Now that the coalition troops have over-run Baghdad, Saddam Hussein's palaces have come under scrutiny and criticism for their tackiness. Much has been made of their gold-plated toilet fixtures and immitation French baroque furnitures.

His palaces remind me of some of the houses of the upper middle-class rich in Malaysia and Indonesia. One professor of architectural history commented that Saddam's palaces could look at home even in Beverly Hills. I guess poor taste is universal.