Since hanging is no longer a usual form of execution in the US, most of you are not familiar with how it is done. If the executioner (or who ever is in charge) really hates you and wants you to suffer as you die, you are given a "short drop". The rope is short and you slowly strangle to death- not nice. With the "long drop" the rope is quite a bit longer and your neck breaks at the end of your fall. This is quite a bit more merciful than strangling. Occasionally, the executioner used a bit too much rope, and a decapitation occurred- it usually happened when you had an inexperienced executioner. So, you guys are misreading the event- someone apparently cared enough about Sadam's brother to give him the "long drop"- and botched it. - Granny:stoned: