DEAD BROTHERS . . .

Hard to say. Of course, their deaths have given Pres. Bush another chance to declare the end of Saddam's regime. Seems like we've heard this before, buy maybe it's now closer to being true. Of course, we still don't have the old man himself...

Mine is strictly opinion, as I don't know if Qusay and/or Oday had been free enough to organize any of the small attacks on our troops.

But, I do feel strongly that the long term effect is good. Had they remained free in Iraq, their #1 goal would have to have been to reconstitute a fighting force against our troops. I also believe there were a number of Iraqis, who still felt threatened by the fact that the three were still alive, and could possibly take out revenge on those, who went along with American efforts to democratisize Iraq.

My preference would have been that they were taken alive for information, and to have their pictures shown in US custody. It would be bad form to publicise pictures of their corpses--and I hope we don't do this. Maybe there is intelligence about locations of Republican Guard groups or Saddam in the house, where Saddam's sons were found.

I am glad efforts to capture them were attempted. I think targeted killing at this point is not easily defended. I am glad there are no longer free in Iraq.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials were debating whether to release graphic photos of the dead sons of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) to prove to Iraqis they were killed by American troops, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said on Wednesday.
He spoke after one official told Reuters the Pentagon (news - web sites) planned in coming days to release at least facial photographs of the two men, who the U.S. military said were killed in a lengthy battle in the city of Mosul on Tuesday.
"We are still weighing the decision," Wolfowitz said at a news conference. But he left little doubt Washington was leaning toward releasing the pictures.

I think it is barbaric to show pictures of the dead--no matter who they were.

I wish they would get a small group of respected Iraqis--allow them to view the bodies--and go on TV to affirm that the two are dead.

I seem to have an eccentricity about the treatment of dead bodies.

its tacky

In the old west they used to photograph the bodies of dead outlaws. I suppose cowboy George could be taking his cue from that. IMO only a sick mind would think of doing that.

like I said, Bush sure is one lucky hombre....every time he's in a slump somebody dies for him.......

Those attacks could very likely been planned by the brothers and that may have been the clue that lead back to their hideout. It'll be like a serial killer being caught -- the murders will stop. The famous photograph of Mussolini was on the front page of every newspaper. It might be tacky but so is half the news we see every day. Were the photographs taken by the military or a journalist that was along for the ride? Not that I would like to let Dubya off the hook for any transgressions.

At 1535, they showed the Anti-Baptaist in these cages

in Münster/Westphalia/Germany.

I think, if Bush knew about this ...

A good suggestion for Bush, Walter.

He might also want to consider reviving the tradition of decapitating the bad guys and posting their heads outside the city limits as a warning to our enemies...

The Iraqis must be convinced that the brothers are gone. The US should go to whatever lengths necessary to show they are no longer in existence. The bodies should be shown only to the Iraqis, and not world wide. We have no need to view them.

I thought about that possibility, Olen, but you know it'll get picked up internationally.

And, I remember my revulsion at seeing our military dead on TV... We can't set a double standard. Just MO.

WELCOME TO A2K, OLEN! Glad to have you here.

I posted previously that I thought it was a good thing, long-term, these guys are dead--good for the Iraqis, good for our soldiers in Iraq, and good for America.

(And remember, I'm someone who opposes the death penalty.)

We're much more conservative in this country than in the rest of the world--Arab media show images of dead people, killed violently, on a regular basis.

I think the photos should be released made public so that Iraqis are convinced that the regime is truly over.

American media can deal with their own censors and sensibilities as to whether to show them or not.

That's a good idea.

(Although, doing a public appeal on behalf of charity for building up a christian church in the center of Bagdad in one of the "christian shows" just for this purpose ...)

Were the pictures released, I think the media would be selective in showing them. CNN, for example, might not choose to air them, but FOXNews might show them in all their gruesome detail.

What has struck me as peculiar is the fact that a tip made to U.S. forces by a "bounty hunter" was what led U.S. forces to where the brothers were staying.

Had it not been for the reported $25 million bounty on their heads, the brothers Hussein might still be alive. Apparently, American troops were unable to find the brothers. So, these killings are not a tribute to the stealth tactics of our Army; they are not to be -- yet seem to be -- hailed as a tribute to Dubya and his minions.

It also seems odd that the brothers were staying together and not splitting up so that one would be left alive should their location be attacked. As I understand the events, one of Saddam's grandchildren (a 14-year-old male) also died during the melee.

It seems to me that the brothers might have been taken into U.S. custody and later tried as war criminals. It would seem better to me to let an international court try these men for their known evils, rather than having our forces kill them.

Call me a bleeding heart, if you will, but I don't think the United States should be involved in the business of assassination. It brings us down to the barbaric level of those whom we are killing.

It is, however, further reinforcement of Dubya's "Wild West" image. The deaths of the brothers Hussein are further indication to me that we have not come very far since the days of the barbarians. There should be no honor attached to the deaths of these men, nor should there be any mourning.

Now . . . just where are Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden?

They're hiding in those cages Walter posted above?

Lightwizard<

Exactly, lol.


For more on this story: http://www.msnbc.com/news/943232.asp

Dead Brothers
All kinds of tactics can be read into the methods used in the extermination of the Husseins. The entire operation was planned and carried out by clever military strategy. Monetary reward could be part of it. The credit goes to the ones who guided events so they would result in the desired outcome. All of the events occurred because of the proper impetus.

Had you read the reports you would have known that they refused to surrender and preferred to fight to the finish. Three US soldiers were wounded before the army went after them full bore.
It would seem some people delight at putting our forces on the wrong side of the line.
I should remind them that while they sit in the confront of their homes criticizing, these Americans, whether you agree with the action in Iraq or not, are putting their lives on the line in the service of their country and I might add are being killed and wounded on a daily basis.