Greeted as Liberators

by: Richard Allen Smith

Mon Dec 15, 2008 at 00:49:46 AM EST


I don't think I need to explain to anyone here why anything having to do with feet or shoes is a "grave insult in the Arab world".

Today at a press conference during President Bush's farewell visit to Iraq, Iraqi television journalist Muthathar al Zaidi removed his shoes and through them and Bush shouting "This is a farewell kiss, you dog!".

Watch the video:

While throwing objects at a foreign head of state may not be the best course of action, Muthathar al Zaidi's frustration is not unwarranted. President Bush's actions as Commander in Chief have destroyed Iraqi infrastructure and allowed all but unfettered ethnic cleansing.  Not that Iraq didn't have its problems before the Spring of 2002.  However, Bush certainly has made the situation worse than anyone could have imagined.  

President Bush did this all in the name of American national security and defending Americans from al Qaeda.  However, as he told ABC News today after the shoe throwing incident, George W. Bush knows full well that al Qaeda was not in Iraq when he ordered the invasion:

Bush: There have been no attacks since I have been president, since 9/11. One of the major theaters against al Qaeda turns out to have been Iraq. This is where al Qaeda said they were going to take their stand. This is where al Qaeda was hoping to take ...

Raddatz: But not until after the U.S. invaded.

Bush: Yeah, that's right. So what? The point is that al Qaeda said they're going to take a stand. Well, first of all in the post-9/11 environment Saddam Hussein posed a threat. And then upon removal, al Qaeda decides to take a stand. And they're becoming defeated and I think history will say, one, the world was better off without Saddam, two, along with the Iraqi troops we have denied al Qaeda a safe haven because a young democracy is beginning to grow, which will be an important sign for people in the Middle East.

Stunning. Even George Bush, who also admits he doesn't care about catching Osama bin Laden, knows that he sent American service members to die in with full knowledge that the professed connection to al Qaeda did not exist.
Richard Allen Smith :: Greeted as Liberators
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Greeted as Liberators | 24 comments
Well (0.00 / 0)
Zarqawi was there as of 2002, but

http://www.theage.com.au/news/...

OOPS!!!!

Although (0.00 / 0)
it should be noted that we are still in bed with a certain country who is responsible for a large portion of American deaths in Iraq, so there is plenty of accountability to go around.  
Iraqi shoe-throwing reporter (0.00 / 0)
becomes the talk of Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush in a supreme insult has suddenly become the talk of Iraq.

The little known Shi'ite reporter said to have harbored anger against Bush for the thousands of Iraqis who died after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, had previously made headlines only once, when he was briefly kidnapped by unknown gunmen in 2007.

TV reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi remained in detention on Monday, accused by the Iraqi government of a "barbaric act."

Not only Iraq but the World, wonder Why!!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

Iraq rally for Bush shoe attacker (0.00 / 0)
Thousands of Iraqis have demanded the release of a local TV reporter who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush at a Baghdad news conference.

Crowds gathered in Baghdad's Sadr City district, calling for "hero" Muntadar al-Zaidi to be freed from custody. There were similar scenes in Najaf.

Officials at the Iraqi-owned TV station, al-Baghdadiya, also called for the release of their journalist.

Bush shoe-ing worst Arab insult

But beyond the Islamic significance, the dirty and degrading implication of the sole of a shoe crosses all religious boundaries in the Middle East.

Snip

But it is worth mentioning that there is quite a rich history when it comes to shoe-ing incidents involving Iraq and the Bushes.

 

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson
It makes little difference what I think (0.00 / 0)
It makes no difference what I or any other American thinks about this incident.  What matters, is how the Iraqis see it and as we see from Jim's follow up posts many Iraqis (especially Shia) are starting to see that reporter as a hero for their faction.  The U.S. and Iraqi Governments need to think very carefully about how they are going to handle this situation.  If handled incorrectly this seemingly insignificant act could turn into another conflict pretty quick and the U.S. will be right back to square one.

"Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home."

Marcus Tullius Cicero 106 BC-43 BC

Just listened to Shrub's comments following the incident on MSNBC... (0.00 / 0)
Mostly he said it was no big deal and it gave it a chance to see "this man's soul".

If Bush wasn't such a little man and really wished to rebuild US-Iraqi relations he could call for a "full pardon" for this reporter's actions. And do it NOW.

It seems that under Iraqi law this guy faces either 2 or 7 years in jail depending on which charge is filed against him.

Also, heard one report yesterday that the reporter was being held and beaten.

Just sayin'.

From what I've read about Sharia law, one can 'buy' a pardon.

[ Parent ]
Just sayin' (0.00 / 1)
Sounds like you would have volunteered to relief pitch at the press gathering.  Typical.  Typical hate.  Wonder if you'll "throw" the same fit when OB gets the boot from the Arab world after Jan 09.
[ Parent ]
saying a guy (4.00 / 1)
shouldnt be imprisoned for 7 years and beaten for throwing a shoe is a lot different from wishing you could through the shoe yourself.

I'm on twitter.
[ Parent ]
Al-Zaidi had a beef, all right (0.00 / 0)
With breathtaking understatement, President Bush remarked that his assailant must have a beef of some kind.  Well, we've learned that al-Zaidi was first kidnapped and tortured by the Mahdi Army and later arrested by the U.S. Army.  He covered the American assault on Sadr City last spring, which some say affected him emotionally.

Many Iraqis, including Shiites like al-Zaidi were victimized during our occupation and are now fearful of growing Iranian influence.  They're getting hit from all sides.  

The More I Read About Him, Respect Comes To Mind.... (0.00 / 0)
The Celebrity Shoe Thrower

Journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi, 29

Journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi, 29, has been working as a correspondent for Iraq's Al-Baghdadiya TV since it launched in 2005. Co-workers describe him as a rather quiet and composed.

He was kidnapped by an unknown armed group while on his way to work on Nov. 16, 2007. His captors released him three days later without claiming any ransoms.

He is known for opposing the U.S. presence in Iraq - a stance often openly expressed in his reports.

Family: Shoe thrower hates both US, Iran role

The Iraqi TV reporter who hurled his shoes at George W. Bush was kidnapped once by militants and, separately, detained briefly by the U.S. military - a story of getting hit from all sides that is bitterly familiar to many Iraqis.

Over time, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, a 28-year-old unmarried Shiite, came to hate both the U.S. military occupation and Iran's interference in Iraq, his family told The Associated Press on Monday.

And some reports are saying he got the shit kicked out of him after the incident, though my guess is he knew that would happen!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

[ Parent ]
Yeah, your respect. (0.00 / 0)
A lot could be said (respect??), but what's the point.  Hate is hate.

In any case, any bets that OB will get the same kind of treatment not long after he takes office?  Let's hope not, but look for it.

[ Parent ]
I'm not so sure, but I do see your point (0.00 / 0)
During the elections the Sadrists were referring to Obama and McCain as 2 sides of the same coin.  However, Hadi al-Ameri did say that they would not have passed the SOFA if a republican had been elected, as they did not expect that it would be honored.  I think if OB comes through on his promises and withdraws troops along the timelines that the Iraqis have requested, he will generate a lot of good will.  However, if he starts to waver and tries to keep troops there longer, he will find himself dodging shoes eventually.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
Yep... (0.00 / 0)
I think if OB comes through on his promises and withdraws troops along the timelines that the Iraqis have requested, he will generate a lot of good will.

As  usual, you're (mostly!) right.  I wish the best for OB and his presumed Middle East approach, though still in infancy.  Got to be better than the status quo.  Nevertheless, I have some respect for Bush's intentions (and accomplishments), if not flawed military and political missteps in Iraq and Afgh.  There HAS been progress, but at what huge cost.

[ Parent ]
Become a fan of al-Zaydi on Facebook (0.00 / 0)
If you use Facebook, you can become a fan of Muntazir al-Zaydi. Search for him on Facebook. His name won't come in a search using English characters. Search on ????? ??????.
Whoops (0.00 / 0)
Regardless of who it is (0.00 / 0)
I'm not a fan of anyone who throws things at a foreign head of state.

I'm on twitter.
[ Parent ]
It depends (4.00 / 1)
Did anyone ever throw something at Pol Pot?  I would be a fan of that guy.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
I agree with RockRichard: (0.00 / 0)
  While it is nice to see a bit of direct disagreement with the President, this is not the way to do it. As much as I disagree with and generally have little respect for GWB, he is still our Commander in Chief.

 I'll be straight up...I'm very glad he was not hit or hurt in this incident, but the young man who threw the shoes just expressed what I think 90% of the world is thinking: George, your policies are not helping anyone, even your own nation.

 Chris, comparing Pol Pot to GWB is apples and oranges. Pol Pot killed 25% of his own population in four years. Certainly, I would love to see guys like Pol Pot taken out soonest, and I don't think that there is any reasonable comparison between him and Bush.

 This may be the only time I defend GWB, but there are certain points where I draw the line. This was indeed one of them.

 GWB's policies have set a course of events that has not benefited the world, but we are just over a month before he goes away. My advice: let him go away. He can retire to wherever he wants to go and just have a nice hot cup of STFU forever.

 IV

[ Parent ]
Just to clarify (0.00 / 0)
I wasn't comparing GWB to Pol Pot.  Rock was saying that he wasn't a fan of anyone who throws things at a head of state.  Pol Pot was a head of state.  I would be a fan of anyone who had thrown anything (especially grenades) at Pol Pot.  

But I'm not one of those guys that compares Bush to Hitler or that kind of thing.  Although, he does remind me a lot of a certain Italian guy ...

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

[ Parent ]
One Can't Hide (0.00 / 0)
Behind the Titles and than be allowed to get away with anything it damn pleases, that 'head of state' ordered all the devastation in "Our Names!!" and than walks away with the booty!

As this now will continue, on the World Stage, I hope you'll begin to realize the 'pandora's box' that's been destroyed, you already hear it daily in the bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now Pakistan!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

[ Parent ]
True (0.00 / 0)
see below for more
[ Parent ]
This incident speaks volumes (0.00 / 0)
I'm of the opinion that this brave Iraqi is voicing the opinion of a majority of his countrymen.  Just as his actions represent the opinion of a majority of Americans, mine included.  The "dog" needs to be be held accountable for what he has done to Iraq.
"Mild mannered reporter" lost it...a case for PTSD? (0.00 / 0)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/...

Various reports:
US security stopped the beating and now they are holding reporter at Airport.

Maliki is totally embarrassed and pushing for max sentence.

No shoes allowed at Presser held in Afghanistan with Bush-Karzai. What's good for the airlines is good for the reporters.

I (0.00 / 0)
agree that anyone who had a hand in screwing up Iraq should be held accountable. Is that going to include the Saudis?  
Greeted as Liberators | 24 comments
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