn’t that the day the have the morning talk shows about politics?
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:53 pmHmmm. Isn’t that two days before the election? Hmmm.
Hmmm, freakin Hmmmm, goddarn hmmmmm….
How about a guilty verdict that unleashes a shitstorm of violence on Monday?
Yer doin a heckuva job screwing up everything you touch, neoconnies.
Oh, and off the Reuters wire
A blood-drenched October has passed into a violent early November as a motorcycle rigged with explosives ripped through a crowded Shiite market in Sadr City on Thursday and suspected Sunni insurgent gunmen killed a Shiite dean of Baghdad University. The attacks showed no signs of abating after at least 1,272 Iraqis were killed in the first full month of autumn and the 43rd month of the U.S. bid to quell violence and build democracy in Iraq, according to an Associated Press count.
Keep it up, neoconnies.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:55 pmHBO’s Hacking Democracy is on tonight.
Hmm do you think Dubya could postpone elections over this?
Everyone should email them and NICELY ask them to post it on Google, and youtube after their initial airing. I tried but their website timed out on the submit page. Possible there is already an email campaign.
http://www.hbo.com/ apps/ submitinfo/ contactus/ submit.do?title=Documentaries&questiontype=documentaries
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:55 pmI look forward to the day when we hear George Bush’s verdict.
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:56 pmAt this juncture, I’m guessing many Americans are thinking, “You mean Saddam Hussein is still alive?”
November 2nd, 2006 at 6:56 pmCampaign poster idea…
IMAGE:
Burning Twin Towers, juxtapose smiling George’s head between.
HEADING:
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:00 pmGeorge W. Bush, The 9/11 President
He Claims His Opponents Want the Terrorists to Win
But He Is Still Friends With the 9/11 Mastermind’s Family
Bush is TOO close to the Terrorist’s Friends and Family to be Trusted
Good thing Iraqi law doesn’t stipulate you get a “jury of your peers,”otherwise that juryroom would be filled with some nasty egos.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:00 pmI was just thinking the same thing.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:08 pmI really can’t believe that the many assorted terrorist groups in Iraq have even heard about the mid-terms, let alone devised their strategy around them.
And even if they had, and they did, it would be hard to influence much either way.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:09 pmhttp://pollster.com/house.php
Has the latest house races tracked.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:16 pmTake a good look at the tossups, even though the three poll averages look red, look closer and you’ll see the momentum building over the last three or four days.
CO-4, CA-11, CT-4 for a few.
Keep up the good fight. Five more days.
So progressives want Hussein found not guilty?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:17 pmI would love to see the look on Rove’s face if they read a verdict of “Not Guiltyâ€. - - I guess it’s too late to export the O.J. jury to Baghdad, huh?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:17 pmsince this is what is being said today,
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:17 pmtomorrow, they will re install and annoint saddam as “the best person to lead post war iraq”
the day after that, who knows?
I’ve always thought that, if this were a legitimate trial (meaning no political strings attached), Saddam would probably get off. I mean, if they can’t even get the intelligence correct to justify a war, and with everything else that went wrong and is going wrong in Iraq, how did these clowns come up with enough evidence to prosecute?
Then again, the “if” in my first sentence makes the whole question moot. Nevermind.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:18 pmIf the scimitar fits, you must acquits…
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:19 pmCan you libs even admit that the Sadam verdict is a good thing? What a host of glass is half empty complainers you folks are. Have fun living those lives losers.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:20 pmTruthyness
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:25 pmWhat is it going to accomplish? Whose lives will it change? The Iraqis want him hung and quartered on public TV. After which the Sunnis will go on a rampage for months to avenge his death.
Keep up the good work neoconnies.
#28 “So progressives want Hussein found not guilty?”
That’s all you can glean out of this thread is to twist it into a position like that? Geez.
But think about this: We removed him from power during a war that was started based on certain intelligence. Much of that intelligence has been proven wrong. So do we have a legitimate (and by legitimate, I mean hard evidence) case against him? And before you twist that, yes he is a pile of garbage who murdered innocent people and should be punished for his crimes against humanity. The question is whether our proof is good enough to legally prosecute him.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:25 pmYou know, I could do without a greater narrative, because a narrative is spin.
How about acknowledging the massive problems, Tony, in a way that tips a hat to reality?
Instead of evading responsibility, instead of blaming the troops and the generals in a perpetual narrative of “last throes”, just acknowledge what the Army already has: chaos is on the way.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:28 pmProof that politics is more important than justice to the Bush Sadministration.
Some people will never see that forest though thanks to all those goshdarn trees…
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:28 pmSo you rather he was left in power?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:31 pmKevin: “So progressives want Hussein found not guilty?”
Sure, Kevin, whatever. So Hussein will be sentenced for crimes against humanity that he committed while an ally of our country??!! And this is supposed to help republicans? OOOOOKay, we’ll see.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:34 pmSo progressives want Hussein found not guilty?
Comment by Kevin
No.
We want Karl Rove to choke on it.
We all know a “Not Guilty” verdict is ludicrous.
The man is guilty - as is Karl.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:35 pmThere was a very interesting piece just on Newsnight in the UK about the blogger Salam Pax visiting Saddam on trial. Basically, what he said was that from the Iraqi perspective, after a year of worsening violence, the verdict is now looking less and less relevant. They need peace first, then justice, he said. I guess in a world of chaos and lacking basic services, Saddam being put to death is not very useful. This is the view of one Iraqi but it seems like a sensible one. Personally, I am sick of the political bullshit coming from clueless/dishonest people like Tony Show. They all need removing so the US can have a fresh start with fresh leaders. GOTV.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:36 pmKevin: “So you rather he was left in power?”
Well, we would have approximately 100,000 fewer terrorists in the world according to our own State Department. We would have hundreds of thousands of civilians alive instead of dead and the middle east would be a bit more stable now. Right now, Kevin, your tired old argument is looking a little stale.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:37 pmThe verdict on Saddam is a “slam dunk”. We already know that he will be found guilty and that he will be sentenced to death by hanging. Such a verdict will be recognized by complete disinterest among Americans.
But, should Saddam receive a life sentence rather than death, I think it would represent just one more failure, added to a dozen others, of our little woodenhead president Pinocchio.
The next big sentence to be pronounced will be that of George Bush on trial for war crimes. I don’t believe there are any Americans who would oppose such a trial given the lies Bush and his admin. perpetrated to kill all of our soldiers and Iraqi civilians. I want to see him punished - life in prison (hard time) would be good.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:39 pm#43, I’m asking questions. not arguing
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:44 pmSo the Clintons were wrong for wanting him out of power?
“This is going to be a disgusting display of republicans dancing in the streets and speaking in tongues.”
Chuckling!
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:45 pmSo, Kevin, you would rather be gang-raped by neocon Republicans than by a terrorist?
Gee, these strawman questions are FUN? You other progressives got to try them!
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:46 pmDon’t Dems rape people with Taxes?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:51 pmKevin: “So the Clintons were wrong for wanting him out of power?”
Kevin did you major in “Strawman Argumentation” in college? The Clintons, as the record makes clear, were content to keep him under check. The Clintons did not trust Hussein and thought he may have been a threat. That’s why they favored increased inspections, no-fly zones and international sanctions. Under that regimin, he was contained and not a threat to his neighbors (according to them.) The invasion and subsequent quagmire was Bush’s choice. He didn’t have to do it and you know it, so stop with these absurd, GOP spin talking point strawmen.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:52 pmI just wonder, considering the verdict, won’t this incite a new, even more extreme wave of killings right before the elections? This may backfire on them.
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:55 pm9/11 = Nearly 3000 murders + Tens of billions of dollars in damage
Iraq = Tens of thousands of murders and maimings + $400 BILLION
Iraq = Burgeoning Shiite fundamentalist Islamic republic which has extremely close and long standing ties to Iran, a so-called axis of evil.
9/11 + Iraq = Bush’s Fundamentalist Islamic Iraq
WTF?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:55 pm9/11 = Nearly 3000 murders + Tens of billions of dollars in damage
Iraq = Tens of thousands of murders and maimings + $400 BILLION
Iraq = Burgeoning Shiite fundamentalist Islamic republic which has extremely close and long standing ties to Iran, a so-called axis of evil.
9/11 + Iraq = Bush’s Fundamentalist Islamic Iraq
WTF?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:55 pmIs kevin a Troll?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:57 pmNot a troll. just someone that disagrees with you. What a crime?
November 2nd, 2006 at 7:59 pmKevin: “Don’t Dems rape people with Taxes?”
No. Again, you’ve been spoonfed a bunch of crap. The overall tax burden for most Americans has gone up, not down. This is because most fees and state taxes have been raised to make up for a lack of federal revenue. The only group which has benefited by lower taxes are our most wealthy citizens. Kevin, you’re not really going to get anywhere here with these tired old arguments which come straight from Karl Rove central, so just give it up. See ya on voting night. I’m sure you’ll be back with more strawmen arguments.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:00 pmShades, unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s going to happen according to the insurgents themselves. The day that Saddam is sentenced to death, all hell’s going to break loose there.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:02 pmKevin: So progressives want Hussein found not guilty?
Why are you so fervently supporting the Al Dawa party and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq who are using American blood and treasure for the good of Islamic fundamentalism ?
Al Dawa party and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq are not interested in American values, America, or Americans.
Whose side are you on?
You are with the Americans or the Shiite fundamentalists?
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:04 pmYeah you right wingers remember, while you’re congratulating yourselves on the end of Saddam, that thousands of innocent Iraqis are dying (some directly, some indirectly from American actions) and thousands of new terrorists are being recruited to attack America in the future. Rah rah, keep cheering.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:04 pmKevin, don’t confuse ironic musings with desire.
Perhaps some day the ICC will say the capture of George W. Bush “marks the end his of the road…for all who bullied and killed in his name.â€
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:06 pmwhen sadaam’s trial is over perhaps the world court can put bush on trial for crimes against humanity.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:07 pmYou know this is actually not that effective a ploy.
Everyone (except the usual 30% of “faithful”) knows that Saddam had nothing to do with 9-11. The usual Al Quaeda tape will be coning out about the same time, manufactured by the Republicans, to warn us to not vote Republican (Osama Bin Rove).
None of it will work because the public is too tired of the dog and pony show.
The only thing they have left is Bush declaring war on Iran on Nov. 6 to turn the tide. Bush, by the way, is acting as Goerring-like as I have ever seen him today. Strawman, boogeyman tactics.
BUSH: “In all these vital measures for fighting the war on terror, the Democrats in Washington follow a simple philosophy: Just say no. When it comes to listening in on the terrorists, what’s the Democratic answer? Just say no. When it comes to detaining terrorists, what’s the Democrat answer?”
Herman Goerring: “It is always simply a matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
Well he better start the Iran bombing soon, otherwise he’s going to have to start locking up all of us Liberals to prevent his ass from being impeached.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:07 pmKevin, I have a question for you: Do you want him found guilty and if so, why? What is it you believe he is guilty of?
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:10 pmThat comment concerns me the most, for every time we have “turned the corner” in Iraq, more of our soldiers have gotten blown up or shot.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:10 pm28 Y, Kev - that’s what we want - we also want jihadis to decapitate our grandmas, after we tax the last dime out of their purses…..
go find a bar to get beat up in. too many are too sick of you dolts and your phony-ass strawman arguments. idiot.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:13 pmIs kevin a Troll?
Comment by Technodaoist — November 2, 2006 @ 7:57 pm
Not a troll. just someone that disagrees with you. What a crime?
Comment by Kevin
Who said we disagreed? I’m simply asking questions in order to distract… Thanks for obliging.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:15 pmKevin,
The parties in power (Al Dawa, Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq) in Iraq have a long history with Iran and with terrorism.
Saddam Hussein kept these Shiite fundamentalists at bay with the threat of execution.
Thanks to your unflinching support, Bush cut the Shiite fundamentalists loose.
How is this good for the USA?
And how is this an appropriate response to the horrific attacks of 9/11?
Is Saddam Husseins conviction suppose to make the families of 9/11 victims feel better?
Keywords: Al Dawa, Islamic Fundamentalism, Sharia, Iran and Iraq, terrorism, US Embassy attack
Example:
Message From Iran Triggered Bombing Spree In Kuwait, The Washington Post, February 3, 1984
Al Dawa, for example, is no household name in the United States.
But it is a name important to this story.
It leads us back to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the ruling figure in Iran; to Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, the militant Lebanese Shiite leader who has been implicated–despite his denials–in the Marine and French bombings in Beirut; to Hussein Musawi, Fadlallah’s strong-arm lieutenant; to the Hakim brothers in Iran and their connections to the Middle East terrorism industry.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:21 pmand Kev, you’re not just someone who disagrees, you’re an abrasive ass that uses dishonest (and lame) rhetorical devices to pick fights and annoy people. quit mimicking rush and ann, get a peashooter and go to the mall - lot more your speed.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:25 pm“We have no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with the 11 September attacks,” Mr Bush told reporters
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:28 pmBesides, this trial does not bear the magnitude of Saddams crimes. It is a simple murderous put down of would be assassins - - and their families, of course. Not unlike a Pinochet or Shah-isitic move (any given tyrant had been known to do it).
The big trial/verdict will have do with the genocide of Kurds– of course at the time, the US just stood by and watched Saddam eliminate Kurdish nationalism by wiping out entire villages (1988). It wasn’t until Kuwait that this became a crime officially in US eyes. Where did Saddam get all of hose chemicals anyway?
Yes by all means go ahead and execute this guy and all of the U.S. esrtwhile puppetmasters.
However, maybe we could be a little more focused on catching a specific one….you know the one that our CIA trained in guerrilla war tactics to drive the Russians out of Afghanistan.
His name escapes me.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:29 pmSorry, I linked the wrong part of the text.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:33 pmAs Bush would say “I find it fascinating that this is happening now… so close to elections”. (probably more of a paraphrase.)
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:41 pmThis may actually backfire on the Republicans. This may incite even greater chaos in Iraq just two days before our election. That will not sit well with the American people.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:42 pmMr Snow - and that turning point would be???? the war is over and our troops come home or is it the oil ownship papers have been finalized and signed by all parties.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:43 pmDid anybody notice the word snow stuck in there….benchmark..wonder how long before they change that to something else. Maybe when rove thinks it has run it’s course. And the dems should come up with something big big to counter this announcement. Too bad they can’t find an old video laying around to show how bush lies.
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:49 pmLET’ EM!
IT WILL BE THEIR ULTIMATE REMINDER TO FED UP AMERICAN VOTERS
THAT BUSH AND CO.
ARE CROOKS AND WAR CRIMINALS!
!
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:55 pmSNOW: …. [I]t may fit into a larger narrative about an Iraqi government that has been doing what the president has said all along which is developing the capacity [snip] to help us out on the war on terror.
Al Dawa and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq are going to help the US in the war on terror?
ROTFLAMOL!
After having spent 20+ years in exile in Iran and Syria—solely for the fact that they wanted to depose/kill Saddam Hussein and install a Shiite fundamentalist regime—the Al Dawa and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq (sic!!) are going to turn their back on Iran and Syria?
Al Dawa and the SCIRI are going to recognize Israel?
Al Dawa and the SCIRI are going to set aside the Shiite fundamentalist practices and precepts so that they can suck down chili dogs outside the Tastee Freeze with Mr Snow?
Snow needs to go to Bagdhad, don the explosive belt, and do what is best for the USA.
What a moron!!
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:07 pmAnd Bush, who is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of Iraqis?
And Cheney?
And Rumsfeld?
And Rice?
And Powell?
And the PNAC?
And Halliburton?
And Blackwater?
And CACI?
And the list goes on….
I tend to agree with an earlier comment. The sentencing of Hussein will be greeted in Iraq with more violence.
That’s as much a no-brainer as Cheney’s support for waterboarding.
If a foreign country were to invade the U.S. and capture and try and convice Bush and sentence him 2 days before an election in that foreign country, don’t you think that at least some Americans would take up arms to protest against the occupying army?
Please pray for the safety of our young women and men who are in harm’s way. It’s going to get real ugly for them starting Sunday.
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:31 pmIt’s funny that it’s OK for Cheney, Bush &co to suspect the rise of violence in Iraq to be caused by “terrorists that want the democrats to win”, but anybody that questions the timing is a conspiracy nut for Malkin.
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:34 pmI think the majority of the American public is way beyond being sucked into this kind of theater regarding Iraq.
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:59 pmDo I care? Do you care? Who cares?
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:29 pmThe idea that “terrorists” in Iraq are attempting to influence elections in the U.S. is preposterous. With less than 2 hours of electricity a day, no free press, and no ability to get good information about where their next meal is coming from, how would one ever believe this kind of claptrap? Typical bushies blather.
It’s time for bush and dick to step down.
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:34 pmIt’s going to get real ugly for them starting Sunday.
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
How much more can they take?
Rescue the Troops — Bring Them Home Now.
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:37 pm[…] This does not surprise me, nor does it surprise many others, I think. To that end, I think it’s too little too late at this point to try and win the hearts of the nation with the verdict of a war criminal. Now, if you want it to be SHOCKING news, it would have to be that the verdict is “not guilty.” Either way you look at it, it’s not going to help the Republicans much. Guilty - a small boost. Not Guilty - a large slam in the face of the administration. My guess is the reaction will be, “Finally, it’s over. Now back to the more entertaining TV/books/etc.” […]
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:18 pmthe whole Saddam verdict campaign can only backfire on the Republicans
Bush has already killed so many people way more than Saddam
on 9/11 in Iraq a lot of people have died on Bush’s Tab
foolish neo-cons here comes DEMOCRACY!!!!!!!
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:54 pmand, she is PISSED!!!!!!!!
It ain’t going to work. We all wish Saddam was still in power. Then we wouldn’t have our soldiers dying for oil.
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:00 amBUSH: “In all these vital measures for fighting the war on terror, the Democrats in Washington follow a simple philosophy: Just say no.
Republican Crowd: “ZIEG HEIL, ZEIG HEIL!!”
BUSH: When it comes to listening in on the terrorists, what’s the Democratic answer? Just say no.
Republican Faithful: “ZIEG HEIL, ZEIG HEIL!!”
When it comes to detaining terrorists, what’s the Democrat answer?â€
Republican Brownshirts: ” EInzige Nein gesagen!!! Zieg HEIL!! ZIEG HEIL! HEIL fur das Fuhrer, Der Emperor BUSH!!!!!!! Zieg HEIL!! ZIEG HEIL!
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:06 amBUSH: “In all these vital measures for fighting the war on terror, the Democrats in Washington follow a simple philosophy: Just say no.
Republican Crowd: “ZIEG HEIL, ZEIG HEIL!!”
BUSH: When it comes to listening in on the terrorists, what’s the Democratic answer? Just say no.
Republican Faithful: “ZIEG HEIL, ZEIG HEIL!!”
When it comes to detaining terrorists, what’s the Democrat answer?â€
Republican Brownshirts: ” EInzige Nein gesagen!!! Zieg HEIL!! ZIEG HEIL! HEIL fur das Fuhrer, Der Emperor BUSH!!!!!!! Zieg HEIL!! ZIEG HEIL!
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:06 amPerhaps this is a non sequitur, but I hope others get some measure of hope that things might change through our efforts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoSnTHB7hZI
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:09 amTorture in Iraq “may be worse now than it was under Saddam Hussein, with militias, terrorist groups and government forces disregarding rules on the humane treatment of prisoners,†the U.N.’s anti-torture chief said in September. [Link]
– Prospects for the “new Iraq†have fallen sharply.
*sigh* What a tragedy that the people of Iraq are squandering the golden opportunity that the U.S.-led coalition handed them when we deposed the monstrous Saddam Hussein…..
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:16 amSure, we handed them an opportunity. But without enough stability, infrastructure, and means for economic stability, it is difficult for ANY form of government to survive.
The new lean nation building model does not work. Can’t just bomb the hell out of people, force a democracy and that’s it. People can’t eat rubble.
Lugar said it on Oct 22: 40% unemployment. You cannot sustain a cohesive govt with that many unhappy people.
I’m sure that Iran is grateful anyway.
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:29 am*sigh* What a tragedy that the people of Iraq are squandering the golden opportunity that the U.S.-led coalition handed them when we deposed the monstrous Saddam Hussein…..
Comment by Exley
Ahh, what’s the matter, Ex? Finally realizing you don’t “install” democracy?
History is a bitch, huh?
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:37 amI went and voted today - Florida early elections. About 2/3rds there asked for paper ballots, had to sit on the floor to fill it out, only three desks available. There were about 12 of those over-priced electronic machines there, two were being used.
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:53 amActually, we “installed” democracy in Japan and Germany following World War II — We “installed” a democracy in Afghanistan following 9/11…I do not believe that people enjoy living under the rule of a murderous despot like Saddam Hussein.
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 amBut perhaps you are right and that Arab Muslims are incapable of running and sustaining a democratic government. Many progressives argued before the war that the Iraqi people would not be able to sustain a democracy….It seems as if they were correct.
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:59 amAfter the first operative sentence or two…
DEATH PENALTY FOR SADDAM TO BE ANNOUNCED SUNDAY, NOV 5 JUST IN TIME TO TAKE OVER THE “NEWS CYCLE” INSTEAD OF THE ELECTIONS..
I TURNED IT OFF… I CAN’T STAND THAT LIAR FROM FOX…
BY THE WAY, THE REAL SHOW WILL BE ON UTUBE. THOUSANDS OF CAMERAS WILL UPLOAD LOCAL STORIES FROM ALL AROUND AMERICA AT THE POLLS. IT WILL BE FAR BETTER THAN TELEVISION EVER WAS. IF TELEVISION LIES ABOUT ELECTION RESULTS… WE SIMPLY HAVE TO TAKE OUR DIGITAL CAMERAS AND AUDIO TO THE POLLS, DO OUR EXIT POLLS FOR OUR SELVES, AND UPLOAD TO UTUBE.
IT WILL HAPPEN.
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:05 amYes… WWII when we did nation building the old fashioned way: Built infrastructure; provided a means for economic development.
Note that the Afghan democracy isn’t fairing too well either. Of course the only economic juggernaut there is opium - let them legaize and tax the industry then.
If you are going to do it, it has to be done competently.
Another thing is that for a democracy to work, the factions have to see that there is benefit to staying together. In Germany - they had a democracy before and people who could see that benefit. For Japan - just by the nature and history of the Islands, cooperative effort was a usual thing. (Not as War Lords did of old).
For Iraq, they have never been cohesive. Kurds always wanted autonomy and Shia wanted to be with their brethren.
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:08 am#97, Eargy Earp … I really don’t disagree with anything you say, except to note that while it is true that building infrastructure and providing a means for economic development are vital to helping create a democracy, the fact is we (the U.S.) have tried to do both following the deposing of Saddam, but that “insurgents” (read “terrorists”) have thwarted those efforts by doing things such as blowing up oil pipelines and electrical stations and creating a climate of fear and terror in Iraq to the point where many Iraqis are afraid to help America rebuild their nation.
Moreover, you write: For Iraq, they have never been cohesive. Kurds always wanted autonomy and Shia wanted to be with their brethren. Indeed…And I see no problem with partitioning Iraq. Let the Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis create their own nations.
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:23 amGiving Saddam a sentence of death by hanging, before the election, will most likely backfire, because Americans would like to know why Osama is still at large and not being hanged?
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:37 amPlus since the GOPers are being outed for sexual hypocrisy in droves, this trial verdict of death for Saddam will not get much press coverage > just one day in the news!
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:40 am#99, Jay,
Again, we agree. There would be nothing better than to see Osama Bin Laden captured and executed. Here’s hoping that happens real soon.
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:41 am“I do not believe that people enjoy living under the rule of a murderous despot like Saddam Hussein”.
You know ex, I think I agree with you there. How about we do something about the Sudanese government too? What do you say?
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:43 amGreat thread! I love it. You guys give me some laughter and some hope that we can turn this country around. I remember the good old days when the economy was humming along, we all had jobs, and there was hope for the future - before George Bush.
November 3rd, 2006 at 2:15 amBush should be on the docet same docket. It would have been interesting then. It also would have been more fair. Now the verdict will be a foregone conclusion. Boring…boring…boring….
Now if Bush were on trial for similar crimes that would be interesting.
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:17 amBut I thought anyone who said the results were intentionally being pushed back to help the Republicans for election time were conspiracy theorists?
Will the media now stand up and face reality and admit this for what it is?
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:57 am“– Torture in Iraq “may be worse now than it was under Saddam Hussein, with militias, terrorist groups and government forces disregarding rules on the humane treatment of prisoners,†the U.N.’s anti-torture chief said in September”
November 3rd, 2006 at 10:43 amDidn’t he leave out someone from that list? ……..that would be YOU….the US forces, at Abu Grahab, and who knows how many other places. O.K., the YOU part is only because (almost) the majority of USers voted in this bunch of criminals to run your countrey (twice). Just because another 10 to 20 % of you claims to have woke up, doesn’t let you off the hook. Guess the world will know in a few days if you have got it, and threw the bums out……or if you left them in office.
Hussein deserved to be punished as much as Bush does.
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:04 pmfolks, Kerry’s words or Saddam’s verdict aren’t going to change the disaster we’ve made in Iraq, or the depth of corruption and lawlessness we’ve seen among the GOP… in other words, they aren’t going to impact the election, as much as Republicants would welcome it…
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:15 pm[…] I honestly have no idea what to say about this shameless bit of manipulative politics. I say all of that because the Bush administration, in one of the most shamelessly manipulative acts one can fathom, has ensured that the show trial of Saddam Hussein is scheduled to end with a guilty verdict and likely death sentence on November 5 — two days before the election. They are now openly acknowledging that they think this event should and will influence the outcome of our election. […]
November 3rd, 2006 at 12:15 pmThis is intended for republican supporters. If this forgone conclusion of a conviction doesn’t tell you what your leaders think of you nothing ever will and your vote tells them that you’ll go for anything,
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:22 pmjust as you always have. I pray that I’ll be wrong this time.
GOP Plan 2 days before U.S. Election:
“Sunday with Saddam” (tie-up the news cycle-as usual) - see America bush & GOP are ‘gettin’ the evildoers’ for yer safety!! Saddam’s been hanging out in that courtroom for HOW LONG NOW??!! It took ALL THIS TIME?! So obvious-SO DESPERATE.
November 3rd, 2006 at 1:32 pm89 - Ex:
Strictly speaking, there was no “opportunity” to extend, post-invasion. Saddam had, in fact, in spite of being murderous and contemptible, been keeping a lid on all the tensions that fed strife in Iraq prior to his seizure of power, and have been feeding it since our woefully ill-advised invasion.
November 3rd, 2006 at 3:27 pmWithout providing way in advance for a stable organization to transfer power to (and you cannot count Chalabi’s little crew) immediately after Saddam’s regime (statue) was toppled, the US was, with deliberate negligence, uncorking the genie that everyone who knew anything about that coutry knew was there.
I agree with several of the above posts: this is meaningless, at least as far as the election is concerned and only suffices to keep Iraq at the top of the news. This will not push an undecided voter one way or the other - and it DOES look desperate. Just like the whole Kerry thing did. There is simply no current/important event they can talk about right now that does anything for Republicans. I have no idea if this will turn into Democratic control of the House or Senate, but it has been so refreshing to watch these botched attempts at whipping up a public frenzy. That feels new, after these last few years.
November 3rd, 2006 at 3:34 pmNO 84.. says.
“the whole Saddam verdict campaign can only backfire on the Republicans
Bush has already killed so many people way more than Saddam
on 9/11 in Iraq a lot of people have died on Bush’s Tab
foolish neo-cons here comes DEMOCRACY!!!!!!!
and, she is PISSED!!!!!!!!
Comment by cyberEd — November 2, 2006 @ 11:54 pm”
Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11. Neither did the 655,000 dead people in Iraq, most under 15 years old.
November 3rd, 2006 at 4:56 pmBush = Stalin
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:14 pmBeyond belief. Even the most naive, unthinking citizen will not be influenced by this drivel. Hussein’s sentencing is utterly meaningless, given the debacle the war was become. The emphasis on this trial demonstrates how extraordinarily impotent and powerless Bush and his ilk have become. “The Architect” is anything but - he is little more than an obese clod with no foresight.
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:13 pm[…] Watch video […]
November 4th, 2006 at 2:16 amI hope Tony Snow and the two jerks ahead of him are put on trial just as Bush Will be when the new year takes over and the Dems gain control!!!!His lies and arrogance are something else!!!!!!!
November 4th, 2006 at 8:59 amI am sorry for all of the bad feelings. May I just say that I and my family are thankful to the sacrifices of all americans for ridding our country of the dictator Saddam
November 5th, 2006 at 11:17 amSaddam was not the dictator of America. We do have a President who I believe is trying to be come dictator of America. Saddam may have ordered many evil thing to be done to people in HIS country. But that was his country, his rule and his way of leading. What makes us so different. We torture, kill innocent people, start wars, hold people in prison for no reason. Who are we that we are so mush bigger than the Iraqi people? This guy (Saddam) was used, is used and being used. He is just a political pawn.
Time to Vote! Saddam in play again. I’m waiting for Bin Laden to come out of his cave and make another play for the Republican Party.
November 5th, 2006 at 11:17 pmSaddam was not the dictator of America. We do have a President who I believe is trying to be come dictator of America. Saddam may have ordered many evil thing to be done to people in HIS country. But that was his country, his rule and his way of leading. What makes us so different. We torture, kill innocent people, start wars, hold people in prison for no reason. Who are we that we are so mush bigger than the Iraqi people? This guy (Saddam) was used, is used and being used. He is just a political pawn.
November 5th, 2006 at 11:18 pmTime to Vote! Saddam in play again. I’m waiting for Bin Laden to come out of his cave and make another play for the Republican Party.
Eargy Earp, I agree with you, the Nazi party and the Bush admin are very similiar. They get power by tragedies. Sadam Hussein has nothing to do with US attacking Iraq. He’s just another puppet to the Bush and Co. scheme of things. I think it should be Bush , Chaney, and Rumsfield who should be put on trial and then when found guilty, should be hung along with Hussein. Heck, Hussein is a saint compared to those three characters. US, please wake up!!
November 6th, 2006 at 4:35 amTony, my man, YOU are a douchebag among douchebags, you big douche you! 6 feet+ of doucheiness, the duke of douche, the grand emperor of all things douchey. To call you a douche is an offense to douchebags everywhere, your douchefullness knows no bounds, you go where know douche has gone before. And that’s an understatement.
November 6th, 2006 at 1:00 pm[…] Nobody should be surprised by this. . .this is the “modus operandi” of the Bush administration. . .take anything and everything you can and attempt to turn it into political gain. In a season where nearly every respected pollster is declaring that a Democratic tidal wave in next Tuesday’s mid-term is inevitable, it is to be expected that Bush and his Chief Election Manipulator, Karl Rove will pull out all the stops to make the President, who is mighty toxic politically these days, look good. . .and in turn, attempt to make his party look good as well. . .All of this, in hopes of hanging on to power. . .sad. . .truly and pitifully. . .sad. Need further proof? Look no further than this story about Saddam Hussein’s recently-concluded trial and the impending verdict. . .which, oddly enough, will be announced just 2 days before the election. Thanks, as always, to ThinkProgress for the story and the video. Check it out: […]
November 7th, 2006 at 1:34 am