I know Saddam was a genocidal murderer and most of his actions weren't justified, but does anyone sympathize?

I have to say that much of the killing and terror that he brought on his nation was uncalled for, unjustified, and unprovoked, BUT in at least one case in particular when they attempted to inate him I have to sympathize with him. I would have done the same thing if I were the leader of a nation and my own people attempted to inate me. I would have killed everyone who was involved in the attempt and everyone that I had any idea that might have been involved, even their family and friends to prevent further retaliation and escalation of the situation. He was completely wrong in much of what he did, but you also have to look at the part of the world he was in. In that part of the world, if you show kindness, it's mistaken for weakness. If you don't kill, you'll be killed. In that part of the world you have to show them that you can be as bad as they can, and get ruthless if you have to. Much of what he did was for survival, and intimidation to maintain control/power.