This past weekend Bush traveled to Iraq under heavy security and secrecy. Though Iraq will be the country that Bush's presidency will be remembered for, the unexpected event that happened in the news conference there today will be the most remembered part of the trip.
The drama of the Bush visit happened almost immediately after the president appeared at a news conference in Baghdad with Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. The highlight of the news conference was to be the new security deal with the US and Iraq where there is a commitment to withdraw all American forces by the end of the year 2011.
During the news conference, Muntader al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist for Al Baghdadia, a television station, stood up and threw a show at Bush. Al-Zaidi yelled, "This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog!"
Bush ducked, barely missing the shoes that were hurtled at him. Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki even stuck his hand out in front of Bush's face to help try to shield him. Al-Zaidi was wrestled to the ground by security agents, and sources from the news conference said that he was "crying like a dog."Democrats laugh over this incident and it is reported throughout the American mass media without lament. But why is this the case? Why is no one offended that the most powerful leader in the world was just shown great disrespect.
Perhaps it is because of Bush's low approval ratings or because of the unpopularity of the war in Iraq. But Bush is the president nonetheless and he deserves respect.
Can you imagine if a fruitcake was thrown at Obama? The media would be freaking out! Liberals would be outraged! Is Obama really that respected in the world of politics? Or are we patronizing him because of his skin color?
This is just another example of media bias. We all know for a fact that the media would be making a bigger deal out of the situation if a fruitcake (or shoe) was thrown at Obama instead of at Bush.
Does anyone else agree? What are your thoughts?
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