I love America! Where else could you make money off the declining fortunes of a tyrant??
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Although the fate of Saddam Hussein is unknown as his rule crumbles in Baghdad, he is thriving as a collectible on eBay.
During the three-week war in Iraq, collectors have swamped the Internet trading site with more than 1,000 items, including Iraqi money, T-shirts and videos that capitalise on Saddam's notoriety.
One seller touting the "Saddam dinar," one of two currencies used in Iraq, was quick to advertise his item as a piece of history certain to grow in value when the war is over.
"With the current world situation, chances are this will be the last currency available coming out of Iraq, at least with Saddam's picture on it," the seller wrote.
U.S. forces swept into the heart of Baghdad on Wednesday, helping jubilant residents topple a huge statue of Saddam and dragging its severed head through the streets.
Iraq's "Saddam dinar" was by far the most popular item, with some auctions fetching about $40 (25 pounds) for a few bills. At the end of March, one dollar could be exchanged for about 3,000 of the Iraqi bills.
A search for Saddam Hussein on the eBay Web site yielded 900 hits, involving a wide variety of items associated with him.
For anyone eager to get Saddam's autograph, 15 bidders have pushed the price of an autographed photo of Saddam to $203 with nearly a week left in the auction.
Just think of the commercial potential. Should Saddam's body be found, items from the location of his last stand should go for a fortune on Ebay. Isn't capitalism a beautiful thing? Now if we just figure out how to get the money back to the Iraqi people....
