As the stories trickle in, the reactions are fairly varied, and predictable.

Amnesty International, of course, condemned it.

Iraq: Amnesty International deplores death sentences in Saddam Hussein trial

Amnesty International deplores the decision of the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal (SICT) to impose the death sentence on Saddam Hussein and two of his seven co-accused after a trial which was deeply flawed and unfair.

As did the EU:

EU president Finland says Saddam should not hang

The European Union urged Iraq on Sunday not to carry out the death sentence passed on Iraq’s former leader Saddam Hussein after his conviction for crimes against humanity.

"The EU opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances, and it should not be carried out in this case either," Finland, current holder of the rotating EU presidency, said in a statement.

I wonder what they would have said about Hitler and Stalin?

In Baghdad the reactions was simple.  Celebration.

Saddam death sentence sparks dancing on streets of Baghdad

Thousands of Iraqis sang, danced and unleashed celebratory bursts of gunfire yesterday as Saddam Hussein finally faced the consequences of his tyrannical rule in a Baghdad courtroom.

The big difference I see is that one side sees the issue as a principle.  The death penalty is violent and should be opposed.  The crimes he committed can be punished by jail, and any other punishment is cruel, no matter how deserving.

The other side sees it in a realistic manner because to them, these crimes cost them loved ones lives.

Maybe that is a key element.  The EU and AI see this as crimes against humanity, which is sanitary and intangible.  They can sit in lofty superiority cloaked by their outrage and comforted by their compassion.

The Iraqi’s now dancing in the streets see it as a crime against their families.  No wonder they take it a bit more personal:  It was.  Their pain is real, immediate and direct.

The mass graves were in their neighborhoods, filled with their people.  It was anything but sanitary and intangible.

And the law of Iraq is clear.  He was tried and convicted and he will, barring a successful appeal, hang for his crimes.

The worst tripe I have read is this from the UN Human Rights Commission:

UN criticizes Saddam Hussein’s death penalty

The UN on Sunday criticized the decision to sentence Saddam Hussein to death, calling upon local authorities to refuse the to hang the ex-leader.  (H/T STA)

I find that appalling.

There is a part of me, sickened by all this, that wishes he had been summarily executed, wrapped in porkshin and buries face down pointing away from Mecca.

But that is just me being snarky.  In truth, it is good that he was tried in Iraq, by Iraqis and under Iraq law should be enough to quell the tide of complaints, but it is not. 

To those complaining about this causiong a un uprising of violence:  Yes there will continue to be violence.  Some of the factions in Iraq still see him as their leader in absentia.  That is all the more reason to recognize them as what they are:  A party of monsters who follow a monster.   We should use this as a matter of increased resolve but instead many will use it as the latest anti-war rhetoric.

The UN, The EU, AI and Ramsey Clark, along with all the nutroots and liberals who have also denounced the trial can all sit back and bemoan the upcoming death of Saddam, but no matter what they say, it will be the death of a tyrant, and a monster and one long overdue.

By the way, the Nutroots are indeed out in complaint.  Via LGF:

Moonbats Erupting in Anger

A sampling of the comments at Huffington Post about Saddam’s death sentence. (Hat tip: Right Brain.)

Behold, the Democrats’ base.

Saddam is a far better man than George W. Bush ever thought about being.

By: shrike on November 05, 2006 at 07:58am

[...]

wow are bush, cheney, rumsfield and rice next?seems to me the killed about as many innocent iraqis as saddam did, and about as many innocent , trusting troops as civilians we lost on 9/11

By: stamper on November 05, 2006 at 07:35am

[...]

Now how about going after George Bush.

By: waxxx on November 05, 2006 at 07:36am

[...]

Yes, exactly how we should react:  Blame Bush or Hate Bush.  Even when it is about Saddam, it is actually about Bush.

Attention Democrats:  These are your peers?  Really?  Gawd….

I am sure that the Liberals will have a nice memorial for him.  Mayby Kerry will speak at the funeral.  OPen it with a good anti troops anti Bush joke.  It would be in character.

Read more at:

Michelle Malkin, Fox News, Roger L. Simon, The Jawa Report, Babalu Blog, Daily Pundit, Tammy Bruce, Peaktalk, Instapundit.com, James D. Hudnall, AMERICAblog, Captain’s Quarters, Atlas Shrugs, Gay Patriot, Barking Moonbat Early …, Kesher Talk, Power Line, Outside The Beltway, Maggie’s Farm, Patterico’s Pontifications, Gateway Pundit  and Squiggler  

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