Saddam execution is stain on America

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/greeley/198287,CST-EDT-GREEL05.article

January 5, 2007
BY ANDREW GREELEY

Americans cheered enthusiastically last week for President Ford, who pardoned Richard Nixon. Simultaneously they celebrated the fact that President Bush did not insist on pardoning Saddam Hussein -- in fact didn't even think of it. Those who wanted Nixon behind bars only wanted revenge. Those who wanted to see Saddam attached to a rope just before he died were not seeking revenge.

Go figure.

He was once our man in the Mideast, the Republican Party's man. Indeed American Republican intelligence services provided support for his killing of Kurds and Shiites before the first Gulf War. Should those American leaders who supported such efforts be put on trial and hanged?

The present incumbent of the White House often spoke of his personal anger at the Iraqi president. Well, now he has had his revenge, not that it does him much good.

Those who take the Christian scripture seriously must believe the words of God in the epistle to the Romans, "Revenge is mine, says the Lord, I shall repay!" God claims a monopoly on revenge, but the need for it is a powerful human passion. Many of the relatives of victims at the time of American executions tell us that the death of the hated person brings closure. In fact it is only a hollow closure that cannot endure. Many countries reject the death penalty as unworthy of humans. They are right, and the United States is wrong.

[donheld]

1. In my opinion one of the ugliest stains we've ever had

I will be there for a very long time.

[bdamomma]

2. His execution is among the many other stains we have on us

We have to hold Bush accountable for his non thinking actions.

[Richard Steele]

12. Hard to see that stain amidst the blood of 600 thousand Iraqis. nm

[kentuck]

3. Ignorance will get us all killed..

and we have an abundant supply.

[malaise]

4. Very good article

K & R

[Cass]

5. Great article. Thank you for posting it.

recommended

[Stephanie]

6. K&R

Just heard on NPR that Qaddafi will erect a statue of Saddam Hussein as a martyr on the gallows. Nice going, George. Again.

[G_j]

7. having U.S. war criminals remian in positions of power

also an absolute disgrace

[liberal renegade]

8. George Bush

is a stain on America! Somebody get the bleach....

[cassiepriam]

9. Father Greeley and Cindy Sheehan, two modern saints!

[shance]

10. Not a stain, but a murderous, bloody hemorrhage

that is left upon this Administration and those in power beforehand.

[G_j]

11. yes, that is more accurate

of course there are no words to adequately describe the depths to which "we" have sunk to.