Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

I'm somewhat surprised that no-one has commented on the recent death sentences handed down on Sunday in Iraq.

There are many points of view on this one and I'm sure the press will be full of them over the coming weeks.

YOUR comments on a hangmans noose, to.......................

Anyone else see it slightly ironic for killing someone who is convicted for crimes against humanity?

Great Plum wrote:Anyone else see it slightly ironic for killing someone who is convicted for crimes against humanity?

Yes.

Great Plum wrote:Anyone else see it slightly ironic for killing someone who is convicted for crimes against humanity?

Definitely! I have written at length about this elsewhere on the forum.

I see that it has improved Bush's standing somewhat as we approach the mid term elections to-day. Of course it was a sovereign Iraqi court - so the timing had nothing to do with America or its domestic policies ........

Even though I support capital punishment IN CERTAIN CASES.....

This one raises more questions than provides answers.

Crimes against humanity ? Certainly, but Saddam lost ! If we'd lost WWII, Sir Winnie Churchill would have been the first to the gallows for the Dresden fire-bombings alone.

Just watch the Sunni back-lash if and when the sentence is carried out. I forecast at least 1,000 allied troops coming home in body bags.

Incidently, on another site I frequent, our illustrious PM is known as Tony BLIAR.

Perhaps my suggestion of PONTIUS Bliar might be more apt after he did his hand-washing speech yesterday ! How can anyone say they are totally opposed to capital punishment, then go on to endorse the Iraqi Court sentence ??? DOUBLE STANDARDS Bliar also springs to mind !

Likewise. I'm not at all in favour of courts having the power to put people to death.

Interesting piece from the Grauniad by Max Hastings, who has never particularly struck me as having particularly left-wing views :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1940449,00.html

I dont support the death sentence, I think those that have committed crimes of that severity should live their life out knowing and being reminded of what they have done in prision or a place where they have no freedom etc

My initial thoughts were:

"Oh, announced two days before the mid-terms in the US. Convenient much?"

blondie95 wrote:I dont support the death sentence, I think those that have committed crimes of that severity should live their life out knowing and being reminded of what they have done in prision or a place where they have no freedom etc

There are two things against that proposal:

a) Iraq is a Muslim country and Muslim culture is far more an eye for an eye. Save for where blood money is paid (in some such countries) there is no alternative to a death sentence. Fact - not necessarily desirable

b) Were SH to remain in prison then there will always be plots / the fear of plots to rescue him and reinstate him in power despoite his crimes. In addition there is the risk that the families of victiome will stage an attempt on his life whilst he is in prison. Whilst eitherpossibility exists, Iraq has no chamnce of becoming united again.
Fact - not necessarily desirable.

c) Who can you trust to guard him in prison - Sunnis (his enemies) Shias (who would like to reinstate him), kurds (who are likely to want revenge), marsh arabs (who would want revenge)? (I might have got those first two the wrong way round - the principle remains)

As I see it he has the knowledge that he will die the most dishonorable type of death imaginable for a Muslim "fighter" - alone, on the end of a rope to be dumped in an unmarked hole somewhere unrecorded. The only thing they are not doing id feeding him pork!

A last point - by not carrying out a death sentence (assuming the appeal court confirms the sentence), it would be seen throughout Islamic counties that the Iraqi government has caved in to Western pressure - undesirable at the least

It always dismays me the way the Western World tries to impose their values on the so called underdeveloped world.
I personally do not agree with the death sentence, and would prefer that the convicted criminals lived out hell on earth, but I freely acknowledge that other societies have their own view on the subject.
Having lived in countries where the value placed on life differs from our own, one can only defend ones point of view and hope they agree enough to try and implement a change.

In my view it was a mistake to invade Iraq, but if we have any respect for the Iraqis then we should let them take their own decisions, which include whether they decide to execute SH or not.
SH knew the rules of the game when he started so he should not be surprised when they are used against him.
My sister in law has just returned to San Francisco after a stay with us, and told me that Iraq was about the only thing on the news in the US. She was quite surprised that our Spanish Newspapers had other international news.

Against the death penalty.
Let the Iraqis do what they want, however.
Blair is a hippocrit, what's new.

Is it any wonder that politicians aren't perceived as being open, honest and trustworthy when Blair is so mealy-mouthed as to say he opposes the death sentence completely, but wouldn't therefore explicitly say that the Sadam sentence was wrong....

I don't see that the Iraqis have any option. If they keep him alive he will be a focus for discontent at the very least. Who is going to guard him? Will they be open to bribery?

I do not like the death sentence but at the same time I don't like the thought of having to pay taxes to keep criminals fed and watered for the rest of their days.

I think Saddam and all criminals should be put to good use and made to repay their debt to society in some way.

Also, I've heard the the latest series of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here will have a huge surprise. I rather suspect Mr Hussein will be putting in an appearance in the jungle at some point. Image the sight of the former dicatator washing his smalls with a huge telephone number emblazoned across his back. Vote Saddam!!!

marty wrote:I do not like the death sentence but at the same time I don't like the thought of having to pay taxes to keep criminals fed and watered for the rest of their days.

I think Saddam and all criminals should be put to good use and made to repay their debt to society in some way.

Also, I've heard the the latest series of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here will have a huge surprise. I rather suspect Mr Hussein will be putting in an appearance in the jungle at some point. Image the sight of the former dicatator washing his smalls with a huge telephone number emblazoned across his back. Vote Saddam!!!

Would you really impose a sentence of that severity?