HASSEIN IS DEAD BUT WAS JUSTICE SERVED?

A mass murderer, a thug, a torturer - so why his death so appalling? Wasn't Justice served? It depends on the definition of Justice. Here are the definitions from the Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged of the English Language:

The quality of being just, ie: guided by truth, reason and fairness.

Like the problematic trial of another head of state, Slobodan Milošević by the United Nations special tribunal for the War Crimes of the Former Yugoslavia, Sadam Hussien's was really conducted by a foreign power. Everything since Hussein's capture - it is alleged that he had been captured earlier then planted in the "spider hole" for maximum media effect - has been conducted to gain political capital for the United States. It is telling that the Hussein's was in U.S. custody until his execution. Was his trial guided by truth? Perhaps, there is little to no question that he killed or ordered killed all those people. However, The first judge, an ethnic Kurd, resigned because of government interference in the trial; the judge who took his place was also Kurdish and had personal grievances against the accused, so hardly an impartial arbiter. Three of Saddam's defense lawyers were shot down. The process was severely compromised so no justice could be served.

Additionally, will those who aided and provided Hussein with the tools to kills hundreds at one time also be brought to justice? Unlikely if they are Americans. Those who assisted are namely ex-President George H.W. Bush, Rumsfeld, and others from the Reagan administration. They will not be brought to justice for their part so Hussein's trial is exposed in his lack of justice. Clearly the motivations for bringing Hussein to justice, were not to do right, but for political expediency. Justice was not blind during Hussein's trial and sentence.

Let us constrast this with the Truth and Reconciliation hearings in South Africa after the fall of apartheid. It was conducted by the powers of the country - henious crimes were exposed, including many senseless murders. No one was executed nor prosecuted. Why? Because it was important for the nation to confront the perpetrators who had to sit and take the rants of their accusers and then move on. South Africa is by no means healed and still has long way to go before the scars fade, but it has at least started down that road. No such future is available to the people of Iraq now.