[Neraphym]

If there was a better solution, I'm sure we wouldn't have taken it anyway.

[Arith]

About time,i'm telling you.Karma,he commited evil deeds."He has been excuted for his sins."But i'm not a very religous person.But still I am glad he was hanged.But I cannot have but a small but of sympathy.

[Nuu™™]

If there was a better solution, I'm sure we wouldn't have taken it anyway.

Who is we? I am sure it said 'he wouldn't have taken it anyway' before.

About time,i'm telling you.Karma,he commited evil deeds."He has been excuted for his sins."But i'm not a very religous person.But still I am glad he was hanged.But I cannot have but a small but of sympathy.

Try empathy then. You are a good president, you defend your fellow believers well. There are other Muslim sects causing trouble. The sects are killing each other off pretty quickly. You decide there is only one course of action, and that is to support one of the sects. You decide to protect the one with the large population, the one which your family is a part of, the true Iraqis. Your military runs wild, killing thousands upon thousands of the other sects. Things appear to be getting a bit out of hand, but there is not much you can do about it. To top it all off, your advisers and your people are urgently requesting that you declare war on your neighbouring nation, one which has been your country's enemy for so long, and they now look as if they are planning to destroy you once and for all. They are even trying to lower your reputation with the rest of the world, and do so, by killing thousands of a certain ethnic group, and then pointing a finger on you. The superpower on the other side of the world takes notice, their eyes on your vast oil reserves, but you successfully show them that it was not you. To protect your nation's sovereignty and appease your people, you attack your neighbouring enemy. The war drags on for eight long years, until finally you call a truce.

But things are about to get worse. Your tiny neighbour, who you also dislike, are trying to get you to cough up a debt that was never owed. You are desperately trying to rebuild your poor, exploited country after the long war with the neighbouring country, when you find out that not just has this little country been trying to get money out of you, but they are also getting your oil from under the border. You are furious, and so you go and speak with this little nation's huge ally, the oil guzzling superpower on the other side of the world, who you believe the little nation has been selling the stolen oil to. The superpower does not listen, so out of desperation, you invade the small country. The people are no different anyway, the border was placed there by the ancient empire which once ruled over this land, so you see it as not such a big thing. The huge superpower notices that their oil has stopped flowing in, and out of irritation, they suppress you with their indulgent defence force. They pretend to be galiantly protecting the little nation, but you see through their deception and you know all they want is your oil. They come in and massacre your people, killing hundreds of thousands, then they leave, your nation in ruins. You quickly rebuild, and things are beginning to look again, you haven't been molested since the superpower smashed you around, when suddenly they get wind that you are making hugely powerful weapons to destroy everyone. You haven't of course, so you let the inspectors in with out hesitation. Not surprisingly, they find nothing. They don't care, and the superpower, with all their allies and brothers of their faith, invade.

You're really gone now, so you go and hide in a hole. Your government is destroyed, the best you can do is hope that your people rebel. They do, but that doesn't stop the superpower from finding you. To make themselves look better, they'd rather not kill you themselves, so, they hand you back to those sects you attacked at the beginning of all this. In anger, they hang you, insulting you and your people to the very end. They dance around your dead body, and all across the world, the sects rejoice.

You misinterpret yet again, my studious young imp.

Opinions should be shared, indeed. This is general discussion. In discussions, one might debate, one might share opinions; yes. It is good that you have individual opinions. Yes. While you may not have put down anyone, you seem to have come off as a little brash here and there, but yes, no put downs. I believe in all forms of swearing, my dear boy, coming from a guy who creates his own and swears like a sailor. I also have British relations, so yes, I consider "bloody" as a slang-like cuss word.

Patronising is fun!

What am I going to do? Nothing, lad. I won't do anything, I can't do anything. What I am doing is giving you piece of mind and informing you that you need to take a step back and look at the picture as a whole. Don't just look at your view, look at all views, discern which is yours, consider why you feel that way, and leave it at that. A strong skill in debating and voicing your opinion is to humbly respect other's opinions. This means to -not- segregate other views and isolate them, but rather to voice your views and then STOP. You do not need to say "Oh, by the way, I hate these people who think that." because that is what leads to flaming.

I'm afraid I can't humbly respect other's opinions if that opinion involves killing people, and not just killing people, but doing so in a most barbaric, uncivilised way and then rejoicing in their death. Humbly respecting the supporters of capital punishment is like humbly respecting the supporters of serial killing, or fascism.

Threatening? No. Never. Warning? Oh yes.

There is little difference. A warning is telling someone of impending harm, a threat is telling someone of inpending harm, which will be carried out by the threatener. If you had simply said "Do this and you shall be regulated." then it would have been a warning, but saying "Or else I'll regulate you. Do you want to be regulated? I didn't think so." is rather different.

[Ruckus Fox]

You misinterpret yet again, my studious young imp.

Opinions should be shared, indeed. This is general discussion. In discussions, one might debate, one might share opinions; yes. It is good that you have individual opinions. Yes. While you may not have put down anyone, you seem to have come off as a little brash here and there, but yes, no put downs. I believe in all forms of swearing, my dear boy, coming from a guy who creates his own and swears like a sailor. I also have British relations, so yes, I consider "bloody" as a slang-like cuss word.

Patronising is fun!

But sarcasm is a {expletive Chuck Norris'd by Cspace}...

What am I going to do? Nothing, lad. I won't do anything, I can't do anything. What I am doing is giving you piece of mind and informing you that you need to take a step back and look at the picture as a whole. Don't just look at your view, look at all views, discern which is yours, consider why you feel that way, and leave it at that. A strong skill in debating and voicing your opinion is to humbly respect other's opinions. This means to -not- segregate other views and isolate them, but rather to voice your views and then STOP. You do not need to say "Oh, by the way, I hate these people who think that." because that is what leads to flaming.

I'm afraid I can't humbly respect other's opinions if that opinion involves killing people, and not just killing people, but doing so in a most barbaric, uncivilised way and then rejoicing in their death. Humbly respecting the supporters of capital punishment is like humbly respecting the supporters of serial killing, or fascism.

Then I'm afraid you have no patience for mankind, and you have no choice. Unless someone invents a machine to turn people into june bugs, you're stuck with your race whether you like it or not, and learning their movements and decisions is prime. If you cannot fathom, try harder. If you cannot persist, you fail. If you fail, you must get back up, or risk losing all you have worked for. Knowledge is power.

Threatening? No. Never. Warning? Oh yes.

There is little difference. A warning is telling someone of impending harm, a threat is telling someone of inpending harm, which will be carried out by the threatener. If you had simply said "Do this and you shall be regulated." then it would have been a warning, but saying "Or else I'll regulate you. Do you want to be regulated? I didn't think so." is rather different.

*sigh* Then you have learned nothing. I am not patronizing you, I am offering you guidance and opinions. You have not done as I have told. Step back. Step far back. Look at the situation as a whole. Were it you that had the man's life on the line with hundreds of millions of people staring at you, what would you do? Funny. It resembles Jesus' predicament with Pilat. Pilat sent Jesus to death because the people asked it, not because he chose to. Curious. Do you think Saddam's soul will come back to torment us?...maybe. You would do well to stop thinking so selfishly of life and simply realize that life is life. It is here, and then gone. We cannot control it, so why try? To do so is to try to catch air with your hands.

My point is. Quit living life so literal, learn to be facetious if you're so damned willing to be sarcastic, will you? Accept help when it's given to you and try not to act so naively up-right. People have no patience for those who do not know it.

[Nuu™™]

Then I'm afraid you have no patience for mankind, and you have no choice. Unless someone invents a machine to turn people into june bugs, you're stuck with your race whether you like it or not, and learning their movements and decisions is prime. If you cannot fathom, try harder. If you cannot persist, you fail. If you fail, you must get back up, or risk losing all you have worked for. Knowledge is power.

What's a june bug (I don't actually want to know, I was just emphasising the fact that I don't know what a june bug is)?

*sigh* Then you have learned nothing. I am not patronizing you, I am offering you guidance and opinions.

Assuming that you know so much about life, the universe and everything and that I know so much less, therefore you need to offer me guidance and opinions is not in any way condescending? I think not. Aside from that, do you want me to list all the examples of you being patronising to me?

You have not done as I have told. Step back. Step far back. Look at the situation as a whole. Were it you that had the man's life on the line with hundreds of millions of people staring at you, what would you do? Funny. It resembles Jesus' predicament with Pilat. Pilat sent Jesus to death because the people asked it, not because he chose to.

They only had hundreds of millions of people staring at them because they publicised it. They were dancing around the body, for heaven's sake, I do not think they simply did it because of the pressure.

Curious. Do you think Saddam's soul will come back to torment us?...maybe. You would do well to stop thinking so selfishly of life and simply realize that life is life. It is here, and then gone. We cannot control it, so why try? To do so is to try to catch air with your hands.

My point is. Quit living life so literal, learn to be facetious if you're so damned willing to be sarcastic, will you? Accept help when it's given to you and try not to act so naively up-right. People have no patience for those who do not know it.

I can scarcely believe you just said that. So I am naïvely upright because I think that Saddam Hussein should have not been executed and it is a fool's hope to think that it will make anything any better?! You are the one who is naïve here, most certainly. I must say, that for once I agree with you. We should not control life, i.e. we should NOT CAUSE UNNATURAL DEATH. Do you mind if I bombard you with a ridiculously large amount of information in my favour? Well, tough.

Chile: Chancellor (S) Alberto Van Klaveren on behalf of the Chilean government expressed rejection “for reasons of principles” the execution of ex-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and concern for the country's stability.

Afghanistan: "The execution of the former Iraqi president is the work of Iraq's government. We wish the Iraqi people prosperity, happiness and success. Eid is the day of happiness, the day of goodness, the day of reconciliation, not the day of revenge." – Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.

Cambodia: Cambodia, still struggling to begin its own long-delayed trials for atrocities committed in the 1970s by the genocidal Khmer Rouge, said the execution should not have taken place. "Democracy has grown very much in Iraq, but in the end the death penalty still exists," information minister Khieu Kanharith said. "We do not support it because we have already abolished capital punishment. So we do not support the death penalty, but we support the process of finding justice for the people," he added.

India: "We had already expressed the hope that the execution would not be carried out. We are disappointed that it has been." – Minister of external affairs Pranab Mukherjee.

Indian National Congress, the Communist Party of India and the Samajwadi Party condemned the execution.

"Saddam deserved nothing less than death. The hanging should be seen as a victory for justice." — Mirza Mohammad Athar, President of the All India Shia Personal Law Board.

Fauzan Al Anshori, from the Islamic group of Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia, said Bush, too, should stand trial. [Hehe]"Given the crime blamed on Saddam, it is unfair if George Bush is not also put on an international tribunal," he said. "Saddam was executed for killings 148 people, Shiite Muslims, while Bush is responsible for the killing of about 600,000 Iraqis since the March 2003 invasion."

Japan: "We have acknowledged that the judgment has been made according to due process and pay respect to the legal procedures that the Iraqi government has taken. That said, what is most important in our view is to make this sentence not a new source of conflict but of reconciliation between the Iraqi people." — Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tomohiko Taniguchi

Malaysia: "The international community is not in favour of the hanging and questions the due process that took place. We are surprised that the hanging went ahead notwithstanding. I think there will be repercussions. This is not the answer" - Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar

Pakistan: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz termed execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein a "sad incident" and hoped the security situation in the country would not be further exacerbated

Liaqat Baloch, a leader of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, a coalition of six religious parties, told The Associated Press by phone that Saddam had not received justice. "We have no sympathy with Saddam Hussein, but we will also say that he did not get justice. The execution of Saddam Hussein will further destabilize Iraq. There will be more sectarian violence in Iraq, and we believe that the execution of Saddam Hussein is part of the American plan to disintegrate Iraq," he added.

Palestinian Authority: In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the execution of Saddam Hussein sent many Palestinians into mourning. Palestinians struggled to come to terms with the demise of their steadfast ally. In the West Bank town of Bethlehem locals opened a house of condolence, where dozens of people gathered to mourn Saddam. The organizers hung Iraqi flags, pictures of Hussein and played Iraqi revolutionary songs.

Hamas: The ruling Hamas movement in the Palestinian territories called the execution of Saddam a "political assassination." A Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhum, said, "Saddam Hussein was a prisoner of war. [The] hanging ... is a political assassination that violates all international laws that are supposed to protect prisoners of war."

Sri Lanka: In Sri Lanka, a Muslim government minister also condemned the execution for offending Muslims around the start of Eid al-Adha. "As a Muslim, I feel the execution could have been avoided," said Hussein Bhaila, who declined to comment on the judgment against the former dictator.

Turkey: Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal expressed sorrow over the execution of Saddam Hussein, said, "It is impossible to understand the rejoice of those who put pressure on every country, including Turkey, for years to abolish death sentence."

European Union: European Commissioner for Development Aid Louis Michel stated that the execution of Saddam Hussein is against the fundamental principles of the European Union. The EU is against the death penalty, whatever are the crimes committed. "It is not a big day for democracy," Michel stated to the RTBF. "The EU is in fierce opposition to the death penalty and there is no exception to that fundamental principle. Cruelty is not to be answered with cruelty. I believe that there were other possible means to revenge the cruelties committed by Saddam. The death penalty is not the right answer." He fears that the execution of Saddam has a negative impact and that the former dictator will emerge as a martyr. "You don't fight barbarism with acts that I deem as barbaric. The death penalty is not compatible with democracy," he told Reuters.

Austria: "Austria has always campaigned against the impunity of people in the highest positions of political responsibility and supports the effort for an effective international penal jurisdiction. At the same time Austria rejects the death penalty as a matter of principle and stands for its worldwide abolition. This applies without exception and cruelty of the committed crime. Saddam Hussein's guilt in oppressing his own people, the assassination of political enemies and innocent civilians is undoubtedly documented. However, Austria's stance against the death penalty also applies in this case." - Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release

Belgium: The Belgian Foreign Minister, Karel De Gucht, repeated his objection to the execution and death penalty in general. He also expressed the hope that the violence in Iraq would come to an end, now that the personification of the cruel regime had died.

Denmark: The Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that Denmark condemned the actions of Saddam Hussein, but did not support the capital punishment. "This has been pointed out to the Iraqi government on several occasions and this is also the reason we have not aided the Iraqi Special Tribunal against him," he said in a statement. Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller said to Danish television that he would rather seen that Saddam Hussein had been tried at an international tribunal.

Finland: Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, replied that the European Union opposes capital punishment. "Even if there are no doubts that Saddam Hussein is guilty of very serious crimes against humanity, very serious comments have been made about the court process in Iraq.

"France calls upon all Iraqis to look towards the future and work towards reconciliation and national unity. Now more than ever, the objective should be a return to full sovereignty and stability in Iraq. France, which like the rest of its European partners advocates the universal abolition of capital punishment, notes the execution of Saddam Hussein on Saturday. That decision was made by the people and the sovereign authorities of Iraq." — French Foreign Ministry

"Saddam Hussein was sentenced by an Iraqi court, and this verdict has been executed. We do respect this verdict. However, it is known, that the Federal Government of Germany is against capital punishment. On a day like this, my thoughts are foremost with the many innocent victims of Saddam Hussein. I do wish for the Iraqi people that it will find its way without violence and in peace." — German chancellor Angela Merkel

"The federal government of Germany is against capital punishment, no matter where. However there is no doubt about the crimes of Saddam Hussein." — German Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gernot Erler

"As known, Greece, together with all member states of the European Union, has abolished the death penalty. The execution of dictator Saddam Hussein is one more dramatic moment added to the troubled history of Iraq. We hope that it is the last. We wish and hope the friendly Iraqi people will follow the route to reconciliation and ethnic unanimity. The only route that can lead to a peaceful, secure and democratic future." Dora Bakoyannis, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

Iceland: Minister of foreign affairs said that the Iraqi court was legal, and that the Icelandic government accepted the sentence, however that the government of Iceland was opposed to death penalty. Additionally, she stated that all political party leaders in Iceland were afraid of the execution's consequences.

Ireland: "We have to accept the right of the Iraqi judiciary to hand down a sentence. Ireland however, in common with its EU partners, does not approve of capital punishment. I believe Saddam Hussein should have ended his years behind bars for his heinous crimes." - Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern

Italy: "Italy is against the death penalty and so even in such a dramatic case as Saddam Hussein, we still think that the death penalty must not be put into action." - Prime Minister Romano Prodi

Netherlands: "It's understandable that Saddam Hussein received the most severe punishment under Iraqi law. Nevertheless, we are opposed to the death penalty, which is inhumane and barbaric; even in Hussein's case, the sentence should not have been carried out." [32] — Deputy Prime Minister Gerrit Zalm

Norway: The Norwegian foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated in a press release that "It is important that the former dictator of Iraq was brought before a court and sentenced for some of his crimes against humanity". However, "Norway opposes the use of the death penalty in principle, and therefore regrets the execution of Saddam Hussein. The execution does not solve Iraq’s political problems, including the serious security situation."

Portugal: "The Portuguese Government reaffirms its total opposition to death penalty in all cases and circumstances."

Russia: "Regrettably, repeated calls by representatives of various nations and international organizations to the Iraqi authorities to refrain from capital punishment were not heard. Saddam Hussein's execution can lead to further aggravation of the military and political situation and the growth of ethnic and confessional tensions."

Serbia: "We have seen that the situation in Iraq is chaotic. I am afraid this might cause even worse consequences. Serbia strongly objects to the death penalty. Calls against execution made by non-governmental organization such as Amnesty International should have been accepted"

Spain: "All dictators must answer for their crimes, but I cannot support this kind of punishment, I am against the death penalty." — Government President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

Sweden: "Sweden and the European Union are without exception against the death penalty. I have earlier expressed the wish for the death sentence of Saddam Hussein being commuted to life in prison." — Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt

Switzerland: "Saddam Hussein was a criminal, but the DFA disapproves of his execution. ... Switzerland advocates the abolition of the death penalty in the context of both its multilateral and in its bilateral diplomacy." — Federal Department of Foreign Affairs press release

United Kingdom: "I welcome the fact that Saddam Hussein has been tried by an Iraqi court for at least some of the appalling crimes he committed against the Iraqi people. He has now been held to account [...] The British government does not support the use of the death penalty, in Iraq or anywhere else [...] We have made our position very clear to the Iraqi authorities, but we respect their decision as that of a sovereign nation." — Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett

"An execution is always tragic news, reason for sadness, even in the case of a person who is guilty of grave crimes." - Holy See spokesperson Federico Lombardi.

"[The execution punishes] a crime with another crime...The death penalty is not a natural death. And no one can give death, not even the state." - Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Australia: "I believe there is something quite heroic about a country that is going through the pain and the suffering that Iraq is going through, yet still extends due process to somebody who was a tyrant and brutal suppressor and murderer of his people. That is the mark of a country that is trying against fearful odds to embrace democracy." — Prime Minister John Howard [I added to show how you say things without actually saying things. He only really said it because he is evidently secretly in love with Bush.]

Labor has a universal position of opposition to the death penalty both at home and abroad. [[..]] It is not possible in our view to be selective in the application of this policy." — Leader of the Opposition Kevin Rudd

New Zealand: "New Zealand does not support the death penalty as a matter of principle. We acknowledge, however, that Saddam Hussein’s execution occurred within the framework of Iraqi law, and as a response to his crimes against humanity. New Zealand regarded the guilty verdict as appropriate. The task now is for the people of Iraq to look forward and work for a stable unified Iraqi nation." - Minister Trevor Mallard

And last but not least, the ultimate authority on what should and should not be done.

Now, it looks as if most of the world are very silly people. It doesn't really matter what the rest of the world thinks though, does it?[/intentional ambiguousness]

[Neraphym]

June bugs are ugly beetles that come out during the summer months here in Pennsylvania. Not sure how many other places get them, but I'd imagine a good bit of the USA has them.

http://en.wikipedia....aga_%28genus%29

Due to advances in global warming, we are considering renaming them march bugs.

[Ruckus Fox]

Then I'm afraid you have no patience for mankind, and you have no choice. Unless someone invents a machine to turn people into june bugs, you're stuck with your race whether you like it or not, and learning their movements and decisions is prime. If you cannot fathom, try harder. If you cannot persist, you fail. If you fail, you must get back up, or risk losing all you have worked for. Knowledge is power.

What's a june bug (I don't actually want to know, I was just emphasising the fact that I don't know what a june bug is)?

Indeed. June bugs are nasty beetles. They're gigantically large, about...hrm...how can I describe them? A silver dollar! They make nasty droning noises when they fly around too...if you squash one, you tend to get loads of guts all over you.

*sigh* Then you have learned nothing. I am not patronizing you, I am offering you guidance and opinions.

Assuming that you know so much about life, the universe and everything and that I know so much less, therefore you need to offer me guidance and opinions is not in any way condescending? I think not. Aside from that, do you want me to list all the examples of you being patronising to me?

We never stop being teachers or students in life, I've said that before. I never said you were lower than I, or in condescending fashion while saying I was superior; no. One can avoid being patronized if one wishes it. The act of being bothered is being bothered yourself, you can choose to ignore things, or you can choose to combat things. You can choose to learn, or choose to ignore. I'm only offering you advice, you don't have to take it. I never said you had to take it.

You have not done as I have told. Step back. Step far back. Look at the situation as a whole. Were it you that had the man's life on the line with hundreds of millions of people staring at you, what would you do? Funny. It resembles Jesus' predicament with Pilat. Pilat sent Jesus to death because the people asked it, not because he chose to.

They only had hundreds of millions of people staring at them because they publicised it. They were dancing around the body, for heaven's sake, I do not think they simply did it because of the pressure.

True...true. They didn't need to make it quite so public. Or let everyone know about it. But it could have been much worse. They could have rigged it so it wouldn't break his neck is some fashion...now how cruel would that be? Beyond justice, my friend, beyond.

Curious. Do you think Saddam's soul will come back to torment us?...maybe. You would do well to stop thinking so selfishly of life and simply realize that life is life. It is here, and then gone. We cannot control it, so why try? To do so is to try to catch air with your hands.

My point is. Quit living life so literal, learn to be facetious if you're so damned willing to be sarcastic, will you? Accept help when it's given to you and try not to act so naively up-right. People have no patience for those who do not know it.

I can scarcely believe you just said that. So I am naïvely upright because I think that Saddam Hussein should have not been executed and it is a fool's hope to think that it will make anything any better?! You are the one who is naïve here, most certainly. I must say, that for once I agree with you. We should not control life, i.e. we should NOT CAUSE UNNATURAL DEATH. Do you mind if I bombard you with a ridiculously large amount of information in my favour? Well, tough.

No. I am saying that you should be able to let things go and be facetious in nature if you're willing and ready to be sarcastic. None of that paragraph had anything to do with Saddam, my dear boy. It had to do with the way you were presenting your opinions.

If I am naive, so be it. I never denied it once, and never shall I do it. It is not my place to judge myself. Oh no, my boy. That would be vanity...

Chile: Chancellor (S) Alberto Van Klaveren on behalf of the Chilean government expressed rejection “for reasons of principles” the execution of ex-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and concern for the country's stability.

Afghanistan: "The execution of the former Iraqi president is the work of Iraq's government. We wish the Iraqi people prosperity, happiness and success. Eid is the day of happiness, the day of goodness, the day of reconciliation, not the day of revenge." – Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.

Cambodia: Cambodia, still struggling to begin its own long-delayed trials for atrocities committed in the 1970s by the genocidal Khmer Rouge, said the execution should not have taken place. "Democracy has grown very much in Iraq, but in the end the death penalty still exists," information minister Khieu Kanharith said. "We do not support it because we have already abolished capital punishment. So we do not support the death penalty, but we support the process of finding justice for the people," he added.

India: "We had already expressed the hope that the execution would not be carried out. We are disappointed that it has been." – Minister of external affairs Pranab Mukherjee.

Indian National Congress, the Communist Party of India and the Samajwadi Party condemned the execution.

"Saddam deserved nothing less than death. The hanging should be seen as a victory for justice." — Mirza Mohammad Athar, President of the All India Shia Personal Law Board.

Fauzan Al Anshori, from the Islamic group of Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia, said Bush, too, should stand trial. [Hehe]"Given the crime blamed on Saddam, it is unfair if George Bush is not also put on an international tribunal," he said. "Saddam was executed for killings 148 people, Shiite Muslims, while Bush is responsible for the killing of about 600,000 Iraqis since the March 2003 invasion."

Japan: "We have acknowledged that the judgment has been made according to due process and pay respect to the legal procedures that the Iraqi government has taken. That said, what is most important in our view is to make this sentence not a new source of conflict but of reconciliation between the Iraqi people." — Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tomohiko Taniguchi

Malaysia: "The international community is not in favour of the hanging and questions the due process that took place. We are surprised that the hanging went ahead notwithstanding. I think there will be repercussions. This is not the answer" - Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar

Pakistan: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz termed execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein a "sad incident" and hoped the security situation in the country would not be further exacerbated

Liaqat Baloch, a leader of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, a coalition of six religious parties, told The Associated Press by phone that Saddam had not received justice. "We have no sympathy with Saddam Hussein, but we will also say that he did not get justice. The execution of Saddam Hussein will further destabilize Iraq. There will be more sectarian violence in Iraq, and we believe that the execution of Saddam Hussein is part of the American plan to disintegrate Iraq," he added.

Palestinian Authority: In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the execution of Saddam Hussein sent many Palestinians into mourning. Palestinians struggled to come to terms with the demise of their steadfast ally. In the West Bank town of Bethlehem locals opened a house of condolence, where dozens of people gathered to mourn Saddam. The organizers hung Iraqi flags, pictures of Hussein and played Iraqi revolutionary songs.

Hamas: The ruling Hamas movement in the Palestinian territories called the execution of Saddam a "political assassination." A Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhum, said, "Saddam Hussein was a prisoner of war. [The] hanging ... is a political assassination that violates all international laws that are supposed to protect prisoners of war."

Sri Lanka: In Sri Lanka, a Muslim government minister also condemned the execution for offending Muslims around the start of Eid al-Adha. "As a Muslim, I feel the execution could have been avoided," said Hussein Bhaila, who declined to comment on the judgment against the former dictator.

Turkey: Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal expressed sorrow over the execution of Saddam Hussein, said, "It is impossible to understand the rejoice of those who put pressure on every country, including Turkey, for years to abolish death sentence."

European Union: European Commissioner for Development Aid Louis Michel stated that the execution of Saddam Hussein is against the fundamental principles of the European Union. The EU is against the death penalty, whatever are the crimes committed. "It is not a big day for democracy," Michel stated to the RTBF. "The EU is in fierce opposition to the death penalty and there is no exception to that fundamental principle. Cruelty is not to be answered with cruelty. I believe that there were other possible means to revenge the cruelties committed by Saddam. The death penalty is not the right answer." He fears that the execution of Saddam has a negative impact and that the former dictator will emerge as a martyr. "You don't fight barbarism with acts that I deem as barbaric. The death penalty is not compatible with democracy," he told Reuters.

Austria: "Austria has always campaigned against the impunity of people in the highest positions of political responsibility and supports the effort for an effective international penal jurisdiction. At the same time Austria rejects the death penalty as a matter of principle and stands for its worldwide abolition. This applies without exception and cruelty of the committed crime. Saddam Hussein's guilt in oppressing his own people, the assassination of political enemies and innocent civilians is undoubtedly documented. However, Austria's stance against the death penalty also applies in this case." - Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release

Belgium: The Belgian Foreign Minister, Karel De Gucht, repeated his objection to the execution and death penalty in general. He also expressed the hope that the violence in Iraq would come to an end, now that the personification of the cruel regime had died.

Denmark: The Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that Denmark condemned the actions of Saddam Hussein, but did not support the capital punishment. "This has been pointed out to the Iraqi government on several occasions and this is also the reason we have not aided the Iraqi Special Tribunal against him," he said in a statement. Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller said to Danish television that he would rather seen that Saddam Hussein had been tried at an international tribunal.

Finland: Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, replied that the European Union opposes capital punishment. "Even if there are no doubts that Saddam Hussein is guilty of very serious crimes against humanity, very serious comments have been made about the court process in Iraq.

"France calls upon all Iraqis to look towards the future and work towards reconciliation and national unity. Now more than ever, the objective should be a return to full sovereignty and stability in Iraq. France, which like the rest of its European partners advocates the universal abolition of capital punishment, notes the execution of Saddam Hussein on Saturday. That decision was made by the people and the sovereign authorities of Iraq." — French Foreign Ministry

"Saddam Hussein was sentenced by an Iraqi court, and this verdict has been executed. We do respect this verdict. However, it is known, that the Federal Government of Germany is against capital punishment. On a day like this, my thoughts are foremost with the many innocent victims of Saddam Hussein. I do wish for the Iraqi people that it will find its way without violence and in peace." — German chancellor Angela Merkel

"The federal government of Germany is against capital punishment, no matter where. However there is no doubt about the crimes of Saddam Hussein." — German Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gernot Erler

"As known, Greece, together with all member states of the European Union, has abolished the death penalty. The execution of dictator Saddam Hussein is one more dramatic moment added to the troubled history of Iraq. We hope that it is the last. We wish and hope the friendly Iraqi people will follow the route to reconciliation and ethnic unanimity. The only route that can lead to a peaceful, secure and democratic future." Dora Bakoyannis, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

Iceland: Minister of foreign affairs said that the Iraqi court was legal, and that the Icelandic government accepted the sentence, however that the government of Iceland was opposed to death penalty. Additionally, she stated that all political party leaders in Iceland were afraid of the execution's consequences.

Ireland: "We have to accept the right of the Iraqi judiciary to hand down a sentence. Ireland however, in common with its EU partners, does not approve of capital punishment. I believe Saddam Hussein should have ended his years behind bars for his heinous crimes." - Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern

Italy: "Italy is against the death penalty and so even in such a dramatic case as Saddam Hussein, we still think that the death penalty must not be put into action." - Prime Minister Romano Prodi

Netherlands: "It's understandable that Saddam Hussein received the most severe punishment under Iraqi law. Nevertheless, we are opposed to the death penalty, which is inhumane and barbaric; even in Hussein's case, the sentence should not have been carried out." [32] — Deputy Prime Minister Gerrit Zalm

Norway: The Norwegian foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated in a press release that "It is important that the former dictator of Iraq was brought before a court and sentenced for some of his crimes against humanity". However, "Norway opposes the use of the death penalty in principle, and therefore regrets the execution of Saddam Hussein. The execution does not solve Iraq’s political problems, including the serious security situation."

Portugal: "The Portuguese Government reaffirms its total opposition to death penalty in all cases and circumstances."

Russia: "Regrettably, repeated calls by representatives of various nations and international organizations to the Iraqi authorities to refrain from capital punishment were not heard. Saddam Hussein's execution can lead to further aggravation of the military and political situation and the growth of ethnic and confessional tensions."

Serbia: "We have seen that the situation in Iraq is chaotic. I am afraid this might cause even worse consequences. Serbia strongly objects to the death penalty. Calls against execution made by non-governmental organization such as Amnesty International should have been accepted"

Spain: "All dictators must answer for their crimes, but I cannot support this kind of punishment, I am against the death penalty." — Government President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

Sweden: "Sweden and the European Union are without exception against the death penalty. I have earlier expressed the wish for the death sentence of Saddam Hussein being commuted to life in prison." — Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt

Switzerland: "Saddam Hussein was a criminal, but the DFA disapproves of his execution. ... Switzerland advocates the abolition of the death penalty in the context of both its multilateral and in its bilateral diplomacy." — Federal Department of Foreign Affairs press release

United Kingdom: "I welcome the fact that Saddam Hussein has been tried by an Iraqi court for at least some of the appalling crimes he committed against the Iraqi people. He has now been held to account [...] The British government does not support the use of the death penalty, in Iraq or anywhere else [...] We have made our position very clear to the Iraqi authorities, but we respect their decision as that of a sovereign nation." — Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett

"An execution is always tragic news, reason for sadness, even in the case of a person who is guilty of grave crimes." - Holy See spokesperson Federico Lombardi.

"[The execution punishes] a crime with another crime...The death penalty is not a natural death. And no one can give death, not even the state." - Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Australia: "I believe there is something quite heroic about a country that is going through the pain and the suffering that Iraq is going through, yet still extends due process to somebody who was a tyrant and brutal suppressor and murderer of his people. That is the mark of a country that is trying against fearful odds to embrace democracy." — Prime Minister John Howard [I added to show how you say things without actually saying things. He only really said it because he is evidently secretly in love with Bush.]

Labor has a universal position of opposition to the death penalty both at home and abroad. [[..]] It is not possible in our view to be selective in the application of this policy." — Leader of the Opposition Kevin Rudd

New Zealand: "New Zealand does not support the death penalty as a matter of principle. We acknowledge, however, that Saddam Hussein’s execution occurred within the framework of Iraqi law, and as a response to his crimes against humanity. New Zealand regarded the guilty verdict as appropriate. The task now is for the people of Iraq to look forward and work for a stable unified Iraqi nation." - Minister Trevor Mallard

And last but not least, the ultimate authority on what should and should not be done.

Now, it looks as if most of the world are very silly people. It doesn't really matter what the rest of the world thinks though, does it?[/intentional ambiguousness]

Never did like politics mate. One does not have to agree politically, but that doesn't mean they have to oppose it openly.

[Elvenblader]

There will always be someone supporting him. Its good he's dead but someone's always gonna do something stupid for him.

Whether we like it or not, there will always be supporters of Saddam Hussein. In our eyes we view it as stupid, ignorant and just extreme. But in the mind of his supporters, they probably view it as their moral and lifelong duty to carry out the will of Saddam Hussein. But not much the world can do but pick up the pieces and move on from there.

What bothered me was the people who were recording it on their cell phones. Honestly. What kind of a sick person would you be to want a video of a person being hanged on your cell phone? Idiots.

In my personal opinion, human beings are predisposed to violence, cruelty, and sadism. Whether someone likes it or not, we are all vicious, blood thirsty, killing machines on the primal level. Driven by both the sadistic and cruel side of life, we are naturally inclined to partake or view something like this. Now does this make humans psychotic and amoral? I don't know, but I think so. Whether we like it or not, everyone on this world is capable of killing and joining in on the mob mentality of doing something as hanging or taking photos of a person's corpse. Given the circumstances and the atmosphere, I wouldn't be surprised if even the most civil and moral person would have taken part in the hanging of Saddam Hussein.

So, you can kill 100's of humans, but in you cant take the the one humans life who did most of this?

Saddam Hussein used both psychological warfare and terror tactics in trying to get the political parties to support him. Now what I remember is that he gathered all the big players in Iraqi politics. He claimed that he had a list of people that were traitors to the Iraqi government. randomly selected people in a room that were big players in Iraqi politics. Then he would pick that person and have his guards take the person outside and be executed. After several people were executed, the people in the room were in pure terror and panicky on a very extreme level. I guess you could call this an extreme case of Stockholm Syndrome, but in a very short time. The politicians in the room stood up and started chanting something along the lines of "Praise President Hussein, Long Live the President of Iraq."

Now what would you do in that case? Would you rather die and risk your entire family of possibly being murdered in cold blood, or would you support Hussein? Believe it or not, I think the supporters, given the circumstances the politicians wanted to just survive and not be scared out of their minds.

But at the same time, Hussein did both good and bad things. He kept the government stable but also committed genocide. Given his regime and the circumstances surrounding it, He did both good and bad, mind that I really think there was a lot more that Saddam did besides killing the 150 or so innocent people.

The cell phone video of him being hanged is kind of odd. It seems to be in a dark room, but on BBC and CNN the gallows are outside in the light. In the cell phone video, after he drops, the camera goes dark for several seconds, and then all the sudden his face pops up and then fades out again. I doubt it's a fake video, but it just seemed sort of odd compared to the news agencies' videos.

Ah the great power of Photoshop and Video Editing Software..

Not necessarily. You are assuming that if he did so he would act exactly as before. What if he got back into power and did great things for Iraq? It would not have been likely, in my opinion, but you can't say it would have been impossible, now that he is dead.

Even if Saddam was alive and did great things for Iraq, it does not excuse the fact that he committed Genocide and murdered people indirectly in cold blood. No matter what you do, you cannot excuse the fact that you did murder someone. Now well according to the lord your supposed to forgive your enemy, but hypothetical situation, a defendant truly shows that he is sorry for what he did, yet the judge believes him for what he did. The defendant must still pay for his crime. He/she may be sorry for what they did and actually feel remorse and sorrow for their crime, but their not excused of taking the life of another person.

Such is the way of people and mankind. If we do not understand something, we may feel uncomfortable and upset about it. After enough aggression and heat between two factors in a similar arms race, then you get hate. Hatred is a strong opposing feeling towards another factor or being that singles them out specifically, not just their group, but that person. And eventually, that hate leads to one side doing something horribly wrong and brash, and causing the other factor much suffering. Such is the way of the Dark-Side, and such is the way of humanity.

"As long as there is people, there will always be war."

"Death solves all problems - no man, no problem." -Joseph Stalin-

[Neraphym]

Morals are derived on an individual level. There is no absolute right and wrong in existance. In fact, it is each and every individual that perceives things as right and wrong. Sometimes these opinions come into conflict. For instance, the death penalty. Right now, a majority of the people in power have maintained the death penalty to be moral within the US. In Europe, a majority of those in power have deemed it to be immoral. America is not right, nor is it wrong. Europe is not right or wrong, either. Whatever opinion is in power is considered to be the correct one, but not all people may agree with this.

Here we obviously have a disagreement over the morality of the death penalty. Personally, I believe it is ok to take a life if the person has committed a crime so horrible, it is deserving of capital punishment (imo, genocide). However, I am against the death penalty because of the possibility of innocent people being killed by it.

[Ruckus Fox]

Brilliant quotes there, Elven my friend.

I rather like Joseph Stalin's quotes...for someone who was claimed to be mad as a hatter, he had some damn good quotes.

"One death is a tragedy. A million deaths is a statistic."
-Joseph Stalin

[Res]

The cell phone video can't be faked. It syncs too well with CNNs coverage of it. Just from a different angle. If you view both, you can see that the events that happened on CNN were matched perfectly in the cell video.

And Ruckus, a lot of insane people have great quotes. It's what makes them insane. They make sense.

..Sometimes.

[Ruckus Fox]

"Insanity is the sane response to an insane world."

[MA-53]

Well said.

[x..]

There will always be someone supporting him. Its good he's dead but someone's always gonna do something stupid for him.

Yeah. Heard about the protests?

[Nuu™™]

There will always be someone supporting him. Its good he's dead but someone's always gonna do something stupid for him.

Yeah. Heard about the protests?

I have. May I say I told you so?