Turn Out The Lights

You will not fill these seats again, Saddam.

Al-Qadisiyyah Parade Ground ۰ Baghdad, Iraq

Photo: Trish Conrad, 2006

News Flash

According to ABC news, the Department of Defense has stated it will maintain custody (turning eventually into joint U.S.-Iraqi custody) of the former president until the time of his execution to prevent any possible last minute escape or attack. Meanwhile, Saddam's legal team has filed documents with the U.S. District Court in Washington requesting a stay of execution. This looks to be of no avail as Iraqi state television has now declared that the execution will take place bebtween 9:30 and 10 pm Eastern tonight.

Monitoring....

TC

Heads Up

Hints abound that the government of Iraq could carry out the death sentence of Saddam Hussayn Abdalmajid al-Tikriti before the crystal ball descends upon Times Square. There may be a rush to "conclude this business" before the Eid al-Adha (or Festival/Feast of Sacrifice that takes place upon the conclusion of the Hajj) that will take place on (about) December 31.

Keeping an ear to the ground....

TC

News Flash

MSNBC is now reporting that the Edwards campaign confirms the senator is going to run for president and will announce in New Orleans tomorrow. Sounds mighty familiar.

TC

Heads Up

Word on the street is Senator John Edwards will announce his second run for the White House in New Orleans this week.

If you are hankering to see the hunky former senator, you can check him out on his first "campaign" swing across the country (a.k.a. early primary states).

Thursday - December 28, 2006 - Des Moines, IA
Friday - December 29, 2006 - Portsmouth, NH
Friday - December 29, 2006 - Reno, NV
Saturday - December 30, 2006 - West Columbia, SC
Saturday - December 30, 2006 - Chapel Hill, NC

Visit his events site for the free tickets required for entry.

This comes on the heels of the Research 2000 for KCCI TV poll conducted in Iowa last week that shows Edwards in a tie with Oprah favorite Senator Barack Obama - topping the list at 22 percent each. Homeboy Governor Tom Vilsack gets the show with 12 percent. (Complete Poll)

As for a poll of this blogger conducted today, Edwards comes in first for candidates I most like to watch (not necessarily hear, mind you), and Obama still leads all contenders in the created product (à la Wag the Dog) race.

Ah, all this fun and we're still two years out....

TC

Tags// Senator John Edwards, Senator Barack Obama, Governor Tom Vilsack

Media Coverage// KCCI TV

In Memorium

Condolences are extended to the family, friends and colleagues of President Gerald R. Ford who passed away yesterday at the age of 93.

In a brief statement, President Bush referred to Ford as "a great man who devoted the best years of his life in serving the United States. He was a true gentleman who reflected the best in America's character." (Video)

Watch a look back at the life of America's 38th President.

TC

Tags// President Gerald R. Ford, White House News

Media Coverage// CNN, Fox News, Reuters, Washington Post

The Final Countdown

Iraq’s Cassation Panel, the country’s highest appeals court, gave new meaning to the phrase “final countdown” today when it upheld the death sentence of Saddam Hussayn Abdalmajid al-Tikriti for the killing of 148 Shiites in the city of Dujail, Iraq. Chief Judge Aref Shahin said the sentence must be implemented within 30 days and that it could take place any day starting tomorrow.

In a press gaggle, White House spokesperson Scott Stanzel said, "Today marks an important milestone in the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law, and the Iraqis deserve praise for continuing to utilize the institutions of democracy to pursue justice. Saddam Hussein has received due process and legal rights that he denied the Iraqi people for so long. So this is an important day for the Iraqi people."

Whether or not this will have any substantive impact on the country of Iraq and its ongoing struggle to overcome sectarian violence and the shortcomings of its current government, it is at least a signal that the “Saddam era” could be truly coming to an end.

Expecting all sides to predict a rise in violence. Some will be shooting their guns toward the sky, some toward each other.

TC

Tags// Saddam Hussayn Abdalmajid al-Tikriti, Chief Judge Aref Shahin, Iraqi High Criminal Court Law, White House News, Dujail, Iraq

Media Coverage// AP, CNN, Reuters, NY Times, Al Jazeera, Fox News Video, BBC Video

Your days may be numbered….