No matter what you think of G.W. Bush, he has the most powerful job in the world right now. He, for better or worst represents the free world. So it was surprising to everyone when an Iraqi reporter got close enough this week. I thought the Secret Service would have reacted quicker than that but lets face it. This is the same administration that took 5 days to respond to a drowning city.
Now, for the actual shoe thrower, we are starting to get a clearer picture of who he is. Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who worked for Egyptian based Al-Baghdadia TV did stories on the widows, orphans and most affected by the war. If I were in his proverbial shoes, I may be tempted to throw mine off as well. Imagine your life under a dictator where your civil freedoms are minimal and you work as a journalist. Writing the wrong thing may not only get you killed but also get your entire family and everybody who owes you money murdered as well. Now, imagine your country is invaded. The invaders/liberators did get the dictator, however in the process over 500,000 civilians died (imagine 9/11 happening 100 times). 50 years from now, history may judge Bush favorably. It could possibly turn out that the new Iraq will be a prosperous society someday but right now with rampant crime and unemployment, I would hate to walk in the average Iraqi’s shoes. And judging by Saturday, so would he.
Now, for the actual shoe thrower, we are starting to get a clearer picture of who he is. Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who worked for Egyptian based Al-Baghdadia TV did stories on the widows, orphans and most affected by the war. If I were in his proverbial shoes, I may be tempted to throw mine off as well. Imagine your life under a dictator where your civil freedoms are minimal and you work as a journalist. Writing the wrong thing may not only get you killed but also get your entire family and everybody who owes you money murdered as well. Now, imagine your country is invaded. The invaders/liberators did get the dictator, however in the process over 500,000 civilians died (imagine 9/11 happening 100 times). 50 years from now, history may judge Bush favorably. It could possibly turn out that the new Iraq will be a prosperous society someday but right now with rampant crime and unemployment, I would hate to walk in the average Iraqi’s shoes. And judging by Saturday, so would he.
1 comment:
I don't think Bush's reputation as President will improve much in the next 50 years. There's a long way to go from the general sentiment that he's "one of the worst Presidents this nation ever saw."
But I can agree that history (and the re-writing of history from new perspectives) can ease the blow and remove the sting.
When I caught-up with you on Facebook, I had no idea you were also a blogger. I have two (both appear in my signature). The health blog is just about abandoned, but Fackin Truth is alive and well.
(I'm also a contributor, mostly writing on Tuesdays, at the Michelle Obama Watch blog.)
Hawa, author of
Fackin Truth Blog (Personal Blog)
and
Cleanse Master Remix (Health Blog)
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