Looks like Saddam will be paying for his crimes before Sunday, in order to avoid offending Muslim sensitivities by executing him on a holy day.

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins at sundown Saturday.

The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.

The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days.

Some international leaders (and grievance polemicists) are outraged that the dictator might actually pay for his crimes and be executed by the Iraqi people he oppressed. And as I suggested some weeks back, the NY Times seems prepared to deck itself out in black to mourn the untimely execution of this murderous goon.

I am, however, disappointed about one aspect of this execution -- I had been hoping that Saddam would take a long drop on a short rope as the clock rang in 2007 -- sort of an Iraqi equivalent of dropping the ball over Times Square.

By the way -- I'm hoping photos of this administration of justice flood the 'net and that the video quickly shows up on YouTube and elsewhere.

Sic Semper Tyrannis!