Update 1/8/07: Now some are complaining that Saddam Hussein's corpse had a gaping neck wound. They are implying that this means Hussein was mistreated after his hanging.
If you want to see the wound for yourself, go to Jawa Report (warning: graphic image).
I doubt that Hussein's neck injury was a result of mistreatment of the corpse. Frankly, and without going into details, hanging can do dramatic and unpleasant things to the neck, which bears the force of the fall. To put it bluntly, hanging sometimes results in decapitation. And as the following news snippet indicates, Hussein's tribe noticed no "unnatural signs" on his body:
Saddam Hussein's body has been buried in a religious compound in the village of Ouja, a few miles south of Tikrit.
His burial place is about two miles from the graves of his sons, Odai and Qusai, in the main town cemetery. Both sons and a grandson were killed in a gunbattle with the American forces in Mosul in July 2003.
"We received the body of Saddam Hussein without any complications. There was cooperation by the prime minister and his office's director," clan chief Sheik al-Nidaa told state-run Al-Iraqiya television. "We opened the coffin of Saddam. He was cleaned and wrapped according to Islamic teachings. We didn't see any unnatural signs on his body."
As CNN points out, the facial bruising may simply mean that the gallows trap door was not large enough, causing Hussein to hit his face as he dropped through the door. The trap door was reportedly enlarged before the execution, but perhaps it still was not quite large enough.
Video of Saddam the execution and of Saddam Hussein's body in a shroud are available at CNN.
NEW The Revver website has what appears to be a very jumpy cell phone video of the entire execution. Warning: graphic.
For full coverage of Saddam Hussein's execution, go here: The Dictator is Dead.
What else is being said about Saddam Hussein's death and life? Let's take a look.
NEW! American Thinker, The Record Speaks for Itself Some much-needed historical perspective. Strongly recommended reading.
Newsweek, 'I Saw Fear, He Was Afraid' Was Saddam more or less afraid than his innocent victims who were thrown off buildings in handcuffs, killed in meat grinders, killed with nitric acid, detonated with explosives, or otherwise tortured to death?
Guardian, Saddam Hussein, Brutal and opportunist dictator of Iraq, he wreaked havoc on his country, the Middle East and the world Nice, detailed obituary. Be honest -- you wrote this way, way ahead of time, didn't you?
Jawa Report, Saddam, Meet Satan, Satan, This is Saddam "No introductions, please -- we're well acquainted!"
Wizbang, Believe it or not, he's walking on air... Best song-related title so far
Gateway Pundit, If Ever You Needed Proof of American Leftist Insanity- Look Now! Do I have to?
Huffington Post, There Is No Victory in Hussein's Execution I get it -- as far as the left is concerned, it's heads we lose, tails we lose!
Clarify & Resolve, The Ignomonious End of a Terrible Monster Don't be shy -- tell us how you really feel
Scott Ott, WMD Found Hanging from Rope In Iraq This particular WMD is known to have killed thousands of Iraqis, Kuwaitis, Iranians and Americans
Bill's Bites, Saddam Hussein Is Still Dead Thanks for the update
NEW! Ralph Peters, A Proud Day for U.S. and a Lesson for Tyrants Quotable: He must have thought ruefully of Ramsey Clark as the noose tightened around his neck
NEW! Iraq the Model, Celebrating Justice "Executing Saddam is an execution to a dark era in Iraq's history and it's a message to all those who followed his ways that there is no turning back; yes, the people will never kneel to a tyrant again and will never give up." Strongly recommended.
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Tags: Saddam Saddams Sadaam Sadamm Sadam Saddam's Hussein Husseins Husain Hussain Hussein Husein Hussin Hussein's execution executions executed éxécution hanging hanged hung gallows dead death body photos pictures pics see video movie film audio audiotape tape tape taped recorded clip you tube youtube cell phone camera footage images voice translation saying spoken said details neck blood wound bruised corpse
Not quite justice, but it is a start.
Posted by: Jack | December 30, 2006 at 07:20 PM