December 13, 2003

As many of the news analysts and media correspondents are elated to bring the hasty news about the capture of the ousted Iraqi President Mr. Saddam Hussein, we take it easy here and only will reflect on other issues somehow it is the core to this inevitable catch of the day!

Regardless of the favorable or unfavorable personal opinion of this author about Saddam. To the millions of Iraqis, Saddam was known as the Butcher of Baghdad.

The journey of Saddam from his birth, to his political career to his demise, is a journey worth reflections, examining and learning from!

Since the days of his birth, the persona of Saddam was shaped and formed by the circumstances around him. From the tenderness or abuse of his uncle, to the poverty surrounding him, to his invincibility and pro-Arab movement he helped establish and launch, and to his dictatorship. All of these have played a part in his later demise.

Here we wish to talk about his political career, rise to power and the US help in making him powerful and eventually getting rid of him. According to few reliable books about him, Saddam since the beginning of his political inspiration in the 60's received a western help, specifically, an American help! He was nurtured, guided, and in the war with Iran, he was fully supported by non-other than the American Administration(s).

The chemical weapons he used on the Kurds and the Iranian soldiers in the battle fields were manufactured in the US and assembled in Iraq through special laboratories designed and supported by the previous US Administrations. And that is why, the current Bush Administration was so sure before the latest war that Iraq had the Weapons of Mass Destruction. And to place it simply, we quote one of the opposing democrats, he said: "the reason we are sure he has it, is because we gave it to him...." - Saddam started the war with Iran to help the West and the Gulf Emirates stop the spread of the sparks of the Islamic revolution. To continue this job, in the late 70's, an arrangement was made for him to take the helm of the presidency in Iraq and then the approval by the western powers to launch the War that lasted almost nine-years and killed millions on both the Iranian and Iraqi sides; and caused damages worth billions to both economies. Iran then was a young country of few months of age, had to defend its territory against Saddam, the invader. The war continued until finally, Iran accepted a cease fire after its economy was drained by the cost of running the war against Saddam in which he was supported by most of the western countries.

Few years past, the (camouflaged) approval of the US Ambassador in Iraq, (she later denied that he gave the okay) to Saddam and his government to invade Kuwait was given when they presented to her Kuwait's deliberate actions of increasing oil prices and production quotas in which Iraq was losing millions after he lost all the monetary support he was getting from the gulf neighbors for running the war with Iran. Anyhow, Saddam invaded Kuwait, and the rest is history!

The second war started; this time it was a coalition of the willings, headed by the Bush Sr.'s Administration. Then, Saddam lost the war, and a cease fire took place. The Iraqi forces withdraw from Kuwait under fire. Thousands of innocent Iraqis killed in the war as well. After the cease fire, an uprising in the southern and northern part of country took place. Saddam was again allowed to crash the uprising causing thousands of Shias and Kurds Iraqis to be killed by the forces of Saddam. This massacre of both communities was observed and watched from a short distance by US soldiers forbidden by the terms of the cease fire to interfere. UN sanctions were imposed for 10 years, average Iraqis suffered greatly, especially children. However, Saddam, made himself busy with building huge palaces at the expense of his people.

Few lessons can be learned from this journey: The western powers used Saddam in both wars, even though he was a loyal servant. Saddam always believed that he can do things because in his ignorant mind, he believed the Americans or the French care much of him! So, he maneuvered, and played the cat and mouse game, without any strategic plan to have his people behind him in a very good and solid position. He alienated the majority of Iraqis (The Shias), he killed their leaders and imprisoned and butchered their sons and fathers.

This journey with Saddam lead us to the war that just started in March 2003. Not much was revealed of what happened behind the scenes of the war, or the sudden collapse of the Iraqi defenses and the capture of Baghdad this easily! But, the answer is obvious, we don't wish to repeat that the Iraqi field commanding officers were paid off by the Americans to leave their positions, and so on. -- Perhaps the most important element that should be considered, and that is the way Saddam alienated his people! The same people that will be dancing on the streets upon the hearing of his capture.

The average people in Iraq are dying, being humiliated, their freedom is taking away from them, and being denied the right to establish their own government! In Saddam's journey, to the average Iraqi, Saddam was a nightmare that is gone, thanks be to Allah, to God, to the Lord, to Jesus, to Moses, and to whomever you worship! There is a fact that we cannot deny, (and it doesn't matter how many years passed), and the fact is, Saddam was placed by the Americans and removed by the Americans!

This theatrical and deceptive (show when the children are killed) show tell some, hide some video footage will not help the average Iraqi. What helps the average Iraqi is a strong and sincere commitment that the occupation forces are leaving the country within months, especially now you have established your objective of capturing what's yours! As an average Iraqi would say: " Take him with you, good riddance!"

As the journey of Saddam ends, we cannot close the book, without looking at the similar books on the same dusty shelf. Let us talk about Gaddafi, the Saudi Royal Family, the Jordanian Loyal Family, Israel, the Gulf Emirates, these were the same supporters of Saddam, his back bone, the dog feeders. And did we mention they have similar background in their founding! However, Israel, has similar history with him because of the brutality against the Palestinians, dehumanizing of the entire Palestinians in the occupied territory, demolishing their houses, imprisoning their sons and fathers, it sounds familiar doesn't! Saddam must be brought to justice! So does Sharon! The alleged crimes the Israeli leaderships have committed against the Palestinians are just beyond believe!

As we end this journey, we hope other tyrants in the region will learn from this experience! We hope the power that captured this man learn also, that your position of power is a temporary one, and while you are in this position of power you must be just and fair. And sincerely help the Palestinians establish their own state. Get rid of officers in your Army that implicates God and Jesus behind your mission in Iraq. Because, such messages will never be able to capture the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people!

Lastly, I just wonder, if Saddam was good to his people, would he had ended up this way?

No answer is expected, perhaps history will shed a light on so many answers we are still expecting!

Previously Written "Word of The Day"

Catch of the Day! Saddam's Journey! If I were a Lebanese ---------------------, President! We have seen the awakening of the giant! A Passive Prayer! The Last Opportunity, A Wishful Thinking! Defeating the Native-Indians. Sorry, the Palestinians! The Great Satan vs. the Axis of Evil Declare it Arafat, just declare it! Jenin's Wedding: A Palestinian Tragedy & an Israeli Crime The Pharoah & The Wise Man - Part II The Pharoah & The Wise Man - Part I May I have a word with you? Watch out Barbie! Sara is coming out! It Is Time For Gaddafii To Come Clean How Sharon Stole Christmas! It Is the Occupation Stupid! The Joy of Cooking Israel is not America, So, get over it. Giving Thanks Where Thanks Are Due! Welcome back Mr. President The Liberation of Kabul - A Heavenly Gift The way America was!

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