Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw two shoes at President Bush on Sunday, has asked for a pardon, according to Iraqi officials. Al-Zeidi, 29, a correspondent for an Iraqi-owned television station based in Cairo, Egypt, could be thrown in prison for two years for insulting a foreign leader.
Click here for the story. Al-Zeidi has written a letter to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki requesting the pardon. In the letter, Al-Zeidi said the prime minister once showed him kindness during an interview, and he is asking al-Maliki to show him kindness again.
The Iraqi government had called al-Zeidi's actions "shameful." The Associated Press reported that al-Zeidi's brother, Durgham, said he went to a Baghdad hospital with "a broken arm and ribs" as well as "injuries to his eye and leg," after a beating by security forces after he was wrestled to the ground.
White House officials said it was up to Iraqi leaders to decide whether to punish al-Zeidi. "I think the president believes that Iraq is a sovereign country, a democratic country, and they will have a process that they follow on this," said spokeswoman Dana Perino.
lol, assult with a deadly shoe.
What a noble way to end the King Bush rein.
Alas, these are times that try men's soles.
Pres. Bush will be much missed in Iraq when he leaves office.
He's already been missed twice, in fact.
Pardon me?
Hang this man!!
lol
All of you just wait...Once Nobama enters office, everyone better be scared. He is not going to keep us safe like President Bush did. Bush had to make some decisions that many people around the World do not like. Again, Clinton killed our Military as well as the CIA and FBI and that's why 911 happened. We are at a point where I can sleep at night but things well change for me after Jan 20,2009.
WTF? I thought this guy was already at Gitmo.
You must be related to Roberto Gonzalez.
Bush is right in letting the Iraqis handle the situation themselves; however, I hope he adds that it is personally forgiven and fogotten.
Hello Jeffery,
You say that you can sleep well at night. Not me and the rest of us knowing that our soldiers are dieing in Iraq, under nothing more then a lie.
"Fight them there instead of here" is another jingoist slogan that does not hold water. Why should these guys put millions of dollars into some plot to hurt us when Americans are sent there to be easily killed?
Also the we were bombed by Saudi's not Iraqi's.
Apparantely Rich is not aware that our military is a volunteer organization, not compulsary. That means that its members signed up because they believe that the Iraqi war is NOT based on a lie, and is not an effort fought in vain.
It seems a bit nerotic to loose sleep because someone else has choosen to serve their country? In all generations but this one, this was a thing of honor.
I thank God everyday that we still have real men and women in our country, willing to do what is necessary to protect our blessed nation, and pray for peace.
Rich,
That is a cheap shot, with a racist tinge, you took at Jeffrey Gonzalez. Why are your posts almost always about name-calling and personal attack, rather than rebutting an opinion?
Can't Jeffrey Gonzalez, and others you disagree with post their opinions without you cheap antics?
Rich...ignorance is our most expensive commodity and we can no longer afford you and your ilk.If you think they are not plotting something(Obiden,your guy,warned us)then you are not just ignorant but stupid.If the thrown shoe fits...then wear it.
If Bush was sincere about making light of the situation after it happened. He would ask to let the shoe thrower go. His 8 years f@$k everyone attitude shows his true colors yet again.
Rich,
We were "bombed" by terrorists.. not Saudis, not Iraqis, not Sudanese, but terrorists. Wherever terrorist are, and whether it is one or thousands, they are fair game. Do you honestly think that Al Qaeda is anywhere near as organized and lethal now as they were prior to 9/11?? The reason why they aren't putting "millions of dollars into some plot to hurt us" isn't because "Americans are sent there to be easily killed"...it is the simple fact that their organization is decimated and they are dying wholesale over THERE for their cause. This is due to the fact that we have people brave enough to step up, realize that there are some things worth fighting for (even if we annoy all the bleeding hearts around the world), and who are willing to put their lives on the line to keep us safe...along with a president who had the guts to adopt the policy of pre-emption. Do you know what Clinton's stated overall objective for Iraq was while I was flying Operation Southern Watch missions in the late 90's?? "Maintain the status quo"...spoken like a true Lib who had "other" things on his mind instead of the foresight to protect our country. And its funny, every time Clinton sent me over there...for some reason I always had to take my Chem gear, even in 2000. Bush wasn't the only one buying into the WMD "lie".
Red,
Where do I start, this is too easy. You mentioned this is a volunteer army that is true yet take the fact that most who join the military is not so for simply patriotic reasons.
I know people who serve and this is the case. The longer you serve higher ranks more pay.
It is economic, the lower socio-economic income earners as well as high school graduates have insentives to join-up 20,000 dollars! The missed recruiting goals speaks volumes as well given the cash insentives. Also college benifit packages may be included with signing up for the military.
"In the face of missed recruiting goals, the U.S. Army has implemented a new bonus for recruits who sign up by the end of the fiscal year. The Recruiting Command has announced a $20,000 quick-ship bonus for recruits with no prior military service."
source;
http://www.army.com/blog/item/3169
It is worth mentioning family members enlist because Mothers and Fathers have also served.
If MOST inlisted persons were truthful with you they would mention that money is one of the primary reasons they joined not so much, joining to to follow the Commader and Chief (King George)
Red your thoughts on this subject are dated. recruiting has plumeted.
"Volunteer organization" lol go out and find people to get there heads shot off for free.
They should get paid and they should be fighting under legitimate reasons for war, not a fabricated lie to be in Iraq.
We all want peace, I agree with that.
Bill,
You can not discount the fact that the terrorists who bombed us were Saudi's as well as Osama Binladin was a Saudi.
The point you believe we are winning against terrorists is a false assumption and dangerous to assume. Maybe on the battle front where we can actually see someone with a gun and kill them, or planting an IED, etc... But consider what happend prior to 911 very few people with money and resources planned and executed 9/11.
Even our government does not believe the war on terror is won on the battle lines i.e. the Country of Iraq.
Putting this on Clinton isnt going to solve the problem either. Our policies over the years created this problem Democrat or Republican alike screwed this up. The whole middle east issue is a problem and we made some wrong decisions along the way.
My concern right now is to get our soldiers out of Iraq as quickly and safely for all those involved, Americans as well as Iraqi civilians.
We all want peace. We don't want a Comander and Chief that will lie to us.
Brian,
I challenge you to respond to my posts before yours on December 19, 2008 6:32 AM.
Did I mention anything about "plotting".
Maybe you need to take some medication or (rather increase your med. dosage) to help rid voices in your head.
Before calling someone ignorant, or stupid, get your facts straight, and remember to take your meds at least an hour before you start thinking.
Red what "racist tinge" do you infer??
If someone shares the same last name, they may be related. Roberto Gonzales was appointed by Bush, share similar ideology.
More-so to the point you took it as a cheap shot to be related to Roberto Gonzalez, so you think it's a bad thing as well? This is very telling.
My so called "antics" are not a "cheap shot" but I take it as a badge of honor that you believe it's so.
Foreigners must respect the American president, and suffer criminal prosecution when they don't.
Americans can insult (disrespect) the American president elect with impunity.
Summa summarum? Error! Error! It does not compute.
Rich, do you mean Alberto Gonzalez?
Mike, do you mean Alberto Gonzales?
Yep, that's the one, Tony. Thanks for the spell-check service.
Yes, sorry "Alberto Gonzales". Sometimes I get my corrupt Bush appointee names mixed up.
Isabell,
Durring the New York 2004 Republican Convention people were being unjustly detained, arrested, relocated, what ever you want to call it. It was flat out against the laws of our civil liberties.
People were arrested who were not even protesting, just byestanders. The City got sued in favor of those arrested and won.
Civil liberties is something we need to fight for every day, because it is abused by our government every day, especially durring King Bush's rein.
Rich...I've been visited by "The Ghost of Liberals Past" and am now in "The Ghost of Liberals Present" sequence.Both pretty depressing.I'm not really looking forward to a visit from "The Ghost of Liberals To Be".I have a whacko friend like you up here that said he wasn't going to blame Pres.Bush for everything that goes wrong for the next eight years...more like sixteen and I guess you thought you were being cute with your meds reference but it shows how insensitive and downright mean spirited you really are as you may have hurt someone emotionally who has mental issues on this blog.I'd call you an --- but that would be disrespectful to donkeys.
It just made my day to see Brian Murray chastise someone for being insensitive.
Brian, were you being ironic? It's my Christmas wish that you weren't.
Brian,
Isn't it the far right ideologues who still blame Bill Clinton for issues that plague them?
How many years ago has that been? (8 years).
Since when are far right ideologues sensitive?
Rich...you are right but you don't have to be far right, just honest.Adam...glad I could be there for you buddy.BTW...I like puppies,sunsets and chocolate chip cookies.
Brian,
You really set your bar for sensitivity pretty high, "puppies, sunsets, and chocolate chip cookies".
No one is surprised you left out humanity.
No wonder we don't see eye to eye. I like kittens, sunrises, and brownies. Darn.