December 30, 2006

"It won't change anything"

 
 
Americans cheer Saddam death, but see little change

By Andrea Hopkins

CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Americans welcomed the execution of Saddam Hussein as justice served but the hanging did little to shift focus from the debate over America's future in Iraq.

"I guess it's one less person in the world we have to deal with, but it's kind of sad that this is still at the forefront with all the worse things that are going on," Cincinnati university student Erin Faulk, 20, said Friday night.

"I don't know if it will change anything. I don't think it will," she added.

Saddam was executed by hanging shortly before 10 p.m. EST Friday/(0300 GMT Saturday). The former Iraqi president was convicted in November of crimes against humanity for the killings of 148 Shi'ite villagers from Dujail after a failed assassination bid in 1982.

A poll this week showed 82 percent of Americans supported the execution, the highest support of six nations surveyed. The Harris Interactive online poll, conducted November 30 to December 9, found 69 percent support for the execution in Britain, 58 percent in France and 53 percent in Germany.

U.S. television showed scenes of cheering and flag-waving Iraqi-Americans in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, home to the largest U.S. Arab-American community.

In the dusty town of Douglas, Arizona, on the border with Mexico, Saddam's death was welcomed.

"I wouldn't mind hanging Saddam myself, I think it's a good thing," said Lynn Kartchner, a Vietnam veteran and gun shop owner.

"I think there will be less long-term violence in Iraq now as there is no chance of him coming back to power -- they have cut off the head of the snake and his followers have no leadership," Kartchner added.

President George W. Bush called the execution an important milestone on Iraq's path to democracy but said it would not end the violence there.

It was also unlikely to ease Americans' concern about U.S. involvement in Iraq, where scores of civilians are killed daily and nearly 3,000 U.S. troops have died.

"It was long overdue. Saddam was certainly guilty and he got what he had coming," said Trini Valencia, a 39-year-old banker in Cincinnati. "But other people should be standing next to him. Bush should be standing right next to him, because he's doing the same thing -- killing his own people."

Cincinnati student Alyssa Garrett, 18, said Saddam's death would not stem the bloodshed in Iraq.

"Sure we got him and all that, but we were there for all the wrong reasons," said Garrett. "It won't change anything."
(Additional reporting by Tim Gaynor in Phoenix)

 
 
 
Posted by EvansMediaUSA at 19:51:25 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |
Comments
1 - Saddams death won't change a damn thing. (Comment this)

Written by: Paul at 2006/12/31 - 05:14:44
2 - This Reuters article refers to Detroit, Cincinatti and a small town in Arizona saying that Americans were cheering and flag waiving about Saddam's execution. I don't find this article acurate for it makes it sound like America took to the streets in joyous celebration which in fact America did not. Maybe so in Dearborn, Michigan, home of the largest Arab-American community,..but having checked with 10 major markets in the States, this story is misleading as to the "cheering" that was supposedly displayed by America as reported. Americans are tired of this war and are aware that Bush and company flat out lied to us about Iraq. Furthermore, many American's, both young and old alike, are just now being educated on the FACT that Saddam was American made via our CIA and indeed sold Iraq the weapons to arm their military. Then America sold Iraq out, thus leading us to the Gulf War inwhich American troops to this day have been fighting against American made weapons. Understanding these facts it makes one wonder how many of these "cheering" Arab Americans have not joined the military to go fight in Iraq and why not? No, America was not publicly cheering this execution - it's truly not our style. Americans have been given so much distorted information by our past and current Neoconsevative administrations that many are just now realizing that the direction of America should be truly in their own hands, not the government nor the infrigements of a mutli-faced CIA. We shall see great changes in America in the months and years to come as "WE" the people become more demanding for the truth of what "WE" do throughout the world in the name of "democracy". The only outstanding quote in this article is sad but true: "But other people should be standing next to him (Saddam). Bush should be standing right next to him, because he's doing the same thing -- killing his own people." (Comment this)

Written by: P.O.A. at 2007/01/01 - 00:12:02
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