I don't believe that Saddam was a non-threatening dictator. Up to the day he was deposed he was making threats left and right. Thrill posted a speech of Clinton's regarding Saddam's regime:
"There is no more clear example of this threat than Saddam Hussein's Iraq. His regime threatens the safety of his people, the stability of his region, and the security of all the rest of us."
http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=1648622
You can argue about the timing, the way the war is currently being handled, or whatever you wish. The only way Saddam can be considered non-threatening, however, is if you consider him in his current position: behind bars and awaiting execution. And you have Dubya to thank for that.