President Bush, Please Publicly Forgive Muntadhar al-Zeidi

[babylonsister]

President Bush, Please Publicly Forgive Muntadhar al-Zeidi
By: Thers Monday December 15, 2008 1:45 pm


Over the past several years I've said a lot of things about President George W. Bush, few of them publishable anywhere except online, and even by blog-standards I've, um, pushed the envelope. So maybe I'm the wrong person to be calling for this. But I'm going to anyhow.

Mr. President, please publicly forgive Muntadhar al-Zeidi for throwing shoes at you, and please state, unequivocally, that the Iraqi journalist should not face charges or endure official harassment for his actions. If American values mean anything at all, this is the right thing to do.

According to press reports, al-Zeidi is currently being held by the Iraqi government in an undisclosed location. He faces quite serious, if as yet unspecified charges:

An Iraqi lawyer said Zaidi risked a miminum {sic} of two years in prison if he is prosecuted for insulting a visiting head of state, but could face a 15-year term if he is charged with attempted murder.

In the United States, "insulting a visiting head of state" is not a crime. Nor should it be. Throwing a shoe could certainly be illegal, and hustling a shoe-thrower out of a press conference would certainly be understandable. But pressing charges?

more...

http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/15/president-bush-please-publicly-forgive-muntadhar-al-zeidi/

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http://www.roadstoiraq.com/2008/12/16/urgent-just-reported-al-zaidi-in-us-run-camp-cropper-prison/

Dec 16, 2008
Urgent, just reported: Al-Zaidi in U.S. run Camp Cropper prison

Iraqi TV al-Sharqiya just reported on the news that AL-Zaidi is transferred to Camp Cropper prison {the Airport prison, managed by the American forces}.

The TV Channel announced that Al-Zaidi is in a difficult condition, with broken ribs and signs of tortures on his thighs. Also he can not move his right arm.

P.S.

I am just telling you what I heard on TV.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Since prez shit-for-brains is so concerned about his "legacy" that is what he should do.

It is the only way for him to come out of this with any dignity at all.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. Three words: "Karla Faye Tucker."

If the prison story is true, Christmas came early for Bush.

[Gregorian]

7. In all of this excitement I had forgotten about that.

What a national disgrace. The man, and those who helped him gain office.

And I thought the Karla Faye Tucker incident would be his coldest moment. More than anything I want this man to simply see what he has done. No justice will ever provide more suffering than that.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

3. Nothing we say will change *'s mind. He does not care.

Hence the fuck up of his legacy, he could change it abit with this one call, but he is too fucken stupid to see it.

[dweller]

4. impose a shoe for the ice cream cone

you get the drift...
dp

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

6. I get the drift, but * won't.

We are talking about George here.

[uppityperson]

5. This needs to be sent to mrbush and Pres-elect Obama.

[Bluebear]

8. Fogive? Late word is they are beating the shit out of him at a prison.

[babylonsister]

11. Yep, as noted in the bottom of the OP, which is why

it'd be nice if the dim one did something selfless for a change.

[Solly Mack]

9. A man faces prosecution for throwing a shoe at a war criminal

and the war criminal is not only free...he holds public office.

And now it's being reported that the man has been tortured...

Maybe it's just me...

[Spectral Music]

12. The shoe guy has been tortured?

Then he is a martyr.

[Canuckistanian]

10. By rights, Bush should have nothing to say about this

Iraq is a sovereign country.

But we know the truth, don't we?

Iraq's leaders are puppets and Bush still rules. Whatever happens to Al-Zaidi is Bush's will.

[jberryhill]

13. Bush? Forgive?

That's a duzy nomination right there.