There has been much debate over the importance of Saddam Hussein's capture. Many have said that his capture is of little importance. Others say that Saddam's capture is very important to the U.S. and will have many positive effects.
I believe that the capture of Saddam is important but not for the right reasons. I agree that many positive effects will come from the capture of Hussein, but all have failed to mention that Saddam's capture could potentially bring about some serious negative effects. After reading a December eighteenth article in the Wall Street Journal entitled, "In Hussein's Hometown, Tension and Defiance," I have realized that our focus should be on the negative effects, and what we can do to counteract them.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, said of the effect of Hussein's capture on the Iraqi insurgents and Middle Eastern terrorist groups, "When you take this leader who at one time was a popular leader in the region and find him in a hole in the ground, that is a powerful signal that you may be on the wrong team."
English: Former President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein,...
April Glaspie shakes hands with Saddam Hussein
Republic of Iraq Former President Saddam Hussein, ...I think that the general is wrong and clearly does not understand the mentality of these people. I believe that comments like General Myers' will provoke a statement from these groups in the form of a significant terrorist attack on the U.S. As a way of saying that they have not been discouraged or defeated by Saddam's capture.
Now that Saddam has been captured, I believe he will become a martyr for all Middle Eastern resistance groups. Signs of this have already shown in places like Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, where hundreds gathered at the University in protest of his capture chanting, "we sacrifice our blood and souls for you Saddam."...