SADDAM’S SECRET POLICE HEADQUARTERS—GETTING INSIDE THE MIND OF INSANITY—CONTINUED

On a scale of bad vibes the Secret Police Headquarters scores a perfect 10. The front gates looked like they had been crushed driven through by an M-1 tank and the modern low-slung building in the distance had a creepy feeling even from a distance. Our driver told us, through our translator Doctor Badhri, that "those that went in never came out."

As we approached the building, we could see looters in the windows pulling the window frames out. The structure seemed to be fairly in tact unlike almost all of Saddam’s other official buildings. It seemed to have suffered from looting more than anything. There was an evil-looking black smoke stain along the front above the windows. It made me think angry citizens had set the building on fire.

Dr. Badhri, seized by patriotic fervor for his country, yelled at one of the looters. The man yelled back and then ran towards our car. He lifted his shirt and showed us his scars across his stomach. "Saddam, Saddam!" He pointed and made his point. Then he and the doctor had a heated but good-natured political argument.

The altercation gave credence to my guess about Saddam’s insanity. The man, who had spent time in the prison, carried the proof under his shirt.