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| Axis of Evil |
| Saddam pounces on son’s newspaper |
| 2002-11-20 |
| The Iraqi Government has suspended a newspaper run by Saddam Hussein's eldest son Uday. No reason was given for the one-month ban which was reported to foreign media by Iraqi Government and media sources after Babel failed to appear on news stands on Wednesday. Babel is known for carrying Western reports on Iraq's conflict with the United States and is said to be the most influential newspaper in the country. But it appears that attacks made on pro-American Arab leaders in recent issues may have landed the paper in trouble. Sucks to be the editor of this paper right now. The French news agency AFP said the government had warned against criticising other Arab states in the wake of a Beirut summit in March when Baghdad's relations with other states in the region began to thaw. However, recent Babel issues featured: A piece about Jordan's crackdown on Islamic militancy headlined "Jordan's Tyrant Wreaks Havoc" A report on Egyptian politics entitled "[President Hosni] Mubarak and his clique". Saddam doesn't want to say bad things about his neighbors, he still hopes they can stop Bush from invading. In addition, this Sunday saw Babel carrying a Western report that Saddam Hussein had tried to secure a "bolt-hole" for his family in Libya in the event of his ouster by the US. Bet that didn't go over well at the breakfast table. The BBC's Paul Reynolds says the Iraqi leader's eldest son is a flamboyant character who does not necessarily reflect his father's views. Except the part about killing people. By contrast, his younger brother Qusay is generally thought to be made more in Saddam Hussein's image and to be his political heir apparent. Saddam is Don Vito, Uday is Sonny, Qusay is Michael. We all remember what happened to Sonny. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 The part of Fredo was played by two of Saddam's sons-in-law who fled Iraq with their wives. They sought sanctuary in Jordan. Saddam sent agents to coax them to return to Baghdad, promising that all would be forgiven if they came home. The sons-in-law took the bait and returned to Iraq. They were filmed bowing their heads and kissing Saddam's feet. The next day, in Saddam's presence, they were executed. Nobody but Fredo is that dumb. |
| Posted by: Steve 2002-11-20 13:54:47 |
| #1 Yeah, fine. But who is Fredo? That's the question. |
| Posted by: mojo 2002-11-20 13:18:50 |