Most cultures have euphemisms for death, largely due to superstition. The Romans did not like to say that someone died, preferring to indicate the fact by saying "he has lived." The reason for this is the ancient idea that the name of something contains at least a little of the original power of what is named, and to name it is thus to bring it into presence. On that premise, one is understandably cautious about naming death. But I especially like the euphemism "he met his Maker," for it is pretty much true no matter what you believe about the after life. In some sense it is certain that when we die we go back where we came from.
Well, Saddam has lived, and it certainly seems fitting as he made sure that so many human beings, men, women, and children, have done all the living they would do. Todd Epp has blogged extensively on Saddam's execution, and has a link to a video of the event. It is absurdly chaotic, but if you want to see the bitter end, you can see it.
Todd has this reflection:
Whether he was convicted and executed properly under the laws and constitution of Iraq and in accordance with international standards is an open question. But at a cosmic level, Saddam got what he deserved.
I have no quarrel with this, but I am less willing to say what anyone deserves, on a cosmic level or otherwise. Part of the problem is a certain conservative caution that was expressed well by the Wizard Gandalf. When Frodo says that Gollum deserved to die, Gandalf replies (this is from memory) "I dare say he does. Many who live deserve death and many who die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be so quick to deal out death in judgment." I hope I got that close to the text. Gandalf does not deny that death may be deserved, he just questions our ability to weigh the scales or get them balanced. I am sure that Saddam deserved a lot more punishment than we can give him.
I am not so certain that I can figure out the meaning of life and death, except in a formal, political sense. While I am not a supporter of the death penalty in the U.S., I do not think that it is morally wrong in many cases. Governments have the right to decide the penalties for crimes, and I can see no reason that death is not appropriate in some cases. The Iraqis had the right to execute Saddam for his crimes, and since they decided to do so, quicker was better. As everyone realizes, Saddam's death does not mean that the troubles are over. It will probably have little effect. All it means, in a larger sense, is that murderous dictators sometimes end up suffering the fate of their victims. Maybe that is cosmic meaning enough.
UPDATE: The Washington Post has a nice obit for Saddam, under the fine heading: "Arc of Power Ends in Utter Ignominy." I would like to believe that that is the meaning of Saddam's drop, dangle, and strangle. But one has to say that this is rare for 20th century tyrants. More often, they live and rule to a ripe old age. By the way, has anyone seen Fidel lately?
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