I freely admit that I've been just as guilty of this ignorance, but I'm very glad that I've coincidentally managed to see this. At this moment there's a documentary/biography of Saddam Hussein's career on PBS (where I am, anyway). Some of the details are quite shocking, even considering how he's been vilified over the past decade.
-- He was originally employed by the Baath party as an interrogator/torturer and hitman. Among his publicized accomplishments during the fight against the "pro-Red" military dictatorship of the 1960's general/leader when he was a member of a squad that attacked that general's car with machine guns. The general survived, but he managed to escape. -- His role model (evidenced by his own library) is Josef Stalin. -- He gained the presidency of Iraq in a coup, and in an immediate meeting of his party, he read out the names of specific party members he accused of treason (some of them long-time personal friends). As they were lead out, he made a show of shedding tears up at the podium. -- By personal accounts, Hussein was desperate and near an emotional breaking point holed up in his bunker in Baghdad during the prosecution of the ground war 12 years ago. This state completely reversed when the US invasion ended without attacking Baghdad, because he had kept his immediate power base intact.
I'm still not eager to violate international opinion and the UN Charter, but I like this man even less than before, and am less opposed to the idea of getting this guy.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
Same here.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
I must admit to a bit of curiosity. Reading straight off your post. He fought the "pro-Red" military dictatorship, but he's a big fan of Josef Stalin? Assuming "pro-Red" means pro-communist, isn't that a bit of a paradox?
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mucus: I must admit to a bit of curiosity. Reading straight off your post. He fought the "pro-Red" military dictatorship, but he's a big fan of Josef Stalin? Assuming "pro-Red" means pro-communist, isn't that a bit of a paradox?
Yep. They pointed that out in the program.
Posted by Futurama Guy (Member # 968) on :
In 1957, he joined the Baath party.
He spent 6 months in jail ('58-'59) for his political activities against the regime.
Sentenced to death in absentia on February 25, 1960 for his part in the revolutionary operation (assassination attempt) against the dictator Abdul Karim Qassim.
Escaped to Syria, then to Egypt for a couple/few years on and off.
In 1963, the Baathist party took control of Baghdad, and Saddam returned to Iraq and his work with the party. Several months later, the Baathists were overthrown.
Was arrested on October 14, 1964 with with charges related to his leadership of the Baath Party's struggle against the regime.
Elected as member of the Baath Party's Pan-Arab National Leadership in 1965 (while still in jail).
In September 1966, he was elected Deputy Secretary General of Baath Party Leadership in Iraq (again, while still in prison).
Escaped from prison in 1967 , to resume leadership of the Baath Party struggle, all the while he was chased by the regime's secret police.
In 1968, the Baathist (Arab Socialist) Party regained power and Saddam served as deputy chairman on the Revolutionary Command Council.
In 1969, he became vice-president of Iraq, over the next decade he appointed many members of his family to high ranking government positions.
In 1979, he became president of Iraq, where he immediately began consolidating his power by ordering the deaths of government officials that he suspected of treason (whom all, I believe were Communists).
So originally the Baath Party was Communist, gained control, lost control and later regained control of Iraq. All along he has been a member of the Party, yet evidently right around the time he became president he flushed out the communists and made it what it is today. Whichever the case, I dont believe Iraq has ever been a Communist Nation, despite being under the a Socialist Parties rule....as of now, Iraq is a Republic.
Posted by OnToMars (Member # 621) on :
Wow, compare the timeline of his life to Bush's. A striking comparison, I think.