Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Fred, Boston Ma — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:59:24 GMT

The holier then thou attitude of the media never ends. The man was guilty. Who cares if the trial was perfect (like OJ's). Get on with it, so the Iraqi people have a chance to move on and we can get our guys home.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Scott Baltimore — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:04:42 GMT

How is this different from the US Justice department removing US attorneys who are not soft enough on republicans?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Lillie Fears, Ph.D. — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:08:44 GMT

Hi Richard,

I have really enjoyed reading your video-script on the geopoitical situation in Iraq. It has helped me tremendously in understanding the current situation is there. I am a journalism professor and currently conducting a study with reporters covering the war for a research project I'm working on with the U.S. Air Force. I would love to have you complet my survey via email and return it to me some time in July. If you are interested, please contact me at lillief@yahoo.com THanks for the site again. I review it almost daily to better my understanding of the Iraq War and its peoples.---Lillie

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:28:42 GMT

Dear Richard, Regarding the trial of Ali Hassan Al-Majid. I would agree that he needed to be executed for the crimes he committed considering he admitted to them in court. I mean murdering innocent women and children to me has no justification to rescind on any sort of punishment. Now the political pressure from the governments into making the courts give guilty verdicts is not right. But,I must say in Saddam's case I would definitely give a guilty verdict. He did truly deserve it in my mind. It would have been easier to have one judge preside over the entire trial, yet I'm sure things got out of hand in the court during Saddam's trial. I agree with Miranda Sissons that political interference was "shameless", but I will say it does need to be more fair instead of just handing out guilty verdicts all the time. Now Saddam's former vice president really deserves no appeal. They all caused too much suffering of innocent people. It may still need fixing, but I agree so far with the decisions of the court. Anyway, In the meantime always keep SAFE RICHARD!!! Peace to you! Peace to all!

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Rolando VillonesManila, Philippines — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:37:54 GMT

The circumstances sorrounding the trials of Saddam and associates are not ones that can be considered normal. Nevertheless, the basic requirement of a fair trial that of being heard and being able to confront the accuser have been made available to the accused, and crimes they are accused of, proved beyond doubt.To require the standard of American justice system under the present Iraqui circumstances would be desirable but wholly impractical.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

T. Hill, Carrollton, Texas — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 21:58:51 GMT

He received the justice that should be afforded to any of the Iraqi scumbags convicted of killing 120,000 innocent civilians. Let's just hope this time he keeps his head.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

jerry, decatur, il — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:03:24 GMT

the method might have been flawed BUT the outcome was right.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Matthew Duffy, Hampton, Virginia — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:37:14 GMT

Having served in Northern Iraq during the first Gulf conflict, I feel compelled to say that anyone linked to the development and/or use of chemical weapons against the Kurdish villages deserves the death penalty. The horror we saw was no different from what Allied troops saw when they arrived at Auschwitz, Birkenau or Dachau. Defenseless men, women and children slaughtered mercilessly in their homes and communities. As for the appeal process, this guy is breathing air that I may one day need. The sooner he and his sentence are executed, the better.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Sherry — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:45:25 GMT

I don't understand why the government feels they must interfere. Saddam, et al, were guilty and would likely have received the same outcome, but the court's credibility would be better if left alone. The government needs to take the lead and show the people of Iraq (and the rest of the world) that it has confidence in the judicial system.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Frank Henderson, Louisville, Ky — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:47:41 GMT

The crime in this is that it has took so long to get to the punishment they deserved. Any trial is better than their victims got. You journalists need to wake up to reality.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

fast eddie "B" — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:56:04 GMT

It would be prudent for all Western observers to loose our concept of Justice when making any comments to the Iraqi style of punishment. For the "boys at the top" they have reaped what they have sewn. Political intervention is nothing more than the freedom of the people exerting it's will. Their Laws of Government will change, but it will take decades. Over the last few years the people of Iraqi have not tasted the fruits of true FREEDOM. My sense is that most are just trying to stay alive from day to day; difficult at best to modernize or intellectually determine what is absolutely RIGHT. I would ask your readers to put themselves in Iraq, a war torn and savaged country, and think of a time that each of them were terribly impacted by sorrow each and very day, and then think of the people that were in power who have caused all of this pain and sorrow. Add to that the theft of all of the wealth of the country, which was deposited into the personal accounts of just a few men - and the hatred grows exponentially. It should be very easy to understand Political Intervention from that perspective. Just give the people a little longer and they will do fine. Hopefully, and as they look back, they will understand the opportunity and the presents that we gave them with the blood of our fallen young man & women. I usually am silent on such issues, but I thought I should make my voice known. Life Is Too Precious.
Just a final note so that your may understand my position: I may not agree with the Political Left with their sometimes silly and childlike attempts to characterize the world and the existing political powers as so sweet and good; because in reality there are some very, very, very BAD people out there; but I would give my live so that they have the RIGHT to express their views in an open forum - That is precisely why our System Works . . .
It's as simple as that!!!
FREEDOM TO ALL

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

john florida — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:03:32 GMT

I am amazed that there was a trial at all.As for their justice system it is theirs and should not be compaired to ours. We have our own flaws, But to use our system to to compair is just a way to deminish the progress made in Iraq. How much justice did they have when saddam was in power. He and the rest of his henchmen decided life and death over coffee not in court. These criminals have had YEARS of justice which is a damn site more than their victems.Did this reporter care that these animals killed 5000 people in one shot?Was it possible that there were people in that village that had nothing to do with any so called crime, did the CHILDREN ALSO COMMIT CRIMES AGAINST SADDAM? That brings us back to my opening statement
"I'M SURPRISED THEY HAD A TRIAL AT ALL"

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

kn dog,mafikeng,south africa — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:21:02 GMT

if you live by the gun you'll die by the gun.at least he underwent trial and found guilty what about thousands of innocent children who had to die for crimes they knew nothing about.the wheels of justice though taking long time did a splendid job.i think america should come to africa and remove my motherland's worst dictators like mugabe,gaddafi etc the way they did to saddam and his scumbags.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Matthew Winslow, Boca Raton, Florida — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:27:37 GMT

As usual the media concentrating on something basically irrelevant at this time. Two horrible men are executed and this is the story that you come up with, "fair trial". You wonder why most of America believes the media to be so far to the left it is disgusting. How many stories have you wrote about new schools, hospitals, power stations, basic services being improved, better life for Iraqis or for that matter how many stories have you written about our heroic soldiers over there. I'm guessing not too many if at all. Keep beating that drum, Hamas might have a job for you!

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

MP, Overland Park, KS — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:28:20 GMT

You are right, it wasn't American justice and why should it be? We aren't talking American soil here either. Why should everything in the world be Americanized. In this case, justice was accomplished. Justice isn't always accomplished in the U.S., nor will it be anywhere. Human's have flaws, so will any form of justice system. The people of Iraq have the responsibility of setting up their own system in their own way. They are making headway after decades of tyrannical rule. The people are taking the necessary steps to develop some form of democracy for their culture.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Randall, Salt Lake City — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:39:07 GMT

I would say that the trial has little or nothing to do with bringing our boys home...

That said we have a history of meddling in other countries and is it any surprise that a few honest men feel differently than we want them to or feel that a "real" trial should take place instead of gerry mandering the judges to find ones that the US supports.

I mean, wouldn't it be a blow to the administration if a tribunal of Iraqui's found someone innocent or at least did not give a harsh enough sentence to seemingly justify American involvement?

This has been a "Bush" fiasco from the beginning. WHen you have special forces officers saying "we should give the country back to Saddam, we didn't realize it was so hard to run it" I think that is a pretty good assessment that operation "democracy" isn't working.

And.....where is Bin Ladin? (after the nonsense in Iraq maybe we should ask "who is Bin Laden??)

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

J. David Blair — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:46:24 GMT

Chemical Ali might not have gotten a trial such as we offer in America, but Iraq has a judical system and Ali got a fair trial under that system. He should be executed for his crimes against humanity. Perhaps this will give the the other despots in this world pause to think befoe they commit similar crimes, but I doubt it. Absolute power corrupts, absolutley. As Jerry from Decatur said, the outcome was right.

David OKC

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Tom, Ft. Wright, Ky. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:49:17 GMT

Their system may not be to our standards, but the outcome is just. Hopefully they will have the requisite time to improve the system. Regardless, it is a far cry from where they were during Saddam and how most other countries in the region perform.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

JW — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:50:59 GMT

Too bad we can't hang the other real mass murderers along with chemical ali, you know the ones I mean, Bush and Cheney.
Than we could have a real ho down of a good time.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

J. David Blair — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:55:28 GMT

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Raul Vic — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:04:14 GMT

hah what a mockery... who is going to give bush a death sentence for killing 800,00 Iraqi's destroying a country and putting the whole middle east on the brink of war. I am sorry to say americans think they are very informed and cry about the human rights but 70% of the problem in todays world is due to them.

Please get off your high horses. There are other countries who had worst human rights violations than iraq. If they are with US policy then we ignore it. You people are pathetic in considering that justice was done. Please get some sanity in your justification and logic.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Tom Atkins British Columbia — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:10:50 GMT

No different than American law, Let's put the ball in the right court, the Iraq justice has been and will be directed from the American Embassy in Iraq, Bush will not stop until every member of the Saddam Government and politician that supported Saddam is given the noose on the gallows.
Could the President of the United States be the most ruthless person that ever walked the earth, history will tell.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Walter, Milwaukee, WI — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:19:26 GMT

Bush & Cheney should face war crime charges for sending ill prepared forces into combat. It is unfortunate that our individual armed service personel are being held responsible for war crimes while the administration that placed them in harms way (ill prepared as they are) takes no personal responcibility. It is hard to fathom that the vast majority of American people remain ambivilent to the outright carnage and abuse of cival rights that Bush and his administration have proliferated. In the case at hand one sees that the administrator is being held responsible and will be ultimately put to death for actions on his watch. Why do we not hold Bush, Cheney and their administration to task as well.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:21:32 GMT

Ali was found guilty of bringing about the death of thousands of people (120,000) just happened to be in the way of his plans and desires. The true reason will never be known. bush has brought about the death of civilians (600,000) and 3,500 American soldiers who happened to be in the way of his plans and desires. The true reasons will never be known. The reasons are unimportant as the dead are just as dead. God has always been on the side of the biggest army with the biggist guns. And the losers never get to write the history.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Think about it — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:22:54 GMT

It two wrongs don't make a right, then what are we (Americans) doing in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died-- many more than under Saddam. Moreover, there are MILLIONS of traumatized refugees. Meanwhile, American oil companies line up to partake in the feast, as production-sharing agreements are issued for Exxon, Chevron, Conoco, Shell, and others. Yeah, we're in it for the "right" reasons all right.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

garfield — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:23:53 GMT

don't forget who put saddam heussain and his ilk in power in the first place, lil richard.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Chester Deckerds — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:25:49 GMT

Interesting rationale. By this same method of thinking, are we going to execute cheney and bush?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

RudyA, Greenville, SC — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:26:40 GMT

To prove the accused guilty beyond and reasonable doubt is without question the right way to go. THis is justice in our American democracy and to set the example we should not be involved with any system that does not acknowledge that the accused is entitled to a fair trial. The manner in which the current system operates in Iraq is nothing less than what happened under the Saddam regime. Two wrongs don't make a right as they say.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Gerald Laidler — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:26:55 GMT

When political interference rules the courts, justice is never done regarless of charges.
As one of your readers stated,when the right wing of of the republican party trys to conrol the courts in the united states or the left wing of the democratic party trys to do the same, justice and the rule of law, along with democracy is compromised.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Gerald Laidler tucson az — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:28:32 GMT

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Muhammad H, Toronto, ON — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:35:11 GMT

I understand the need to have a fair trial for even megolomaniac tyrants who rank themselves amongst the worst in modern history. But where was the media outcry when the hundreds of thousands of victims were sentenced with no trial whatsoever? Your story is a couple of decades late. Like the others who have commented here, I believe your expectations is much too high of the first government chosen by its people in over a millenium.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Shawn, Chicago, Il — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:37:18 GMT

We're talking about Saddam Hussein and Ali Hassan Al-Majid, does anyone honestly believe that the outcomes would have been different if the trials had been fair?

That being said, there was absolutely no reason for political pressure in these cases. The only result of all this is that the Iraqi government and justice system have lost credibility and the possibility of a free and stable Iraq has been set back.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

John Williams, Denali AK — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:43:22 GMT

lets go into the country that is a souverign nation and claim that they have WMD's and when we dont find them lets go ahead and put them on trial for a crime that happened over 20 years ago. I do believe that they both need(ed) to be put to death for what they have done, no question, but to hang all of it on something that happened that long ago with the evidence that they have is incredible. If someone (waco,montana freemen, some arian group, etc.) had attempted to harm our leaders is it so far of a stretch that some form of marshall punishment would have been administered? Lets look at the facts of the case and not the world outlook on there current actions to make a decision about this crime. Is this democracy?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Larry Smith, Worthington , Pa. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:43:44 GMT

Oh please, the end justifies the means, so why are you liberals whining ?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Shane, LaGrange, Ga. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:46:48 GMT

The cowardly weasel got just what he deserved. I say to him "Prepare to meet your maker and Good Riddance."

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Ib Moller 13848 Osage Rd, Apple Valley CA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:49:43 GMT

Justic served, why is it that we have to treat those scumbags with humanity, where was was humanity when they killed all those innocent people. In the old west, when you stole a horse from someone you got hanged that was justice.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Dan Mason, Boston, MA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:56:05 GMT

A fair trial is important every single time because it prevents the system from breaking down, or being overly corrupted, when dealing with cases that are not high-profile and fascinating. The power of the government has to be defined and finite or else we end up with politicians making situational decisions based on short-term political goals. Take Gitmo and American citizens being denied access to the court system as an example.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

James — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:57:46 GMT

Any judge who says that Saddam wasn't a dictator is too stupid and incompetent to be worthy of being a judge, anyways. Sadam's picture would pretty much fit perfectly beneath the word "dictator" in a dictionary!

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Peter Germansen, Santa Clarita, CA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:03:12 GMT

HE just wanted to be like any other world leader, and just kill as many people as he could. Sad but True. I think the guy that wrote this article is a jerk and its Propaganda. He thinks this is sum kind of break through article. So what
If you kill this guy, which I’m glad, What about the pass and present Israeli Prime Ministers they kill kids and men women too.

The Conquering Country Writes the History.

I’m more of American than most of you who will read this I’m total for this war and I will defend myself and this country so that both you and I can write something like this on the internet.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Robert Cocchi Longmeadow, Ma. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:18:11 GMT

Juttice

GIVE HIM THE GAS CHAMBER, Hanging is to good for him

RAC

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

cuniverse — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:21:16 GMT

Who was executed for systematic extermination of all the Native American Nations, their cultures, their peoples, and the wanton theft and pillaging of their lands by the Anglo Saxon . ( you could say their was a war and they lost and that is why they are still in concentration camps)Reserves.
How about extinction of all the Caribbean, and Tasmanian Peoples .by the British
The Brutality of the British in Africa, Australia, India, China, Ireland, Scotland ect.
" Sad am Was fighting a Civil War in his own country"
What did Lincoln do in his civil war?
What did the French Do in theirs?
What did the English do in their many civil wars including the War of the Rose?
What did Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck do to Unify Germany?
And that's but a paltry few.
Power and greed is a volatile mix
Power corrupts, and Absolute power corrupts Absolutely!!! I say no more!

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Opinion Matters — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:24:27 GMT

The only comment or headline I want to see
from the "powers that be" are that America
is bringing her boys home and let Iraq and
the rest of the Middle East do what they
are doing anyway... and killing our soldiers
and others in the process... Enough, already!

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

mark, seattle, wa — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:28:34 GMT

hey their justice is better than here in the USA. We find a guy kidnapping 40+ young men, torturing them, murdering them, eating them, and we give him life in jail and debate if evidence can be used against him because cops don't knock first? of course if you kill an abortion doctor you automatically get the death penalty, get appeals denied, and generally abused by the media and so-called justice system on your way to the electric chair. who the hell are we to complain about anyone's system of injustice?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Jeff Hoyt Somerset, WI — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:41:11 GMT

All I can say is "Halabja". Mr. Ali's sentance is a little late.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Camilo Ribeirinha — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:54:32 GMT

I am 56 years old, lawyer.Before:-justice clerk, prosecuter and judge.I have star working portuguese courts in 1969.Later, came to Macau, former portuguese colony in China.40 years experience, almost.Trials are orders of one regimen, or good or bad.Everybody knows what is now Iraqui Regimen:-terrorism, revanche, assassinatios.What is the Maliki's order about Ali? Of course, assassination.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

chris Tx — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:56:10 GMT

its so sic to see the comments of hatred against america bush cheney are not murderes and to label them as so is bordering a threat. and if it werent for america giving away money to most of these countries we would be worse off people that hate america hate that we are a free nation and wealthy oneYEAH YOU!! YOUR JUST JEALOUS! as form my husband and all the families over there fighting this war i hope it will end soon and HOPE that Iraqis will stand up for themselves against jihadist looneys as far as hlf the losers who drive their cars & buy their coffee's and breathe air, be fregin thanksful and hug a vet FREEDOM ISNT FREE!!!!

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Mike — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:03:23 GMT

Interestingly enough, Donald Rumsfeld was pictured shaking the hand of Saddam Hussein only a year or two after this "massacre" happened...where was the outcry for justice then? Hint: There was none because, Saddam Hussein didn't wake up one morning and go on a killing spree, rather it was a response to civil insurrection and an assassination attempt which we knew about and were okay with 20 years ago, when Saddam was our one of our Allies (read: being used for our purposes). So, the shoe is on the other foot and now we are wishing swift justice for the poor Iraqi's that we didn't care about 20 years ago? So to avoid being hypocritical, we need to lead by example, so...
how many were killed to quell the Confederate insurrection (surely, the poor Confederates should have been left alone)? How many were killed to stifle Indian insurrections (and force them into concentration camps)? How many were killed in African slave revolts (heck, how many Africans were killed simply for the sake of having slavery in America)? How many Anglo-Saxons were executed for THEIR crimes against humanity? Oh, I'm sorry, that never happened which is why America is a shining beacon of human rights over the centuries and able to dictate to other countries what they should do in their own soverign nations. You insolent, arrogant, self absorbed Americans need to forget about what goes on in Iraq and start paying for your own crimes. I'm sure you will find that there is not enough wood in the forests to build the number of gallows you will need. Never mind, American's are too busy getting facelifts and sucking down antidepressants to notice what the world already knows (and finds infinately amusing).

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

SKAA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:04:39 GMT

So long as oil is still in Irak and Halliburton is not liquidated, it doesn't matter how many Iraqis and Americans will die there. This war is no Vietnam. The resources in Iraq are sufficient enough to make Bush and Cheney "stay the course".

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Gene, Festus, Missouri — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:19:02 GMT

I hope they hurry up and give him the death penalty that he deserves. As far as the Iraq conflict: Use our troops to protect the oil only and keep it flowing. Use the oil profits to reward peaceful villages/tribes and use our Airforce to bomb the Hell out of any insurgents.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

calvin, detroit, mi — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:27:32 GMT

Justice is served when guilty people are punished. period! Do you think our justice system is better? We allow rich people with powerful attorneys to corrupt our system and let guilty people walk.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Lukasz, Stamford CT — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:08:07 GMT

Lets face it is the US people that supported at first the war in Iraq. And now some of them going soft. It was a right decision to go in before it possible got worst. Sadam had no place in this country government as well any one that support him. But now this war is not becomeing any more war for freedom to help opress country but it became a war for money for oil. And I don't think any one should support that. After War World II Russians took over many countries and first it appeared to come as a friends that bring freedom to damaged countries, but through many years they were nothing else but opressors that try to gain control of additional terytory. Lets stop and think if some how USA is not doing the same. USA already accomplished a great deal in there it freed Iraqies from its opressor let them rule now pull out watch from the side. Do not sacrifice any more lifes of your country mans for what it appeares to be fight for Oil controll. I am not criticizing US government but warning so that they won't look like opressors rather than a country that delivered freedom to so many after such a long time. And I do not care how thas idiots got killed for me US soldiers could even shot them as soon as they capture them because thats the only thing they deserved. So stop wayning about how the verdict was deliverd who cares. They got what was long time comeing And I still think they got lucky, I still belive they should be executed slowly over long period of time so they could feel they dieing.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

GARY OHIO — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:14:50 GMT

WHERE DOE'S ALL THE HATE COME FROM?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Lori, Milwaukee, Wi — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:31:01 GMT

Too bad we keep trying to make a democracy where none can exist. I don't think that Iraq is capable of ruling itself under anything but a dictatorship. Obviously they have done nothing but act like a bunch of animals when given a little freedom. What a waste of american lives. Lets get out and let survival of the fittest rule. It is the only thing they understand.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Honza P, Homewood, AL — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:36:46 GMT

Of course the verdict was a foregone conclusion. Chemical Ali is guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. Since that's the operative test in a trial, I fail to see what teh complaining is about.

Wasn't Rizgar Amin, the judge who was replaced after the Saddaam trial dragged on and, accomodating every churlish defense lawyer trick in the book, also the one who replied to Saddaam's expressed hope fo being more merciful when he regained power, "God willing"? If he was that judge, and I am pretty sure he was, his continued presence on the bench was an affront to justice.

No offense, but even without such an improper showing of sympathy to the defense as the "God willing" crack, any judge who fails to control the outrageous antics of defense counsel or of defendants who threaten witnesses against them deserves to be removed. We do the same here, and rightly so. It is not only prejudice in favor of the prosecution that is improper. Judges must apply the law to the facts, and I fail to see how any of the defendants mentined could have gotten less than the noose absent one sweetheart of a plea deal.

Only hapless U.N. tribunals allow defendants to fillibuster their way out of a verdict until they die of old age in a jail cell.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:41:08 GMT

The case of Charles Taylor, like that of Slobodan Milosevic before it, compares very unfavorably with that of Chemical Ali. Ali hasn&#8217;t been able to rule the courtroom the way Taylor (and Milosevic and Foday Sankoh before him, who went

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

john florida — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:48:40 GMT

I see the move on crowd has arrived:let's hang the president and the vice president they are responsible for (depending on who's posting you read)600,000 to 800,000 ,what a crock. people like you are more dangerous than all the dictators of the world. talk about the end justifies the means, you would lie to youre mothers to get youre way. lies like those are so far out there that you push any one leaning too far on way or an other to the center for that i am greatful. You and the Rosies of the world would love nothing more than to split this country up so you can use the devide and conquer theory on who ever disagrees with youre nonsense. Thank god there are still a majority of grown ups that are still here and vocal against youre type. WHACO'S

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Howard, Germantown, MD — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:54:03 GMT

Nobody should cry over a spoilt milk. So called Chemical Ali got justice Iraqi style. The thousands of innocent Iraqi's he and his cronis murdered didn't have a chance at justice. So long Ali. RIP until Allah renders his verdict on you on judgement day. We should not criticize the Iraqi judicial system at this time but rather embrace it, as the Country continues to find solutions for democracy Iraqi style.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Kyle, South Carolina — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:59:27 GMT

Hey Mike. What country are you from? And let me let you on a little secret. All countries have their skeletons in their closets. All of Eastern and Western Europe. Asia, Africa etc... All have repressed people, massacred people etc.... You love to point finger at the "Americans". It keeps you from taking any kind of responsibility. Why don't you investigate your country's history and then you may say something to US AMERICANS. And just to remind you.If you are from Western Europe, we bailed your countries out of German hands twice! But its cool, I will remember that when your country is reoccupied. The only two well spoken English words the Europe continentals knew: "I SURRENDER"

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Chris, Portland, OR — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:02:08 GMT

Saddam and Ali have each received a more unbiased trial than any one of the thousands of civilians the two of them have admittedly condemned to death over the past few decades. They may not have been textbook perfect trials, but what trial (even in the US) ever is?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Jim Mc Bride Laconia,N.H. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:28:26 GMT

In the U S A when someone kills his wife and children out courts find them guilty and reward those killers with life in prison at taxpayers expense of Approx. $50,000.oo per year Give the Iraqui's credit for doing it at less cost.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Crickett, Athens GA — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:35:58 GMT

Liberals whine because that is all liberals will do. World powers wield world power. If and when we do nothing (Darfur) we get slammed about that as well. Too all who are and have served, just do the best you can, ignore the media, they are only selling "news". There are no Purple Hearts or Bronze Stars to be had for that. What you do means something, what the media thinks means nothing.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

em. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:37:15 GMT

whats one more life,quit pretending anybody cares.wipe them all out and get it over with.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

james — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:49:30 GMT

The guilty deserve to be punished. Period.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Paul Rhodes — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:58:58 GMT

Good riddance of bad rubish! Sharia justice will be served.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

fellow researcher — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:23:21 GMT

Dear Mr. Richard Engel:

All I have to say is just to be very, very careful!! Your mother must be a saint for all the worry she must do. You and your co-workers and loved ones continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

To Dr. Lillie Fears:
Good luck with your research, especially the recruitment portion. This brings back memories from my thesis. :)

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

L, Maryland, USA — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:39:10 GMT

I don't believe we should ever take pleasure in anyone's death - whether it be an innocent civilian, or an horrific monster. Murder is murder is murder. Besides, a death sentence won't undo the crime. It will just mean one more dead body. And before everyone attacks me as being a bleeding heart liberal who is just talking out of her ass, I did once know someone who was murdered, although her murderer killed himself. And as far as the Iraqi judicial system being corrupt, you know the expression: "Garbage in, garbage out." What did we expect?

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Greg C., League City, TX — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:18:35 GMT

Having spent 2 ½ years in Iraq and seen the devastation in human life and infrastructure these men wrought, I will echo sentiments about their demise. Over 5,000 men, women and children killed in one day at Halabja alone would be enough for any sane group of people to return the guilty verdicts. And then add the rest of the 100,000+ Kurds and others murdered during Operation Anfal, and you have even more evidence than one would reasonably require. The Iraqi judicial system may be flawed, but as more than one person here has commented, ours is far from perfect and theirs IS a different society. Give it a rest and consider the people murdered and maimed by their “leaders”.

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

Rich, Philadelphia — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:28:47 GMT

We should stop calling it "terrorism" .. that implies power in the one causing the terror... call it what it really is... "cowardism"

Iraqi justice for ‘Chemical Ali’

J. H. Nick — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:03:11 GMT

From watching your broadcast on July 2, 2007, you leave the impression that you may be on the wrong side of this war on terror. Comment please.