Saddam Hussein is human. That doesn't speak well of the human race, but we do manage to produce some very sick puppies. I would guess he'll hope to get life in prison, maybe with a few squares a day and the possibility of parole, escape or release. Have some of his followers hold hostages and shoot one an hour until he's let out. The hope of eventually achieving a scenario of that nature certainly would appeal to him more than his death.

I agree that his own people should determine his fate. Maybe, allow the Kurds to put him on trial. There likely wouldn't be any need of a second trial. Just a thought.