Brian in Mesa

In Saddam's latest appearance on tv, he praised the 51st Division.

That division, by the way, has mostly surrendered to Coalition troops.

Adding fuel to the idea that Saddam is hurt or dead.

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Shane

I agree!

I think he is either dead or seriously hurt. There were others who were wondering why saddam didnt say anything specific especially about having US soldiers in there custody.

AZCB34

Actually, I am going in the other direction by saying that, while it is apparent these were pre-taped, I think he is alive and well and enjoying the action from a location outside of Iraq (Syria? Maybe even Iran?). I have no proof but it is just a hunch on my part. Dictator's generally speaking, while brutal, are usually cowards thus I believe he left country before the attacks. I find it hard to believe...so close to commencement of hostilities, he would have allowed himself to be so close to harm's way.

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schutd

He didnt leave the country during the first war and he didnt leave when he fought Iran for 8 years. I dont think Saddam is a coward. I think he's a delusional madman.

And I definitely don't think Iran would let him in their country

AZCB34

Couple of points, the first Gulf war wasn't aimed at his ouster from power but rather Iraq's ouster from Kuwait. Therefore he wasn;t really in direct danger.

Also, there was little reason for him to leave during their war with Iran since Iran isn't anywhere near the military force the coalition forces are. Again, no direct danger here and he also had forces who wouldn't have surrendered like the two "wars" with the US

I didn't mean to suggest another country willingly (although it could easily have happened) let him into their borders but that those 2 countries have a very high dislike for the US so he would be more welcome there than say Jordan.

I stand by my opinion that he isn't even in Iraq...no proof whatsoever just an opinion.

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Chaplin

The day before the war started, isn't it a proven fact that he met with his war council in Baghdad? I'm wondering if he even had time to get out of the country.

AZCB34

I could meet with people one day and be in Mexico within hours so I would presume Saddam could do the same if that was his intent. A couple hundred miles via vehicle wouldn't be a big deal. It is just a hunch...much like my hunch that Saddam actually has destroyed all his WOMD prior to the invasion to discredit the US internationally.

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Chaplin

Yes, but Mexico isn't Iraq my friend. It's not like we didn't have anyone monitoring borders the day before...

AZCB34

True (although don't we have people monitoring the border with Mexico LOL) , but I doubt we had much in the way of surveillance on the Iran/Iraq border and he could have slipped across without anyone knowing it. There are ways to get out of country even when people are watching. Hell he could cut his hair different, shave his mustache different and placed himslef within all the refugees that Jordan was expecting to cross their border. Just speculation obviously.

Like I said, just a hunch on my part since I don't think he was killed or even injured in that initial attack. He will live to fight another day.

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sly fly

No country in their right mind would have welcomed Saddam. At least knowingly.

Initially, I thought Saddam was killed the first night. Reports of ambulances arriving (but, not leaving) fueled theories that he did not make it out alive.

But, I think he may have made it. And, he's probably hiding in a pre-school somewhere. His bunkers have undoubtedly been taken out. So, there's not much room for him to hide. He's on a frantic run.

The TV images of him are definitely taped. And, heavily edited. With no mention of current reports. Is this a ruse? To keep America's attention distracted?

Once we get to Baghdad, it's going to get really ugly. Iraqi civilians will not be spared. That is the cold, hard truth. Iraq is luring us in (their only way to prolong this attack). However, the pummeling they will take is going to be brutal. All of the variables in this war will begin to take shape: Iraq's chemical weapons (possibly, their worst mistake), Moabs, Daisy Cutters, hand to hand combat, door to door fighting, etc. We may lose 1,000-2,000 brave men and women, but we're going to get the mission done.

And, the rest of the world had better take notice: This country will not be pushed around ever again!

Chaplin

Agreed 100%.

Unfortunately, the prevailing attitude of the world is that WE are the bully, and WE are the ones pushing countries around. Sad.