I try not to comment on what I do not know enough about, but in reality I will never know enough about anything.
Saddam’s execution was wrong wrong wrong wrong.
Why?
1. Capital Punishment in all forms in wrong. The explanation of why is for another day or another blog.
2. A person should never act out in anger. It is best to wait till the anger cools and act rationally. This argument applies to society also.
Meaning the current state of the US and Iraq is very politically volatile. The volatile situation makes policy wrong. Simple.
In the US we can look at history, moments in which we acted because of fear or anger, and we made poor decisions. For example, interning Japanese-American citizens during World War II = wrong decision, McCarthyism= wrong decision, Patriot Act =wrong decision. (well the Patriot Act is debatable, but that is only because we are still in these volatile times, I am positive the future will tell us it is a wrong decision.)
My point being, Iraq and the US are acting in anger. Waiting to kill someone after the smoke has cleared is always a better idea, regardless of the situation.
3. Death is permanent. We have lost so much information from Saddam. We have lost any use of leverage or symbolism he may have maintained.
4. Martyrdom is stronger than just rotting in prison. Martyrs are always remembered, did we just create one? Update: Yes people already are claiming he is one!
5. Justice. The matter in which Saddam was tried is clearly unjust. It does not matter if the man is definitely guilty, the trial’s failure to be fair will forever be a stain on the legitimacy of the US and the Iraqi government.
Symbolism is powerful. Saddam is a huge symbol. His death is a huge symbol. Therefore the process to determine his guilt has to be fair, otherwise his death is a symbol of everything wrong with the US and Iraq.
Emerging Democracies take something we Americans often forget because it is so inherent in our way of life, faith in the system. If the people do not believe that democracy works, (as in unfair trials and puppet governments) than they will not vote, not push for fair elections, not participate in the civic process, not believe that their interests and rights will be protected (and therefore resort to violence to protect themselves), or willing to accept their defeat because of the will of the majority (again resort to violence or coups because not willing to accept the defeat). Meaning, without faith in democracy, democracy fails! Democracy is definitely struggling in Iraq now (or failing depending on who you are), and the symbolism of Saddam makes democracy in Iraq even weaker.
6. I plan to update as I read more.
-Ala
