way2slo's Journal: My take on Saddam Hussien...

I once read that diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggie" and petting it on the head with one hand while using the other hand to reach for a club to wack it on the skull.

It's simplistic, but not far from the truth.

It was obvious back in the mid 90's that diplomacy with Saddam would not work. He views himself as a decendant of Nebuchadnezzar destined for power and glory. Saddam has billboards in Iraq that pretty much say exactly that. He's rebuilding ancient Babyloinan ruins and including his name on the stones. The guy wants to go down in history as a great and powerful leader. But you don't do that by letting the UN tell you what to do. You do it by conquring nations and defying your enemies. Diplomacy never had one chance with him.