So Long Saddam - It's YOUR TURN Now!

After a painful and prolonged series of trials (and error), justice prevailed this morning and Saddam Hussein will pay for his murderous tyranny of Iraq with his own life; fittingly, this monster will take his last breath dangling at the end of a rope.

As the "Butcher of Baghdad" raised his once-powerful and feared right-hand index finger (with which he had pointed out thousands to be slaughtered) to the sky in anger, the Bailiff easily pulled it down again (see image). As Saddam shouted his defiance in the name of Allah, the no-nonsense Judge Mohammed al-Uraibiy gave him no quarter.

"Make him stand" ordered The Judge; and Saddam was unceremoniously hustled to his feet like the pathetic and weak old man that he truly is. It was then that The Judge, in a clear and steady voice, announced to Saddam and the world that his fate had been decided - the Tyrant is to meet his well-earned doom, but only after he is given the opportunity for one appeal. Failing that, the lawfully elected Government of Iraq will have 30 days to carry out sentence.

As Saddam and his monstrous sons (Uday and Qusay) treated Iraq as their own private "Wild West," free to ravage the towns and countryside with their gang of "Outlaws" with all of the territory's Sheriffs, Marshals, Mayors, Mine-owners and Land barons in their pockets - it seems fitting that his sons met their end in an "O.K. Corral" gunfight and that he will get to play the opening scene in "Hang 'em High."

But Saddam Hussein ain't no Marshall Cooper - nor Clint Eastwood, for that matter. And this time there will be no one to save him.