# Cardinal feels "Compassion" for Saddam? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 17, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541 "2003-12-17T15:29:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/21 "2003-12-17T17:20:47Z")
It looks like showing a video of this guy opening his mouth is not compassionate. So what is? Should they have given him a shave, haircut, new suit, and hung a supermodel on his arm before filming him? Probalby should have used the right light too. It would have brought out the color highlights in his cheeks. The guy is an old man (under a lot of stress, no doubt) who has been hiding in a hole for who knows how long. I think it would have been tough to _not_ make him look like a cow,zombie, whatever. I’m not an advocate of cruelty and I think that nothing in the film depicts cruelty. I **do** believe that he was and still is being treated humanely. Some religious leader whining about his treatment because he opened his mouth and didn’t look so hot is just plain silly. Bubba ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/22 "2003-12-17T17:59:11Z")
Showing this creature in this condition to the world may be the most effective way possible of eliminating any remaining fear of him or what he represents; far more than killing him in a blaze of gunfire in an assault on a fortress would have been. And not only that, but that two-timing Satan just dumped him for that pansy Chris. How must that feel? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/23 "2003-12-17T18:13:30Z")
Bubba, [here’s](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20031216/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_saddam_vatican_031216165020) the article. Please read it so that further asshattery can be by choice rather than by ignorance. Please note the lack of the terms “cruelty” and “compassion”. Granted, he does say “we should have been spared these images” and I don’t agree with that, but is it unreasonable to feel pity for a humiliated creature? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/24 "2003-12-17T18:25:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Munch \* > \*\* > …is it unreasonable to feel pity for a humiliated creature? > \*\* not if its our Smeagol ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/25 "2003-12-17T18:44:38Z")
I wonder if any Iraqi gives a tinkers damn about what the bloody hypocrites at the Vatican have to say about anything, not to mention the dictator who raped, pillaged, and murdered their sons, daughters, wives, husbands, mothers and fathers for the last 20 years. I’d say not, but then, what do I know? IMO: Tape it shut cardinal, your organization failed to speak up against the mass murders in 1945, you should probably not speak up now, especially in defense of Saddam effing Hussein. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/26 "2003-12-17T18:45:08Z")
Ok I’ll throw in my two cents, too. I’ve been feeling pity and compassion for him too. A lot of my acquaintances are saying “Death to Saddam!” etc. etc., but I see an old old man whose world is crumbled. I keep quiet though, I’m sure there are many who would happily roast me for even feeling a little pity. ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/27 "2003-12-17T18:49:19Z")
\*\* smiling bandit \*\* Are you for real? what about the thousands of frail and broken men that saddam himself had BROKEN. He brought the fall of himself upon himself and is deserving of no sympathy whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/28 "2003-12-17T18:54:29Z")
…and the same goes for the rest of those that post sympathy for this twat. Imagine if Hitler had been taken alive…think on that, he looked absolutely fucked sideways towards his end of his 1000 year Reich lasting all of 12 years, would you have sympathy for him. Fucking bleeding hearts, you make me sick. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/29 "2003-12-17T19:04:49Z")
He’s hardly Hitler. He’s hardly even Stalin. He’s a tinpot dictator who overstepped his safety zone. Boo hoo. I don’t personally have any pity or sympathy for him. But then I’m not an official of the largest Christian denomination in the world, either. You know, Christians…those people who are supposed to emulate Christ, with the forgiveness and the love for enemies. I’d kind of hope that a priest/cardinal/bishop/pope would feel compassion even for people who aren’t nice. Because it’s kind of easy to feel compassionate for people who are nice, but Christianity isn’t supposed to be about taking the easy way. It’s about loving your enemy. And feeling compassion even for those who do disgusting things. ---
**Author:** ![Fang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fang)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/30 "2003-12-17T19:14:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Left Hand of Dorkness \* > \*\*One of the most important differences we can draw between ourselves and Saddam’s ilk is our compassion even for our worst enemies. \*\* No. What differentiates us from him is we don’t do what he did. I wouldn’t give a shit if he had all the compassion in the world for the families of those he tortured to death. I would feel some compassion for a rabid dog I had to put down that **JRD** mentions, because the dog is an animal and has no choice in the matter. However, Saddam made the conscious decision every fucking step of the way to do what he did and thus I have no compassion for him. Humiliation? Please. I look at him and think of his hundreds of thousands of victims, and believe that whatever happens to him from now on will be far too good for him. If this is what Jesus meant by “Love thine enemy”, then I’m glad I was born a Jew. Especially if it keeps me from being associated with an institution that produces men such as the Cardinal here. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/31 "2003-12-17T19:19:48Z")
Well, one can’t very well argue against compassion to the defeated tyrant, but it should be matched with anger for the people has has killed, torutred, and maimed. > [@](#): > > He’s hardly Hitler. He’s hardly even Stalin. He’s a tinpot dictator who overstepped his safety zone. Boo hoo. I’m not going to be harsh on you, **JayJay** , but you must not have heard about the gassing of the Kurds, torturing children to get parents to confess, the mutilations, the castrations, the mass graves. Saddam was, is, a monster. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/32 "2003-12-17T19:19:58Z")
Hell, **Fang** , what did you think that “love thine enemy” stuff was about, then? “…as long as he’s nice to you”? “…as long as he doesn’t actually do anything to make you mad?” “…as long as you’re both just joking around about being enemies?” I’m not even Christian. I have no requirements to love my enemy. It just irks me when the people who do claim to be Christian don’t even bother trying to do what they’re supposed to do, and I find myself strangely elated when one of them actually does, as in this case. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/33 "2003-12-17T19:25:08Z")
**gobear** , I personally have no sympathy for Hussein. I’m just astounded that people are taking the fact that a cardinal did what churchmen are SUPPOSED to do as some kind of grave insult to humanity. And even with all the hell he put Iraq through, I don’t think he quite reaches Stalin’s or Hitler’s level as far as any of it goes. I also stand by my original opinion about this war, that it was a gasbag war, put on almost solely because it was pretty much a guaranteed relatively quick conquest and because it was against an enemy that there was general resentment for among the American population. The United States has supported worse dictators. What’s so special about this one that we have some moral obligation to go in and get rid of him? I respect and admire our armed forces. I’m grateful that the soldiers were available and willing to do their jobs. I just don’t think the administration should have sent them to do this job. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/34 "2003-12-17T19:28:48Z")
I’m not a Christian, but the New Testament is pretty clear about judgement and empathy: life is hard, you should have compassion for those in a bad way, and anything beyond that is God’s business, not yours. There would be something wrong if this Cardinal said that he _didn’t_ feel compassion for Saddam. ---
**Author:** ![Yumanite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b487fb/32.png) [@Yumanite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumanite)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/35 "2003-12-17T19:33:11Z")
Hear hear. I understand why most people will never have compassion for Saddam Hussein, but it isn’t a flaw for someone to feel compassion for him, or for any other enemy. It _is_ possible to combine a compassion with justice, after all, and recognize that one needs to be punished for crimes without taking a delight in the punishment itself. I would expect this of a Christian. That being said, those images of Saddam being **inspected** are a kind of dumb thing to get riled up about as they go. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/36 "2003-12-17T19:53:07Z")
I don’t think the videos of Saddam are particularly humilating, but then I didn’t think the videos of American POWs answering questions from Iraqis back in March were particularly humilating, either. And yeah, great seeing all the “compassionate conservatives” show their true stripes. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/37 "2003-12-17T20:12:09Z")
> [@](#): > > I read this earlier, and I’m like bull crap. Would that a _papal bull_? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/38 "2003-12-17T20:15:42Z")
Does a papal bull shit in the woods? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/39 "2003-12-17T20:26:06Z")
Yes, it’s hard, and I don’t think I can really do it in his case. But the things a religion commands its adherents to do mean the most exactly _when it’s hardest_. If you don’t follow the principles when it matters most, then you aren’t following them at all. The cardinal is summoning the strength to do what he has to do in a moment of truth, and should be admired for it. Just don’t ask me to join him - I can’t. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541/40 "2003-12-17T20:29:06Z")
**spogga** , your question, “what about the thousands of frail and broken men that saddam himself had BROKEN,” is baffling. Is there a finite amount of compassion, such that we may only have it for a murderer or his victims but not both? Showing him pity in no way lessens the horror at what he’s done or the compassion for his victims or their survivors. **Fang** , you say that “What differentiates us from him is we don’t do what he did.” You’ll notice I said our compassion is ONE of the most important ways we distinguish ourselves from his ilk. I assumed it went without saying that not doing shit like that was another of the most important ways, and indeed goes hand in hand with showing compassion to everyone. Folks who feel empathy for other people tend not to kill them wantonly, maybe you’ve noticed; the Walrus was necessarily lying when he weeped for the oysters. And **gobear** , when you say, “Well, one can’t very well argue against compassion to the defeated tyrant, but it should be matched with anger for the people has has killed, torutred, and maimed,” I agree with you entirely. Daniel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cardinal-feels-compassion-for-saddam/219541.md?page=3)