Updates at the bottom of the post

8:10 Fox News is reporting that Saddam Hussein will be executed by 10pm EST.

Alan Colmes is asking if the death penalty is the best thing we can do. He’s not suggesting anything better, I notice. The witnesses are gathering at the place of execution.

8:33 They’re showing live shots from heavily Arabic Dearborn, MI, where the citizens are celebrating the impending execution.

8:42 Fox has been showing video of Saddam’s atrocities, including women and children, dead on Saddam’s orders

Earlier, one guest had speculated that Saddam would display cowardice when facing the hangman’s noose. If so, I’ll be surprised. I expect defiance to the bitter end. I guess we’ll find out in about 15 minutes or so.

8:53 Final preparations have been completed, whatever that means. It should be completed by dawn, 6am Baghdad time. Seven minutes.

8:57 Saddam has reached the execution site.

8:59 Per Al Arabiya Television, it will be completed within a minute or so.

9:00 Greta van Sustern reporting the execution is to take place any minute.

9:08 Al Arabiya is now reporting that Saddam Hussein is dead. Hell gains another soul. And he was expecting virgins!

1. Osama bin Laden
2. Mullah Omar
3. Saddam Hussein
4. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi

Two down, two to go.

Updates

Did I call it or did I call it? Defiance to the bitter end. ABC News reports:

There are five men in black face masks who are visible on the gallows platform around Saddam, acting as guards.  As they guide him towards the trap door and put the noose over his head, they start chanting religious slogans with the names of Moqtada al Sadr (the head of the Mahdi army, accused of organizing death squads against Sunnis) and Baqr al Sadr (the father-in-law of Moqtada).  Saddam, a Sunni, is outraged at this last-minute provocation,  and tells them to “go to hell.” [TD - emphasis added]

Others covering the story: Ms.Underestimated , The Jawa Report, Real Teen of Right on the Right has the execution video

TD