Sorry mate, I don't know about that execution law for 70yr olds.
Around here, there really is no law, that I've seen anyways. At a street corner, at a shop, kitted out to the max, and with our carbines, we are the LAW, or at least they think so. Me, I just want to make it back to our compound in one piece. In brief, just thinking at a glance now, I know what it is like to have bullets pass close (05 Nov), or to be < 50metres from 122mm HE Katyusha rockets slamming in (21 Dec). Memorable, but NOT pleasant! Or to hear the many daily and at times nightly multiple VBIEDs/IEDs, ongoing firefights at check points, etc. It is mayhen at the best of times, and thats in Baghdad, a city of over 4 million! Imagine Toronto or Sydney in such carnage.
In time it will change here, but not to our expectations we would like to see.
A western presence will be here for the foreseeable years to come.
As for the videos of the hanging (Al Jezeera called in a lynching today), the MEDIA is really fanning the flames on this, blowing it way out, and any casualties from their disgusting behaviour, well the blood is on their hands. CNN is guilty as Al Jeezera. Shame on them all!
So Saddam was taunted. So what? Look what he did for over 2 decades. Now look at every exectuion in the US for example, the high profile ones get the news. You know the placcards 'Burn Bundy Burn' brings back memories. Ya too are the pro-lifers outside the prisons also. Both sides expressing themelves. Thats what happened here, and with something new called FREEDOM (they don't really know how to handle itin my opinion), its more intense.
The videos are in bad taste, but it tells the world that yes he was hanged, and is DEAD. Seems many islamic countries which are pro-sunni are blaming the US. Anything to get back at them.
Over here, middle eastern mentality seems all to be based on revenge and centuries old hatred. Its tribal here. Strange customs very foreign to us. Kind of like a 13th century mentality in the 21st century. Scarey times ahead for us all, and Canada like other western nations is not immune.
I believe in time, things wills settle, and even now, they might quiet down, as he's gone now. As for being martyred, only by the extremists, like Hitler and his followers, many today who are alive 60+yrs after the war ended in Europe. For the average guy here just wants to have a job, watch TV, smoke some heesh, play soccer, and be with his family.
Now, if the lefty do gooders whinge about these videos, consider Al Zahraa TV (channel 006 if you are in the area), for those of you that have not heard, its a 24hr Iraqi pro-insurgent propaganda based station which continiously broadcasts the IED VBIED, mortar and rocket attacks, plus sniping too, even with a Juba sniper special with the most obcene graphic headshots you could imagine on US Forces. So thats 24hrs a day, promoting hatred and showing graphic killing, as opposed to a simple hanging which lasts only a matter of seconds.
Both are wrong, but which is worse. You decide.
Cheers from yet another cold clear night in Baghdaddy,
Wes
