# Everything's cool, Saddam's been arrested. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 14, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934 "2003-12-14T12:07:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/1 "2003-12-14T12:07:30Z")
[Saddam Hussein Believed Captured in Iraq](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,105706,00.html) > [@](#): > > BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi dictator and most-wanted figure by the U.S.-led coalition, has been captured in Iraq, U.S. officials said Sunday. > > “It certainly looks good,” one senior U.S. official in Washington said, cautioning more scientific testing, possibly DNA, was being done early Sunday morning to try to confirm the identity. > > Prime Minister Tony Blair seemed to confirm the capture by welcoming the news, his spokesman said Sunday, adding that it “removes the shadow” of the former dictator’s possible return from Iraq. > > In Baghdad, the U.S.-led occupation notified reporters that a “very important” announcement will be made at a news conference scheduled for 7 a.m. EST but did not give details. > > A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the captured man’s appearance did not immediately look like Saddam, but additional efforts to ascertain his identity indicated he was the former leader. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/2 "2003-12-14T12:10:16Z")
Why is this in the Pit? Whatever one’s political stripe, the fact that this monster is in custody is nothing but FUCKING FANTASTIC news! 😃 😃 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/3 "2003-12-14T12:12:09Z")
Serious discussion in [the GD thread,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229215) and swearing like a sailor in this one? And will we get a few ‘What if Hussien wrote Lord of the Rings?’ threads in CS? How about a ‘My favorite Saddam Hussien cheese blintz recipes’ over in MPSIMS? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/4 "2003-12-14T12:13:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > **Why is this in the Pit?** I dunno, it’s not a debate, its not a factual question, it’s not IMHO, it’s not mundane and pointless, so where else was I going to put it? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/5 "2003-12-14T12:16:00Z")
OK, so what are we going to **do** with him? Or, perhaps to make it pit-worthy, how will the US fuck up diplomatic ties this time? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/6 "2003-12-14T12:28:15Z")
Given that the Democrats have been beating the hell out of Bush for not capturing Saddam, I can’t wait to see them scatter like a bunch of teenagers getting caught looking at a Penthouse. The hemming and hawing will be absolutely priceless. We’ll see what results from this. The interrogation should be, shall we say, _interesting_. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/7 "2003-12-14T12:33:55Z")
No, **Airman** , they were beating him for not finding WoMDs. Which they still haven’t But maybe now we can get back to looking for Bin Laden? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/8 "2003-12-14T12:34:34Z")
This is great news. Now we can _really_ start to build a free and democratic Iraq! Can’t wait to hear wahat he has to say about WMD’s and such. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/9 "2003-12-14T13:06:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Squink \* > \*\*This is great news. Now we can _really_ start to build a free and democratic Iraq! Can’t wait to hear wahat he has to say about WMD’s and such. \*\* Saddam: “You fools! I was clearly getting my massive weapons of death and destruction from Iran!” [grins evilly as F-22s start dropping their payload on Tehran] ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/10 "2003-12-14T13:09:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > \*\*No, **Airman** , they were beating him for not finding WoMDs. Which they still haven’t > > But maybe now we can get back to looking for Bin Laden? \*\* Ok so it’s a streatch of the definition of WMD, but personally speaking, I think this guy _is_ a WMD. ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/11 "2003-12-14T13:10:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cadolphin \* > \*\*Ok so it’s a streatch of the definition of WMD, but personally speaking, I think this guy _is_ a WMD. \*\* Opps… forgot this was the Pit. FUCK Kathy ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/12 "2003-12-14T13:18:18Z")
Republicans: “We got him, don’t all you Democrats feel stupid?” Democrats: “Big deal. Still no WMDs.”\* Ah, all is right in the world. Has anybody referred to Hussein as “your buddy” yet? I got money riding on this in a pool. \*(I would venture to guess most Democrats are equally happy that Hussein has been captured – I would further venture to guess that most Republicans are concerned about not having found WMD’s as well) ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/13 "2003-12-14T13:25:33Z")
Are we sure this photo isn’t an out take from the latest Lord of the Rings gig ? ---
**Author:** ![MrTuffPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MrTuffPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrTuffPaws)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/14 "2003-12-14T13:28:00Z")
It will be interesting to see just how the attacks continue on collation forces. Are we still going to be saying that they are Sadam loyalists? Plus, Rumsfeld will get to shake his hand one last time. Let the media circus begin!!! ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/15 "2003-12-14T13:45:36Z")
> [@](#): > > _From the OP link:_ > “With the arrest of Saddam, the source financing terrorists has been destroyed and terrorist attacks will come to an end. Now we can establish a durable stability and security in Iraq,” said council member Jalal Talabani. Whether that proves to be the case is the big question. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/16 "2003-12-14T13:59:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > \*\*No, **Airman** , they were beating him for not finding WoMDs. Which they still haven’t > > But maybe now we can get back to looking for Bin Laden? \*\* Actually, they have been beating him up with the “Bush didn’t get Saddam or Osama” stuff as well. Don’t act like you didn’t know that. If Saddam gives up even one weapon, just one, Bush will be re-elected by an overwhelming majority. And the Dems are running scared that that might happen, even though it is putting the cart before the horse. As far as Osama, I thought we already knew where he was. In a certain region of Pakistan where we can’t get to him. If he’s contained, I’ll settle for that. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/17 "2003-12-14T14:11:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF \* > **If Saddam gives up even one weapon, just one, Bush will be re-elected by an overwhelming majority.** While that is probably close to the truth, fogive me for not being heartened by it. It goes back to the argument that no one ever thought that we couldn’t kick the shit out of Iraq, just that we shouldn’t – not on our own anyway. So – essentially, since we were there, it’s a good thing that we got Saddam, but I wish we had never gone in to begin with – again, not on our own (and don’t give me shit about the Coalition of the Willing – no UN backing was not a good idea). But accomplishing the main objective to the invasion, doesn’t make the invasion right. That’s neither here nor there as the Bush administration won’t even listen to those arguments. It’s just going to be “We Got Him! - Vote Bush!” ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/18 "2003-12-14T14:29:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*Republicans: “We got him, don’t all you Democrats feel stupid?” > > Democrats: “Big deal. Still no WMDs.”\* > > Ah, all is right in the world.\*\* Then there’s those of us who say, ‘Thank God this guy was caught. Maybe now the Iraqi’s will realize it’s really over.’ Not everyone has to say, ‘Well I wonder how they’ll fuck this up’ or ‘Ha Ha Democrats!’ ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/19 "2003-12-14T14:31:05Z")
**JB:** _I would venture to guess most Democrats are equally happy that Hussein has been captured – I would further venture to guess that most Republicans are concerned about not having found WMD’s as well_ In the long run, shouldn’t we all be happy that Hussein is captured and **relieved** about not finding WMD’s? Especially given that during the invasion, nuclear facilities remained unsecured for quite a while. I was certainly relieved to read Seymour Hersh’s recent _New Yorker_ article ["The Stovepipe](http://truthout.org/docs_03/102203E.shtml), discussing why there was such a big gap between the Administration’s pre-invasion apocalyptic warnings and the lack of WMDs actually discovered. According to the physicist Jafar Dhia Jafar, “who coordinated Iraq’s efforts to make the bomb in the 1980’s, and who had direct access to Saddam Hussein”, the WMD stockpiles were wiped out during the post-Gulf War inspections on orders from Saddam himself: > [@](#): > > Up until the '91 Gulf war, our [i.e., Iraq’s] adversaries were regional…But after the war, when it was clear that we were up against the United States, Saddam understood that these weapons were redundant. “No way we could escape the United States.” Therefore, the W.M.D. warheads did Iraq little strategic good. If that’s true (and I must say it kind of sounds too good to be true, though I hope it is), then the Administration has a lot of ‘splainin’ to do about how it so grossly misestimated the threat, but the lack of deadly weapons itself is nothing but good news for all of us. No substantiated ties to anti-US terrorism, smart enough to understand that his WMD program was useless, not even bold enough to fire a gun at the US soldiers capturing him…hardly sounds like the Saddam Hussein we’ve heard so much about, does it? Mind you, I think the guy was an unspeakable tyrannical disaster for his own people, not to mention his “regional adversaries”, and I hope he gets everything that’s coming to him for that. But I think we’ll be damn smart and damn lucky if within the next five years it becomes possible to establish an Iraqi government that is **less** of a threat to the US than Saddam Hussein’s was. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934/20 "2003-12-14T14:33:31Z")
Well that’s just peachy! An illegal man-hunt that has managed to kill over 20,000 people and counting. Congrats GeeDubya, but mayhaps you should go on an African Safari for your next adventure. Scratch that, you shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a gun – make a Disney comercial instead. And eat a pretzel. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everythings-cool-saddams-been-arrested/218934.md?page=2)