Iraq Regime Change without War: The Coup that Wasn't

Oh this will give our leftie friends a boost. Now we learn that the U.S. didn't need to invade Iraq after all. Saddam was about to be overthrown by his son Uday. And who knows -- give peace a chance. Maybe he was just waiting to overthrow his father and renounce the use of state terror and dictatorship.

But of course the wicked U.S. military foiled this attempt by bombing Uday's TV station.

Yahoo! News - Saddam's son Uday was poised to topple dad : "The eldest son of Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseinwas plotting to overthrow his father just as US troops advanced on Baghdad in March 2003, journalist Peter Arnett claimed in Playboy Magazine.

Uday Hussein, known for his ruthlessness and flashy lifestyle, had won the support of the leadership of his father's Fedayeen militia to overthrow Saddam's 35-year rule, according to an advance copy of the April edition of Playboy obtained by AFP.

The controversial reporter, who was fired by the US NBC television network in 2003 after suggesting that the US war plan in Iraq (news - web sites) had failed, made the claim following an 18-month investigation in which he says he gained access to Uday Hussein's inner circle. The article cited a letter from Saddam Fedayeen commander General Maki Humudat, dated March 26, 2003, in which he swore allegiance to a new Iraqi government under the control of Fedayeen chief Uday Hussein. 'According to your direction and command to form a new government under the leadership of your Excellency (Uday), we have informed all the senior officers of the Saddam Fedayeen of your desire to appoint them as your candidates for office in your government,' the letter said.

Uday had planned to announce his seizure of the crumbling reins of power later the same day, but was thwarted when US jets bombed his Youth TV studios in Baghdad, according to Arnett. The ambitious heir had even formed a shadow government on the outskirts of Iraq's capital, Baghdad that was disguised under the cover of his powerful Olympic committee and funded by murky oil deals, he said."

And just in case you weren't sure: I was kidding about Uday being an improvement on Saddam. He was WORSE than his father and no amount of waiting while he butchered, raped and tortured more innocent Iraqis would have resulted in a better outcome than the current hopeful scene.