Coincidence? I Think Not.

The end of the year approaches and with it two events that the Bush Administration would rather we did not notice: The death toll in the Iraq War (fortunately, we've lost that silly "Operation Iraqi Freedom" euphemism) seemed likely to reach 3000 by year's end, and the execution of Sadaam Hussein would undoubtedly unleash harsh criticism and new scrutiny of the United States role in Iraq. There was nothing that could be done about the first; it was going to happen. The second could be postponed, but not for long: under Iraqi law, executions must be carried out within thirty days after the ruling on the final appeal. It looked as if there could be some bad news days ahead for the Bush Family Mafia.
Then they got a helping hand from someone who may not have wanted to help: Gerald Ford, one of the last two truly decent men to occupy the White House, died on the day after Christmas. Ford, it turns out, never really wanted to President; he was a simple man with simple tastes who didn't particularly like pomp and pageantry. His plans for his funeral were not extravagant, like Ronald Reagan's funeral a few years ago. Nevertheless, the media could be counted on to provide intensive coverage. There would be a need to rehash Ford's long career in public service. There would be a need to dissect that career, and then it would be time to bury Jerry, not to praise him. The geography of the situation would prolong the memorial activities for days, starting in Palm Desert, California, where Ford died, then progressing to Washington, then on to the University of Michigan, where Ford would be buried.
To the Bushies, Ford's death was not the death of a friend or role model; after all, Ford was an honest, caring, and decent man. Besides, it came out quickly after Ford's death was announced that he had disapproved of the invasion of Iraq--not the way it was done, not with some simpering, self-serving disclaimer like that, but with absolute disapproval. But his death was going to occupy the media. It had to be reported because Ford had held a unique position as the first president who had not been elected to executive office. And if the media had to pay attention to the memorials for Ford, they couldn't give the death count and execution of Sadaam Hussein their full attention. And I do not doubt that phone calls were made to Iraqi authorities to noify them that it would be a good idea to hold the execution sooner, rather than later. And the puppet government of Iraq, dependent as it is on the Bush administration for its power, was willing to comply.
And while it remains to be seen how the 3000th death will be reported, the execution of Sadaam shared the space above the fold with the Ford memorials. And an amoral and stupid man took advantage of the death of a good man to divert attention from the execution of a tyrant by a puppet government.