On balance I think Saddam Hussein is both mad and bad. He has enough about him to have gained power and kept it for thirty odd years but he is totally unrealistic to imagine he can withstand the military might being pitted against him. Even if it takes a little longer than the coalition estimated to defeat him it will inevitably do so. He should have cut and run to a safe haven when he had the chance.
David,
59
ENGLAND
He's surely not MY national hero. Not sure if he's a madman but he sure seems like a megalomaniac, and I wouldn't want to get close enough to find out the depth insanity - if that's the case.
Fisch,
47
Preston, CT USA
Id ask that question about Mr. Bush. (who, imho, is an absolute madman).
Talia,
25
Tallahassee, FL USA
Madman. He'll die a martyr, though.`
Aly,
17
Cardiff UK
Saddam Hussein: Madman to us, National Hero to them.
Reba,
57
Gaithersburg, MD USA
I guess he could
be one and the same, but from my perspective he is neither because madman
somehow seems to make him less culpable for his actions. He is an evil
dictator who is not above
using the lives of his own people to further his cause. He has let many
of his people life in abject poverty because he would not obey the treaty
HE signed at the end of the Gulf War, forcing the world to place economic
sanctions against Iraq. He does not suffer in his golden palaces.
Cindy,
41
VA USA
I'd say asshole or national hero. "Madman" is a little too comicbook. Between the two I'd choose the former, but at least he's an informed, competent asshole.
Tracy,
24
Ocean City, NJ USA
Anyone who thinks he isn't mad hasn't been paying attention. He's killed more of his own citizens than all of our bombs, and he continues to do so. He's either mad, or just plain evil. Maybe both.
Judy,
62
Easton, KS USA
I don't think he is mad, rather a vicious and determined dictator with visions of being a national hero. More along the lines of a Stalin than a Hitler.
Felicia,
37
Lowell, MA USA
Saddam Hussein: My baby's mama.
A-Dog,
20
Eugene, OR USA
Hm. I just figured out that Saddam is an anagram for mad Sad. *shrug* I don't actually know enough about Saddam as a person to say what they heck he is.
Karen,
23
Ames, IA USA
Are you kidding
me? Seriously... is this a joke question? You are asking me if a man that
slaughters his own people is a national hero? You are asking me if a man
that brought his two sons up to be butchers by having them watch executions
and tortures is a national hero? You are seriously asking me if a man
that mutilated his countries olympic athletes by whipping them, dragging
them on their backs until the skin came off and then throwing them in
raw sewage...
all because they didn't "win"... is a national hero? I'd hate
to live in a country where anyone could think that abomination of a man
is a "national hero". And now, let me tell you how I really
feel... maybe another time.
Doug2,
30
Kansas City, KS USA
I doubt that most
Iraqis consider Saddam Hussein a National Hero--but they probably prefer
their old, familiar, home-grown devil. Saddam Hussein's ethics and morals
are certainly not mine, but I think he passes legal tests for sanity--he
knows what he is doing and what the consequences
may be--at least the consequences for other people. Other people are not
particularly important to him.
Jill,
61
Saylorsburg, PA USA
Saddam is definately a Madman to kill his own people is like Hitler. He has no respect for anyone so our men have to go there to get him. God Bless America...
Marci,
58
OH USA
Freakin' Nutbag!
Stephanie,
27
TX USA
Madman
Janet,
45
E. Brunswick, NJ USA
Malevolent dictator.
Laura,
38
Lowell, MA USA
Both.
Jane,
63
West Linn, OR USA
Madman.
Cathie,
53
Novi, MI USA
Madman
Tam
Probably a madman, but then again, it seems that everyone in politics is a madman.
Keri-Jade,
23
Brampton, Ontario CANADA
Madman.
Laney,
60
TX USA
Saddam Hussein: Madman or National Hero? Madman...duh...duh
Frodo,
31
Modor
i guess i would say he is more of a madman. However we are not "liberating" the people of Iraq even if that were something they actually wanted.
Cara,
18
Valparasio, IN USA
Madman
KarenNJ,
25
Milltown, NJ USA
Definitely a madman!
Melodi,
19
Gahanna, OH USA