Saddam Hussein, Defiant Dictator Who Ruled Iraq With Violence and Fear, Dies - New York Times
I have to admit to not being sure what to make of our execution of Saddam Hussein.
I've been thinking, however, about the contrast between our vilification of Saddam Hussein who rose through the Baath secret service and our near sanctification of one of our own Secret Service operatives who was clearly responsible for ordering the execution of those with different beliefs and even those close to him as "The Good Shepherd".
I think the unifying message is as much as situations may seem to constrain our actions and force a particular path, we do have the power to choose. If we choose to play by the rules that the situation dictates, as much as we may try to "do the right thing" inside the constraints of that situation, we lend credence to the system that created that situation.
The message of Christ seems clearer to me now. A single individual can choose not to lend credence to a flawed system. In doing so that individual may sacrifice his or her life, but can also shatter that very system. The question is, do we have the strength to choose?
Saddam Hussein, Defiant Dictator Who Ruled Iraq With Violence and Fear, Dies - New York Times: "Mr. Hussein’s first role in the rough world of Iraqi politics came in 1959, at age 22, when the Baath Party assigned him and nine others to assassinate Abdul Karim Kassem, the despotic general ruling Iraq. Violence was a quick way for a young man who grew up fatherless in an impoverished village to get ahead; bloodshed became the major theme of his life."
I've been thinking, however, about the contrast between our vilification of Saddam Hussein who rose through the Baath secret service and our near sanctification of one of our own Secret Service operatives who was clearly responsible for ordering the execution of those with different beliefs and even those close to him as "The Good Shepherd".
I think the unifying message is as much as situations may seem to constrain our actions and force a particular path, we do have the power to choose. If we choose to play by the rules that the situation dictates, as much as we may try to "do the right thing" inside the constraints of that situation, we lend credence to the system that created that situation.
The message of Christ seems clearer to me now. A single individual can choose not to lend credence to a flawed system. In doing so that individual may sacrifice his or her life, but can also shatter that very system. The question is, do we have the strength to choose?
Saddam Hussein, Defiant Dictator Who Ruled Iraq With Violence and Fear, Dies - New York Times: "Mr. Hussein’s first role in the rough world of Iraqi politics came in 1959, at age 22, when the Baath Party assigned him and nine others to assassinate Abdul Karim Kassem, the despotic general ruling Iraq. Violence was a quick way for a young man who grew up fatherless in an impoverished village to get ahead; bloodshed became the major theme of his life."
posted by IdeaMan at 10:23 PM
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