tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post116753534721303709..comments2024-03-29T05:30:32.626-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: Saddam taunted by Shiites, tell them to "go to hell" and dies.Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167736384871831922007-01-02T06:13:00.000-05:002007-01-02T06:13:00.000-05:00Tuesday, January 02nd, 2007No Mail Today, Do You K...Tuesday, January 02nd, 2007<BR/>No Mail Today, Do You Know Why?<BR/>January 2, 2007<BR/><BR/>Business relies heavily on the US Mail. Any interruption costs our economy tens of millions of dollars. <BR/><BR/>If you are not a business owner or accountant, you will not “get this” but I will try to explain. Most firms operate their business on a calender year with their books closing on December 31. “Unfortunately,” December 31 fell on a Sunday with Monday also being a Federal Holiday.<BR/><BR/>As a result, businesses were anticipating closing their year end books with the receipt of payments on Tuesday.<BR/><BR/>Sadly, a man with a Harvard MBA has thrown a wrench into that:<BR/><BR/>There will be no regular mail delivery or retail services at Post Offices Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, as the Postal Service is closing to observe the national day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford. <BR/><BR/>The decision follows an Executive Order issued by President Bush that independent federal agencies close as a mark of respect for Ford, who died Dec. 26. Express Mail deliveries will be made Jan. 2. Regular retail and delivery service will resume Wednesday, Jan. 3.<BR/><BR/>Soooo, the People of the United States have been able to mourn on December 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31 January 1 and those SEVEN days are not enough!!!!<BR/><BR/>We need another day of “mourning” that will cost American business tens of millions of dollars plus the cost of a “paid holiday” to Federal Employees!!!<BR/><BR/>Does anyone honestly think those Federal Employees will use today as a day of mourning???<BR/><BR/>All I know is the rest of America has gone back to work so that we can pay the tax due for an additional day of holiday to these federal workers while we are suffering insult to injury by losing interest on deposits we can not make!!!<BR/><BR/>This idea of “compassionate conservatism” is costing a whole lot of money so federal employees get a long weekend because that is all they care about. <BR/><BR/>President Bush, How about a “tax free day of mourning” for the rest of working America? <BR/>-- Oak LeafDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167632271889548682007-01-01T01:17:00.000-05:002007-01-01T01:17:00.000-05:00harrison,Thanks for the link and your thoughts.harrison,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the link and your thoughts.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167617952149813472006-12-31T21:19:00.001-05:002006-12-31T21:19:00.001-05:00Would this work?"Tell you what, instead of regular...<A HREF="http://ajacksonian.blogspot.com/2006/12/kings-gambit-of-baghdad.html" REL="nofollow">Would this work?</A><BR/><BR/><I>"Tell you what, instead of regular combat troops, can you give me every single sniper team available across the US Armed Forces for about 3 months? We need to have the ROE changed so we can get rid of the insurgent contacts, too, so that their networks can be degraded and pulled up by regular units, both US and Iraqi. A bit better UAV coverage would help and some back-end coordination between units, but that should be pretty easy to do. Basically, I need the guys who can reach through walls and hurt someone and has the patience to do it right... lots of them working together. I guarantee low Civilian casualties."<BR/><BR/>[...] "This is a fight of removing effectiveness and cohesion. To do that we are already isolating the insurgents and putting them into pockets to ID and scope out via INTEL. The faster way to do that is to get a pair of eyes that will always be watching them across all of Baghdad and give them time to do the best job they can until 'go-day'. All the Snipers will have picked their spots, deconflicted their fire zones, arranged for good patrols, set up their replacement schedules and become the eyes and ears of the entire setup, and the long arm that will reach out once the scoping is basically done. I need their eyes and patience, first, so the INTEL ops folks can figure it all out and set up the priority list. Then, on the go-day, it will be killing time. They will not know what hit them."<BR/><BR/>After Afghanistan and Iraq and other places that cannot be mentioned, you, as a Theater Commander *know* what this tool of warfare is and what it means. Stalingrad became a no-go because of the rubble and people hiding everywhere. They were not hiding from the tanks.<BR/><BR/>They were hiding from the Snipers.<BR/><BR/>And in a clean and undamaged city, the Sniper is King.<BR/><BR/>[...] This would not end the insurgency, but it would make keeping them *out* of Baghdad a whole lot easier as the militants, their commanders, their suppliers... all of that goes. And anyone fool enough to not be in the recognized Iraqi or MNF Uniforms and carrying a weapon... will find a sudden end to their lives. A bitch to get going, probably take 3 weeks just for that alone... but once the observing is in place, and a few hits here and there to take out the few 'oddballs' and let people know they are being watched, that should do it. Stop daytime ops against personnel and let them think the night is safe, while we harvest INTEL. Exhausting for the Snipers, true. But it should a be a job they will enjoy after CNN...<BR/><BR/>"The only other thing is that whatever the Snipers need in the way of equipment, they GET. Nothing is spared from this, but I doubt they will need much. You want the violence of the TV screens gone, I can deliver, but only after something no one has ever witnessed before, anywhere."<BR/><BR/><BR/>[...] some good Sharpshooters to hang around once the Snipers leave so that good eyes can still be had to make sure the insurgents don't get back in too easily. My regular forces can keep the peace pretty well after that with the few hot-headed instant radicals that still will pop up."</I><BR/><BR/>Definitely more sustainable than the surge, and therefore more plausible an option should <B>allen</B>'s expose of the hypothetical surge being a fallacious placation ring true.<BR/><BR/>Has the surge been publicised for the sole purpose of appeasing those who would advocate Kagan's plan for declaring war on Iraq again, or does Bush have another plan concealed? Do we call his bluff?<BR/><BR/>The <A HREF="http://polipundit.com/index.php?p=16425" REL="nofollow">article</A> that <B>allen</B> referenced is here.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps this "surge" will indicate a subtle but significant shift towards less policing and patrolling, more border security and logistical support in light of the marked increase in support personnel.<BR/><BR/>Or that I'm putting just a little too much faith in Bush.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17688001023588334672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167617946470240932006-12-31T21:19:00.000-05:002006-12-31T21:19:00.000-05:00Would this work?"Tell you what, instead of regular...<A HREF="http://ajacksonian.blogspot.com/2006/12/kings-gambit-of-baghdad.html" REL="nofollow">Would this work?</A><BR/><BR/><I>"Tell you what, instead of regular combat troops, can you give me every single sniper team available across the US Armed Forces for about 3 months? We need to have the ROE changed so we can get rid of the insurgent contacts, too, so that their networks can be degraded and pulled up by regular units, both US and Iraqi. A bit better UAV coverage would help and some back-end coordination between units, but that should be pretty easy to do. Basically, I need the guys who can reach through walls and hurt someone and has the patience to do it right... lots of them working together. I guarantee low Civilian casualties."<BR/><BR/>[...] "This is a fight of removing effectiveness and cohesion. To do that we are already isolating the insurgents and putting them into pockets to ID and scope out via INTEL. The faster way to do that is to get a pair of eyes that will always be watching them across all of Baghdad and give them time to do the best job they can until 'go-day'. All the Snipers will have picked their spots, deconflicted their fire zones, arranged for good patrols, set up their replacement schedules and become the eyes and ears of the entire setup, and the long arm that will reach out once the scoping is basically done. I need their eyes and patience, first, so the INTEL ops folks can figure it all out and set up the priority list. Then, on the go-day, it will be killing time. They will not know what hit them."<BR/><BR/>After Afghanistan and Iraq and other places that cannot be mentioned, you, as a Theater Commander *know* what this tool of warfare is and what it means. Stalingrad became a no-go because of the rubble and people hiding everywhere. They were not hiding from the tanks.<BR/><BR/>They were hiding from the Snipers.<BR/><BR/>And in a clean and undamaged city, the Sniper is King.<BR/><BR/>[...] This would not end the insurgency, but it would make keeping them *out* of Baghdad a whole lot easier as the militants, their commanders, their suppliers... all of that goes. And anyone fool enough to not be in the recognized Iraqi or MNF Uniforms and carrying a weapon... will find a sudden end to their lives. A bitch to get going, probably take 3 weeks just for that alone... but once the observing is in place, and a few hits here and there to take out the few 'oddballs' and let people know they are being watched, that should do it. Stop daytime ops against personnel and let them think the night is safe, while we harvest INTEL. Exhausting for the Snipers, true. But it should a be a job they will enjoy after CNN...<BR/><BR/>"The only other thing is that whatever the Snipers need in the way of equipment, they GET. Nothing is spared from this, but I doubt they will need much. You want the violence of the TV screens gone, I can deliver, but only after something no one has ever witnessed before, anywhere."<BR/><BR/><BR/>[...] some good Sharpshooters to hang around once the Snipers leave so that good eyes can still be had to make sure the insurgents don't get back in too easily. My regular forces can keep the peace pretty well after that with the few hot-headed instant radicals that still will pop up."</I><BR/><BR/>Definitely more sustainable than the surge, and therefore more plausible an option should <B>allen</B>'s expose of the hypothetical surge being a fallacious placation ring true.<BR/><BR/>Has the surge been publicised for the sole purpose of appeasing those who would advocate Kagan's plan for declaring war on Iraq again, or does Bush have another plan concealed? Do we call his bluff?<BR/><BR/>The <A HREF="http://polipundit.com/index.php?p=16425" REL="nofollow">article</A> that <B>allen</B> referenced is here.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps this "surge" will indicate a subtle but significant shift towards less policing adad thought money was something he could get from other people rather than save up for himself. He also thinks it is the way to impress people and he uses it to try to show that he cares people or to win their favor by spendinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167576057344130422006-12-31T09:40:00.000-05:002006-12-31T09:40:00.000-05:00Charles Krauthammer on Fox, discusses the botched ...Charles Krauthammer on Fox, discusses the botched execution of Saddam will turn to be a mistake. He said the trial showed a loss of control by the judges and most of the major trials should have been in the future, but with Sassam gone, the impetus is lost.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167556858375991082006-12-31T04:20:00.000-05:002006-12-31T04:20:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167556708195174842006-12-31T04:18:00.000-05:002006-12-31T04:18:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167556111735929172006-12-31T04:08:00.000-05:002006-12-31T04:08:00.000-05:00Oak Leaf at Polipundit threw out some interesting ...Oak Leaf at Polipundit threw out some interesting stats to think about as we contemplate the “surge” of troops to Iraq. At the moment, the ratio of support troops to line troops, i.e. helpers to shooters, is 1.3:1. Although this is less than the historic average of 1.6:1, it means that adding 30,000 shooters would demand a commitment of about 70,000 troops in the aggregate. The US does not have 70,000 fresh troops to add to the mix. Consequently, what will probably be the reality will be the addition of about 13,000 line troops. However, since at least two Marine regiments and an Army brigade will be held in Iraq beyond the usual tour of duty, the actual surge will be only a few thousand line troops, plus their support elements, deployed earlier than originally planned. In short, very little will change from the present deployment. <BR/><BR/>There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167555282222373722006-12-31T03:54:00.000-05:002006-12-31T03:54:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167554103290347182006-12-31T03:35:00.000-05:002006-12-31T03:35:00.000-05:00Allen,I remember Cheney doing briefings w/press du...Allen,<BR/>I remember Cheney doing briefings w/press during Desert Storm.<BR/><BR/>Also remember reading his clear explanation, given in 1993 for why they thot it best not to drive to Baghdad.<BR/>In a word, to avoid what we have now.<BR/>...but being he is not, and will not be president, (barring unforeseen) I can't see anyone on the horizon that would do a Lincoln on the Generals and tell the rest to get rid of their Liberal Lawyer touchy feely, CYA ways.<BR/>...Maybe Rudy after next attack.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167553712802581522006-12-31T03:28:00.000-05:002006-12-31T03:28:00.000-05:00DR is correct: something is amiss at the BC.DR is correct: something is amiss at the BC.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167552957172522292006-12-31T03:15:00.000-05:002006-12-31T03:15:00.000-05:00Deuce,This evening, I heard Mr. Cheney deliver a m...Deuce,<BR/><BR/>This evening, I heard Mr. Cheney deliver a magnificent eulogy of Mr. Ford. Having become accustomed to a six word sentence having five missteps, I did a double take, as did my wife. Almost instantly we both asked, "And, why isn't this man the president?"<BR/><BR/>Because Mr. Cheney believed in what he was saying, the saying of it was done flawlessly, with absolute confidence and conviction. No teleprompter was required. Doubtless, the Vice-President (with an assist from Dr. Cheney) was solely responsible for content and crafting of this work of art.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167551679668881942006-12-31T02:54:00.000-05:002006-12-31T02:54:00.000-05:00..."I criticize the President routinely for ineptn......"I criticize the President routinely for ineptness. I do not consider the President the anti-Christ. Rather, I believe the President to be a man in way over his head. Serving one full term as governor of Texas, honorable as that may be, does not prepare one for the presidency"<BR/><BR/>as rufus said, "look at his eyes." I may add: listen to the vacuous platitudes. But then I may have BDS. Problem is I've seen that face before.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167549287366190532006-12-31T02:14:00.000-05:002006-12-31T02:14:00.000-05:00May I earnestly apologize for an error of omission...May I earnestly apologize for an error of omission in an earlier reference to “very bitter young men”? I should have written “very bitter young men and women”. No disrespect was intended; rather, I am a creature of habit.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167547872266945042006-12-31T01:51:00.000-05:002006-12-31T01:51:00.000-05:00The so-called surge of troops into Iraq is a lie. ...The so-called surge of troops into Iraq is a lie. As things now stand, at least two Marine regiments and an Army brigade will be held in-theatre well past their tours. For those interested, see Oak Leaf for more details. He addressed this cooking of the books two days ago, as I recall. <BR/><BR/>I criticize the President routinely for ineptness. I do not consider the President the anti-Christ. Rather, I believe the President to be a man in way over his head. Serving one full term as governor of Texas, honorable as that may be, does not prepare one for the presidency. Listen to Vice-President Cheney’s eulogy of Mr. Ford to hear a real leader at work.<BR/><BR/>To put things into perspective, by this point in WWI tens of millions of men had been used as cannon fodder. Because of the blogosphere, incompetent powers-that-be can no longer escape public scrutiny. We should all take heart; sunshine is the best disinfectant, and this will be a long, long war, like it or not.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167546900133337162006-12-31T01:35:00.000-05:002006-12-31T01:35:00.000-05:00Get the tissues...Where do we find such men?.A lon...Get the tissues...<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://insidedenver.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5245883,00.html" REL="nofollow">Where do we find such men?</A>.<BR/><BR/>A long read, but stay with it - if you can hold back the tears when you read what the kid's dad did at the kid's funeral, you're not human.<BR/><BR/>Whatever Bush finally decides to do... oh please God may it be right by guys like this.Triton'sPolarTigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13291314004351414397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167546480915517472006-12-31T01:28:00.000-05:002006-12-31T01:28:00.000-05:00rufus,Re Buddy... so who actually passed? Apparen...rufus,<BR/><BR/>Re Buddy... so who actually passed? Apparently the namesake, rather than the actual person at the keyboard?<BR/><BR/>I'm so embarrassed.<BR/><BR/>I can empathize with hitting "overload"... I once took a posting break from BC for something like 12 to 18 months - same reason.<BR/><BR/>Habu,<BR/><BR/>Buddy and I have shared a bit of back and forth over at BC in the past. When I first contacted him via email a short time ago, it because I wanted to get his opinion on a few ongoing world events without turning someone else's blog into my personal message service.<BR/><BR/>Unless his email program has labeled my mail as spam, he's got a couple of messages from me in his inbox. I'm content to wait until he can get back 'round to responding.<BR/><BR/>///////////<BR/><BR/>Watched Stone's "World Trade Center" this evening with Mrs Triton and a family friend. Not sure just what I think of it yet.<BR/><BR/>I don't need a movie to remind me of the evil we are facing... but the sounds of the jumpers striking nearby ground/roofs, etc, made that part of the whole event much more real for me.<BR/><BR/>There's no way to watch/hear that without seething inside.<BR/><BR/>I'm not going to be satisfied until the last jihadist is crushed from mortal existence.<BR/><BR/>///////////////<BR/><BR/>As for Saddam... the man allowed his thugs to rape thousands of innocent women and girls... he fed opponents feet first into wood chippers... he gassed civilians within his country's borders...<BR/><BR/>Welcome to HELL, you miserable SOB.Triton'sPolarTigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13291314004351414397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167544913767100302006-12-31T01:01:00.000-05:002006-12-31T01:01:00.000-05:00trish & doug,We are going to end with a lot of ver...trish & doug,<BR/><BR/>We are going to end with a lot of very bitter young men. Been there, done that. As Rufus wrote earlier, it ought to be criminal.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167543895598431762006-12-31T00:44:00.000-05:002006-12-31T00:44:00.000-05:00I just posted this on previous thread.No one shoul...I just posted this on previous thread.<BR/>No one should miss it tho:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.townhall.com/talkradio/Show.aspx?RadioShowID=5" REL="nofollow"> <STRONG>Milbloggers Interview </STRONG></A><BR/><BR/>7 . Wednesday December 27, 2006<BR/>T.F. Boggs, Bill Roggio, Froggy Ruminations With Hugh Hewitt<BR/>Hewitt: Hour 3 - Hugh concludes his three hour mil-blogger show, featuring co-host T.F. Boggs.<BR/>Length: 00:35:08<BR/><BR/>All agree ROE's stink and cost lives, Froggy esp bitter.<BR/><BR/>Someone said that the difference between 2004 and now is enormous, relating paperwork that would put cops to shame for every bullet fired.<BR/><BR/>...so they always think twice, sometimes decide it's just not worth the hassel.<BR/><BR/>...talk of firing flares at a guy to avoid bullets, even tho they SAW him plant an IED!<BR/>Hell of a way to fight a war!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167542985364071412006-12-31T00:29:00.000-05:002006-12-31T00:29:00.000-05:00Coming soon to Amazon: the Saddam sweatshirt. Rear...Coming soon to Amazon: the Saddam sweatshirt. Rear facing hood and sisal ascot sold separately.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167542751563642712006-12-31T00:25:00.000-05:002006-12-31T00:25:00.000-05:00" Buddy Larsen needed no frontal nudity nor shaky-..." Buddy Larsen needed no frontal nudity nor shaky-cam beheadings to spread his informational self, like a bat out of Aristides loquacious hell."<BR/>---<BR/>Hard to top that one w/me!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167542691851590902006-12-31T00:24:00.000-05:002006-12-31T00:24:00.000-05:00AspergersGentleman said... "It is with great sadne...AspergersGentleman said... <BR/>"It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Buddy Larsen, an American Internet Icon.<BR/><BR/>In an age of crotch-shots and snuff films, Buddy Larsen needed no frontal nudity nor shaky-cam beheadings to spread his informational self, like a bat out of Aristides loquacious hell. <BR/><BR/>He could pontificate with the pontiffs and jive with the jive turkeys; he was many things to many men. There was refinement and gravitas in his poetic waxing about the finer points of chaw and he would never begrudge a man who was too poor to afford an effete spittoon. He could speak of monetary policy and romance, of patriotism and showtunes. If he was a robot, he would pass the Turing Test in the most delightful colors!<BR/><BR/>God, welcome Buddy Larsen into heaven, and let his energy recouple into the Internet through divine bandwidth, unbeholden to physical constants."Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167541727884166002006-12-31T00:08:00.001-05:002006-12-31T00:08:00.001-05:00Che', Zapata, Osama, SaddamTheir legends live onlo...Che', Zapata, Osama, Saddam<BR/><BR/>Their legends live on<BR/>long after their deaths.<BR/><BR/>Far removed from the realities of the livesdesert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167541703130566632006-12-31T00:08:00.000-05:002006-12-31T00:08:00.000-05:00Chiopractic Move/Attitude Adjustment Combo.Chiopractic Move/Attitude Adjustment Combo.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1167541177048387572006-12-30T23:59:00.000-05:002006-12-30T23:59:00.000-05:00The Telegraph is reporting this:""The guards were ...The Telegraph is reporting this:<BR/><BR/>""The guards were dancing in front of him. When Saddam tried to sleep, they were going in, every 30 minutes. They said, 'We didn't let him sleep. We destroyed his personality'."<BR/><BR/>A little after 5am, a number of officials arrived at the jail. Saddam declined breakfast. He asked a guard for a cigarette, but was refused. Then, with his hands tied in front of him, he was led towards the execution cell.<BR/><BR/>In the small hall outside, he sat as a judge read the details of the death sentence imposed on him for crimes against humanity for the killing and torture of 148 Shia villagers in Dujail, following a failed assassination attempt in 1982.<BR/><BR/>In his hands the 69-year-old former leader held a copy of the Koran. There was nothing he wanted to say, he told the judge. He handed the book to one of the witnesses. "Give it to Bandar [a friend]," he said.<BR/><BR/>Saddam's hands were untied and re-tied behind him and his feet were bound. Then he was led, shuffling, into the execution chamber and passed to the four executioners, each wearing a black balaclava.<BR/><BR/>Catching sight of the cameraman who had been brought in to film his final moments, he started to shout: "God is great. The nation will be victorious. Palestine is Arab." He railed against Iran.<BR/><BR/>"He said he was not afraid of anyone," said Judge Moneer Haddad, one of the appeal court judges who had been invited to watch Saddam die.<BR/><BR/>"It was a terrifying scene. Saddam was in self-control. I was not expecting him to be like that. One of the attendants asked him 'Are you afraid?' He said 'I have never been afraid as long as I lived. I lived as a mujahideen and expected death any moment'."<BR/><BR/>The hangmen moved him forward, almost lifting him into place.<BR/><BR/>"We took him to the gallows and he was saying some few slogans," said Mouwafak al-Rubaie, the Iraqi national security adviser, who was present in the room. "He was very, very, broken." He said that Saddam turned to look at him. "He was frightened. It was clear in his face."<BR/><BR/>Saddam recited the Muslim profession of faith: "There is no God but God and Mohammed is his prophet." Then a hangmen pulled a lever, and the door opened beneath Saddam's feet. "We heard the cracks of his neck," said Judge Haddad."Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.com