[BBC] George W. Bush has some good reflexes for an old guy.

[Nechochwen]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7782422.stm

From the article:

A surprise visit by US President George Bush to Iraq has been overshadowed by an incident in which two shoes were thrown at him during a news conference.

An Iraqi journalist was wrestled to the floor by security guards after he called Mr Bush "a dog" and threw his footwear, just missing the president.

The soles of shoes are considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture.

 

[borzoimom]

Thats terrible!

 

[SisMorphine]

That's hysterical.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I think its a matter of respect. I really believe we need to respect our officials... there are plenty of ways to disagree without resulting to childish antics. There are plenty of politicians I dont like and/ or agree with but I wouldnt throw my shoes or anything else at them. And that goes for foreign leaders who visit this country.

 

[Renee750il]

Too bad he ducked.

But wait, that's what he does best when things get tough.

In Arab cultures, that wasn't a childish antic - it was a supreme insult and a statement - like offering a left hand to shake.

 

[Nechochwen]

Shaking with the left hand is an insult?

 

[borzoimom]

I think its a matter of respect. I really believe we need to respect our officials... there are plenty of ways to disagree without resulting to childish antics. There are plenty of politicians I dont like and/ or agree with but I wouldnt throw my shoes or anything else at them. And that goes for foreign leaders who visit this country.

I totally agree!

 

[Renee750il]

Shaking with the left hand is an insult?

Yup. Very much so. In Arabic cultures, eating is done with the right hand - personal hygiene with the left. You get offered a left hand . . .

 

[Nechochwen]

Ahh, I thought you were talking about in American culture. I was quite confused.

 

[Renee750il]

Ahh, I thought you were talking about in American culture. I was quite confused.

Go back and re-read my first post here :rofl1: Nope, you're definitely not the English major in the family

 

[Nechochwen]

Go back and re-read my first post here :rofl1: Nope, you're definitely not the English major in the family

I took the last part of your sentence to a comparison to a more familiar culture, instead of another note about the same one, as that would have made more sense.

 

[Sapphire-Light]

Matrix !!, he needs sunglasses and fast. :rofl1:

Cool reflexs

 

[sparks19]

Imagine the uproar if one of their officials came here and someone did that to him

 

[Puckstop31]

Phuck Iraq.

Pull all the boys out and watch the cesspool implode on its self. THAT is the thanks we get for the sacrifices of our soldiers?

Hate on Bush all you want. But THAT is a slap in the face of our entire country. But naturally, half the country will think its funny and not understand what it means.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Phuck Iraq.

Pull all the boys out and watch the cesspool implode on its self. THAT is the thanks we get for the sacrifices of our soldiers?

Hate on Bush all you want. But THAT is a slap in the face of our entire country. But naturally, half the country will think its funny and not understand what it means.

agreed... well at least with the second half

Not with the first half because there are plenty of Iraqi's who are grateful and to generalize that they all feel that way over the actions of one is not fair.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

something can be disrespectful AND funny IMO...so I'll take both.

 

[iwantmypup]

I don't blame the guy who threw it.

 

[ACooper]

Imagine the uproar if one of their officials came here and someone did that to him

I agree.

I am definitely no Bush supporter, I think he's an idiot. And I can imagine the headlines and punishment if that would have happened here to another country's official.

 

[Renee750il]

Phuck Iraq.

Pull all the boys out and watch the cesspool implode on its self. THAT is the thanks we get for the sacrifices of our soldiers?

Hate on Bush all you want. But THAT is a slap in the face of our entire country. But naturally, half the country will think its funny and not understand what it means.

Not necessarily. People I talk to - first and second hand - who travel a great deal are quick to say that they've found that in most instances, Americans are treated well and are generally well-liked, even in some Arabic countries, but Shrub is universally reviled.

They wonder at how he managed to get himself elected the second time, but most places are, unfortunately, all too well acquainted with election fraud and corruption and don't find it too difficult to attribute his second term to that phenomenon.

 

[Boemy]

If insulting the president is insulting the entire country, shouldn't the US declare war on itself for its impeaching Nixon?

JUST SAYIN'.