“I ask you being an Iraqi person that if you reach a verdict of death, execution, remember that I am a military man and should be killed by firing squad.” - Saddam Hussein, July 26, 2006.
Is a man like this entitled to a choice? Either by Iraq’s refusal to recognize him as a military man, to spite him, or merely out of traditional Islamic law, he was hanged today, instead.
On April 5th, 2006, during cross-examination he was accused of sentencing children to death, to which he responded “I sentence an underage Iraqi to death? I wouldn’t do it even if you were to carve my eyes out.” (source: bbc)
Chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi presented the court with some of the identification cards of the children and read out their dates of birth. But Saddam said ID cards could easily be forged. He told the court: “There is a clear ulterior motive by those who have given you these documents,” the Associated Press news agency reported. “You can buy IDs like this in the market. Is it the responsibility of the head of the state to check the IDs of defendants and see how old he is?” (source: bbc)

More Saddam quotes can be found here.

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That’s the problem with being the judge, jury & executioner — you get blamed when there’s a breakdown in due process. Saddam isn’t the first to fall prey to this. Power Corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely..I don’t think Saddam truly cared to find out if those he ordered killed were children. For this reason, he was tried, sentenced and hanged.

The problems in Iraq don’t end with the death of Saddam. In fact, the problems will likely get worse before the situation there gets better. The United States has committed a large number of troops there, and to what end? What is the goal–Democracy?There’s an old star trek quote, used once or twice during the Deep space 9 years. It roughly stated that the only way to fix a problem with a Klingon, was to get another klingon to help you. This probably holds true in Iraq. I think the U.S. will need the help of Saudi Arabia to get any real progress in Iraq. I just hope someone over there is willing to help, or even take over–We’re not doing much of any good I fear.The rub is, how will this make America Look? Pretty bad, I presume. Many eastern countries already view us as bullies. Some Arab leaders view us as Zionists, and power-hungry. Time will tell, but I pray for peace.p.s. - No, I can’t speak klingon–beat it, kid.

Many sites are reporting a major slip in album sales in 2006. To that, I say so what? I think it highlights the “splintering of tastes” as Andy Baio put it. That, coupled with the ease of getting music online (legitimate means and piracy) certainly contribute to the decline in “traditional” sales of albums.
Worry not RIAA. The appreciation of music isn’t on the decline, but a la carte purchasing will certainly cripple CD sales. When singers/songwriters learn that a 12-track album with only 1 or 2 decent hits won’t sell anymore, maybe we’ll see an incline in quality albums. Until then, people will purchase only the tracks they like, or will find other means of getting what they like. Consumerism today isn’t what it used to be. We are no longer tied to a specific format and we will not be force-fed DRM.

skaters glide on the ice at the Rockefeller Center’s skating rink in midtown Manhattan, New York, in this file photo from Dec. 8, 1949. The skating rink turns 70 on Christmas Day, 2006. (AP Photo/John Lindsay-File)

This Christmas also marks 1 year since I was at that very spot.

You might not remember this, but I do distinctly. SNL came out with a skit about the death of Gerald ford in 1996. I mimicked Dana Carvey’s impersonation of Tom Brokaw for years to come.

In case you forgot

David Duke went on CNN after his meeting in Iran to talk about the accuracy of the holocaust. I think meeting with Abedinejad in Iran to talk about the ‘lie’ of the holocaust is a good career move…especially if you’re a politician. Especially if you were once in the KKK. Especially if you were once the Grand Master of the KKK.And thanks, david duke, for making Louisiana look like crap… again.