The fall of Saddam Hussein was supposed to lead to a bright new era of democracy for Iraqis, but so far all it's led to is anguish and bloodshed. Similarly, his trial at the hands of his own people was supposed to be an example of real justice, but it was little more than a sad piece of theater.
Moreover, his execution on Dec. 30 has disgusted most of the world for the way it was carried out. In the end, hardly anyone extracted any satisfaction from his ignominious death.
The travesty on the gallows in Baghdad has reignited worldwide debate over capital punishment, which is still practiced in many countries though the number is dwindling over time. The Philippines recently outlawed the death penalty and South Korea will likely do the same in the near future, which is ironic considering that the United Nation's new secretary general, former South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon, departed from the traditional U.N. position of condemning capital punishment during his first day on the job by saying that it was a matter for each country to decide.