GARDEN VARIETY DARWINIST:

Saddam should have been studied, not executed: Sparing Hussein and studying his makeup could have provided valuable research. (Richard Dawkins, January 4, 2007, LA Times)

THE OBVIOUS objections to the execution of Saddam Hussein are valid and well aired. His death will provoke violent strife between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and between Iraqis in general and the American occupation forces. This was an opportunity to set a good example of civilized behavior in dealing with a barbarically uncivilized man. In any case, revenge is an ignoble motive. If President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are eventually put on trial for war crimes, I shall not be among those pressing for them to be hanged.

But I want to add another and less obvious objection: Hussein's mind would have been a unique resource for historical, political and psychological research, a resource that is now forever unavailable to scholars.

Perhaps Mr. Dawkins could have a chunk of tissue so he can look for the selfish gene that made Saddam think his own genome ought not be diluted? Or, since Mr. Dawkins has made essentially the same argument himself he could just examine himself.

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 5, 2007 2:26 PM