‘I Saw Fear, He Was Afraid’

Cold Dirt · Dec 30, 2006

In a NEWSWEEK exclusive, the man hired to videotape Saddam Hussein’s execution recalls the brutal dictator’s humble final moments.

Web Exclusive
By Michael Hastings
Newsweek
Updated: 2:14 a.m. ET Dec 30, 2006
Dec. 30, 2006 - Ali Al Massedy was 3 feet away from Saddam Hussein when he died. The 38 year old, normally Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's official videographer, was the man responsible for filming the late dictator's execution at dawn on Saturday. "I saw fear, he was afraid," Ali told NEWSWEEK minutes after returning from the execution. Wearing a rumpled green suit and holding a Sony HDTV video camera in his right hand, Ali recalled the dictator's last moments. "He was saying things about injustice, about resistance, about how these guys are terrorists," he says. On the way to the gallows, according to Ali, "Saddam said, ‘Iraq without me is nothing.’"

Ali says he followed Saddam up the gallows steps, escorted by two guards. He stood over the hole and filmed from close quarters as Saddam dropped through—from "me to you," he said, crouching down to show how he shot the scene. The distance, he said, was "about one meter," he said. "He died absolutely, he died instantly." Ali said Saddam's body twitched, "shaking, very shaking," but "no blood," he said, and "no spit." (Ali said he was not authorized to disclose the location, and did not give other details of the room.)

Ali said the videotape lasts about 15 minutes. When NEWSWEEK asked to see a copy, Ali said he had already handed the tape over to Maliki's chief of staff. "It is top secret," he said. He would not give the names of officials in attendance, though he estimates there were around 20 observers. One of them, Iraqi National Security Adviser Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, told CNN that Saddam clasped a Koran as the noose was tied around his neck, and refused to wear a hood. He also said that government officials had not decided whether or not to release the videotape. The execution reportedly took place at 6:05 a.m. local time. Prime Minister Maliki did not attend.

CONTINUED

Exclusive: Videographer of Saddam Execution - Newsweek: World News - MSNBC.com

If given the chance while I was in Iraq we would have never wasted the time to hang the bastard....I would have served justice happily with a 5.56 round to the forehead then kicked his sorry *** back into the spider hole and covered it up as his final resting place after I filled it full of pig ****.

FierceEnigma12z · Dec 30, 2006

He was afraid?...oh crap is this the part where we care for a moment?
I failed.I willsay though..it's about time.
Iraq is nothing without him? Good to see he's still ignorant even at his las tmoments.

PeteEU · Dec 30, 2006

Funny how this guys "report" is so different from all the other witnesses I have seen and heard.. /shrug

26 X World Champs · Dec 30, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
CONTINUED

Exclusive: Videographer of Saddam Execution - Newsweek: World News - MSNBC.com

If given the chance while I was in Iraq we would have never wasted the time to hang the bastard....I would have served justice happily with a 5.56 round to the forehead then kicked his sorry *** back into the spider hole and covered it up as his final resting place after I filled it full of pig ****.

You call yourself an American yet you have no respect for law, due process and preserving those rights...you would prefer to be your own judge, jury and executioner?

That is very wrong in my book pal, sorry. My America is where people are treated with the respect that law provides them, even those who most abused the same laws...for that's what separates man from beast...Saddam was a beast and killing him your way is also the act of a beast IMHO.

Cold Dirt · Dec 30, 2006

26 X World Champs said:
You call yourself an American yet you have no respect for law, due process and preserving those rights...you would prefer to be your own judge, jury and executioner?

That is very wrong in my book pal, sorry. My America is where people are treated with the respect that law provides them, even those who most abused the same laws...for that's what separates man from beast...Saddam was a beast and killing him your way is also the act of a beast IMHO.

Don't talk to me about being an American.....you liberals are the ones wanting to give terrorist the same rights we have when they saw the heads off on an American with a rusty knife....the same liberals that would not allow us to interrogate POW's that would save the lives of your fellow American fighting in a war by whatever useful information we might get from the prisoner....the same liberals that have used the war to attack those same soldiers with words like Nazis and murderers......the same liberals that want the US soldier to follow a bunch of laws that they know the terrorist will not follow thus allowing the enemy to have the upper hand while fighting an war...........so liberal, don't tell jack **** about how I should have acted while I was serving my country while fighting a war because you liberals have the BLOOD of the US service man on your hands up to your elbows!

Middleground · Dec 30, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
Don't talk to me about being an American.....you liberals are the ones wanting to give terrorist the same rights we have when they saw the heads off on an American with a rusty knife....the same liberals that would not allow us to interrogate POW's that would save the lives of your fellow American fighting in a war by whatever useful information we might get from the prisoner....the same liberals that have used the war to attack those same soldiers with words like Nazis and murderers......the same liberals that want the US soldier to follow a bunch of laws that they know the terrorist will not follow thus allowing the enemy to have the upper hand while fighting an war...........so liberal, don't tell jack **** about how I should have acted while I was serving my country while fighting a war because you liberals have the BLOOD of the US service man on your hands up to your elbows!

Dirt, I feel I have to interject here.

Can you not see how your thinking/philosophy is pretty much on par with the terrorists?

If you're ok with taking away someone's right to a fair trial -- no matter how vile their actions and no matter how guilty they seem to be -- then that makes your thinking no better than any country that is void of human rights. One of the main reasons why the US is a great country is because of this right. And this is why it's critical for Americans to ensure that it remains this way. Tell me, do you prefer the Saudi court system?

Based on your writings, I can say with confidence that you would of loved to have seen Marat Arar hanged/tortured. Oopsie.

26 X World Champs · Dec 30, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
Don't talk to me about being an American.....you liberals are the ones wanting to give terrorist the same rights we have when they saw the heads off on an American with a rusty knife....the same liberals that would not allow us to interrogate POW's that would save the lives of your fellow American fighting in a war by whatever useful information we might get from the prisoner....the same liberals that have used the war to attack those same soldiers with words like Nazis and murderers......the same liberals that want the US soldier to follow a bunch of laws that they know the terrorist will not follow thus allowing the enemy to have the upper hand while fighting an war...........so liberal, don't tell jack **** about how I should have acted while I was serving my country while fighting a war because you liberals have the BLOOD of the US service man on your hands up to your elbows!

Your post is Exhibit "A" in how not to be an American, sorry. As I previously wrote and as others have also confirmed what separates us from our enemy is our ability to stand above them by following the rule of law even for those we despise the most.

Your post is classic, a fine example of how off course we could be as a nation if people who thought your way ever were voted into office. Even Bush and his Neocons would belittle your concept as unacceptable to the American way and they, as a group are damn close to destroying this nation today....but your way would be just like signing an execution order for our country.

If you really believe that pulling out your gun and shooting someone in the head who you could arrest and try instead is justice than I feel very sad for you for it must suck big time to actually live in a country ruled by laws...

1069 · Dec 30, 2006

Even Bush and his Neocons would belittle your concept as unacceptable to the American way...

Publicly, at least. Privately, I would not be surprised if they share it. :?

Cold Dirt · Dec 30, 2006

26 X World Champs said:
You call yourself an American yet you have no respect for law, due process and preserving those rights...you would prefer to be your own judge, jury and executioner?

That is very wrong in my book pal, sorry. My America is where people are treated with the respect that law provides them, even those who most abused the same laws...for that's what separates man from beast...Saddam was a beast and killing him your way is also the act of a beast IMHO.

oh btw bud, last time I checked Saddam was no American.....so he doesn't deserve the same rights or judicial progess an American does.........but that just goes to show you how you liberals want to give terrorist and brutal dictators the same rights as an American.....damn bud, what side are you really on? Because to me you sound like you are in support of anyone other than the American soldier........

26 X World Champs · Dec 30, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
oh btw bud, last time I checked Saddam was no American.....so he doesn't deserve the same rights or judicial progess an American does.........but that just goes to show you how you liberals want to give terrorist and brutal dictators the same rights as an American.....damn bud, what side are you really on? Because to me you sound like you are in support of anyone other than the American soldier........

Sorry "Bud" but I lost respect for you when you wrote that you would have liked to shoot him in the head rather than try him in court...that's where you lost me and probably most of the other members of this Forum.

Re Saddam being an Iraqi...DUH! However....since we're the invading Army and since we're trying to impose DEMOCRACY onto Iraq wouldn't it follow suit that we would start with the justice system and their courts?

Or do you just want to flat out admit that you're against democracy in Iraq too as well as being against due process and being for vigilantism?

FierceEnigma12z · Dec 30, 2006

1069 said:
Publicly, at least. Privately, I would not be surprised if they share it. :?

Well actually, we ALL think exactly the same, Bush is thinking it too, that's why he's getting impeached. :roll:

Hatuey · Dec 30, 2006

Why is Saddam being scared of dying be "Breaking News" ? It's what people who do really bad things do when they have to pay for their crimes with their lives. Just ask Terry Washington. That mentally retarded boy who Bush refused to give clemency to.

jujuman13 · Dec 30, 2006

What purpose has his trial achieved, it has not led to any belief that 'Justic Prevails', it has not led to the recovery of the $Billions he stole from Iraq, it has not strenthened the pathetically weak Government of Maliki, it has not led to a reduction in Terrorist outrages, it has not led to a decrease in the continual murder of Iraqis by Terrorists and by themselves.
It would have been far far better if those who discoverede him had shot him dead, then taken a leak on his body prior to filling in his bolthole.
I will not dignify his memory by suggesting he was an animal, let us simply remember him as trash that needed to be disposed of.

Cold Dirt · Dec 30, 2006

jujuman13 said:
What purpose has his trial achieved, it has not led to any belief that 'Justic Prevails', it has not led to the recovery of the $Billions he stole from Iraq, it has not strenthened the pathetically weak Government of Maliki, it has not led to a reduction in Terrorist outrages, it has not led to a decrease in the continual murder of Iraqis by Terrorists and by themselves.
It would have been far far better if those who discoverede him had shot him dead, then taken a leak on his body prior to filling in his bolthole.
I will not dignify his memory by suggesting he was an animal, let us simply remember him as trash that needed to be disposed of.

Tell this to your liberal buddies because they are all whining that he deserved (with he got , something his victims never got but here the libs are coming to defend him ) a fair trial when in reality (something they seem to lack of ) he should have been treated the same way he deposed of so many Iraqis citizens.........

Next some of the libs will be wanting a National Holiday for Saddam because they think he is an American and deserves the same legal process any human should get.........

As I said before, if it would have been me that found Saddam, he would be rotting in a hole by now with half his head missing.......

CaptainCourtesy · Dec 30, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
Tell this to your liberal buddies because they are all whining that he deserved (with he got , something his victims never got but here the libs are coming to defend him ) a fair trial when in reality (something they seem to lack of ) he should have been treated the same way he deposed of so many Iraqis citizens.........

Next some of the libs will be wanting a National Holiday for Saddam because they think he is an American and deserves the same legal process any human should get.........

As I said before, if it would have been me that found Saddam, he would be rotting in a hole by now with half his head missing.......

I understand the desire for revenge and retribution. I think if anyone saw someone that had harmed them or one close to them, often their first instinct would be to take the law into their own hands and harm the perpetrator. Not resorting to active vigilantism is what seperates good, law-abiding people, from criminal, terroristic, savages. If an American who found Saddam had taken it upon himself to kill him, that person would have been no better then an Islamic terrorist, because his actions would've been identical. It would have shown Americans to be no better then the militants we are fighting. We have laws in this country. Many believe that these laws make us more civilized then those that don't adhere to them. These laws must apply all the time to everyone or they are meaningless and sink us to the level of extremists and terrorists. It is Un-American to not abide by these laws, wherever one may be.

26 X World Champs · Dec 30, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
As I said before, if it would have been me that found Saddam, he would be rotting in a hole by now with half his head missing.......

And once again you've shown your true colors....you're no better than our enemy...think about that the next time you write a post...

CurrentAffairs · Dec 30, 2006

26 X World Champs said:
And once again you've shown your true colors....you're no better than our enemy...think about that the next time you write a post...

It's kind of like an empty spot in your heart, right Champs? I know it's painful now. It always is when someone loses a friend, but it will get easier in time.

26 X World Champs · Dec 31, 2006

CurrentAffairs said:
It's kind of like an empty spot in your heart, right Champs? I know it's painful now. It always is when someone loses a friend, but it will get easier in time.

:rofl Sure....right...smartly written in the tradition of all of your posts....

BTW - I've been meaning to ask you about your avatar...is that Colonel Sanders?

CurrentAffairs · Dec 31, 2006

26 X World Champs said:
:BTW - I've been meaning to ask you about your avatar...is that Colonel Sanders?

........ :roll: ..........

Cold Dirt · Dec 31, 2006

26 X World Champs said:
And once again you've shown your true colors....you're no better than our enemy...think about that the next time you write a post...

Think about it yourself the next time your enjoy freedom of speech or any other right you enjoy as an American because someone like me makes sure you have that right and get to enjoy those rights.........

so the next time you express one of those unearned rights someone else has fought for....remember how you thanked those of us who have fought for them....by calling us no better than terrorist.........

I have talked with many different soldiers about how they would have handled the situation of being the one whom found Saddam, the majority have stated they would have acted in the very same manner I spoke of........and many Iraqis cilivans also said he would have never seen the light of day again after looking down the barrel of the weapon they would be holding........

but someone like you wouldn't understand what we have seen and the slaughter at the hands of Saddam to really understand the situation we faced everyday while in Iraq.....you sit at home in the comfort of knowing your rights are granted at the risk someone else takes...........

so before you judge me and how I might have acted.....put a pair of boots on, grow some, pick up a weapon and join those of us that have been in the thick of combat....then maybe a chump like you would understand.....until then, have a big streaming mug of STFU because you haven't a clue what its like nor have the gonads to find out.......

Makhno · Dec 31, 2006

I just saw the whole thing on youtube.

I felt a bit sick watching that.

Skip · Dec 31, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
Think about it yourself the next time your enjoy freedom of speech or any other right you enjoy as an American because someone like me makes sure you have that right and get to enjoy those rights.........

so the next time you express one of those unearned rights someone else has fought for....remember how you thanked those of us who have fought for them....by calling us no better than terrorist.........

I have talked with many different soldiers about how they would have handled the situation of being the one whom found Saddam, the majority have stated they would have acted in the very same manner I spoke of........and many Iraqis cilivans also said he would have never seen the light of day again after looking down the barrel of the weapon they would be holding........

but someone like you wouldn't understand what we have seen and the slaughter at the hands of Saddam to really understand the situation we faced everyday while in Iraq.....you sit at home in the comfort of knowing your rights are granted at the risk someone else takes...........

so before you judge me and how I might have acted.....put a pair of boots on, grow some, pick up a weapon and join those of us that have been in the thick of combat....then maybe a chump like you would understand.....until then, have a big streaming mug of STFU because you haven't a clue what its like nor have the gonads to find out.......

Can you only share your opinion if you've served in the Army? What's the point of protecting my rights to free speech then?

Anyways I would say that until you understood the laws and foundation of our country, you wouldn't understand what we're saying here, but I'd probably fall on deaf ears, so I won't waste my time.

26 X World Champs · Dec 31, 2006

Cold Dirt said:
Think about it yourself the next time your enjoy freedom of speech or any other right you enjoy as an American because someone like me makes sure you have that right and get to enjoy those rights.

Really? People like you? You mean vigilantes who have zero respect for the rule of law and our Constitution? No thanks PAL, you, personally, Mr. Dirt, do not represent the part of America that our elected leaders want you to defend. Your utter disregard for American values is frightening.

Cold Dirt said:
so the next time you express one of those unearned rights someone else has fought for....remember how you thanked those of us who have fought for them....by calling us no better than terrorist.

Tell you what....you obey and follow the laws of the USA and I will be more than happy to shake your hand and thank you for your service. Break the laws or advocate and support breaking our laws and pis$ing on our Constitution and I will call you out every chance I get.

Cold Dirt said:
I have talked with many different soldiers about how they would have handled the situation of being the one whom found Saddam, the majority have stated they would have acted in the very same manner I spoke of........and many Iraqis cilivans also said he would have never seen the light of day again after looking down the barrel of the weapon they would be holding.

I see, so in your world VIGILANTISM is an accepted format. How interesting. Nothing like having fellow VIGILANTES to encourage you to crap on the Constitution and break laws, right? Once again this last paragraph clearly shows how your wayward way of thinking is way, way too similiar to the Iraqi militias AKA Death Squads that are at the center of the Civil War. They too would write the same insanity that you just posted...

Cold Dirt said:
but someone like you wouldn't understand what we have seen and the slaughter at the hands of Saddam to really understand the situation we faced everyday while in Iraq.....you sit at home in the comfort of knowing your rights are granted at the risk someone else takes.

Brash statement from someone who has advocated breaking laws and advocates murder. BTW - My family is made up of German Jews and my mother's entire family save 3 were completely snuffed out in Concentration Camps during WWII so you have no monopoly on war stories and suffering nor do you have a right to break laws to justify your warped logic.

As Skip wrote you'll simply never grasp that your way of thinking makes us equal to the Iraqi death squads and my way of thinking makes me AMERICAN!

Cold Dirt said:
so before you judge me and how I might have acted.....put a pair of boots on, grow some, pick up a weapon and join those of us that have been in the thick of combat....then maybe a chump like you would understand.....until then, have a big streaming mug of STFU because you haven't a clue what its like nor have the gonads to find out.......

Sorry friend but volunteering for military service does not give you carte blanche on opinions of war nor does it give you the right to break laws and advocate and encourage others to follow suit.

People like Gunny and even Navy Pride represent or represented American values during their military careers and would never try to justify murdering someone who you have the chance to arrest and bring to trial like you do. They honor America with their service....what you do is not what makes America great...what you're promoting makes America no better than our enemy...and I choose to not support you in your quest to bring down this country.

Cold Dirt · Dec 31, 2006

26 X World Champs said:
Really? People like you? You mean vigilantes who have zero respect for the rule of law and our Constitution? No thanks PAL, you, personally, Mr. Dirt, do not represent the part of America that our elected leaders want you to defend. Your utter disregard for American values is frightening.

Tell you what....you obey and follow the laws of the USA and I will be more than happy to shake your hand and thank you for your service. Break the laws or advocate and support breaking our laws and pis$ing on our Constitution and I will call you out every chance I get.

I see, so in your world VIGILANTISM is an accepted format. How interesting. Nothing like having fellow VIGILANTES to encourage you to crap on the Constitution and break laws, right? Once again this last paragraph clearly shows how your wayward way of thinking is way, way too similiar to the Iraqi militias AKA Death Squads that are at the center of the Civil War. They too would write the same insanity that you just posted...

Brash statement from someone who has advocated breaking laws and advocates murder. BTW - My family is made up of German Jews and my mother's entire family save 3 were completely snuffed out in Concentration Camps during WWII so you have no monopoly on war stories and suffering nor do you have a right to break laws to justify your warped logic.

As Skip wrote you'll simply never grasp that your way of thinking makes us equal to the Iraqi death squads and my way of thinking makes me AMERICAN!

Sorry friend but volunteering for military service does not give you carte blanche on opinions of war nor does it give you the right to break laws and advocate and encourage others to follow suit.

People like Gunny and even Navy Pride represent or represented American values during their military careers and would never try to justify murdering someone who you have the chance to arrest and bring to trial like you do. They honor America with their service....what you do is not what makes America great...what you're promoting makes America no better than our enemy...and I choose to not support you in your quest to bring down this country.

This coming from someone that supported Kerry for President after we were told how he killed an NV soldier that was running from him without a weapon and shot him in the back...then ran up to he to finish him off while wounded.......

go tell it to the libtard choir....hypocrites like you are sicken....you talk of ******* on the Constitution yet support a man for president that murdered a man in cold blood when after he was weaponless and should have tried to offer First Aid instead of killing him.......not that I would not done the same as Kerry if the enemy had just tried to kill me....but people like you that would condemn me for what I thought I might have done yet support a man for President that did act and killed a unarmed man tells the whole story about people like you....

you couldn't care one turd about the Constitution unless it suits your needs....the proof is your support of a man then condemning another for the same thing........like I said before.....but youre not worth the time........

cherokee · Dec 31, 2006

26 X World Champs said:
You call yourself an American yet you have no respect for law, due process and preserving those rights...you would prefer to be your own judge, jury and executioner?

That is very wrong in my book pal, sorry. My America is where people are treated with the respect that law provides them, even those who most abused the same laws...for that's what separates man from beast...Saddam was a beast and killing him your way is also the act of a beast IMHO.

Classic 26x bullchit!
Lets review the facts slick. (we know you love to twist them)
Saddam was tried by Iraqi's,
Saddam was tried in an Iraqi court,
Saddam was found guilty by Iraqi's,
Saddam was executed by Iraqi's.
Now little man just what does this have to do with your (as you posted)
“My America”?

Well IMHO you're a dillweed....:2wave:

‘I Saw Fear, He Was Afraid’

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