[Killy]

It was a completely unnecessary and stupid thing to do. It was short-sighted and naive.

First off, by killing him, he was automatically made martyr for the pro-Saddam factions. This will make them even more resistant to influences from the outside world and further strengthen their cause, at least on a religious level.

Second, like Statikk mentioned, he was only convicted for one of many atrocities. No word was mentioned about any of the executions he had ordered, let alone the slaughter of Kurds using biological weapons. I think that very few people who are relatives of the victims can find support in the fact that he's dead, especially since he kind of "got away" with what he did, from a legal point of view.

Third, he got the easy way out. He wanted to die. They just gave him what he wanted the most - a fast and clean one-way ticket out of the mess he had created. Sure, it's arguable that he was of very little use to the Coalition let alone the Iraqii government, but from a distanced point of view, it would've been better off keeping him alive. Now, as he was hanged, he was able to reach out to everyone and point out his cause. He was given the benfit of even more attention than he had been given when he was alive. If he were kept imprisoned for the rest of his life, it would've been alot harder on him and people wouldn't pay as much attention to him.

Like I said, a very hastened and naive solution to the problem.

Those of you saying that it's good riddance really need to reconsider some of this. This will definitely escalate the violence furthermore in Iraq, making it even harder for its population. Come on, don't be blunt.