The noose around our own necks

The execution of Saddam Hussein, like all executions (hangings, electrocutions, garrotings, burnings at the stake, crucifixions....), was morally depraved.

I do not believe that Saddam should have been put to death for his crimes any more than George W. Bush or Dick Cheney or Donald Rumsfeld should be put to death for theirs, or you and I— fellow taxpayers and contributors to war, torture and massacre—should be put to death for our complicity.

Nor should we or others be executed for our addictive, war-causing reliance on oil from places like Iraq, or for our parts in the destruction of this planet.

We should not be condemned to death for electing or sustaining governments and leaders who opportunistically supported Saddam, even allowing him to be supplied with the poison gases he needed to commit mass murder.

Those who rejoice at Saddam’s death should consider the self-imposed executions of their own awareness, responsibility and compassion.

In many ways, we have placed a noose around our own necks.

The macabre, hate-filled celebration of capital punishment, or simply the mute acceptance of it, pushes us ever farther from peace.

Saddam Hussein’s execution will not advance the cause of peace, indeed, as we are already seeing, it is setting it back—unleashing more strife, death and hatred.

Hatred breeds hatred and war breeds war, as surely as love begets love and peace begets peace.

We must allow for redemption—our own and that of others, even that of a Saddam Hussein.

Only then can we save ourselves from self-destruction. Only then can we preserve life on this vibrant speck in space.

In this new year, let us, in the words of St. Francis, become instruments of peace...and love.