Ann Althouse points out that, in today’s Guardian, Saddam is reported as having been “upset” by watching the news that Talabani was selected as the new President of Iraq.

The Iraqi human rights minister is quoted as having told Reuters:

He [Saddam] was clearly upset. He realised that it was over, that a democratic process had taken place and that there was a new, elected president.”

I’m wondering whether, now that Iraq seems well on the way to becoming a functioning democracy, human rights minister Amin will be besieged by the equivalent of the ACLU or Amnesty, claiming that forcing Saddam to watch Talabani’s selection constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

But no, I see that’s been covered, too. Apparently, no coercion was involved. According to Amin, the former dictator had chosen to view the recording of the parliamentary vote.

Is Saddam a glutton for punishment (his own, I mean; we already know he feasts on that of others)? Or is he so bored he’ll watch anything at this point? Or perhaps he’s delusional and narcissistic enough to watch because he thought they’d be clamoring for his reinstallation?

He may not have liked the beer and taco chips, either.