The title of this blog comes from a Gaelic expression -"putting on the poor mouth"-which means to exaggerate the direness of one's situation in order to gain time or favour from creditors.
06 November 2006
My gut says string him up, my head says otherwise
I've only just seen the news that Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death. While I would not mourn this bastard's passing, I would rather he had a long and miserable life. I suppose one cannot oppose the death penalty but let some be executed.
Ach my bloody cable was out all weekend so no tv and no internet!! On the other hand the time I would have spend on line as well spent putting my paperwork into order and I did get to watch the DVD box set of Dead Like Me season 1 which I got cheaply a little while ago!! so not a lost weekend....
I became attached to a DVD boxed set I picked up at the library for a cancelled show that only made it on air for 3 episodes. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Quirky, irreverently funny, with a little supernatural and religion thrown in for good measure. Okay, so I ordered the 13 episode collection back in May as a birthday gift to myself, but I never wanted it to end, so I just watched the final episode last week. Then I did something completely uncharacteristic of me.....I cried my eyes out because I knew it was all over! It did have a satisfying ending that wrapped up all the plot lines, which is good since season 2 was never to be.
They aired it as a mini-series in Australia and other countries last summer, so if you ever get the chance look for Wonderfalls.
Did you suffer withdrawal symptoms from loss of Internet? Any shaking, slurred speech, migraines? Were you forced to, HORROR!, dust off ye olde Monopoly board game to pass the time?
I'm against the death penalty too - whatever the crime.
Maybe a more fitting punishment would be to make him spend the rest of his days dressed as a clown outside McDonalds, wishing the customers "Have a nice day"... or would that be classed as 'cruel and unusual'?
String him up as soon as possible. As long as he is alive, Iraqi citizens are still in danger due to the family/tribe societal customs of reprisals. Yes it is noble to be against the death penalty but in order to safeguard innocents from further bloodshed, we should set aside our impossible absolutist stance. This case cries out for a speedy death. Sorry to be the grim reaper but we as human beings have obligations of which some may be abhorrent but yet very necessary.
One can't be selective in opposing the death penalty, mullets. He is due a lot of justice on behalf of the Marsh Arabs and the Kurds, not to mention the many tortured and murdered under his regime. BUT dangling on a noose is an easy option.
MacDonalds? that is a cruel and unusual mcpunishment, Roger!
This is the quandary, Pete. I am glad to see Saddam in the dock but the invasion has been a fiasco i n so many ways. I hope your horse comes in!
My gut says the same Roman, but on the other hand as a dead man he is probably even more dangerous: as a martyr, an icon. Look at the Easter Rising in Dublin in 1916. It was a farce but the British authorities executed the main leaders (except Eamonn Devalera as he was american). The rebels were vilified by many Irishmen when alive. when dead theywere martyrs.. 6 years on and Ireland (or most of it) was independent.
Wonderfalls? that was shown here on satellite and cable. I never watched it. I do quite enjoy some US imports. I loved six feet under and Due South back in the 90s. I love Weeds, Stargate SG1, Deadwood. Not all US tv is shite!
I've always been an anti-death penalty type, but now that roman has written about it in a cultural perspective in which the penalty of death is more accepted, I can see that argument. What drives my anti-death stance is the belief that people can always change, gain insight, and need as much time as possible to work out their salvation, karma, whatever metaphysical way you look at it.
THat is quite true elizabeth. People are capable of change/ I certainly believe in the idea of salvation (of a secular kind) even if few criminals actually truly change their ways. The same holds for all criminals, including murderers.
The decision appears ironic. Perhaps its a bit too early for me to comment. I'll wait and see the final outcome following the appeal. Excellent post Jams.
Just before Election Day in America, Saddam is sentenced to swing. Does anyone else find the coincidence a bit too much to be accidental?
As noted before, I'm opposed to the death penalty in all cases, but in Saddam's case, there are a couple of extra reasons. One, his death will set off another round of factional and sectarian violence (not that that wouldn't happen anyway). Two, IMHO, given the atrocities he committed, Saddam needs to suffer for a few decades rather than a few minutes; only life in prison can accomplish that.
Welcome back Fling, long time no see! I hope life is treating you well.
It does seem to be a bit of a coincidence. Perhaps it is, perhaps not, Steve. I',m certainly with you on both points. Another two reasons to let him have a long miserable life
14 comments:
You're coming (back from blog vacation), Saddam's going, and everything feels right once again in the Universe!
Ach my bloody cable was out all weekend so no tv and no internet!! On the other hand the time I would have spend on line as well spent putting my paperwork into order and I did get to watch the DVD box set of Dead Like Me season 1 which I got cheaply a little while ago!! so not a lost weekend....
I became attached to a DVD boxed set I picked up at the library for a cancelled show that only made it on air for 3 episodes. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Quirky, irreverently funny, with a little supernatural and religion thrown in for good measure. Okay, so I ordered the 13 episode collection back in May as a birthday gift to myself, but I never wanted it to end, so I just watched the final episode last week. Then I did something completely uncharacteristic of me.....I cried my eyes out because I knew it was all over! It did have a satisfying ending that wrapped up all the plot lines, which is good since season 2 was never to be.
They aired it as a mini-series in Australia and other countries last summer, so if you ever get the chance look for Wonderfalls.
Did you suffer withdrawal symptoms from loss of Internet? Any shaking, slurred speech, migraines? Were you forced to, HORROR!, dust off ye olde Monopoly board game to pass the time?
I'm against the death penalty too - whatever the crime.
Maybe a more fitting punishment would be to make him spend the rest of his days dressed as a clown outside McDonalds, wishing the customers "Have a nice day"... or would that be classed as 'cruel and unusual'?
Another anti-death argument is that:
If Saddam was hung what should happen to all those leaders who destroy countries and kill 100,000s in the name of liberation, land and oil?
BTW (off topic) Tomorrow is the second HUGEST day of the Australian Calendar - Melbourne Cup.
Where the Nation, inebriated as one, does not stop for a moment's silence but screams at horses running round and round a race track.
My picks are Tawqeet (the odds on favourite) and Yeats (good odds and well versed).
Pete
String him up as soon as possible. As long as he is alive, Iraqi citizens are still in danger due to the family/tribe societal customs of reprisals. Yes it is noble to be against the death penalty but in order to safeguard innocents from further bloodshed, we should set aside our impossible absolutist stance. This case cries out for a speedy death.
Sorry to be the grim reaper but we as human beings have obligations of which some may be abhorrent but yet very necessary.
One can't be selective in opposing the death penalty, mullets. He is due a lot of justice on behalf of the Marsh Arabs and the Kurds, not to mention the many tortured and murdered under his regime. BUT dangling on a noose is an easy option.
MacDonalds? that is a cruel and unusual mcpunishment, Roger!
This is the quandary, Pete. I am glad to see Saddam in the dock but the invasion has been a fiasco i n so many ways. I hope your horse comes in!
My gut says the same Roman, but on the other hand as a dead man he is probably even more dangerous: as a martyr, an icon. Look at the Easter Rising in Dublin in 1916. It was a farce but the British authorities executed the main leaders (except Eamonn Devalera as he was american). The rebels were vilified by many Irishmen when alive. when dead theywere martyrs.. 6 years on and Ireland (or most of it) was independent.
Wonderfalls? that was shown here on satellite and cable. I never watched it. I do quite enjoy some US imports. I loved six feet under and Due South back in the 90s. I love Weeds, Stargate SG1, Deadwood. Not all US tv is shite!
True we can't be selective.. NTHell on the other hand!
I've always been an anti-death penalty type, but now that roman has written about it in a cultural perspective in which the penalty of death is more accepted, I can see that argument.
What drives my anti-death stance is the belief that people can always change, gain insight, and need as much time as possible to work out their salvation, karma, whatever metaphysical way you look at it.
THat is quite true elizabeth. People are capable of change/ I certainly believe in the idea of salvation (of a secular kind) even if few criminals actually truly change their ways. The same holds for all criminals, including murderers.
Sorry to be flippant, but am I the only person to notice a strong resemblance between Saddam Hussein and the late Stan Ogden?
The decision appears ironic. Perhaps its a bit too early for me to comment. I'll wait and see the final outcome following the appeal. Excellent post Jams.
But have you heard of this new
Just before Election Day in America, Saddam is sentenced to swing. Does anyone else find the coincidence a bit too much to be accidental?
As noted before, I'm opposed to the death penalty in all cases, but in Saddam's case, there are a couple of extra reasons. One, his death will set off another round of factional and sectarian violence (not that that wouldn't happen anyway). Two, IMHO, given the atrocities he committed, Saddam needs to suffer for a few decades rather than a few minutes; only life in prison can accomplish that.
lol roger, it could have been Hilda!
Welcome back Fling, long time no see! I hope life is treating you well.
It does seem to be a bit of a coincidence. Perhaps it is, perhaps not, Steve. I',m certainly with you on both points. Another two reasons to let him have a long miserable life
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