WASHINGTON (AP) - Saddam Hussein deserves the "ultimate penalty" for his crimes, President Bush said Tuesday, putting the United States sharply at odds with Europe and the United Nations which adamantly oppose the death penalty.

I have to agree with you on two counts PRH. One, a statement like that just makes Bush fit his own stereotype, and two, I think he is definately pandering to the Iraqi people.  I can't say that that's necessarily a bad strategy on his part, but he sure didn't do himself any favors politically or diplomatically in the global arena with a comment like that.  Well, unless you happen to be an Iraqi whose family is buried in one of Saddam's mass graves I guess.  It's a slippery slope I'm sure.

I myself believe that Saddam should be tried in a UN sanctioned court, as he's certain to be given a circus of a trial and killed if it's only his "constituents" that do it.  But the Iraqis should be allowed to be involved and I also believe that the death penalty should be a possible conclusion.