During a joint press conference between President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki, the latter took an opportunity to acknowledge the successes of our troops in Iraq and the efforts of the American people to guarantee freedoms to the country.
“We have succeeded in Iraq,” Mr. Maliki said at the signing of the Strategic Framework Agreement and Security Agreement. “And we hope that efforts also around the world will succeed in defeating terrorism.”
Earlier in the day Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi from Al-Baghdadia channel which broadcasts from Cairo hurled his stinky footwear at the President and called him a “dog”. The video has been broadcast on just about every station. But, what wasn’t broadcast was the subsequent apologies to President Bush by other Iraqi journalists in the room.
“Thanks for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people,” President Bush replied in a classic show of maturity and strength. “It doesn’t bother me. If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw”.
Isn’t it interesting that for the past five years the liberals have been calling for a withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. At a time when we would have left our heads in shame had the President followed their ignorant guidance, he remained strong and understood the stakes. Now, those same people seek to cast the recent vote to withdraw troops as proof the Iraqi people don’t want us there instead of an admission that we have succeeded in getting rid of Saddam and bringing peace to the country. Had it not been for us that man that threw the shoe would be hung by a thick rope or, at the very least, tortured to death.
Mr. Maliki went on to tell anyone listening that “Iraq no longer represents a threat to world peace and security.” For decades, the entire Middle East feared what Saddam’s next move might be. His neighbors maintained a constant vigil and the entire world walked on eggshells hoping they weren’t forced into another confrontation. No longer is that the case.
Responding to questions about “Shoegate”, the President noted that many of the Iraqis in attendance noted that the deranged man doesn’t “represent the Iraqi people.” Since the “Iraqi” man was a journalist for a station in Cairo, it speaks volumes. It’s also proof that Iraq if truly now a free society, though threats of violence are not to be welcome in free societies.
The media have not been reporting and showing the subsequent apologies to President Bush by other Iraqi journalists in the room after the shoe throwing incident because they want everyone to only see the insult. They will never show anything that gives this president (Bush)the praise that he deserves. He has stayed the course along with our brave service men and won the victory for Iraq and for the USA. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BUSH!!!
Barbara
Atlanta, Georgia