By Dan Horn and Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Whether they oppose the war in Iraq or support it, Greater Cincinnatians found something they could agree on Sunday morning: Saddam Hussein's capture is the best news out of Iraq since the fall of Baghdad.

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Expressions of relief, joy and patriotism were commonplace Sunday as residents here listened to radio and TV broadcasts of U.S. officials boasting that they finally "got him."

From coffee shops in Hyde Park to the Bengals game downtown, people were eager to share the news. Some took a thoughtful, reserved approach; others were more colorful.

Kevin Alessandro was one of the latter. He stood outside Paul Brown Stadium holding an orange and black cardboard sign above his head.

"Saddam To Hell, Bengals To Playoffs," the sign read.

"I'd say there's an even chance of each," said Alessandro, of Louisville, as he exchanged high-fives with fans heading into the game.

Others were more cautious. While they agreed Hussein's capture would help end the continuing violence in Iraq, most believed it was only one step toward restoring the peace and bringing home the troops.

They said the almost daily attacks on troops and civilians in Iraq show that those resisting the U.S. invasion are willing to fight and die, whether it's for Hussein, for their religious beliefs or for national pride.

"I think it's a good thing that they caught him," said Katherine Singh, of Mt. Lookout. "But I really don't know if it will have that significant an impact on the attacks that are going on."

Singh reflected on the news as she worked a crossword puzzle and drank coffee with friend Jason Ellis at the Starbucks in Hyde Park Plaza. Ellis agreed Hussein's capture probably wouldn't lead to immediate peace.

"I'm sure there are hard cores out there that will keep fighting," said Ellis, of Mt. Washington.

The Starbucks' cashier, Brandi Kelly, said Hussein was the main topic of conversation from the minute the store opened.

"It's all people are talking about," she said. "It's the first thing people say: 'Have you heard about Saddam?'"

The same was true at the Sugar 'N Spice Restaurant in Bond Hill, where regulars shared scraps of news about Hussein - "He had a white beard," "He came out of a hole." - that they'd heard on the radio or TV before leaving home.

"It's about time," said Brian Sellers, of Western Hills, as he waited for a carryout order. "But it's not the end. Not yet."

Sitting a few feet away, Elesha Yisrael was even more cautious. The North Avondale resident said he has opposed the war from the beginning and he is pessimistic Hussein's capture will bring it closer to an end.

"They just took the man out of the government," Yisrael said. "Now they've got more enemies than they had before. What did they accomplish? They increased the enemies a hundred fold."

There was more enthusiasm for the news at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Cincinnati. Herman Warth, a Vietnam-era veteran, said he wasn't sure what impact Hussein's capture would have on the conflict, but he had strong opinions about what should happen next.

"They should kill him, and they should do it right on Main Street," Warth said.

Michael Bonfield, another Vietnam veteran, said word spread quickly at the hospital, where many patients still have close ties to the military. "A lot of us have somebody in this (war)," said Bonfield, who has a nephew in the Army.

Asked if he thought Hussein's capture would bring his nephew home sooner, Bonfield said, "I hope so, I hope so."

His sentiment was shared by Matt Griffin, a Hyde Park resident whose best friend is an Air Force pilot in Iraq. Griffin learned of Hussein's capture while waiting for breakfast at First Watch at Rookwood Commons.

"I have a friend there, and my first thought is that maybe he can come home sooner now," Griffin said. "I hope they all make it out. I'm getting tired of hearing about all the deaths."

Mary Carol Burkhardt, of Clifton, said she also hopes Hussein's capture will end the violence, but she's not optimistic.

"I don't know that it will have any effect," she said. "I think the American presence is what is being resisted."

Spirits were higher at the Bengals game, where patriotism mixed with enthusiasm for the football game.

Bill Helton, of St. Bernard, dug into his storage boxes Sunday morning and brought out the red, white and blue Uncle Sam outfit he wore to every Bengals game in 2001 after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"I just hope this makes things calm down over there," Helton said. "We've been looking forward to this for a long time."

Another Bengals fan, Doug Boatright of Anderson Township, said he called his 10-year-old daughter Sunday morning to tell her he was going to be on the Bengals pre-game show. But she was more interested in Hussein, excitedly telling her father about his capture.

"Daddy, they caught Saddam!" she told him.

"It's not just the adults," Boatright said. "Children are feeling this, too. It was unreal how excited she was telling me this morning."