Pres. Bush’s present tour to Iraq and Afghanistan was probably designed to be a “legacy-establishing” trip, or perhaps even– in the imagination of some of his advisers?– a victory lap. But yesterday’s incident, in which an Iraqi journo threw his shoes at Bush while yelling strong criticisms of him, seems an appropriate “footnote” to the arrogant militarism that dominated most of Bush’s time in office.
Because let’s be quite clear: That reliance on militarism has not worked. Early on, it registered some, very partial, “achievements”– the overthrow of the Taliban, the scattering of the bases Al-Qarda once had in Afghanistan, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. But the reliance on militarism failed to bring about the stabilization of the two countries invaded and their consolidation as strong and reliable US allies, a la post-1945 Germany or Japan. Instead, in both cases the overthrow of the old order through the use of force led to the unleashing of powerful new (or in Afghanistan, revived) anti-American movements, as well as a de-facto “legitimatization” of the use of force by those movements given that the US occupation forces were still dealing overwhelmingly with both countries through the use of brute military force rather than negotiation.
Meanwhile, Bush’s reliance on militarism in those countries– and elsewhere– has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans between service-members and private “contractors”; the maiming of tens of thousands more Americans; the sowing of chaos and civil war in both countries that has claimed many scores of thousands of their citizens’ lives, and the serious blighting of the lives of millions more; the imposition of budgetary burdens on the US economy that will take a generation or more to pay off; the torpedoing of the US “brand” and US credibility around the world; and a considerable increase in the power and influence of Iran in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Some months ago President Bush– ably advised, I believe, by Secdef Bob Gates– came to the realization that the goal of maintaining a dominant US military presence in the country in perpetuity was no longer realizeable. Hence, the administration’s final acceptance last month that it would have to sign a agreement with Iraq whose terms explicitly mandate a complete US withdrawal from the country by the end of 2011. (The US commander in Iraq, the ever-bellgerent Ray Odierno, recently claimed the US could change the terms of the agreement unilaterally and keep forces in Iraqi cities after the June deadline from their removal. But certainly the text of the treaty makes no provision for that.)
Maybe Bush hoped that when he went to Iraq yesterday, he would receive at least some recognition for the “graciousness” of the concession he’d made to the Iraqi negotiators? A different form of “Mission Accomplished”, perhaps?
Well, it’s possible he did receive some kind words from Nuri al-Maliki, the man who was installed as PM there primarily by the US occupation authorities but who then turned round and negotiated very toughly with the Americans this year. But few people will ever remember what Maliki said to Bush on this occasion. All that most people inside and outside Iraq will remember is the pair of shoes thrown at him– on video– at the press conference.
The guy who did that got wrestled to the ground by Maliki’s security men and was taken away to an uncertain fate. Maliki had lost considerable face by demonstrating that he couldn’t even control the cadre of heavily screened journos who are allowed into his press conferences. But McClatchy correspondent Laith makes clear that the anti-Bush sentiments run very extensively throughout the Iraqi press corps. Though Laith said he disagreed with the particular means of “self-expression” the shoe-thrower had used, he also said,
- I can’t blame the journalist for hating the U.S. president because I agree with all the Iraqis (not [the] politicians of course) that Bush’s policy destroyed our country.
But despite the bows they have made to raw, pragmatic realism in Iraq, Bush, Gates, and the president-elect all seem sold– for now– on the idea that reliance on near-unilateral US militarism still seems the best policy in Afghanistan.
How long will it take– and the lives of how many more people?– before the different branches of government in Washington really understand that War truly is not the answer, in Afghanistan any more than in Iraq?
The US citizenry needs to step up our activism on this issue. We need to all work together to give militarism the shoe.
(Update 3:25 p.m.: The LA Times blog has a good roundup of media attention in the Arab world, here. Note that even the usually pro-US Al-Arabiyeh network carried a commentary strongly supportive of the shoe-tosser.)
But the reliance on militarism failed to bring about the stabilization of the two countries invaded
It’s not as such “reliance on militarism failed” its how this term used to make the general public to believe they can do with that term.
The fact in Iraq very clear when Paul Bremer in office with his vast privatisations of Iraqi asset and all his orders that made no doubt for each Iraqi this man came in mission designed early far from what Bush promised them in his broadcast letter to them just before the invasion and what the freedom and democracy dreams. Adding to that the sectarians divisions set by forming CPA and Noah Freedman’s Constitutions added and ignited the sectarians chose Iraq still bleeding form it.
the president-elect all seem set– for now– on the idea that a reliance on near-unilateral US militarism still seems to be the best way to proceed in Afghanistan.
Its not the elected President or his circle of advisor and employee needs rethink about “a reliance on near-unilateral US militarism” it’s the US public and voters those who votes for this president should stand and voice out what they need from his as elected president for them.
Bush elected for two terms by US citizenry that his gave him full support what he done so now US citizenry should learn from that lesson and do for the best of their country and the world and restored the values of freedom and democracy that lost by GWB actions.
Just more about the Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi, a reporter for the TV channel Al-Baghdadia, he were kidnapped and some said he was arrested by US forces awhile ago (might be tortured), now TV channel Al-Baghdadia asked for his release.
I hope this a new test for US and Maliki government to demonstrates wisely and show what new born democracy will be by treating Muntadhar al-Zaidi case in wise way and transparent with law despite all the imbursements that Maliki government have from all this story.
Stabilization was never a goal, disorder was.
For too many people the reliance on militarism has worked, and continues to be working. These are to well-connected military contractors with their highly-paid, often ex-military, executives who have been able to suck billions of dollars out of the US treasury. Living in one of their many luxury houses they would not agree that militarism hasn’t worked.
Unfortunately, for these people and their US government surrogates war IS the answer, and Obama offers little hope for relief. The increase of 92,000 ground troops that he has supported — are these guys and gals going to just sit around the barracks playing poker? No, they will be sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other places. Africa beckons, for example.
The chief enablers in this scheme are of course the members of the US Congress who continue to provide more and more funds for militarism and this includes Obama who voted for every war spending bill and promises to expand and “modernize” the military further.
So, yes, the US citizenry needs to step up our activism on this issue. We need to all work together to give militarism the shoe.
It’s a bit sad when you think about it: Sunni arabs being reduced to throwing shoes instead of (heroically) turning themselves into suicide bombers to slaughter Iraqi citizens. Something of a come down for the insurgency. And a triumph for George W Bush for authorising the surge and thereby preserving the first genuine representative arab democracy.
A credit to the United States and its armed forces.
Bush has always been peeved that Iraq has never shown the proper gratitude for their liberation.
So Bush has probably interpreted the event as some bizarre sort of Iraqi ritual akin to rolling out the welcome mat. Or hazing back in the good old frat days… (“They love move, they really do love me!”)
My favorite headline from an Iraqi newspaper, picking up on Bush’s claims of bringing “freedom of expression” to Iraq: “Freedom of Shoes!”
BB, for your information, Muntadhir Al Zeidi is Shi`a.
Not that anyone but you cares one way or the other.
If that is the case then throwing shoes is distinct improvement on use of power drills. Either way it is another milestone passed in the establishment of the Iraqi democracy. Mr shoe thrower is probably too young to remember Saddam and Baath rule. He would benefit from some study of the period 1988-2003.
BB, you really don’t know when to keep quiet, do you? You have no clue what you are talking about, and are determined to prove it. You just keep yapping away and making a bigger and bigger fool of yourself, and show the depth of your ignorance and your blind hatred every time you open your mouth.
My god! You cannot even give the man enough respect to use his name. And yes, for your information Muntadhir Al Zeidi is old enough to remember Saddam very well. And he is Shi`a, so how are you going to fit THAT into your twisted little picture?
My apologies for the above, Helena. I do not have your forbearance.
Ra’ed Jarrar has put up an online petition demanding the release of Muntadhir Zeidi. He will print it out and deliver it to the Iraqi embassy if Muntadhir has not been released by the end of the week. Some of your readers might want to sign it.
Muntadhir has been severely beaten, and there are reliable reports that his arm was broken in the prison. It is likely that he is being subjected to “enhanced interrogation”.
In the meantime people are urged to scour their closets for old shoes and mail them to George Bush at the White House. There is also a demonstration in the planning stages for January 19 in which people will gather and deposit shoes in front of the White House as their farewell gift to George Bush.
If Muntadhir al-Zeidi is shia and old enough to have an opinion on the experienecs of the Iraqi shia between 1988-2003 and has no negative view of these experiences then I will exepct he will issue a declaration of support for the restoration of the Baath regime and his regrets at the overthroww and execution of the late Mr S. Hussein? And his sons.
Apart from that, hurling suicide bombers (sunni) or Iraqis armed with power drills (shia )at the WH would be a much more definitive way of rejecting US policy under W and influencing O to change it, don’t you feel?
Shoes at a free media press conference seems a weak response in comparison.
bb-
Your calloused soul is showing.
David Letterman-
An American stand up comic had a good routine last night:
“Bush has not dodged something as well as he dodged that Iraqi journalist’s shoe since he dodged the draft during the Vietnam War. We have not seen him move that quickly since he entered the White House. Why didn’t he move as quick as that when it came to sending emergency relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, or when it cam to going after Bin Laden along the Afghan-Pakistan border.”
There is another online petition demanding the immediate release of Muntadhir. Their goal is 50,000 signatures, and they are making good progress. Please help by signing, and encourage others to sign. Maybe it will help, maybe not, but it is better to do something than nothing.
There are reports that they have broken his arm and some ribs.
For the comments made by the fulthy head, when a country under control of occupied force the choas and all sort of lawlessness should be put on the occupiers not on the people of the occupied nation.
Iraq have nothing to do with US securty and thraets as Bush again laies in that media confinrance. Anyway Iraq never ever been threat to US.
Iraqi journalist Muntader al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President Bush was not accptable to exeprss his anager, most the news reported first part of his words but they forgot and played down the 2nd bit of his words when he siad”
“This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.”
Reported by UN and internatinal aganices and independent bodyes the numebrs of wodws and orphones in Iraq due to US invasion and occupation of Iraq as”
According to world Orphans Weekekly ther are 143 millions orphans worldwide 5 million orphans in Iraq now , in addition to 800 children in prisons, 700 of them in the Iraqi detentions, and the rest in American custody, all accused of terror or issuing false statements.”
Adding to that Iraq, is a nation of widows
I leaev you with a part of comment made about US , Iraq war:
For the comments made by the fulthy head, when a country under control of occupied force the choas and all sort of lawlessness should be put on the occupiers not on the people of the occupied nation.
Iraq have nothing to do with US securty and thraets as Bush again laies in that media confinrance. Anyway Iraq never ever been threat to US.
Iraqi journalist Muntader al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President Bush was not accptable to exeprss his anager, most the news reported first part of his words but they forgot and played down the 2nd bit of his words when he siad”
“This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.”
Reported by UN and internatinal aganices and independent bodyes the numebrs of wodws and orphones in Iraq due to US invasion and occupation of Iraq as”
According to world Orphans Weekekly ther are 143 millions orphans worldwide 5 million orphans in Iraq now , in addition to 800 children in prisons, 700 of them in the Iraqi detentions, and the rest in American custody, all accused of terror or issuing false statements.”
Adding to that Iraq, is a nation of widows
I leaev you with a part of comment made about US , Iraq war: