[Xugumad]

Usually, people who attribute 'insanity' as the cause for murderous actions or genocide of major historical figures, lack any education in psychology, history, or political science.

The average joe on the street will probably claim that the Hitler was a lunatic, and confirm that Saddam Hussein is a 'maniac', if he even knows the name of the former. Any reasonable study of history discards the 'Hitler the insane one' theory fairly rapidly, and future generations will probably do the same for Hussein.

The hunger for power and domination, coupled with the willingness to do everything necessary to cement one's position at the top is not insane. Unfortunately political motivations have led to the 'maniac' theory being thrown around all the time, coupled with the logical conclusions. ("He is coming after us next! Why not? He's insane!")

To further the point, the only times when Hitler, for instance, could have been considered insane was during the last year of his rule, when abuse of drugs led to a variety of mental problems. People who think Saddam was insane for invading Kuwait, for instance (and thus incuring the wrath of ths US), need to study US-Iraqi relations between 1984-1989, and the Iraqi geopolitical situation at the time. Iraq's leading cadres were absolutely baffled that the US would not approve of their actions.

I'm not even going to go into the 'his own people' ridiculousness, and outline what the PKK and Communist terrorists are.

Nonetheless, insanity is an easy excuse for those who don't know better.

X.

PS: I recommend Ian Kershaw's books on Hitler, as well as Alan Bullock's works on the same subject. (and Nazi Germany)