Saddam's Son a Sadist?

Page Winds of War AIDS Update Page 6 Local Gay Politicos Surveyed Conference Moves to Miami 11 March 24, 2003 www.ExpressGayNews.com Volume 4, Number 12 Saddam’s Son a Sadist? disemboweling the sheep, slowly pulling out Defectors Allege Naked Male ‘Torture Fetish’ its intestines and watching the terror and pain in the animal’s eyes. By Norm Kent reported to columnist George Edmonson of Other journalists have described how Publisher Cox News Service last week. Odai did the same with women who turned As the war against Iraq goes forward, Yahia, who escaped from Iraq in 1991 and him down and political leaders who opposed and the U.S. forces seek out Saddam Hussein, now lives in London, said he saw Odai strip him. In fact, the Sydney Morning Herald revelations about his sons and would-be male soccer players and athletes, torturing reported only Saturday that Saddam Hussein’s successors suggest they are both mentally them, while naked, sometimes for no apparent eldest son mercilessly beats girls as young as unsound and unfit to lead the country. reason other than losing a match. 12 if they refuse to sleep with him. The paper By virtually all accounts, Odai, the Yahia said, “Odai makes up any story just interviewed Iraqi defectors this past weekend. eldest and the one-time heir apparent, is a to torture you, put you in prison.” According to the Australian newspaper, psychopath who appears to delight in According to Gil Reavil, in a September Odai Hussein forced head teachers of schools inflicting pain and exerting authority over 2001 article in Maxim.com, Odai experienced in Baghdad’s poorest districts to send pupils male captives. Revelations from Iraqi the Iraqi ritual rites of manhood when he and to his palace, where he arranged dates with defectors are confirming years of rumors his brother were given a Beretta to summarily those he liked. If the chosen girls annoyed him about torture sessions he conducted. execute a naked prisoner who had been in any way, they were dangled over a wooden “He’s a sadist,” said Latif Yahia, who repeatedly tortured. The execution chamber beam, held by his bodyguards and repeatedly spent several years in the 1980s and early was deep in the bowels of al-Nihayyah (Palace hit with a wooden club, according to former 1990s in Iraq serving as Odai’s body-double, of the End), an ancient room that “stank of members of his inner circle who recently fled Since being charged with overseeing the particularly to shield Odai from perceived blood, excrement and fear.” Iraqi National Olympic Committee in 1984, Iraq. Odai Hussein allegedly has made sport danger at sporting events, where the According to Reavil, Odai has a history “He does it to a girl if she says she of imprisoning, torturing and murdering dictator’s son served as head of Iraq’s of being involved in torture. One incident doesn’t want to go out with him, or if she athletes. Olympic committee. Yahia’s comments were recounted in his story dealt with Odai’s finds another boyfriend, or is late or experience with a sheep in his childhood. He is reluctant,” one defector told Vanity Fair accused of having tied the animal’s feet with a magazine. cord, then slowly carving up his genitals before Gays Skeptical of War See SADIST on page 10 ‘American Leadership... Requires Public Trust’ When asked in a recent survey how much Americans—expresses deeper feelings of Millions for Medicaid? confidence they have in President Bush and alienation with the administration’s decision- By Phil LaPadula Rettinger, however, noted that the House his administration to “make the right decisions” making and the prospects of a war in Iraq.” Managing Editor bill does not go as far as a Senate bill regarding the use or non-use of the U.S. military Strikingly, almost seven out of 10 (68 There was some encouraging news last proposed by Sen. Mandy Dawson. That bill to attack Iraq, six out of 10 (60 percent) of percent) of GLBT adults felt that President week for activists fighting to save a Medicaid would totally re-fund the program at 2001 heterosexual adults nationwide stated they are Bush preferred a military attack on Iraq rather program that pays for prescription drugs for levels and eliminate the requirement that somewhat or very confident. than trying to achieve his some people with HIV, recipients “spend down” In sharp contrast, only 31 main goals without an attack, transplant patients as well their income to $450 a percent of self-identified gay, compared with 51 percent of as patients with other month before they can lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual adults catastrophic illnesses. receive benefits. “Four transgender (GLBT) adults surveyed. In response to an hundred and fifty dollars expressed the same level of Additionally, over half (56 intense letter-writing a month is impossible to confidence. percent) of GLBT adults said campaign and personal live on and buy food, pay These are highlights of they opposed attacking Iraq, lobbying appeals in rent and utilities,” a nationwide Harris Poll of while just over one-third (35 Tallahassee, a bill Rettinger said. “Why 2,271 adults, of whom about percent) of heterosexuals said currently being must the medically needy 6 percent self-identified as they opposed the attack. The considered by the Florida in Florida be made to live finding for all adults who were gay, lesbian, bisexual or Bob Witeck’s P.R. firm House of Representatives so far below the federal asked this question—gay and would provide $291.4 Bush’s proposed budget poverty level in order to transgender (GLBT). The analyzed a GLBT Survey provided no funds for the survey was conducted on the war. non-gay—was 45 percent in million to fund the Medically Needy program. stay alive?” online Feb. 19-25, 2003, by favor of attacking Iraq, 36 Medicaid Medically The Medically Harris Interactive, with analysis of GLBT percent opposing and 19 percent undecided. Needy Share of Cost Program. The program, Needy Share of Cost Program is intended to data provided by Witeck-Combs Regarding Saddam Hussein and Iraq’s which was not funded in Gov. Jeb Bush’s help people retired on Social Security Communications, Inc., a strategic public alleged ties to Al Qaeda terrorists, however, 2004 budget proposal, is scheduled to expire disability who do not qualify for full Medicaid relations and marketing firm with special there appears to be a closer resemblance on June 30. because they have assets such as a home, a expertise in the GLBT market. between the opinions of gay and non-gay adult Bill Rettinger, a transplant patient and car or a savings account. It is intended to “American leadership at home and abroad Americans. Forty-five percent of GLBT activist who is leading the effort to save the allow the medically needy to afford their requires public trust, especially at tough times respondents believe there is some link, and 49 program, expressed cautious optimism. “This medications without losing their homes and like these,” said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck- percent of heterosexual adults agree. is a true change of heart from a few weeks dignity, or becoming indigent. Combs Communications, Inc. “These findings This survey was conducted online within ago,” he said. “Up until now, the House has Although Gov. Bush himself has not make clear, however, that this often- the United States by Harris Interactive among even refused to acknowledge the program. issued any public statements about the issue, marginalized group of citizens—GLBT a nationwide cross-section of 2,271 adults. Now, at least they’re looking at it.” See MEDICAID on page 21 www.ExpressGayNews.com • March 24, 2003 1 CYMK 2 www.ExpressGayNews.com • March 24, 2003 CYMK www.ExpressGayNews.com • March 24, 2003 3 CYMK March 17, 2003 Volume 4, Number 11 Issue 120 Inside THE EXPRESS Publisher Norm Kent [email protected] Broward News Page 7 Senior Editor / Health Editor J. Michael James Local Boot Camp Play [email protected] Managing Editor Pokes Fun at Incest Phil LaPadula [email protected] Innermotion Dance Company Offers Arts & Entertainment Editor Healing Through Art and Laughter Mary Damiano [email protected] Features Editor EDITORIAL National News Page 12 Andy Zeffer [email protected] Gays in Military Seek Help EDITORIAL Supervisor of Marketing and Development in Record Numbers Kevin Hopper [email protected] Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Reports Account Executives Sharp Increase in Calls Craig Combs [email protected] Joe Green [email protected] National News Page 14 Anthony Verrico [email protected] Popular San Francisco Gay DJ Classifieds Manager Lexx Thomas Fights Deportation [email protected] Keshav Jiwnani Dreads Being Sent Back National Sales Representatives to ‘Suffocating, Repressive’ Pakistan Rivendell Marketing 212.242.6863 BUSINESS News & Features international News Page 16 Jennifer Trovato • Paul Harris Local Feature Columnists Scott Colton • John Templeton Local Correspondents Caught in Gay Cruising Area, Palm Beach—Tony Plakas, South Beach—Jeff Wilkinson, Youth—Michael Irwin British Politician Resigns Business & Finance Daniel M. Pye • Michael Wilke Syndicated Columnists Mike Alvear • Mubarak Dahir Paul Varnell • Deb Price • M.Signorile Dennis Scott-Bush • Jennifer Vanasco Health & Fitness Columnists Page 20-24 Expressions Stephen Fallon • Lee Strausberg Advice & Counseling Mark Rutherford Webmaster • Gary Hallock Express Editors Speak Out Network Administrator • Ray Johnston Contributing Photographers Steven Shires • Pompano Bill • Carole Fawcett About the War in Iraq Distribution Managers Charlie Braun • Glenn King • John Fugate Graphic Artist • Henny Snow Office Administrator • Logan Kent CONTRIBUTORS Editorial Page / Letters to the Editor .................................... 18 The Express Gay News, Inc. 1595 Northeast 26th St. Expressifieds ..............................................................

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