[GenuineRisk]

I just find it indicative of our absolute bungling of Middle East policy that a secular madman now appears on track to becoming a martyr to the radical Islamists. The radical Islamists hated him as much as we did until we went in, deposed him, f*cked up reconstruction, thereby opening up Iraq as a breeding ground for them. Now I fear they're happy to use his death as a poster child to gather more foot soldiers against the West.

But I guess it depends on how you feel about the death penalty. If a man (or woman) is to be put to death, I think it should only be so that society as a whole is safer (Ted Bundy, the Broomstick Killer, etc. are to me, excellent examples of when the death penalty is necessary). In this case, I fear executing Saddam will not do that and may only incite violence.

But I'd be thrilled to be wrong on this one. Maybe he's been out of power long enough no one will care. I guess we'll find out soon.