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December 15, 2003 |
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About Town Dave Uphoff |
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A humiliating end to a dictator
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I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the biggest news story of the year - the capture
of Saddam Hussein. Rather, I should say the surrender of Saddam Hussein. The once
mighty dictator was caught like a rat in a hole by American forces near Saddam's hometown
north of Baghdad. Armed with a pistol and an AK-47, Saddam meekly surrendered when found
in a hole dug in the ground near a farmhouse.
Myself, I wished that he had been killed rather than captured, to put to an end, once and for all, the saga of one of the most ruthless and evil men to ever walk the face of this earth. Instead, we will have to put up with an endless trial that may or may not end with his execution. Perhaps, it's best that he was caught cowering in a hole like a spineless wimp instead of coming out of the hole with both barrels blazing. First of all, no lives were lost in his capture. Secondly, his meek capture exposes him for what he is - a coward who is nothing without his henchmen and his money. This may help defuse the passion of those militant muslims who looked upon Saddam as the model Arab who defied his enemies and was thought to fear no one. If their icon will succumb so meekly, why should they put their life on the line?
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Adding further insult to Saddam's capture is the filming of his medical exam by an
army medic for the whole world to see. Who would want the world to see someone poking a
tongue depresser in their mouth or having their hair inspected for lice? The image of the once
mighty dictator reduced to such a lowly level will burn in the minds of those
terrorists who looked upon him as a leader. Hopefully, that image will resonate in their
minds before they decide to plan an attack.
As commentator Andy Rooney said, our military forces in Iraq gave us the best possible Christmas present we could want - the capture of Saddam Hussein. We owe a great deal of thanks to our soldiers for their efforts in not only capturing Saddam Hussein, but for their efforts in trying to win the peace in Iraq. With Saddam out of the way, the reconstruction of Iraq should be facilitated. However, to make the reconstruction of Iraq a reality, President Bush must start being a world player rather than maintaining his cowboy image of doing it my way or the highway. If President Bush can get other nations involved in the peacekeeping in Iraq, there will be less need for our military presense. That will be the best Christmas present the President could give to our soldiers and their families. |
