THIS is the November Surprise -- Dems must take action!

[lwcon]

http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/2006/11/what-are-democrats-doing-about.html

___

Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[Richardo]

1. What's the 'surprise' part?

The outcome of the trial is a foregone conclusion and making it official will cause nary a blip in the polls.

I think it's much ado about nothing (what a great title for a play!)

[demwing]

10. It's about momentum

and if the Republicans manage to carry momentum into the polls we'll have our ass handed to us. Also, regardless of momentum, if the Saddam bullshit goes off unabated, the Repukes will have an issue at which to justify the discrepancies between exit polls and vote counts.

We must not give a single measure to these Bum-publicans

[rocktivity]

2. We must talk about it now

Question the timing of this verdict, mobilize the bloggers, and saturate the media with it. We can neutralize it easily.

:headbang:
rocknation

[enough already]

4. Not sure how we spin this n/t

[demwing]

8. Se my post #7 for an example /nt

[rocktivity]

9. We spin it as the sick, cynical, desparate, self-serving political ploy

that it is.

:headbang:
rocknation

[bullimiami]

3. everyone knows it is a kanagroo court.

[Mass]

5. Do not count on that. We do not want to rock the boat!

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Does anyone really care about Hussein? He's not OBL.

All we see is dazed-looking mental patient dressed like a hobo in a courtroom trying to fire the judge.

Guilty or not, a verdict won't make Iraq a bit different than it is now.

He is a non-issue.

[lwcon]

12. You're talking like a member of the reality-based community

You and I understand these points, but the swing voters who decide who runs this country plainly don't.

Media bloviation that says "See! The Iraq War was worth it," however untrue, could narcotize people with the happy talk they crave to hear.

Please see my reply #11.

[TheCowsCameHome]

13. Regardless of Saddam, the problem NOW is the fiasco in Iraq

brought on by the Bush administration.

Whether Saddam lives or dies won't change anything in the world tomorrow.

I see most of your points, but I can't imagine celebrations in the street if Saddam is found guilty. Except maybe in Baghdad, but that's irrelevant.

[lwcon]

15. Of course I agree with you on the merits...

... but Karl Rove well knows that elections are about *perception*, and not merit.

The reason I could foresee dancing in the American streets is that pretending the conviction justifies the means - and the quagmire - would let those who rooted it on declare themselves abolved.

The desire to save face is a powerful, mind-twisting need in both the media and the public.

[demwing]

7. I have the type of strategy he called for

"Make no mistake about it--pursuing the conviction of Saddam Hussein while ignoring the hunt for Osama Bin Laden IS a Bush administration failure of the first degree, and the republicans hope you'll forget that blunder. But we must never forget who constitutes the real threat to America, and not exchange a fear of a disconnected Saddam for a thirst for justice on Osama Bin Laden and his group of 9/11 conspirators."

[lwcon]

11. We'd be foolish not to neutralize the "surprise" factor

Imagine non-stop talk in the 48 hours before the mid-term election about the litany of crimes that Hussein is guilty of. It won't matter that most of those crimes were done when he was our ally, using weapons that Bush 41 gave him, and before we hemmed him in after Gulf War I.

Those who say Saddam doesn't matter to anyone should consider that:
1. 43% of Americans still think he's responsible for 9/11
2. Americans who supported the war are looking for a way to feel justified.

Also, as they say, consider the source. Glenn Greenwald, author of "How Would a Patriot Act" is one of the handful of most knowledgeable and reputable bloggers. He's been ahead of most everybody about FISA and torture bills issues, etc.

Is this guaranteed to matter? No. Is it a good plan to sit back and see if it turns into a "Bush-was-right" media feeding frenzy? Hell no.

___

Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[Greyhound]

14. Recommended for the link, but it would be helpful to include a summary

for those disinclined to read the whole article.
:kick:

[primative1]

16. NoOne Will Care ...

Maybe its just because I am not in Kansas but I find it highly unlikely that this would even get news coverage.
Umm ,, so like what is the surprise?
It only took BushCo 5 years and I forget how many hundreds of billions of dollars to rig a mock trial for some percieved TV audience that never actualy materialised?
The only surprise would be if after being found guilty of whatever Sadamn came out and shared some of his knowledge about his dealing with Daddy Bush back in the 80s when most of the crap they are litigating happened. Exactly how good friends were they again?
Surprise.

[lwcon]

17. You don't think the media will go wild...

...analyzing the milestone of Saddam Hussein's fate being decided, after sooooo much has been leveraged on his being "brought to justice"?

Seems to me to like red meat to Fox News, ABC, and the rest of them, and a "happy, hooray, I'm glad I supported the troops into this" for all those with red-state addresses or POVs.

[electron_blue]

18. nobody's goign to be surprised by this verdict. Great timing, I suppose?

Even so, with Hussein such a loose cannon, this could majorly backfire on GOP.

[Infinite Hope]

19. Saddam Verdict...

has been talked about for at least a month on here. Why do people keep acting like it's something new? And why is it seen as something bad? Americans are awake now and are resentful for being repeatedly taken for fools. This has "backfire" written all over it.

[Marnieworld]

20. I don't think anyone would be surprised or really even care

This trial is a farce and irrelevant. It further shows how meaningless the whole Iraq idea is. Deep down even the most rabid GOPers have to realize that it is absurd to condem him for deaths 20 years ago with our support, when we have done all of this other killing of the same people since then. We kill them to protect them from being killed from Sadam? Madness. It's not like OBL on trial which would matter to people here.

[MISSDem]

21. I've read that the violence in Iraq will ratchet up another notch

if SH is found guilty and sentenced to hang. That couldn't be good for the Republicans.

[ShortnFiery]

23. But they still think that they can whip up a frenzy ... they are out of touch

with reality. This fear-mongering has burned-out most Americans. They are pissed off at BushWorld for MAKING them live in fear. IMO the populace is beginning to wake up from their fear comas and they're PISSED OFF! ;)

[TheCowsCameHome]

25. You bet it will increase. Any excuse to burn, bomb, and kill.

[AnneD]

22. A real November suprise...

would be bringing OBL to justice. The Bush wants to shut SH up because of his connections to Pappy Bush and all that BCCI and oil for guns. I hope they wouldn't kill SH until we can ask him many questions.

[Bucky]

24. All those things they said about Saddam are true? He's guilty? Well, then, I'm voting Republican!

Okay, it sounds a little silly when you put it that way.

[lwcon]

26. On the other hand...

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/11/03/impending-violence/

Iraq canceled leave Friday for all military officers two days before an expected verdict - and possible death sentence - in the trial of Saddam Hussein. For the second time this week, a top Bush administration official huddled with the Iraqi prime minister. Many of Saddam's fellow Sunni Arabs, along with some Shiites and Kurds, are predicting a firestorm of violence if the court sentences the ex-president to death, as is widely expected. Bloodshed is already high, with police finding the bodies of 83 torture victims throughout the capital between 6 a.m. Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday....

Edit: I see MISSdem made this point first....
___

Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[alfredo]

27. I don't think most Americans give a shit about what happens to

Saddam. They know he's guilty and will be found guilty.

They will care if Iraq explodes into ultra violence over the verdict.

[many a good man]

28. Too obvious

Americans will see it as a blatantly political ploy - just like falling gas prices.

[Clarkie1]

29. Yeah, a surprise for the Republicans. The effect will be more killing in Iraq.

I am sure long ago when they planned the end of the trial for this date, they had in mind it would benefit them in the election.

They ought to be afraid. Very, very afraid of the level of violence in Iraq likely to follow the verdict in this trial. And that WILL effect the election here.

[WestSeattle2]

30. I thought Saddam's death sentence was a foregone

conclusion! This will not be news to most of the world, at least I can't imagine it will be. And of course immediately following the verdict, Baghdad will probably erupt in a new round of even more ferocious torture and death, which will underscore this White House's inept handling of the entire effort.

Can anyone imagine being an innocent Iraqi civilian?! I would be so f'in pissed at the utter incompetence of the Bush\Cheney\Rice\Rumsfeld cabal. If nothing else, they should be tried for stupidity. My God, even Bush I would vote for conviction.

[lwcon]

31. One wonders if those who control the outcome of this trial...

... will take into account the downside of a death sentence.

It seems there's a lot to lose by making Hussein into a martyr, instead of just keeping him under lock and key.

Also, you don't need to be a conspiracy nut to wonder if BushCo's desire to keep Saddam from publicizing the dirt he has on the Bush 41 / Rumsfeld / Cheney gang might influence the outcome. Not sure if that goal is better served by a swift execution -- but with the risk of any words Hussein gets out being treated more seriously -- or just keeping him isolated somewhere.

___

Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[WestSeattle2]

34. Dead men tell no tales.....but somewhere, someone has

tons of documentation related to our LONG relationship with Iraq. I have no doubt that sooner or later the entire uncomfortable tale will be told.

[Vidar]

32. Hardly a surprize.

[GOPS Worst Fear]

33. That's Not what's going to get people to Vote Republican..

It will take a attack on our soil for people to do a complete 90 degree turn on this election. Do I put it past the Repukes to let something happen? No I don't!!! Ther4e backs are against the wall and they will do anything they can to keep control of power.