Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Hundreds of Iraqis Apply to Execute Saddam

ABC News reported today about the flood of interest in the hangman's job for Saddam Hussein.

The impending death of one of the most notorious dictators of the 20th century has caused a morbid contest in Baghdad as Iraqis express an interest in executing Saddam Hussein.

After losing a court appeal, the former Iraqi leader is scheduled for hanging in the next 30 days for the killing of 148 Shiites in the central city of Dujail.

An advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told ABC News that hundreds of Iraqis have inquired about the job as Hussein's hangman, even though officially, no such position exists and the government has not advertised for it.

Bassam al-Husseiny said he receives eight to 10 phone calls a day, and 20 to 30 e-mails by those who want the assignment. The interested Iraqis, he said, come from all three of the country's major religions and ethnicities and from high-level government officials to "the tea boy."

For those who still believe Iraq was better off under Saddam, this should (but probably won't) set them straight.

One of those interested, a Shiite Muslim named Abdul, said there is not a house in Iraq that has not held a funeral because of Hussein. He explained that he is "not the only one" who wants to execute the former dictator. (emphasis added)

It is only fitting that the job should go to someone who has suffered directly because of Saddam.

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