The U.S. will transfer "legal custody" of Saddam Hussein to the new Iraqi government on June 30--but it will keep physical custody of Saddam. Why? The Iraqi government doesn't have a jail strong enough to hold him. We think that's a silly argument. Steel bars are steel bars. Locks are locks. If the U.S. is really saying they don't trust the new Iraqi Government not to be harboring a Saddam loyalist who might unlock the door and let him go, they should come out and say it.

Actually, we think Saddam will be safer in U.S. custody than in Iraqi custody. For every loyalist who might be willing to free him, there likely are 50 who would kill him instantly. Here's one of our favorite "steel bars" songs, co-written by Bob Dylan and Michael Bolton:

I've tried running but there's no escape
Can't bend them, and (I know) I just can't break these...
Steel bars, wrapped all around me
I've been your prisoner since the day you found me
I'm bound forever, till the end of time
Steel bars wrapped around this heart of mine

Update: Saddam writes home.