Saddam's Dead

Good riddance.

More thoughts later.

UPDATE: So far, it's quiet here. On this morning's run, I did hear prayers being sung, sounded like it was over a loudspeaker. First time I've heard that. Not sure if it is due to Saddam's execution or the beginning of Ead, but I'm leaning toward the latter. This area has been relatively quiet, especially when compared to other zones in the North. There is a blend of ethnicities: Arab, Kurd and Turkomen; both religious sects are represented: Shia and Sunni; and what we see, or what we think we see, is more tolerance as folks here are generally trying to settle down and get to the business of living peaceful lives. There is lots of new construction and not just big government projects, but new housing and business being built. A positive sign that the economy is this area is growing. One local city council is talking seriously about projects that will employ the large number of college-educated men in the town that are idle. Another positive sign.

So, what does all this have to do with the execution of Saddam Hussein? Not alot frankly, and that's the point. While I'm sure there will be some negative reaction, some riots or demonstrations, maybe some violence attributed to the execution, my area will probably remain relatively quiet. Not to say that there aren't sympathizers around here. There are. But going on the experience of the last several months, whenever we hear about concerns of increased violence or retaliatory attacks, this area doesn't seem to get dragged into it. Our bad guys seem to have a different agenda.

Saddam Hussein is dead. Closure? For some, sure. End of an era? Eh. I think that happened in March 2003. Another step in the road to recovery for Iraq? You betcha. And the emotional recovery for Iraqis will require a lot of steps... a whole lot.

UPDATE 2: Maybe it's too cold to do anything. Our water puddles were ice when we got up this morning. I wonder if that's keeping the rioting down to a minimum. Just saying.