Trial judge: Hussein was not a dictator

[Generic Other]

Well. That was an interesting observation by the judge! Will this cause a mistrial?

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The chief judge in Saddam Hussein's genocide trial said Thursday that he does not believe Hussein was a dictator.

Judge Abdullah al-Amiri made the remark in a friendly exchange with the deposed leader, a day after the prosecution said the judge should step down because he is biased toward the defense. Hussein and his co-defendants are being tried on charges of committing atrocities against Kurds in northern Iraq nearly two decades ago.

Questioning a Kurdish witness Thursday, Hussein said, "I wonder why this man wanted to meet with me, if I am a dictator?"
The judge interrupted: "You were not a dictator. People around you made you (look like) a dictator."

"Thank you," Hussein responded, bowing his head in respect.

MORE:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/09/14/saddam.trial.ap/

[peace13]

1. Unlike our current *resident!

[mom cat]

2. Bingo ... You beat me to it!

[Deja Q]

3. Here's the problem

No judge should be saying his opinions. For they are irrelevant. Saying them only enforces the belief the judge won't be fair and impartial, which is what a trial is about. Once you say something that tilts things one way or the other, credibility is obliterated. Nobody's going to take you seriously on the subject you are supposed to be impartial over.

Indeed, everybody has opinions :dunce: . One sign of being impartial is to keep the mouth shut and the eyes and ears open during the trial. The judge slipped up. In a pretty stupid way too.

Sadist Hussie was most definitely a dictator. Only those who agree with S.H. or have no clue about how he ruled would say he was not.

[Generic Other]

5. Perhaps as conditions deteriorate, Saddam's reign begins to look

like a golden age of peace and prosperity to some?

He'll probably be returned to power after we withdraw! Stranger things have happened.

[partylessinOhio]

4. Here come da judge! Here come da judge!

:loveya: :pals: :applause: