I watched the start of Saddam Hussein’s trial
and my first impression is we are in for trouble.  The court
allowed Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants to ramble about tiny
things (e.g. having pen and paper, etc.) when these issues should and
could be resolved by defense counsel outside the formal
proceedings.  These permitted speeches give the defendants their
platform to espouse anti-American rhetoric (which Hussein did).  

Of course, we all knew to expect a bunch of grandstanding by
Hussein.  If the chief judge doesn’t get hold of the trial and set
some clear boundaries ASAP, this could be a disaster.  This trial
should hopefully illimunate the atrocities committed by Hussein. 
The last thing we need is for it to become a well-orchestrated public
relations campaign for Hussein.