THE PRESIDENT’S unannounced visit to Baghdad over the weekend illustrated the state of the United States’ involvement in Iraq.
The situation in Iraq is still dicey enough that the president’s visit was kept secret until his arrival, but things have improved enough that it was deemed safe for Air Force One to arrive in broad daylight.
As it turned out, the president was not the target of gunfire, but of footwear. During his press conference, a man, apparently a journalist, took off his shoes and threw them at the president, who ducked successfully.
The moment was uncomfortable for the Iraqis and their guest, but it couldn’t be called a serious international incident.
In fact, it could be considered an improvement in the quality of Iraqi political discourse. If hurled shoes could replace bullets and bombs, not just at news conferences, but in the streets, the United States could consider its work in Iraq truly done.
That is not going to happen soon. But the situation in Iraq is improving. The level of violence has gone down. Some day — maybe in a few years — Iraq may become a nation that can keep its own people safe. Iraq may never be a shining example of democracy, but for all its political messiness, it could learn to work.
President Bush’s weekend visit showed that Iraq is still a dangerous place — for Americans and Iraqis — but it is marginally less dangerous than it was some months ago.
Although not the victory that the president hoped for, it does count as a small success.
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D5oKE...
December 15, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
It was a reporter. Go figure.
December 15, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
I agree with you Patrick. Lets not forget that folks over there used to kidnap foreigners and behead them for the internet audience. Having a shoe tossed can be laughed at.
December 15, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
To borrow from an e-mail to The Cafferty File:
The lame duck ducked. Quacks me up.
December 15, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
Here, now you can try your luck!
http://www.pcworld.com/article/155514...
December 15, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
Congrats to President Bush for being so alert and ducking twice to avoid being hit. He handled it very well. Good for him to not let a crazy reporter fluster him in that setting.
December 15, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I wonder if our next secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, goes to Iraq if they will throw shoes at her since she voted for the war?
December 15, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )