« Ignorant Fools | Main | A Treat »
October 19, 2005
Longevity Wishes to Many
So, Saddam's trial starts. Leaving aside the obvious problems with the process, it's hard not to be pleased that at least he has to face some sort of court. I know, the lack of proper structure for court may damage the proceedings but I personally don't see the court as totally illegitimate. Depends on how they proceed. After all, just because they are under occupation doesn't mean the Iraqis don't have the right to try their former tormenter -- or that all attempts to do so will be illegitimate.
In the Nuremberg trials, the " tu quoque" defense --you did it too, you hypocrite-- was not allowed. I suppose they will now have to ban the mention of any co-conspirators, co-criminals, supporters, enablers, financiers, and, of course, the largest category --what-do-I-care-as-long-as-my-strategic-goals-are-accomplisheders.
At this point, I extend my best wishes for longevity to all the above mentioned. May they all live long enough to face a docket. And that's another reason to be against the death penalty, even for Saddam. May he live long enough to think about what he did every day, and may he see his friends and supporters join him.
Posted by zeynep at October 19, 2005 06:58 AM
Comments
The procecutors seem to have chosen to try Saddam for just one atrocity which did not involve any co-criminals or enablers. It is probably enough to convict him to the harshest sentence possible. Thus there should never be any need for the court, or the world, to look at any potentially embarrasing facts.
Posted by: Mattias at October 20, 2005 04:43 AM
the you did it too defense was not allowed at nurenberg in order to protect the allies from facing justice for their own enormous war crimes such as the firebombing of dresden, tokyo and other axis cities. these allied crimes were of the same scale and brutishness as the axis atrocities. war crimes are for the losers. necessity of war is for the victors.
in modern war, both sides commit war crimes by intent and by practice. no side is immune. axis tactics of collective punishment and routine torture are being used today by those forces which are waging aggressive war against the people of iraq. these american war crimnals will only face justice should they be captured by the criminals on the other side.
Posted by: pili at October 21, 2005 11:18 AM