Saddam Hussein met his end today, just before 6 AM local time, as the death sentence handed down after his first trial for war crimes and atrocities was carried out.
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been executed by hanging at an unspecified location, reports say.
Iraqi TV said the execution took place just before 0600 local time (0300GMT). It was witnessed by a doctor, lawyer and officials. It was also filmed.
While I am not enthusiastic about capital punishment, nor am I a believer in retribution and revenge, I do believe it is necessary at times. It seems that it is appropriate to consider death penalties in situations when the perpetrator, by actions that are so heinous and reprehensible as to be inhuman, forfeits the right to continue as a member of the human community. One would think that the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people and the use of chemical weapons would qualify.
More from Captain Ed and Professor Bainbridge. The latter provides a Catholic perspective.
