12.14.2008

bush gets the boot in iraq, but the u.s. isn't going anywhere

Muntazer al-Zaidi, a reporter for the independent al-Baghdadiya television station, threw both of his shoes at Bush on Sunday, shouting in Arabic:

"This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog. ... This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."


In November 2007, al-Zaidi was kidnapped, tortured, and released. He never learned the identity of his captors.

Zaidi covered the US bombing of Baghdad's Sadr City area earlier this year and friends said he had been "emotionally influenced" by the destruction.

While this gives us all a laugh and a cheer, it is, sadly, far from a farewell kiss.

CBC:
Despite a summer deadline to pull American combat troops from Iraqi cities, thousands will remain to support and train Iraqi forces, the top U.S. commander in Iraq confirmed on Saturday. . . .

[Iraqi government spokesman] Ali al-Dabbagh, on a visit to Washington, said Iraqi security forces might need 10 years to get ready to take over from U.S. troops.

Thanks to Redsock for the research.

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