A Special Comment . . . with Footwear
Via Hot Air, it’s an Iraqi journalist who is almost as crazed with Bush-hatred as Keith Olbermann:
As the journalist is swarmed by the people in attendance, I believe you can hear him scream in Arabic: “Don’t tase me, bro!”
Nice reflexes on Bush’s part, by the way.
Fellow Iraqi journalists defended the journalist, saying that his shoe-throwing tendencies would not interfere with his ability to put together an objective news story about Bush. “This is not evidence of anti-Bush bias,” one said. “As journalists, we are able to put our personal feelings aside. We are professionals.”
MSNBC is going to give this guy a show in the timeslot following Rachel Maddow.
JVW (bff0a4) — 12/14/2008 @ 12:49 pmArianna Huffington will give him a blog on her site.
JVW (bff0a4) — 12/14/2008 @ 12:50 pm“This is not evidence of anti-Bush bias,” one said. “As journalists, we are able to put our personal feelings aside. We are professionals.”
Translation: Our colleague forgot the rule we Arabs live all our lives by, “Kiss the hand you cannot cut off and smile oilily until its owner turns his back”.
From an American point of view, I admire him for standing up to the invader of his country.
nk (094d4d) — 12/14/2008 @ 12:55 pmBut make sure and click the link regarding that last quote.
It’s intended to be a satire on the oft-repeated assertions of American journalists that they can put aside their deep-rooted hatred of all things Republican.
Patterico (cc3b34) — 12/14/2008 @ 12:59 pmThe fact that Saddam Hussein would have put him into a shredder and George Bush won’t is of course beyond these clowns understanding.
SPQR (26be8b) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:02 pmThe ‘liberator’ has been greeted.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:06 pmI understood that, Patterico.
This morning, my wife asked me what “quaggy” meant. (She signed up to some “word of the day” thing.) Our quagmire in Iraq, in my opinion, is not the honest hostility of our enemies. It is the treachery of our “friends”. They’ll sell us out just as fast as they sold out the Baathists and Al Qaeda the instant they get a better deal.
nk (094d4d) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:10 pmThe fact that Saddam Hussein would have put him into a shredder and George Bush won’t is of course beyond these clowns understanding.
I already said that, SPQR.
nk (094d4d) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:11 pm“This is not evidence of anti-Bush bias,” one said. “As journalists, we are able to put our personal feelings aside. We are professionals.”
American journalistic standards – influencing the world over, integrity abounds!
Dana (79a78b) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:15 pmI understood that, Patterico.
You know, I figured you probably did. But I also figured there’s bound to be someone who didn’t.
Patterico (cc3b34) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:15 pmCBS News broke in during a commercial break of their NFL coverage to bring that story.
Paul (creator of "Staunch Brayer") (152589) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:18 pm[…] Patterico writes: “I think I heard that Iraqi journalist scream ‘Don’t tase me, bro!’ […]
Michelle Malkin » BDS, Iraqi journalist edition (41113f) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:18 pmBDS, run amuck?
President Bush has some very good reaction time.
Now where is the tape of the secret service beating this guy with crowbars, we Americans use our shoes for walking.
ML (14488c) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:20 pmThe ‘liberator’ has been greeted.
Comment by DCSCA — 12/14/2008 @ 1:06 pm
And if you only had 1/100th of that Iraqi’s balls, you smarmy little jerk.
nk (094d4d) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:24 pmThe Los Angeles Times will run a front-page story saying if the thrown shoe was trendy or stylish, and, for comprehensive coverage, they’ll get Patt Morrison to interview the shoe.
Official Internet Data Office (5fd2bd) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:24 pmThe shoe throwing “journalist” is auditioning for David Gregory’s position.
Perfect Sense (9d1b08) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:27 pm#11– Paul-
Imagine that! CBS News breaking into a sporting event to report news of an apparent breakdown in security and subsequent assult on the President overseas.
The nerve!
Why, back in ’63, Cronkite would only break into soap operas.
That’s why CBS Sports invented the ‘instant replay’ in the mid 60s for pigskin punters like you.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:35 pm13- ML: W’s a babyboomer. ‘Duck and cover’ is second nature to that generation.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:37 pmGive him a break, nk. That’s the first — and only — thing he’s said that had a degree of cleverness to it.
[Which, of course, means that he’s probably repeating — uncredited — something already said by someone else.]
Icy Texan (b7d162) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:37 pmI have always wondered what the Viet Cong, living in holes, on fishheads and a handful of rice, thought of Barbarella and the guy who joined the Navy because he could not get a deferment to go to the Sorbonne to study French.
nk (094d4d) — 12/14/2008 @ 1:55 pmImagine that! CBS News breaking into a sporting event to report news of an apparent breakdown in security and subsequent assult on the President overseas.
Imagine that! I simply point out a fact, and you snark about it like the unimaginative troll you are!
Paul (creator of "Staunch Brayer") (152589) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:02 pmBush was awesome! Did you see him duck like that? Couldn’t have avoided the shoes any better. Will he get any credit for it from the MSM.. hahaha yeah right. Exit question, how was that knucklehead able to get the second shoe launched, i.e. were the hell was the SS? SS = my bad.
J. Raymond Wright (0440ef) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:02 pmTwo things:
One, those weren’t “People in attendance” – save for just a couple, those were all secret service agents.
Two, the “shoe” thing is cultural. The soles of your shoes are the lowest part of you, so to smack a picture of someone or to hit someone with your shoe is considered to be just about the worst insult possible.
Scott Jacobs (90ff96) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:05 pmit’s an Iraqi journalist who is almost as crazed with Bush-hatred as Keith Olbermann:
If the profession of journalism there attracts the same ilk that it draws here, in the industrialized world, than the shoe thrower likely also is a leftwinger. Therefore, he too is warped and twisted by plenty of idiotic moral relativism, full of ass-backwards sentiments of who the good guy is, who the bad guy is.
As such, my only regret about the demise of Hussein’s Iraq is that the “compassionate” crowd, in the West or the Middle East, isn’t forced to live under someone like the Butcher of Baghdad, or sent packing to such brutal regimes.
Mark (411533) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:06 pmOf course, the only thing Olbermonkey ever threw was his objectivity out the window.
Icy Texan (b7d162) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:09 pmBush acquitted himself well, the miscreant’s aim looked pretty good. However, the President’s protection was slow to react.
Ropelight (5b609a) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:19 pmYeah, I suspect a few guys will find themselves on doggy-doo duty for a while…
Scott Jacobs (90ff96) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:30 pm[…] UPDATE: All journalists will remove their shoes at the door from now on: Via Patterico, […]
Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » Pres. Bush visits Iraq (a98aa5) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:37 pm20 nk-
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:43 pmI believe that the Commie Vietnamese have fond memories of Lurch. Have they not actually paid homage to him with some kind of shrine of sorts in Hanoi? Once again the gummint gave sKerry as pass when he negotiated with the Viet Cong in Paris, still a member of the military? Some of us think the actions of kerry and uncle walter were treasonous and gave aid and comfort to the enemy. The same could be said of the NY Times and also plenty of dickwads in CIA and State serving under W.
And if you only had 1/100th of that Iraqi’s balls,
What gives you the idea he/she/it/plankton possesses gonads in the first place? The guy/girl/it/amoeba uses many astronomical and space analogies, akin to the folks you see parodied at Trekkie confabs and ComicCon. Ask it if it’s ever kissed a girl/guy/pig/other – you’ll get in response something that Carl Sagan would’ve said…and we all know what a hilarious cut – up Sagan was.
Dmac (e30284) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:45 pmOlbermann throws like a girl… Paris Hilton maybe.
SteveG (a87dae) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:46 pmSome of us think the actions of kerry and uncle walter were treasonous and gave aid and comfort to the enemy
Don’t forget to include those hallowed hacks of objectivity during the war, “Baghdad Pete” Arnett and David Halberstam. Propaganda tools for Ho Chi Minh – hook, line and sinker.
Dmac (e30284) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:49 pmCorrection- N. Vietnamese shrine to Kerry is actually in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) alongside el Fatha, Castro and Mao, at least according to John O’Neill. http://kerryhaters.blogspot.com/2004_08_08_kerryhaters_archive.html
Anyone recall Nikita Krushchev’s use of footwear at the UN about fifty years ago? Took one off and pounded it on table as he vilified America. I recall the media adoring Fidel way back then when he visited the UN also.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:52 pmRe # 25—Naaah, the Obermonkey throws a tantrum every day, you can count on it happening just like you can count on the 3:10 garbage wagon passing through every day on its way to the dump–both the wagon and the Obermonkey smell just about the same. One of these days I’m waiting for that jerk to stamp his tiny little feet and actually hold his breath until he turns blue.
Mike Myers (31af82) — 12/14/2008 @ 2:56 pmAnd if you only had 1/100th of that Iraqi’s balls, you smarmy little jerk.
No, it doesn’t take big balls to throw shoes at a man who you know will not have you beheaded.
Its like the anti-Christian lefties and now gays here in California and America driving around in their little cars covered with bumper stickers calling for “tolerance” right next to the anti-Christian bumper stickers.
It takes a wimp to disparage Christians knowing they will not harm you all the while remaining silent about the Moslems because you know they will.
Those tough lefties, hero’s of stupidity.
ML (14488c) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:14 pmBush was great, an agile head bob on the first toss and barely moving on the second. Sangfroid!
rrpjr (e98cdc) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:16 pmDoes this man realize that had he thrown shoes at Saddam Hussein he would be DEAD now? Freedom and Democracy works.
Dennis D (ae900a) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:18 pmThe guy wouldn’t be dead yet.
send me a couple of cold, pipe hittin brothers… tell ’em to bring a pair of pliers and a blowtorch for Mr. soon to be living out the rest of his miserable short life in agonizing pain…
SteveG (a87dae) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:38 pmSteveG
I love that scene. Jed’s dead and chopper Grace has a new rider.
How many Iraqi citizens got the feet first wood chipper treatment?
How many countless Cuban political prisoners did the left’s beloved Che murder in Havana?
How many loyal Americans has the evil Bushitler incarcerated in his secret gulags? Funny that no matter demonic W may be, he has no problems kissing Obama’s arse….bending over for Fat Teddy was never enough. Dubya should be a hero to the UAW at least. Ditto for illegal immigrants. Did ICE ever do anything about O’s Boston auntie? Does a chicken have lips?
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:46 pmBush motioned his Secret Service agent off. Notice his gesture with his right hand just after the second shoe was thrown, after which the agent stepped back and away.
DRJ (b4db3a) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:47 pmThat was a “no, I’m ok” move. I think we’re more concered with the guy not being tackled afterthe FIRST shoe…
Scott Jacobs (90ff96) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:50 pmI think that was the Secret Service agent who’s supposed to knock the President to the floor and cover him with his body.
nk (094d4d) — 12/14/2008 @ 3:57 pm“Who throws a shoe?” – Austin Powers
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 5:04 pm#21- Paul- Imagine that, you point out the obvious. Breaking News- CBS Sports interrupted live coverage of the game for car commercials. GM cars, no less. Now that’s news! Fade to black.
Love those snarks. Great missiles in their time.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 5:09 pmDCSCA – You should throw in some more comments quickly. David Petrano, Esq. is about to overtake you as the most retarded current commenter on the blog. Preserve your honor!
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/14/2008 @ 5:10 pmDon’t tase me, bro, LOL!
Note that only Iraqi journalists subdued the man. The US reporters are all nancy boys!
How much you want to bet he gets hired by Reuters or the NYT?
Patricia (ee5c9d) — 12/14/2008 @ 5:14 pm#44-Troll- Imagine that, I had to point out the obvious because you are oblivious to the obvious…obviously.
Paul (creator of "Staunch Brayer") (152589) — 12/14/2008 @ 5:17 pmSo, Math Troll, have anything of value to add?
Paul (creator of "Staunch Brayer") (152589) — 12/14/2008 @ 5:19 pmI agree, nk. My point was that Bush didn’t lose his composure. As for the Secret Service response, I don’t know what the protocol is when the attackers are from the foreign press. The response seemed slow but I don’t know how close the agents were to the press. I bet they will be closer in the future.
DRJ (b4db3a) — 12/14/2008 @ 5:29 pmI butchered the line from Pulp Fiction, but am confident that the Iraqi rules of engagement for those who throw shoes at foreign leaders is robust enough that the taser would be superfluous.
SteveG (a87dae) — 12/14/2008 @ 6:39 pmMy experiences with authorities in the developing world is that they at least kick your ass all the way out the door and often stop at the curb to tune up the rest of your attitude.
Freedom of speech is recognized, but it is a decided second to their right to beat your ass until they get tired.
[…] A Special Comment . . . with Footwear (from: Patterico’s […]
WebMetricsGuru » Unannouced Shoeoff and Tracking Conversation (84b5ae) — 12/14/2008 @ 6:57 pm[…] of Patterico’s Pontifications […]
President “Surge” W. Bush Sneaks Into Iraq | THE GUN TOTING LIBERAL™ (2711a8) — 12/14/2008 @ 7:02 pm[…] “Don’t tase me, effendi!” Patterico also has Iraqi journo ethics. Shoe-throwing doesn’t equal bias. To bad most American scribblers aren’t this honest. […]
Jules Crittenden » This Never Happened To Saddam (98837e) — 12/14/2008 @ 7:15 pm#14- NK– Hmmm. You seem to know a lot about Iraqi balls and smarmy little jerks. Were you a towel boy in the locker room of the Iraqi soccer team or a guard at Abu Grade?
Conservative lesson #17: 17+17=34, not 1,717.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 7:42 pmPatrick, is this troll with the initials posting from the same IP as shiffles/alphie/etc/etc ? It gets old.
Mike K (ee3203) — 12/14/2008 @ 8:07 pmWhat does it say about the Secret Service doing their jobs if Dana
Perino received a black eye in the scuffle with the deranged journalist?
How would the world react to such an assault against the Obamamessiah? I could not imagine taking a bullet for him or the mutants lurch and algore.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 12/14/2008 @ 8:16 pmIf anyones doubts the fundamental derangement of the left here, they are now proposing to send shoes to the shoe-tosser guy to show solidarity.
Link below to petition in support of al Zaidi and addresses for places to send shoes in solidarity.
http://justpeacenow.blogspot.com/2008/12/soleful-send-off.html
Posted by: Laura on
This is from Washington Monthly. The best way to show solidarity is to move to the middle east and live with the guy.
BDS is eternal.
Mike K (ee3203) — 12/14/2008 @ 8:27 pmByron York has an updated conversation of President Bush with a reporter attempting to lead Bush (who wasn’t buying),
QUESTION: Well, not to belabor the point too much, on this man, but I have a serious question about it. Obviously he’s expressing a vein of anger that exists in Iraq, and —
THE PRESIDENT: How do you know? I mean, how do we know what he’s expressing?
QUESTION: We had a translator who said he shouted about the widows and orphans.
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t know. I’ve heard all kinds of stories. I heard he was representing a Baathist TV station. I don’t know the facts, but let’s find out the facts. All I’m telling you, it was a bizarre moment.
QUESTION: I wanted to ask something broader.
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t think you can take one guy throwing shoes and say this represents a broad movement in Iraq. You can try to do that if you want to. I don’t think it would be accurate.
QUESTION: Well, then, separately from him —
THE PRESIDENT: That’s exactly what he wanted you to do. Like I answered on your question, what he wanted you to do was to pay attention to him. And sure enough, you did…
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MmVhNWM4ZWE4OTUyZGJiNzI5YTJkOTBhZDk0MWYzNzI=
Dana (79a78b) — 12/14/2008 @ 9:26 pmThis question is: How many Iraqis would’ve liked to do the same?
Paul Hsu (646236) — 12/14/2008 @ 10:11 pm#56 Derranged journalist? Was O’Reilly on this junket as well? Bushie-blonde Dana Perino has always been a ‘shiner’ at the WH and it’s surprising the Secret Service didn’t jump right on her before the other show dropped. Ask her to brief you on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 10:30 pmshoe.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/14/2008 @ 10:30 pmHow many Iraqis would’ve liked to do the same?
And if the answer you’re goading for is “quite a few,” then that begs another question: How many Iraqis therefore are so hopelessly dysfunctional, so innately backwards — so innately Third Worldish, if you will — that perhaps they really deserve a society no better than one where humans are fed into plastic shredders—as operated by Sadaam Hussein?
I do admit I have one bit of cynicism about George Bush. That being his overly generous assessment of human nature and various societies throughout the world. I don’t mind his dealing with Iraq — leading up to and following the fall of the Butcher of Baghdad — as a security threat. But I did (and do) question his, or anyone’s, belief that transforming various nations long paralyzed by political and economic idiocy can ever be accomplished.
By the way, that same skepticism also applies to countries closer to home (eg, Mexico) or communities right here in the United States (eg, Watts, Detroit, etc).
The motto of the day (particularly for all the nonsensical people of the left): There IS a reason — a harsh reality — for why the Third World is the Third World!
Mark (411533) — 12/14/2008 @ 10:39 pm#62–So, it’s all their fault. We executed the war and transition to democracy perfectly, correct?
Do you work with people in the communities that you named (Watts, Detroit)?
Paul Hsu (646236) — 12/14/2008 @ 11:11 pmWe executed the war and transition to democracy perfectly, correct?
You’re not one of those blame-America-First libs who likes giving less benefit of the doubt to — or no more benefit of the doubt to — George Bush and the US (our military included) than to Hussein/Baathists/Sunnis/Middle-Eastern culture/Middle-Eastern mentality/Islamo-cuckoos?
As for the question of whether I work with people in places like Watts? I’ll just say this: I’m definitely not similar to one of those disengenuous Hollywood celebrities who have threatened in past years, should an election not turn out to their liking, to abandon the US for countries like Canada or some nation in Europe. High-profile liberals who haven’t threatened to move to, say, Mexico or Africa, or the Middle East. Nope. They’ve threatened to relocate to Canada or Europe.
Wow! How worldly and adventurous — and multi-cultural — of them.
Mark (411533) — 12/14/2008 @ 11:45 pmIf a doctor performs a surgery with the intent of curing the patient, but mistakenly leaves a scalpel inside, is that enough? Was the Iraq war planned and executed to the best of our ability?
What’s done is done, but I don’t believe the US should exit just because it’s the easiest thing to do. In fact, exiting will make things worse. However, we do need to reflect on our actions, and not questioning the result only makes us a weaker country. It’s dangerous when questions aren’t asked based on the presumptions of rightousness and perfection. The journalist should never have thrown the shoe. It wasn’t professional, respectful, etc. But most people don’t do desperate things for no reason; when they do, it’s because they have no control over their situation. How many other Iraqis feel the same way? You can’t deny how they feel just because we feel that we’re right.
Here’s a question: How should success in Iraq be measured?
By the way, I worked in South Central LA and I met many great examples of good human nature there. When you hear “Watts” or “Compton,” what images come to your mind?
Paul Hsu (646236) — 12/15/2008 @ 12:30 am“How many Iraqis would’ve liked to do the same?”
Who cares?
Dave Surls (957163) — 12/15/2008 @ 12:31 am#66–That’s a good question. Who should care the most about the condition of Iraq?
Paul Hsu (646236) — 12/15/2008 @ 12:37 amLefty: “We just spent the last 18 years fighting the Iraqis…and now they don’t love us!”
Sharp boys, these leftards. Maybe one of these days they’ll be sharp enough to figure out the cause/effect relationship.
Dave Surls (957163) — 12/15/2008 @ 12:40 am#68–I thought we went into Iraq to fight Saddam and his regime, not the Iraqis. That’s why I ask, how many Iraqis are dissatisfied with the US and how do we measure success in Iraq? Obviously, the Sunnis who lost power after Saddam’s fall don’t like us, but they were the minority. The others loved us for the first few months, but then what happened?
Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that even though we’re the most powerful country in the world, we are not beyond reproach and we do need to evaluate our actions. The journalist who threw the shoe was expressing frustration felt by many Iraqis, and Bush’s dismissive remarks (size 10, he’s crazy, etc) after the incident does nothing to help. What he should’ve done was use that opportunity to speak to the Iraqi people: acknowledge that mistakes have been made, things are tough for them, but they are getting somewhat better. He’s good at dodging shoes, but to be a president and effective leader, he needs to be better than that.
Paul Hsu (646236) — 12/15/2008 @ 1:05 am“The journalist who threw the shoe was expressing frustration felt by many Iraqis”
What do you know: just another case of a noble, patriotic dissent. Only this time not from a patriotic US leftist, but from a noble iraqi frustrated that infidels invaded a muslim land. This is obviously the same kind of frustration that is shared by Al Quaeda in Iraq members and insurgents. Usually thogh they express their “frustration” by just slaughtering innocent civilians.
AlexD (bb3c37) — 12/15/2008 @ 2:07 am#70–You’re right, I’m speculating as to why that journalist threw the shoe. He might be a Muslim extremist, but I highly doubt it because otherwise he wouldn’t have just thrown a shoe. The majority of Iraqis are not Muslim extremists, and just because they disagree with the way the US is handling their country does not mean they are. Al Quaeda is not frustrated. Frustration implies that there’s a shared goal but disagreement with the method or dissatisfaction with the progress. Al Quaeda does not share our goals.
Paul Hsu (646236) — 12/15/2008 @ 2:31 amIt doesn’t say anything. She got hit with a microphone. Sh*t happens.
Pablo (99243e) — 12/15/2008 @ 5:43 amWell, they just agreed to keep us around for a few more years. And they’re enjoying something they haven’t had in decades: hope.
Do you think Iraq would be where it is today if we hadn’t done that?
Pablo (99243e) — 12/15/2008 @ 5:48 am“I thought we went into Iraq to fight Saddam and his regime, not the Iraqis.”
Yeah, and on 9/11/01 Al Qaida struck a blow against the Bush regime and the policies of the American regime. For some strange reason a lot of Americans took it personally, and don’t love Al Qaida any too well. A lot of us might even through our shoes at Bin Laden, if the opportunity arose.
Go figure.
Dave Surls (957163) — 12/15/2008 @ 7:31 amTHROW our shoes, I meant to say.
Dave Surls (957163) — 12/15/2008 @ 7:32 amBut… But… But they marred the lovely face of my beloved Dana…
THERE MUST BE BLOOD!!!
Scott Jacobs (a1c284) — 12/15/2008 @ 7:47 amWere you a towel boy in the locker room of the Iraqi soccer team or a guard at Abu Grade?
Nice grammatical form there, Poindexter.
Dmac (e30284) — 12/15/2008 @ 7:52 am#77- Dmac, yes, it is. And you read it, too.
God, how I love the ad biz.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/15/2008 @ 9:19 amSo an obviously crazy person throws his shoes at the President of the United States, and the sabot-slinger is the real victim. You really do have to look at the root causes of footwear-based free speech.
Jim Treacher (671d28) — 12/15/2008 @ 9:28 amAnd right on cue, Reuters.
Uh huh.
Free, huh? How did that happen?
Iraq is looking pretty good for a destroyed place.
Pablo (99243e) — 12/15/2008 @ 9:39 am__________________________________
When you hear “Watts” or “Compton,” what images come to your mind?
I envision places that are dominated by people who embrace simpleminded pro-liberal, pro-Democrat-Party, woe-is-me thinking, mixed together with a lot of self-destructive behavior in general. Or an environment where common sense not only isn’t upheld, it’s often torn apart, ground up and then tossed out.
Actually, that description applies to a lot of screwed-up communities and nations throughout the world, a good portion of the Middle East included. Except in those societies, the prevailing ideology is a peculiar mix of Islamo-fascist and Islamo-socialist sentiments—eg, Sadaam Hussein’s Ba’ath party was socialist, described by one book as originating in “the idealistic pipe dreams of elite, educated Marxists.” Or truly the worst of both worlds.
Moreover, when people are their own worst enemies, it’s hard for me — and it should be hard for anyone with more than an ounce of sense — to give a damn about such folks. So in the case of Iraq, if a large percentage of its people truly believe their society will be better off without foreign “infidels” in their midst — and we can get the hell out of there ASAP — I say “the sooner, the better!”
And should Iraq regress to its former Third-World-armpit status — and becomes perhaps a bit more chaotic than Mexico is today — excuse me if I don’t shed many tears for such a society and its people.
Mark (411533) — 12/15/2008 @ 9:30 pmMark, I’m pretty sure if I met you in person, I would find a good man who is hard-working, trustworthy, and has integrity. It’s unfortunate because I think you could have a positive impact on those communities. Besides, what alternative do we have? It’s not like we can make them disappear.
Paul Hsu (646236) — 12/16/2008 @ 10:42 pm[…] assuming DRJ and Scott are right that Bush waved off his Secret Service guy: Why does he get to do that, anyway? […]
The Jury Talks Back » About Bush and the Shoes* (e4ab32) — 7/21/2009 @ 6:51 pm