A severed head in Iraq

ANOTHER botched execution in Iraq - Barzan Ibrahim, Saddam's half brother and former intelligence chief, had his head sliced off when he was hanged in Baghdad this morning alongside Awad Hamed al-Bandar, chief justice of Iraq's military court.

A government spokesman said the severing of the head as the rope cut into the neck when the trap door opened was "a rare incident."

Well, that's alright then. [:)] or should it be [:D].

(These are smilies for the uninitiated, turn your head to read the facial expression).

A shrug of the shoulders, an assurance that the execution - on the same gallows where Saddam Hussein met his end - was conducted with respect, and Iraq carries on its seeming descent to a western inflicted barbarism.

Experts think the wrong quality rope was used on Barzan Ibrahahim. Deliberate? Who knows - but it just confirms my opposition to the death penalty. Better to have locked up the pair for the rest of their lives to reflect on their crimes as Saddam's co-defendants rather than execute them in a manner which will have repulsed those forced to watch and carry out the hangings.

Silence in Washington and London. They'll pretend it never happened as the two governments carry on bringing peace, harmony, happiness, and democracy to Iraq. Yes Saddam and his henchmen were brutal. Yes, the world is better off with them out of power. But who were we to get rid of them and who were we to stand by and do nothing at judicial executions which have tainted us all by their barbarity?