Saddam's Execution...

[JPalmer]

No Politics here....

I have heard several news agency's were denied access as witnesses to the execution procedures.

From what I understand, the video will be made public, if not broadcast on Arabic television. There may be an American there as an official witness, to report back to US authorities.

I remember when his sons were killed a few months ago, and their dead faces were published all over the newspapers state-side....I wonder if any photographs will make it to the AP or Reuters wires...or if any newspapers over here would run a photo of the execution.

[Twisted]

It may not make it to the papers but you know that it'll be plastered all over youtube.

[HOUSCOUS]

where are the pictures?

[boomerd35]

Since news agencies were denied access, and with the wizardry of programs like Photoshop, I wonder about the credibility of the photos that will be released.

Troy T.

[JPalmer]

The Iraqi media reported there were several TV cameras and probably 1/2 dozen photographers present.

I joked with my g/f that the video would be on YouTube within the hour....but I wouldn't be surprised to see it before the weekend is over.

I doubt there will be any photoshopping...they'll (Iraqi govt.) probably supply a handout photograph similar to the other dead faces we've seen (i.e. his sons, and Al Zarqawi)

[David]

I have international programming through Direct TV and on Israeli, Middle East, India and UK TV they showed the whole video and on US TV they only showed small clips.

[JPalmer]

That doesn't suprise me at all Dave...

I was right about the handout photo before the hanging...but I've only seen a low rez. "cell-phone" photo of Saddam after the fact.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by David

I have international programming through Direct TV and on Israeli, Middle East, India and UK TV they showed the whole video and on US TV they only showed small clips.

Really? That would be pretty cool. I like watching foreign newscasts... sometimes...

[kamari]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...on+video&hl=en

I don't know how long this will be up. It's 3 minutes long. There's another version that has translations on cnn's website but they all cut right before the door is opened. This shows everything but has no captions. Looks like it was pretty swift. I imagined a struggle for breath for a while before passing out.

[srwatters]

The cell phone video is on break.com. It's graphic, so don't go there if you aren't prepared.

[JPalmer]

Kamari....I'd say the fall broke his neck, death is usually pretty quick if not instantaneous. The angle of the noose snaps the spinal cord if it's done right.

[Redmouse]

I'm not sure if I could photograph something like that. Sure the internet has desensitize a majority of the population nowadays, but to actually be there to document something like that...

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Redmouse

I'm not sure if I could photograph something like that. Sure the internet has desensitize a majority of the population nowadays, but to actually be there to document something like that...

Internet? Desensitized? How about good old 'Life Magazine' of yesteryear? Ruby and Oswald front page? Eddie Adams' Pulitzer Prize-winning execution of Nguyen Van Lam?

Being more sensitive before the internet is a myth that needs a stake in it's heart. Just go back an look at all the images being put out to the public, lynchings, murders, car wreaks, executions and on and on long before the internet.

[JPalmer]

I agree with John...

People would show up in droves to watch a hanging 75-150 years ago. The entire town would come out and make a public spectacle of it in the Wild West days.

Eagerness to see something graphic isn't a new phenomenon or one that is more rampant now than it was say 30 years ago.

That being said...I know that I'm a bit desensitized, but it's my job to be that.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

If you are ever up in NW Arkansas you can go to Ft Smith and really see some history. The town was pretty much the base for legal actions over a large part of the western US and the Indian Territories and this is where Hanging Judge Parker hung his bowler.
http://www.fortsmith.org/history/judge-parker.asp
They would have up to 3 people hung at a time on the gallows over his time as a Federal Judge.

Last time I was up there was over 15 years ago but I do remember some beautiful victorian mansions in the town that were in sad repair at the time, I hope someone has saved them.

Now back to Saddam I heard that there was a demand this morning to open up his casket to verify that it was him in it before they buried him, or they dug him up to verify, but it was confirmed that it was him. See the guy had so many body doubles over he years I think some of the people thought that a fast one may have been pulled at the last minute and that a double was drug out and hung (low quality video helps hide the double) and that he was then hidden to enjoy life in some refuge.