How do you celebrate four years of occupation?

With a execution, how else?

BAGHDAD — Saddam Hussein's former deputy was hanged before dawn Tuesday, the fourth man to be executed in the killings of 148 Shiites following a 1982 assassination attempt against the former leader in the town of Dujail.

Taha Yassin Ramadan, who was Mr. Hussein's vice-president when the regime was ousted, went to the gallows on the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

Bassam al-Hassani, an adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said the execution went smoothly, although Ramadan appeared frightened and recited the two shahadahs — a declaration of faith repeated by Muslims — “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his Prophet.”

Mr. al-Hassani said precautions were taken to prevent a repeat of what happened to Mr. Hussein's half brother and co-defendant Barzan Ibrahim, who was inadvertently decapitated on the gallows during his January execution.

Associated Press

Victors justice is a wonderful thing, don't you think?