Two Presidents, Two Deaths

I just read some news on the internet after a long absence of television and regular news in my life. I found out two things so far: Sadaam Hussain’s sentence to death and Gerald Ford’s demise. Sadaam Hussain’s sentence came as a shock to me, not that I believe it is unfair or unforeseen. I just didn’t expect something like this very soon, especially the news says that the execution could happen any moment from now till the next 30 days. Without having prior knowledge or how the rest of the world is reacting to this decision, I’m feeling a bit apprehensive for US and Iraq. I can understand the atrocities and damage Sadaam has caused and the decision for his execution is fair enough, but still killing a world leader could mean anything. There are many patriotic followers of Sadaam and they will all retaliate against such a decision. I believe something more lenient like life in prison is safer. We are in a time where there is a lot of hatred toward one another, especially towards Americans and anyone who supports the Iraq war and we need to work on unity more than vengeance or justice. Even if not for Americans’ sake, for Iraqi’s. They have suffered enough both during the time of Sadaam and after Sadaam’s regime. They don’t want more news, either good or bad.
The demise of Gerald Ford is unexpected but not shocking. I found out some things about him. He was a former President of US after Nixon. He was never elected but took over the office when Nixon was impeached for the Watergate Scandal. He served in the office for two years before he lost to Jimmy Carter. He is the only President of US who served the office without election and the longest living President who lived for 93 years. He was on Michigan's football team and decided to continue with his studies at Yale instead of going into Professional football. I’m still unclear how exactly he died and when he died.