Troubling letter to the editor

I read this in the 'Letters to the editor' section of November 7, 2006 edition of 'The Hamilton Spectator' and am deeply confused by this persons message.

Re: 'Saddam to die: Now Iraq braces for civil war' (Nov. 6)

It must be me. I certainly do not understand how international law is applied.

If I recall correctly, Saddam Hussein had to deal with Iraq's many factions of faith and the associated problems. His methods of control were iron-fisted, unjust and deadly. But, the job got done and peace and order came over the land in some form.

The U.S. and the so-called coalition saw fit to remove Saddam and take over the controls. I think they had a better idea on how to deal with the problem. They didn't get the flowers thrown at their feet as they thought they should, but they created a puppet government and had the gall to demand that they, too, take up the fight in the same manner. Be more forceful, take control, eliminate those who should commit crimes against the coalition. Be like Saddam? The killings go on as if Saddam was still in control and if time allows, the killings will eventually match or surpass those of Saddam's days.

There's only one thing troubling me at this point. Why was Saddam charged and sentenced to hang? All he did was hand over the controls. It must be me.

Let me take this letter point by point. Firstly, this person contends Saddam brought 'peace' to Iraq by quelling religious violence? Reality, the Kurds and many thousands of other persons who had the right to practice their religion under international law where isolated, starved and murdered. At least the writer admits these actions where 'unjust'. These actions did not bring order, they brought choas and world condemnation.

Secondly, when the Americans, British, Canadians and many other 'coalition' nations went into Iraq, I doubt anyone thought they would have flowers thrown at their feet. The purpose was to eliminate Saddams factions and returns order. In the long term, which will take many years, Iraq will be governed by their own people and justice will be served from the courts of their own.

By hanging the 'Butcher of Bagdad' for crimes against humanity we send a message to the remaining evils in Iraq that the country has had enough. To the writer of this letter, by saying that all 'Saddam did was hand over the controls', we've heard that before. During WWII, and in the Balkans, please take the blinders off.

Later,
Kenaz