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Will Femia is a Weblog enthusiast who, through good fortune and dumb luck, was introduced to the form as his position as chat producer for MSNBC.com careered into obsolescence. On any given day, Will can be found having already spent an unhealthy amount of time squinting at a computer screen.

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That Saddam execution video

Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2006 7:14 PM by Will Femia

There's a bootleg video of the Saddam execution in circulation now.  It's not by the official cameraman but a shakey recording on what appears to be a camera phone.  There's nothing especially graphic about it.  There's some praying before the trap doors open, then the doors open with a loud clatter.  The camera goes crazy for a bit and then we see Saddam's face swinging slightly next to the noose.  The lighting is such that it's just the face and the noose except for the occasional camera flash.

Here is the direct link to the video on Google Video.  The title, "3gp copy of saddam execution no watermark," refers to the cell phone video file type, 3gp, and that this copy has not been branded by any sites trying to claim credit for the scoop.  The only NOTE I'll add is to check your volume if you're playing it at work.  The sound is uneven and there are a few vocal outbursts from the witnesses.

UPDATE: On second thought I'll add one more NOTE:  While Saddam may have been a cold blooded killer, chances are good that you are not.  Though the content of this video is not bloody or even especially graphic, ultimately it depicts the taking of a human life, a fact that may upset you more than you expect.

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Comments

I saw this yesterday. I wondered what my reaction was going to be. Although I am generally in favor of capital punishment, I feel that the taking of a human life is very serious and I think to watch a person being put to death is creepy. However, my first thought upon watching this was of video of one of the villages that he gassed. My greatest complaint with President Reagan was that he did not respond to that incident. (A complaint I have with every president since. See: Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur.) Saddam was evil. He deserved it.

John in Cincy (Sent Monday, January 01, 2007 11:34 AM)

I won't watch it - I'm somewhat tempted but I just don't want to be someone that watches it.

Laura, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, January 02, 2007 11:30 AM)

I watched it, Several times... What goes around, Comes around. He got what he deserved.

Thomas Stright (Sent Tuesday, January 02, 2007 8:12 PM)

Whether someone "deserves" it or not, the loss of even a single human life should ALWAYS be something we mourn.

ET, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, January 03, 2007 1:00 PM)

I watched it several times. Saddam was evil and he deserved it!!

Desiree, Rochester, MI (Sent Wednesday, January 03, 2007 5:02 PM)

Msn Weather said it is 41 in my town. 28 actually. don't believe trust anything I see on the internet.

Robert Covington Va (Sent Thursday, January 04, 2007 4:09 AM)

I WAS PERTURBED WHEN I WATCHED IT, I THINK IF HE DID WHAT HE WAS SAID TO HAVE DONE, HE DESERVED IT- BUT HE MUST HAVE DONE SOME GOOD TO SOCIETY, HE COULD HAVE BEEN PARDONED AND LEFT TO DIE OUT OF CONSCIENCE AND IN PENURY. THE DISGRACE OF FALLING FROM HIGH TO BENEATH IS ENOUGH ALREADY. THEIR SOCIETY WOULD ONLY LEARN REVENGE AND MORE VIOLENCE.

BASH - PHILLY (Sent Friday, January 05, 2007 10:35 AM)

Listen, devil bush said before war that Iraq have weapons and he and his devil team didn't find anything. But already killed too many solders and Iraqi. He is absoulately a devil, no doubt. Atlast, we had seen this sad video. After seeing all of the things, I hate American!!! They are a naughty nation. They can't do anything good.

William Bose,Chaoyang District,Beijing (Sent Saturday, January 06, 2007 1:01 AM)

It is a sad day when anyone has to die, but we have to remember who this man was in life, a cold ruthless, heartless killer. I don't always agree with the president, but put yourself in his shoes, you can never say what you would do until you have been there. I think our leaders are all a little corrupt, but then again I also think they do the best they can in a horrible situation. It is really sad, this world we live in....really sad.

Citizen , Pensacola, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:09 PM)



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