October/November Suprise: Saddam Verdict Is Expected on Nov. 5

[brettdale]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061016/D8KPMFNO1.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A verdict against Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants charged with crimes against humanity in connection with an anti-Shiite crackdown in the 1980s will be announced Nov. 5, a senior court official said on Monday.

Sentences for those found guilty will be issued the same day, chief investigating judge Raid Juhi told The Associated Press.

The former Iraqi leader could be hanged if convicted. However, he could appeal the sentence to a higher, nine-judge court. His co-defendants include his former deputy, Taha Yassin Ramadan, and his half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Ibrahim.

The trial began a year ago with the eight defendants facing charges arising from the deaths of nearly 150 Shiites from the town of Dujail after a 1982 assassination attempt against Saddam in the town north of Baghdad.

[iconoclastic cat]

1. I seriously don't see how that benefits Bush or the Republican'ts. nt

[Avalux]

2. I don't think the verdict will be a surprise.

And dont' think it will have an impact on our election. Unless he is found innocent and reinstated as dictator. At this point, which was worse - him or the current violence?? :-(

[bryant69]

6. That's what i was thinking too

I mean yeah if he's found innocent on all charges, the Republicanoids could makes omething out of it, but even then, I don't think they would have enough time.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[WI_DEM]

3. Announced on a Sunday, but I don't think this works for Bush anymore

let's face it, Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11 and most Americans are now opposed to our invading Iraq. It will just remind people of an unpopular war.

[MadMaddie]

4. The Saddam verdict is a forgone conclusion....he will be found

guilty in the US led Kangaroo court....the court has no legitamcy around the world....if the US were smart they would have had the trials held at the Hague...but as usual they fucked that up...

If they sentence him to death...if you think they have violence now....wait until the death penalty is carried out....this administration has set the stage for an all out attack on our soldiers...I don't think America is prepared for the repurcussion of this...(Don't get me wrong Saddam should be punished but killing him will incite more violence)

[onenote]

5. and if the verdict sets off additional violence in iraq

which I can see it doing, not so good for chimpy.

[MadMaddie]

7. He will deny that the violence is a direct result of the death of

Saddam.....and he will blame it on everyone else as usual....

[onenote]

8. sure, but the point is that it won't produce a election day "bounce"

[MadMaddie]

9. That is true....

[Warpy]

10. And?

Even if they take him out and hang him immediately, it won't do a damned thing to get us any closer to getting out of that morass. It won't do a thing about the economy, health care, cronyism & corruption, offshoring, or any of the other serious issues facing this country.

[NoodleyAppendage]

11. Yes. Nothing would bring out the Conservative vote like a swinging body.

We saw the same bloodlust and voting drives during the Southern conservative push for segregation. It's so Xtian to want to see someone die right before casting that vote for the bloodletters.

I saw this "October Surprise" years ago. Fairly typical of the Repukes to associate revenge and votes.

J

[Hubert Flottz]

12. I think when they start talking about hanging Saddam it will...

ignite the anti-American/Israeli hatred in the middle east! Which is what I think the PNAC wants, but the political fallout and the killing may get totally out of hand!

Even though Saddam is a hated asshole throughout most of the world, I think that if he is killed, at the hands of what the world sees as a puppet government doing the bidding of Bushco, he will become a martyr and his death will polarize the Islamic world beyond anything seen so far.

If the GOP is willing to off Saddam, for political brownie points, they are batshit crazy!

[global1]

13. What If Rove & Company Stage Celebrations In Iraq Like The Staged Toppling

of Saddam's statue when we first invaded. What if the American voter is subject to 2 days of watching CNN, MSNBC & Faux showing the same loop of pictures of celebrating Iraqi's - happy to see Saddam be convicted? How will that play on Nov. 7th? *Co could bring back the Chalabi group to stage a celebration.

[onenote]

14. when someone drives a car bomb into the middle of it

it won't be pretty.