Martyrdom

Robert Pelton at the new IraqSlogger points out

As the UK and European papers point out--Why not let Saddam live out a life of poverty and ridicule? Penniless and shamed. Like Valentine Strasser, the former 25-year leader of Sierra Leone who lives with his mother in Freetown, a fallen dictator who was spared daily stonings due to the appeal to citizens by a former president. Or Pol Pot of Cambodia who died in hiding sick and unknown. His body burned to ashes. Saddam should be left to crumble like the cheap stucco of his palaces and tinny statues sold as scrap.

The most disturbing fate for Saddam would be to live as a lonely, impoverished old man who must face the wrath of the nation he once ruled. The show of theater that was his trial and the global focus on his execution has simply created a martyr for future Iraqi nationalists to embrace.

"To live as a lonely, impoverished old man who must face the wrath of the nation he once ruled." Here's hoping W lives a long, long time, in Crawford after he leaves the White House, abandoned by his party, his dad's business partners, and his dreams of triumph. And I hope every day of his life contains some evidence, however small, that America considers him a loser and a liar.

I honestly hope the fucker lives to be a hundred and one--maybe then he'll be convinced that history is never going to vindicate him.