# "Ladies & Gentleman - we got 'im" - Hussein's Capture **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 14, 2003, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937 "2003-12-14T12:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gmork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Gmork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gmork)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/1 "2003-12-14T12:20:04Z")
I’m getting pretty conflicting reports down here, right now - I’m sure we’ll get more details later - but can any dopers who might be getting that already (I’d assume Americans are) tell me roughly what is being said to have happened? And when? Is it true they found him in a hole? (can’t…help…giggling!) ---
**Author:** ![Gmork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Gmork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gmork)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/2 "2003-12-14T12:26:27Z")
PS: I _think_ this thread goes in this forum - as it should have factual answers eventually - but if mods think otherwise, move it wherever you think. ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/3 "2003-12-14T12:42:31Z")
Woo Hoo! I had a very excited phone call from my husband, telling me to switch the TV on. I did, and then came right here to see what you all have to say about it. What a relief. ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/4 "2003-12-14T12:43:28Z")
Yep, they found him in a hole! 😃 This thread is discussing it, and has links to some news sites that should have all the information currently available: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229212](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229212) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/5 "2003-12-14T12:45:07Z")
Apparently, according to the briefing (which is on now), the fourth Infantry division found him hiding in a 6-8 foot deep “spiderhole” at a farm outside Tikrit. There were no injuries. Hussein had a thick, gray beard. They took a picture, shaved his beard, took another picture, then did DNA tests. ---
**Author:** ![Gmork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Gmork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gmork)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/6 "2003-12-14T12:51:36Z")
Finally got some decent press conf. footage…those Iraqi reporters shouting and crying when they saw Hussein’s picture…Ouch, that’s my heart. I don’t support any war anywhere - but by Merlin, I’m glad this capture has happened. Ooooh, a picture of the hole…_glued to late night news updates_ Thanks for the info, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Gmork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Gmork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gmork)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/7 "2003-12-14T12:57:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hokkaido Brit \* > **I had a very excited phone call from my husband, telling me to switch the TV on. I did, and then came right here to see what you all have to say about it.** LOL - I was quite similar. I saw a scrolling ‘Look at me, I’m news!’ message go across the screen-bottom of another and just jumped straight across the room to the computer. (This all proves my newfound dependance on the SMDB…I was online and logged in within 20 seconds of hearing the news.) ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/8 "2003-12-14T13:14:29Z")
Here’s the stories from [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/12/14/sprj.irq.main/index.html), and [BBC](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3317429.stm). Long story short: US intelligence gets information about two locations where Saddam might be hiding. Operation Red Dawn is launched about 90 minutes later consisting of some 600 troops which cordon off the areas. Saddam is found hiding in a hole in a farmhouse, camoflaged with a false wall or floor. (Not entirely clear.) He is captured and reported to be cooperative and “resigned to his fate.” No shots were fired during the operation. ---
**Author:** ![cedric45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@cedric45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cedric45)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-gentleman-we-got-im-husseins-capture/218937/9 "2003-12-15T22:39:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Gmork \* > \*\* - but by Merlin, I’m glad this capture has happened._\* Gmork, I’ve heard that expression before but can’t remember where… Merlin the Enchanter perhaps?