In Bali, Bush Hears Criticism on Iraq, Israel

[Snellius]

DENPASAR, Indonesia — In a rare face-to-face meeting with critics, President Bush got an earful today from Muslim leaders in Indonesia who denounced his policies of occupying Iraq and siding with Israel against Palestinians.

During a four-hour stop on the Indonesian island of Bali, Bush met with three moderate Muslim leaders who told him politely but bluntly that the United States should set a better example by acting more democratically around the world.

"I told Mr. Bush that if he wants to see a peaceful world, his foreign policy should be changed to be more balanced, more just," said Syafii Maarif, head of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organization with 30-million members.

In an interview aboard Air Force One afterward, Bush told reporters that he enjoyed the encounter.

"They did a lot of talking," Bush said. "They were, I think, appreciative of the fact that I took time to listen to them and dispel some notions."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-102203bush_lat,1,184205.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[bif]

1. And there goes the invite to the pig farm in Crawford

Boy did he blow it by telling George something he didn't want to hear.

[izzie]

5. Did Bush really hear?

When you are the ruling class you hardly hear these people.

[Kool Kitty]

2. Ah, yes, he took the time to listen to them.

And let the words go in one ear and out the other. Because he just KNOWS that they are wrong.

[Gin]

3. In one ear and out the other....because * is an airhead.

gin

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. "They were, I think, appreciative of the fact that I took time to listen

to them and dispel some notions."

Oh... I see, you set the fuckers straight. Eh, George?

Awfully white of you, boy. Listening to the devilspawn and setting them on the path of righteousness.

Our pResident is an embarassment to all bipedal mammals.

[schultzee]

6. That arrogant little fundamentalist twit.

He makes me embarrassed to be an American.

[UpInArms]

7. by dispelling notions

did he say "who cares what you think"?

[cliss]

8. He probably sat there and nodded and smiled,

and tried to act concerned. The minute they were done talking, though, he probably got red-hot on the phone and called Cheney.

Bush: "Dick, what was it you said about these Indonesian Muslims?"

Dick: "Remember, Georgie, I said they have the potential to be hot-heads, but for now we're considering them to be potential buddies.

Bush: "OK, but today, they seemed angry. They had a lot to say about my best friend General Boykin". Are you sure they are 'good muslims', versus 'bad muslims' in the Middle East?"

Dick: "All right, let's see how much money we can scrape up for them".

[tlcandie]

9. In other words, they should be appreciative that I would lend my ear

to their petty whimperings...and no I did not listen because it is irrelevant.