>Walter, US citizens have concepts of freedom drummed into them from a young age. "Civil rights" has a remarkable meaning that takes some getting used to, with intelligent people pouncing on any apparent impingement in rights, no matter how trivial, in the (correct) belief that this behavior will ensure that rights are not eroded.

I understand the hammering on the concept of "Civil rights". However, hammering on the concept of freedom seems to me more a result from slavery rather something to achieve in life. It stumps me again and again that I see freedom explained as a goal in life rather than a right. To me Happyness is a goal in life, not neccesarely freedom, as we all know we are slaves at our own device.

>This is why I feel sure that that most educated Americans from GWB down are wringing their hands in despair about the Saddam hanging.
>Some people here may appear to have enjoyed the hanging but perhaps that's a defensive reaction to the tendency to blame the US for everything. In fairness, the US cannot be blamed for this.

I see no evidence that the US can be blamed for this, AFAICS they did quite some effort to prevent it. I agree that intelligent people would see that this was not a good thing to happen.

>Had the US been involved it would have been a solemn affair with due judicial process and gravity, documented every step of the way. The only possible fault was handing him over- but how could they not, if the Iraqi government is real.

Again I agree.