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Free Speech Rules In Iraq
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| President George W. Bush, left, ducks as a man throws a shoe at him, during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Sun., Dec. 14, 2008, in Baghdad. (Associated Press) |
Iraqi Shoe Thrower Validates Bush Policy
By Michael P. Tremoglie, The Bulletin
Many are saying an Iraqi journalist’s ability to throw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a Sunday press conference stands as a testament to the success of the president’s policies in Iraq.
Such an action would have been inconceivable when Saddam Hussein ruled, and supporters of Mr. Bush’s policies say his actions show free speech exists in Iraq today — even if it was a mildly violent manifestation of free speech.
“If we needed proof that Iraqis are freer today than they were before the invasion, here it is,” said Judd Serrota a lawyer and president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Federalist Society. “I can’t even imagine what would have happened to a shoe-throwing protester in the days of Saddam Hussein.”
Mr. Bush touched on the theme of freedom of speech and democracy immediately after the episode. Showing no indication of being distressed by what happened, he said it was part of the democratic process.
“It is one way to gain attention,” he said. “It's like going to a political rally and having people yell at you. It's like driving down the street and have people not gesturing with all five fingers.”
Mr. Bush reacted to the whole affair with his characteristic good humor. He joked with the remaining journalists — providing them some “facts.”
“Okay, everybody calm down for a minute,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me. And if you want some — if you want the facts, it’s a size 10 shoe that he threw.”
The incident took place while Mr. Bush made a surprise trip to Baghdad. It was his fourth during his presidency. These visits have been a hallmark of his administration. Presidential visits to a war zone are very unusual. It may be one reason for his continuing popularity with the troops.
During the joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Mr. Bush mentioned the passage of a security pact that calls for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011. The president highlighted a drop in violence but issued a caveat.
“The war is not over,” he said. “There is still more work to be done.”
It was then the journalist, identified as Muntadar al-Zeidi, 28, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia television, an Iraqi-owned station based in Cairo, Egypt, stood up and threw the shoes from about 20 feet away.
“This is your farewell kiss, you dog!” he shouted in Arabic. “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.”
After the perpetrator was removed, near the end of the press conference, Mr. Bush took a question about what happened. He said that he did not feel endangered (although questions remain why the Secret Service did not get between the journalist and the president.)
He mentioned that the other journalists were very apologetic and told him that this was not representative of the Iraqi people. But Mr. Bush did not express concern. He said that this was a function of democracy.
“I don’t know what the guy’s cause is. But one thing is for certain — he caused you to ask me a question about it,” he said. “But that’s what happens in free societies, where people try to draw attention to themselves.”
Even those who dislike Mr. Bush admitted that it was a sign of liberty. Reuters quoted a person they identified as Abu Faisal, who was critical of the war.
“The Iraqi journalist is a true and free Baghdadi,” he said.
Iraq’s steady progress towards liberty was a common theme during the trip. Mr. Maliki, who spoke before Mr. Bush, lavished him with praise. He thanked him for the progress in Iraq and the elimination of a brutal tyranny.
“Today we have the pleasure and honor of seeing our great friend for the Iraqi people, President George W. Bush,” he said, “who helped us to liberate our country and to reach this day, which we have democracy, human rights and prosperity gradually in our country.”
Later, Mr. Bush visited troops at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, the home of Camp Victory. Once again Iraq’s liberty was stressed. He reiterated the positive changes in Iraq — which have been lost in the sea of negative media coverage.
The troops gave him a warm and enthusiastic reception.
“I bring greetings from a proud and grateful nation —Merry Christmas to you, happy holidays,” he told them. “Congratulations on your inspiring accomplishments here in Iraq. And above all, thank you for volunteering to defend our country in a time of danger.”
Mr. Bush said that Iraq is a freer and safer place than it was because of their sacrifices — and that America is also freer and safer.
The troops responded with chants of “U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!”
He told them that their mission in Iraq “is as important, and courageous, and selfless as what American troops did in places like Normandy and Iwo Jima and Korea.” He said their generation “is every bit as great as any that came before it.”
Mr. Bush thanked them for their service and told them that it was because of their efforts that “America has done something many said was impossible: We have gone seven years without a terrorist attack.”
He concluded his remarks by telling them what he will miss the most after leaving the presidency.
“I’ll tell you what I’m going to miss: being the commander in chief of such a fabulous group of folks,” he said.
Michael P. Tremoglie can be reached at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us.
Such an action would have been inconceivable when Saddam Hussein ruled, and supporters of Mr. Bush’s policies say his actions show free speech exists in Iraq today — even if it was a mildly violent manifestation of free speech.
“If we needed proof that Iraqis are freer today than they were before the invasion, here it is,” said Judd Serrota a lawyer and president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Federalist Society. “I can’t even imagine what would have happened to a shoe-throwing protester in the days of Saddam Hussein.”
Mr. Bush touched on the theme of freedom of speech and democracy immediately after the episode. Showing no indication of being distressed by what happened, he said it was part of the democratic process.
“It is one way to gain attention,” he said. “It's like going to a political rally and having people yell at you. It's like driving down the street and have people not gesturing with all five fingers.”
Mr. Bush reacted to the whole affair with his characteristic good humor. He joked with the remaining journalists — providing them some “facts.”
“Okay, everybody calm down for a minute,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me. And if you want some — if you want the facts, it’s a size 10 shoe that he threw.”
The incident took place while Mr. Bush made a surprise trip to Baghdad. It was his fourth during his presidency. These visits have been a hallmark of his administration. Presidential visits to a war zone are very unusual. It may be one reason for his continuing popularity with the troops.
During the joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Mr. Bush mentioned the passage of a security pact that calls for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011. The president highlighted a drop in violence but issued a caveat.
“The war is not over,” he said. “There is still more work to be done.”
It was then the journalist, identified as Muntadar al-Zeidi, 28, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia television, an Iraqi-owned station based in Cairo, Egypt, stood up and threw the shoes from about 20 feet away.
“This is your farewell kiss, you dog!” he shouted in Arabic. “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.”
After the perpetrator was removed, near the end of the press conference, Mr. Bush took a question about what happened. He said that he did not feel endangered (although questions remain why the Secret Service did not get between the journalist and the president.)
He mentioned that the other journalists were very apologetic and told him that this was not representative of the Iraqi people. But Mr. Bush did not express concern. He said that this was a function of democracy.
“I don’t know what the guy’s cause is. But one thing is for certain — he caused you to ask me a question about it,” he said. “But that’s what happens in free societies, where people try to draw attention to themselves.”
Even those who dislike Mr. Bush admitted that it was a sign of liberty. Reuters quoted a person they identified as Abu Faisal, who was critical of the war.
“The Iraqi journalist is a true and free Baghdadi,” he said.
Iraq’s steady progress towards liberty was a common theme during the trip. Mr. Maliki, who spoke before Mr. Bush, lavished him with praise. He thanked him for the progress in Iraq and the elimination of a brutal tyranny.
“Today we have the pleasure and honor of seeing our great friend for the Iraqi people, President George W. Bush,” he said, “who helped us to liberate our country and to reach this day, which we have democracy, human rights and prosperity gradually in our country.”
Later, Mr. Bush visited troops at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, the home of Camp Victory. Once again Iraq’s liberty was stressed. He reiterated the positive changes in Iraq — which have been lost in the sea of negative media coverage.
The troops gave him a warm and enthusiastic reception.
“I bring greetings from a proud and grateful nation —Merry Christmas to you, happy holidays,” he told them. “Congratulations on your inspiring accomplishments here in Iraq. And above all, thank you for volunteering to defend our country in a time of danger.”
Mr. Bush said that Iraq is a freer and safer place than it was because of their sacrifices — and that America is also freer and safer.
The troops responded with chants of “U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!”
He told them that their mission in Iraq “is as important, and courageous, and selfless as what American troops did in places like Normandy and Iwo Jima and Korea.” He said their generation “is every bit as great as any that came before it.”
Mr. Bush thanked them for their service and told them that it was because of their efforts that “America has done something many said was impossible: We have gone seven years without a terrorist attack.”
He concluded his remarks by telling them what he will miss the most after leaving the presidency.
“I’ll tell you what I’m going to miss: being the commander in chief of such a fabulous group of folks,” he said.
Michael P. Tremoglie can be reached at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us.
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