Like any event happens in Iraq, the incident of throwing shoes at the President Bush became the main topic of all the nation. When I arrived the office, the useless discussion was already started. Some of our guys started making jokes about the incident. I decided a long time ago not to get involved in any kind of political discussion with any of my colleagues because I know that every Iraqi believes he or she is completely right and the others should accept his or her point of view more like a verse of Quran that shouldn't be discussed. Yet, I was drown into a discussion.
Some of the guys were happy and they were talking about the bravery of the journalist who threw his shoes at the American president. When I tried to explain my opinion, I was trying to tell the guys that I don't agree with the way the journalist behaved, but I was attacked by them. One of them said "come on Laith, Bush destroyed Iraq". Another said "he deserves more" while a third one said "he is an occupier." I tried to tell to tell they guys that this is an inslut for Maliki. As a journalist who believes that his job is to find truth and defend it, I can't blame the journalist for hating the U.S. president because I agree with all the Iraqis (not to politicians of course) that Bush's policy destroyed our country. But we can't just blame the Americans for everything. The majority of the Iraqi officials participated in one way or another in destroying this country, either by not fighting the administration\s corruption or by neglecting their national duties. The last example was lawmakers who went to hajj (pilgrimage) while the discussion about the SOFA was at the top of the agenda. We can't blame the Americans for wasting and stealing our money in what is called the reconstruction projects.
I just wanted to say that the best action to the destruction made by Bush policy is not throw a shoe or to shout because this is an emotional reaction. The right reaction is to be loyal to Iraq and to build it, not to spend the time in tours in Europe and some neighboring countries that export death to Iraq.
To the very first comment i say this....Did Bush give them freedom,yes.But did he do it so horribly wrong there was no point in the first place,yes!...To explain,you don't liberate a nation by destroying it,killing the leadership so there is no form of control,and last preach about freedom and democracy but the one time they wanted to do things THEIR way,we have a fit.Bush should of got the shoe up his ass,he is a fool and a lair.I'm not going to front and say that I didn't agree at first after 911,yeah i wanted blood and when he said terrorist and Iraq in the same sentence I was saying do what needs to be done I'm behind ya.Everything was all about WMD's,WMD's,WMD's,then freedom and democracy....What the deuce, who said anything about that.Then that's when I knew everything was a lie.Lets kill thousands of Iraqi's in the name of freedom.And nobody better come up with we wanted oil crap because if that was the case my oil should cost .50 by now,so do give me that we there for oil.We where wrong for going back there,we are wrong for being there at all.America is a superpower because of our military only take that away and we are about as super as France(push overs).We should of been off of oil years and years ago but greed sunk us into the hole.So worried about the fast buck if they would of had any sense they should of been working on another power source one we developed that other people need and something that's made in the USA and not some small village in Honduras paying workers .30 a day.I love my country and wouldn't want to be any where else but if we don't wise up soon about how we do things,i wouldn't give a squirt of pee for this nation for its chances of making it the 20 years.We will still be the land of opportunity though,when people get off the ship they will see that sign,"Welcome to America,Canada's low rent housing district".
Posted by: Robert L. | January 28, 2009 at 11:58 PM
well isn't this sweet hate that man that made it possible for an Iraqi to have the freedom to be a journalist and even throw a shoe at the same man. Yet Bush the so called criminal who you claim destoryed Iraq should have had his minders throw that journalists in the human shreader forcing his family to watch. then threw all that cheer about it in next. Is that what Iraqi's want???
Oh wait that the tatic of the ex-madman dictator of Iraq who was the real criminal and DID destory Iraq.
It makes me sick to read this blog knowing that I have supported FREEDOM for the people of Iraq and they have nothing but hate towards those who gave them the freedom to throw a shoe, blog, etc. I get even sicker knowing that my fellow Americans have given their blood, been away from their families and for what?? You think the US troops want to be in Iraq away from their families?? HELL NO but they have honor and will complete their mission and do a damn good job at it.
For Iraqi's to hate us and bitch instead of getting off their butts and turning their country into a free productive country is pretty sad. Bush and the US Military along with the rest of the collation gave Iraq something they have never had nor could give to themselves. But it's not good enough. Well SORRY but it's time for Iraqi's to get with the program because Obama is going to leave you high and dry all on your lonesome as soon as he can. He cares nothing about YOU having FREEDOM. Once US troops pull out if Iraqis haven't gotten with the program you will be back to life with the human shreader, no blogging, no shoe throwing in a matter of months. Iran, AQ, Syria to mention a few on the long list of brutal killers in the ME that can't wait for the US to leave and take over your country. Obama won't stop it and will stand by and watch it happen.
So I will continue to hope that there are many in Iraq that want the freedom they have been given and they will make it work.
You losers on this blog should move to Iran seems like you can't handle freedom and need someone oppressing you to feel complete.
you should be ashamed of yourselves for spitting on Freedom that you would NEVER have tasted without Bush the man you hate.
Posted by: FREEDOM USE IT OR LOSE IT | January 24, 2009 at 05:30 AM
Happy to see you're business is going down the tubes, well deserved!
Posted by: Robert | December 28, 2008 at 08:54 AM
McClatchey down 99%. Have any of you asshats looked in the mirror? If that "brave journalist" had done that to Saddam he and his family would have been treated to an acid bath. Maybe he can throw a shoe at Assad or Khamenei and tell us all (from the afterlife) how it all went.
Posted by: fred | December 27, 2008 at 11:27 PM
From the Telegraph...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3965454/George-W-Bush-winning-the-war-on-terror.html
Ten or twenty years from now, historians will view Bush's actions on the world stage in a more favourable light. America's 43rd president did after all directly liberate more people (over 60 million) from tyranny than any leader since Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Widely seen as his biggest foreign policy error, the decision to invade Iraq could ultimately prove to have been a masterstroke. Today the world is witnessing the birth of the first truly democratic state in the Middle East outside of Israel. Over eight million voted in Iraq's parliamentary elections in 2005, and the region's first free Muslim society may become a reality. Iraq might not be Turkey, but it is a powerful demonstration that freedom can flourish in the embers of the most brutal and barbaric of dictatorships.
The success of the surge in Iraq will go down in history as a turning point in the war.....
Posted by: rudytbone | December 27, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Well, I agree with your last sentence at least. One of the Iraqi blogers once said, when the intramural killing began, "We don't deserve it," meaning the liberation.
Why don't you Iraqi liberals stop throwing shoes and insults and build up your country? Before you hightail it out of there and let the next madman take over, that is.
Posted by: PJ | December 27, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Note to self, never read another McClatchy newspaper.
The idiocy of journalists just never fails to amaze. And I, a simple rube , knows that they shoe chucker was pulling a publicity stunt while you, a crack journalist, think it was spontaneous.
you guys can go screw yourselves. Oops, you already have.
Posted by: EB | December 27, 2008 at 06:37 PM
As you write a Bush-bashing piece you're publishing a love letter to Obama in the form of a book. How's that 99% fall in stock price grabbing 'ya? Enjoy the continued collapse.
Posted by: Benson | December 27, 2008 at 03:54 PM
So Brian, basically you have no balls. Of course you are a journalist so I am not surprised...an idiot one at that.
Posted by: RBR | December 27, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Interesting that all you unbiased journalists hold the same opinions regarding President Bush.
Ahhh, well. Enjoy your layoffs, losers.
Posted by: The Warden | December 27, 2008 at 03:28 PM
You will soon experience another shoe dropping, namely that of your employment coming to a very quick end. It really does appear that the only people who go into j-school are the retards who aren't smart enough to get a degreee in any other field. Good riddance.
Posted by: Ken | December 27, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I am beginning to think all of those who consider themselves 'liberal, progressive, etc.', who are merely now overt partisan hacks for the corrupt Democrat Party, have absolutely no brains.
The idea "Bush destroyed Iraq" is one of the most mindless conceptions ever produced (except naming Hillary Clinton as Sec. of State).
The denial over the former oppressive Iraqi Dictatorship, which rewarded PLO suicide bombers, has grown to insane delusion with Partisan hacks wanting to debase the Bush Administration.
Here, 25 Million in the heart of the troubled Arab Region now have a potential for real freedom, and because of the enormous political bigotry of those who are slaves to the Democrat Partisan dogma, the perception of such a positive has been twisted in to such overt manipulations.
This so called Journalist, who said "Bush destroyed Iraq", should not be a Reporter, for they are either completely ignorant, or deeply in denial about their Partisan hatred which is clouding their judgment.
Anyone who wants a Saddam run Iraq returned, should seek professional help.
Patricia from Brazil sounds just as delusional. First, all wars are cruel. Second, just as the liberation of Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, France, Iraq, etc., etc., we are so thankful for the Liberation of Millions which required a regretful sacrifice and use of force. A world which never fought for freedom, would be truly dark.
Posted by: William | December 26, 2008 at 03:23 PM
I hope Bush's Secret Service team on the scene was fired en mass. Our shoe-throwing "journalist" should have gotten three in the chest before he heaved the second shoe...
Posted by: wnaegele | December 25, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Do I subscribe to the Fresno Bee? No.
Why? Because partisanship is apparently more important to them than integrity or truth.
The economy and new internet world is not going to be kind to the paper-based media.
Posted by: Average Joe | December 25, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Thanks for demostrating yet again that our news media is dominated by partisan hacks who have no concept of journalistic ethics.
Enjoy your impending unemployment, losers. You deserve it for destroying the credibility of the media with your unique combination of arrogance and ignorance.
Posted by: Mike | December 25, 2008 at 08:20 PM
"And you idiots wonder why no one reads you anymore. Or why McClatchy is down to $1 per share. Enjoy the unemployment line, bitches!"
Bingo!
Funny how the so-called journalists (a) would have been thrown in a shredder if Saddam were still alive and (b) MILLIONS of Americans don't agree with them, as evidenced by their refusal to buy and read their "newspapers".
Actually, there's no surprise here: leftist journalists prefer the chaos of islamic jihad/terrorism as it works towards their similar goal of usurping theJudeo-Christian West (you know, the concept that liberated Iraq.
Posted by: Joe Meric | December 25, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Saddam Hussein was responsible for the deaths of almost 2 million Iraqis, Iranians, Kurds, and Kuwaitis. He used biological weapons to indiscriminately murder and terrorize Kurdish villagers, yet the 'journalists' here promote the lie that Iraq had no WMDs. The lies and willful ignorance diplayed by the mass media in the West is breathtaking. Thank God for George Bush. He has kept us safe and liberated tens of millions of Afghanis and Iraqis.
Posted by: Phil | December 25, 2008 at 07:54 PM
And you idiots wonder why no one reads you anymore. Or why McClatchy is down to $1 per share.
Enjoy the unemployment line, bitches!
Posted by: thebronze | December 25, 2008 at 07:21 PM
I enjoy hearing those that blame the “destruction” of Iraq on one person. Does anyone remember right after the initial invasion in 03 when soldiers were welcomed as they drove through the neighborhoods? What happened to change this sentiment? Was it that The Americans dropped of a number of radical Shi’ite and Sunni extremists in the middle of Baghdad, told them to stir up hared and consume us in a war? I highly doubt that. How about the Iraqi people placing some blame within themselves for allowing the extremists to rule their lives? How about blaming the politicians in Iraq for wanting to gain power, instead of peace? How about blaming the tribal leaders whose feelings are hurt because he doesn’t have absolute power anymore? How about taking some responsibility for your own country? The awakenings are a start and with continued vigilance hopefully we can remove ourselves from the country, but it can only be done, when the country AS A WHOLE is willing to provide for itself.
Posted by: NickMartinez | December 16, 2008 at 09:45 AM
I find Bush's reaction to be very telling. He shrugs off the incident, as though it has no significance to him.
How else could someone in his position overcome the shame associated with the horrible mistakes he has made? The only choice is a mix of willful and actual ignorance. It is the well worn implement in the arrogant man's toolbox.
As for the man who threw the shoes, I doubt that he planned the act. I believe that he simply reached the point that we all have reached at one time or another. He had had enough and very simply could not control his rage.
He is being punished for being human, then.
Posted by: Brad Eleven | December 16, 2008 at 07:48 AM
You are most insightful and wise. I do not find fault with the man who threw the shoe - but then I'm not a journalist. I am simply an American who never voted for Bush and have sat here in misery as Bush led our government, and your country, towards ruin. He has sickened me, so I can only imagine the passion and anger behind two tossed shoes. Bless the Iraqi people.
Posted by: Marie | December 16, 2008 at 05:04 AM
As a former journalist, this was unprofessional. Most news agencies would fire a journalist on the spot for behavior like this at a press conference. I feel saddened that this may besmirch the reputations of all of the professional Iraqi journalists who their jobs well and with personal integrity.
Posted by: Hope | December 15, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I completely agree with what you've said. Iraq needs more reasonable people like yourself. Personally I think Bush deserves more than a shoe in the face, but what that journalist did accomplishes nothing. Instead, he should have focused his frustrations on doing something positive to rebuild his own country
Posted by: Miles | December 15, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I completely agree with what you've said. Iraq needs more reasonable people like yourself. Personally I think Bush deserves more than a shoe in the face, but what that journalist did accomplishes nothing. Instead, he should have focused his frustrations on doing something positive to rebuild his own country
Posted by: Miles | December 15, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I completely agree with what you've said. Iraq needs more reasonable people like yourself. Personally I think Bush deserves more than a shoe in the face, but what that journalist did accomplishes nothing. Instead, he should have focused his frustrations on doing something positive to rebuild his own country
Posted by: Miles | December 15, 2008 at 10:32 PM