The death penalty, like abortion and gun control and "prayer in schools" ...and several other issues...is a hot button for many people. They are strongly opposed or in favor; often without totally understanding their own motives or reasoning.

It is a historical fact that people have always killed other people - sometimes with 'official' sanction, sometimes without.

As noted above by Dave O., there are legal definitions for things like 'murder' that are very different from legal executions....but even for those who are strongly opposed to ANY killing, there are usually exceptions. If Saddam were in your house, threatening to kill your family, and you had a gun.....

So...for society, it becomes both an expression of attitude and a practical matter. When people get upset enough, their attitudes can alter, and when keeping 'enemies' alive becomes a lot more work (and expensive) than getting rid of them permanently, attitudes alter a LOT!
In Iraq, killing is, sadly, common.....that is, most everyone can justify killing 'them', whether 'them' means members of some other sect, or "foreign invaders and non-believers". Islam itself seems divided on the issue of killing, but certainly makes room for it, and clerics find it easy to justify.

Yes...same with Christianity..."Thou shalt not kill" is in the same book with "an eye for an eye", and a passage can be found supporting ANY interpretation.

As unfortunate as it is, the death penalty is useful....not only as as punishment and as a deterrent(maybe), but also so that society does not have to house and worry about those who don't respect others.......and this is the crucial concept....'reverence for life' is a wonderful idea, but in order to fully implement it, those who do not respect it must be denied it....and Saddam Hussein did not respect OTHERS lives...therefore, he deserves none FROM others.