Cartoon Reflection: Saddam Hussein Hangs
Published by Matt Glover December 31st, 2006 in Cartoons & Cartoonists
Saddam Hussein was executed earlier today by hanging. I’m still not sure what I think about it - yes, he did some horrible things, but does this really makes things any better?
The words “Love those that persecute you” keep echoing in the back of my mind, but then again, I was not personally impacted by anything he did. Perhaps if I was I would feel differently.
16 Responses to “Cartoon Reflection: Saddam Hussein Hangs”
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Yeah, it is easy to moralise in this situation. Just like it’s easy if you aren’t gay and don’t know any homosexuals to say that homosexuals should just repent and become straight. *
I must say I disagree with the death sentence. I even blogged about it (http://shmatt.com/posts/consistant-ethic-of-life/). But I’m guessing standing on some soap box declaring it is wrong will not necessarily convince those who are the victims and the family of victims of horrific violence and abuse.
Long and open discussion must persist on the value of life, so that values of a society change. I’m looking forward to the ‘Amazing Grace’ film for this reason. Wilberforce was obviously a master at it.
*Disclaimer: A discussion on this topic is not my intention, it’s just an easy example.
Your cartoon sums up EXACTLY how I feel about it.
I’m glad to find someone else having similar thoughts… I consider Saddam Hussein’s legacy nothing less than pure evil incarnate. Part of me is glad he is gone. Yet, after seeing the one image of him on national TV in a suit and well-trimmed beard arguing his case, then the other of a noose around his neck, surrounded by medievil executioners, I really wonder… Is the country of Iraq any closer to democracy than it was five years ago?
why all the emphasis on democracy? which is more important, or which comes first- the safety and well being of the populace, or the pursuit of democracy, which really doesn’t work well in an insecure situation.
Hanging Saddam Hussein probably has not brought Iraq any closer to a democracy- but I think we have to worry if we* thought it might.
* we being anyone, really. Not just us here.
I nearly choked when I saw that cartoon.
Good work matt.
Thanks Lionfish.
This misses two points…
1. That this was a trial done and executed (excuse the pun) by Iraqis
2. That Iraq probably needed Saddam dead if as a collective nation they are ever going to move on. As long as he was alive there was always going to be a movement to reinstate him.
‘We’ meaning the Western nations didn’t do this and in fact some leaders like Tony Blair condemned it.
Dazza, I was thinking that the ‘we’ was more ‘humanity’ than the western world. Yes, the guy needed to be punished and there will always be some that will think he is a hero/martyr, for for us to progress as a race, then surely we need to move beyond killing each other.
Race being, race of men, (as opposed to Orcs, Elves, etc?
) I think that’s the meaning you went for, Matt.
I reckon my opposition to the death penalty can be summed up with these words of Jesus: “Do to others as you would have them do to you”
Totally.
But what if killing 1 Saddam saved 10’s of thousands of others and not killing him kills 10’s of thousands! Moral dillemma!
Dazza
Indeed!
If it was a war situation and Saddam was killed in the process of the fighting, then so be it. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a “just war” but the reality is that wars happen and people die as a result.
But, Saddam was a POW. He was executed for crimes against humanity, but was a POW nevertheless, and I’m sure something in the Geneva convention (or something like that) says that POW’s are meant to be cared for. He was no threat to anybody while in custody, but now that he is dead, I reckon his legacy is more dangerous than he would have ever been were he left to rot in gaol.
“Thou Shalt Not Kill”
(conditions apply)
Prevention is better than cure, the West and the filthy rich sheikhs of the gulf built this monster and these are the guys who should’ve been hung alongside him so they don’t do it again.