The Saddam Show

Visually, the coverage of Saddam Hussein's day in court was interesting from a number of angles.

(First off, however, I have to get your take on the "enclosure" that contained Hussein and his codefendants.  I know I have a number of readers in the Middle East, so perhaps someone could shed light on whether this element is customary or unique.  In itself, however, it definitely carries an impact in terms of color, materiality, scale, shape and placement.  Last night, Jon Stewart referred to it as a "crib."  I assume the BAG community would take it deeper than that.)

One could make the argument that Saddam was not the day's headliner, so much as television was.  I don't remember seeing so many photos in YahooNews depicting the same subject matter in so many variations.  After looking at dozens of photos over and over again, all I could see was Saddam confined to a little box -- where people could get as close as they wanted and the pixels couldn't hurt anyone.

At the same time, I couldn't help wondering about the political risks inherent in the trial....

Like cotton candy, these pictures offered quite a display of sugar for one day. Beyond the pilot, however, who's to say how the actual episodes will fare -- especially if the prosecution can't get its act together; the legal procedures come into question; or controversy emerges over trial on additional charges.

With more discernment, you could see that -- even today -- Saddam TV was not testing equally well with all audiences. If the tendency was to take for granted the largely anti-Saddam sentiments of the home audience (as exemplified by the Iraqi expatriot in Detroit following the court scene as if from ringside), there were some other pictures which seemed to play differently.

I was drawn to this photo, for example, taken in Fallujah. In the heartland of the insurgency, sympathies seemed such that the show was occasion not for vindication, but for prayer.

(referral: jditz)

(image 1: Ben Curtis/Pool/Reuters. October 19, 2005. Baghdad, Iraq. Via YahooNews; image 2: Slahaldeen Rasheed/Reuters. October 19, 2005. Kirkuk. Via YahooNews; image 3: Mushtaq Mohamad/Reuters. Kerbala, Iraq. October 19, 2005. Via YahooNews; image 4: Rebecca Cook/Reuters. Dearborn, Michigan. October 19, 2005. Via YahooNews; image 5: Mohanned Faisal/Reuters. October 19, 2005. Falluja. Via YahooNews.)

Comments

[Marysz]

I'm interested in the third picture. It shows a husband and wife in the interior of a private home, which we don't often see in these news photos from the Middle East. The TV is on the left, with Saddam's "crib" on the screen. A cord is plugged into the TV, so the man watching is probably videotaping it. He's not in front of the TV, but alongside it (maybe he just finished plugging in the VCR) and he looks at the TV and clenches his fist--but is it in anger or approval? His facial expression is ambiguous to us. And look at his wife in the background. Here is a tableau worthy of Vermeer. Like Vermeer's women, she's luminous but distant. How come she isn't sharing her husband's enthusiasm (pro or con)? How little we know about Iraqis' interiorized response to this trial. Even though we're guests in this couple's house (via the photographer), we are still shut out.

[ummabdulla]

In some countries, the defendants are kept in full cages in the courtroom. I see them in the news sometimes, but I can't seem to find many online. But here's Russian "tycoon" Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Egyptian human rights activist Ibrahim Saad Eddin.

[ummabdulla]

That picture is from Dearborn, Michigan, where there's a large Arab community. The man is a Shiite cleric (I think that their scholars wear white turbans, and those that claim descent from the Prophet Muhammad wear black turbans). According to the caption, the woman is his 17-year-old daughter - and he's happy to see Saddam in court and hopes that he'll be executed.

[PMMJ]

It might just be my Western point of view, but the bottom picture with the prayer beads, my first impression was a noose tightening around the image of Hussein's head.

[Marysz]

Thanks, ummabdulla, for giving us the photo's context. After I put the comment up, I realized it was presumptuous of me to assume this was a married couple.

[Nutthuis]

The enclosures look like kennels or animal pens more than cribs to me.

[Nutthuis]

The enclosures look like kennels or animal pens more than cribs to me.

[pjr]

Despite the judicial imperative of holding this creep accountable for his crimes, this trial is nothing more than a US backed farce. The 'charges' levied against Saddam are suspiciously bereft of any background of US involvement in his regime, from his CIA installment, to his famous Rumsfeld handshake. The sole purpose is to give BushCo some false sense of accomplishment in Hussein's very public embarassment, while steadfastly removing any hint of how far the US has gone to create this megalomaniac and his despicable government.

For shame.

[Lightkeeper]

In regards to Jon Stewart...

Is it just me or are others troubled by his portrayal of recent events - specifically China's accelerating development and Saddam's trial?

In the case of China, there seems to be an underlying msg that 'we can't let them get ahead of us'. Is this really what Stewart should be advocating in a world where what is most needed is cooperation and respect of other's needs and wants? It seems to me as if he's portraying China as the new USSR, which frankly I find very frightening (as if we haven't learnt enough lessons from that nightmare...)

Secondly, in the reports about Saddam I'm troubled by his use of terms like 'farsi' and Arabic and how he constructs these once again as "Others". I don't remember exactly what he said but I know I found it slightly troubling.

Furthermore, I expected Stewart to at least mention that most of the atrocities carried out by Saddam were funded, supported or allowed either directly or indirectly by the current administration.

Any comments?

[MonsieurGonzo]

it really is a crib or "playpen" -like structure, completely consistent with (the perceived) American desire to infantalize Arabic people in general, and their leaders ~ in particular.

we read that quite clearly there is scant support for muslim dictators throughout the Gulf region, yet there is great anger at the "humiliation" of arab character apparent by Western powers : the Show Trial depicted here lacks gravitas, dignity.

there are none of the symbols of State or jurisprudence in this chamber / theatre, whatever it is. the interior layout is terribly awkward (where is "front" ?) and attorneys are detached from and at 90 degrees to their clients...

...it's difficult to see it as "The People" -vs- "Saddam Hussein, et al." within the FRAME of this image. IMHO, even if this scene is intended to be ShowTrial political theatre, the "set stage" fails entirely in this regard.

consider that THIS image is not just "news", this is going to be THE image = historical document of the American invasion & occupation of IRAQ. and THIS is the way you Americans want it to go down?

THIS is why the Americans sacrificed ~2,000 dead, ~50,000 physically & mentally handicapped casualties; $6 billion USD per month for three years; ~100,000+ Iraqi casualties; and, total ostracism of the global community ?

FOR THIS MOMENT ???

[erthsister]

In the picture of the "cribs," Saddam does not face his accusers, nor do they face him. In any case, the jailed-until-proven-guilty must add a psychological aspect, or a symbolic one, since as a barrier, they hardly separate the different parties.
But the bars painted white contrasts with the largely darker colors of the courtroom and focuses our attention there.

In all the pictures of the viewers so far, they all seem very avid, eager and almost gleeful--perhaps feeling this day would never come and Oh my Gosh, it's happening! Even the cleric in Detroit seems very intent rather than angry, the closed hand more likely a culturally-typical gesture than indicating an emotional state. I especially like the photo of the men watching in a shop. The glimpses of colorful merchandise add a festive aspect. Trial as entertainment? The photo with prayer beads reminds us that entertainment may not give us full justice. The mood may change according to the evidence presented and the outcome(s).

Lightkeeper,
Not sure about what you're more disturbed by-- Jon Stewart mentioning Arabic and 'farsi' (which is actually the Persian language, unrelated to Arabic other than being another middle-eastern language), or by his characterization of something (which I am also not clear on).

In any case, I'm very curious why farsi would be mentioned in relation to a trial against Saddam. Oh, except maybe for all those people he bombed out of existance in his war of aggression against Iran. Maybe some of the evidence is in farsi?

[readytoblowagasket]

The Saddam-in-a-cage photo is bizarre. The "cage" is further enclosed on two sides by desks, a third side by chairs (for reporters?), and presumably a fourth side (since Saddam & Co.'s chairs are all facing the fourth side?) that we can't see in this cropping. So, the cage is basically in the middle of the room, surrounded by men in suits and ties. A box within a box. Very claustrophobic if you think about how that must feel. Trapped like an animal. Looks like a public hanging rather than a courtroom trial. On a symbolic level, this room design conveys the idea of "guilt until proven innocent."

[Troy Divis]

I think Saddam deserves to die but its too bad it had to happen with the overthrow of his government and is being done by US(A).

[Martin Damary]

"Iraqi ex-patriot"
Words are interesting too. What is an ex-patriot? It would seem to be someone who once loved his/her country but no longer does.

[John M]

What interests me is that Saddam does not play to a pious Muslim audience, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. He is not wearing traditional clothes, unlike the others in the pen. (maybe his captors have told him what to wear). His head is not covered. It is hard to see what is in his hands, but he does not appear to be holding prayer beads. Perhaps those who read Arabic on this thread can say if his outbursts during the trial are appeals to religion or to something else ?

BTW ... this is a great blog. You are to be congratulated.

[fotonique]

Saddam is the only one dressed in a Western-style suit, although sans power tie. His lack of a cravat may not be casual, but might be due to the standard jail practice of confiscating any clothing item—tie, belt, shoe laces, etc.—that could be used in a cell to commit suicide.

Considering Saddam's underwear photos from earlier this year, he is probably required to change in and out of street clothes while being watched by guards. Is he subject to strip searches before returning to his cell?

The tieless look makes him seem more relaxed: Mahmoud Abbas could take a lesson.

As noted in the previous Saddam post comments, the judge allowed several other defendants to change into traditional Arabic dress at their request.

[VM]

I think the white cage looks like the gates of heaven. It looks like a Christian courthouse for the holy war.

I could see a tall glowing white man with a long white beard walk into this picture and it wouldn't seem unusual.

The cage looks very cartoonish making the whole scene and entire experience look like a joke or a board game. I think the fact that the cage is white actually makes Saddam look more important. I think the traditional black or raw metal prison bars you see everywhere would be more appropriate in many ways if the U.S. wanted to make Saddam look like a criminal.

I would say the cage plays into the hands of Saddam. He couldn't ask for a better color.

Additionally, I think the fact that Saddam has grown a nicely shaped beard and dressed like a laid back intellectual, also puts him in a good position as far as gaining sympathy and portraying himself as a regular guy.

Saddam gets credit for art directing this scene.

[ummabdulla]

MonsieurGonzo, I read in one article that this trial was going to be "cathartic" for the American people - so maybe that's the point, more than what it means to the Iraqi people.

I kept hearing that Sadam would be behind bulletproof glass, but I can't quite figure out where that is. Apparently the reporters are behind it, though, so maybe it's behind the playpens? And what's the point of them anyway? Since they're not full cages, the defendants could get out or try to do something - so they're not actually for security.

There are five judges, I think, but only one who's brave enough to allow the camera to show his face. And all of the witnesses are too scared to show up... then one of the defense lawyers was kidnapped afterwards.

John M., they said that the only thing Saddam brought with him was a Quran (see photo). And he has grown a beard, which is usually a sign that a person is religious.

The other men apparently wore their traditional headdresses to court, but they were taken by security and they demanded them back.

[MonsieurGonzo]

"...trial was going to be "cathartic" for the American people..."

imho Americans will have their catharthis moment with the outing of the WHIG = White House Iraq Group whose purpose it was to "sell" or, fix the intelligence around the policy to invade Iraq; and, the release of the as -yet- unseen images of Americans brutally / sexually torturing young Iraqi boys and women detainees. "The worst part," writes Seymour Hersh "is the screams."

"...the only thing Saddam brought with him was a Quran..."

i thought this was interesting, too. Saddam is not known, to my knowledge ~ to pepper his prose with the characteristic "God willing" type phrases, and he was imho a secular dictator (in the mold of Tito) who held together a disparate relious/ethnic population by brute force : so i interpreted this act on his part as not only playing to the crowd of Islamic viewers (rather than Americans) but also the arrogance of a deposed absolute yet still resolute ruler; ie., "God will be my judge."

the issue of Saddam's clothing is interesting. the lack of a tie may be excused as some sort of "suicide watch" thing, though i doubt it (he is after all, wearing a belt ) The effect is more that of emasculation, cultural castration, in a Western sense.

according to at least one televised account of these proceedings that i saw, Saddam complained that he "had been forced to wear" this selfsame suit for many weeks. his complaint, voiced as it was as soon as he had any opportunity to speak, tells us of his self-awareness / his image, and his own sense of self-importance = entitlement.

this scene, and his apparent dress dilemma reminded me of the Show Trials that Hitler and Goebbels arranged for their opponents; eg., where the defendants (many of them military officers) were purposefully given inappropriate and ill-fitting clothes ~ one man (a member of the Stauffenberg plot to assassinate Hitler) forced to hold up his quite oversize pants throughout his humiliating allocution of "crimes against the National Socialist State."

given a choice, one wonders what costume Saddam would wear? not unlike Castro, Mao or Stalin, etc. : it is difficult to imagine these tyrants wearing anything other than their ready -to- rumble military wear.

all in all, Saddam is a puny substitute for the real enemy, the psychopath who actually attacked all of us and terrifies us still : Osama bin Laden ~ n'est il pas ?

in this regard, isn't "Saddam" scene here Mr. Bush's ultimate anti-climax : the President's most disappointing, cynical "Bait & Switch" fuckover yet of the American people?

[Gasho]

Relating to the BAG's comments about the presence of TV, (and the WATCHING of the trial being as big an item as the trial), I'm seeing this imagery as a picture within a picture. The above comments of a box within a box are appropriate on another level, too. This trial is happening within the American War On Terror, which is hopefully imploding on itself as well -- possibly giving us the US versions of this trial, when we get to see Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al sitting in a box like this in the Hague. "God willing..."

[Edward Teague]

http://postmanpatel.blogspot.com/2005/10/why-saddam-smiles.html

[raftski]

I find it interesting that all of the defendants except Saddam are dressed in traditional garb, while all of the the judges or court personnel are dressed in western clothing. This raises a few questions. Is Saddam being portrayed by the court as not being a true Iraqi or muslim and as such is guilty of crime against the Iraqi people or does it mean that the judges are really puppets for the U.S. because they dress like westerners. In any event it seems as if Saddam has more in common with the tribunal than the rest of the defendants who were later in the court proceeding allowed by the court to wear their traditional head scarves too.

[fotonique]

MG: FOR THIS MOMENT?

No—Saddam's time trial is about four years overdue.

FOR THIS MOMENT.

[janinsanfran]

Think about this: no focus on the judges or court. Why? Because they'd be dead men. However guilty Saddam Hussein is, and we know enough to know that he is, this is a farcical facade masquerading as "justice."

[PATRICK C NNACHI]

I patrick c nnachi,urges for a fair trial on saddam.And the Iraqis to set him free,because some the things he did was out of anouyance.And killing or hanging him will not solve the Iraqis problem, rather add more. I wrote from Abakaliki in Ebonyi state.school, savanah Institute of technology, Abakaliki.