Iraqis Ask Why Bush Didn't See Iraq on Surprise Trip to Baghdad *** BARF ALERT ***

AP / Tampa Bay Online ^ | 11/28/2003 | Niko Price

[sonsofliberty2000]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - President Bush's surprise visit to Iraq was the talk of Baghdad's teahouses, kebab shops and mosques Friday, with many Iraqis asking why he didn't take advantage of his trip to see firsthand how his rule has treated them. Many complained that Bush met with few Iraqis during his secret, two-hour stay Thursday evening and never left the grounds of a heavily fortified U.S. base. Several called the trip an electoral stunt, and took offense that he would use their country as his stage.

"He visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis. He didn't come to see how we are doing," Muzher Abd Hanush, 54, said in his barbershop. "To come, say hello and leave - what good does that do?"

U.S. forces in Iraq generally took the trip as a morale boost, and praised their commander in chief for what they called a courageous move.

"It's an extremely admirable gesture. It's really a good example as a leader," Capt. Craig Childs, of Galveston, Texas, said at his base in the northern city of Tikrit. "It's a bold statement that he's confident of the job we're doing here to come within the enemy's reach."

But among Iraqis generally disappointed in the U.S.-led occupation, the trip swayed few opinions.

Some people applauded what they called a bold move and expressed vague hopes that it would help bring security, political stability and jobs to their war-shattered country. But they stressed it was results - not a photo opportunity - that would boost Bush's popularity here.

"If he takes care of Iraq, he will be welcomed here. If not - whether he's here or in the White House - he is of no use to us," said Fadel Hadi, 59, playing dominoes at a teahouse. "If his visit brings us some good, he will be welcome every day."

Ahmed Kheiri, 24, saw the visit as a campaign tactic.

"He came for the sake of the elections," Kheiri said. "He never thought of the Iraqi people. He doesn't care about us. It was a personal visit for his own sake."

Iraqi politicians had mixed reactions to the visit. Mouwafik al-Rubei'e, a member of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council who met Bush on Thursday night, said the president "reaffirmed his country's commitment to building a new, democratic and prosperous Iraq."

Another member of the Governing Council, Mahmoud Othman, said the trip meant little.

"We cannot consider Bush's arrival at Baghdad International Airport yesterday a visit to Iraq," he said. "He did not meet with ordinary Iraqis. Bush was only trying to boost the morale of his troops."

Indeed, many Iraqis questioned how the trip could possibly help improve their dire situation. Eight months after the U.S. invasion, Iraqis complain they still have few jobs, little security and no political representation.

During Friday prayers on the Muslim holy day, imams at Shiite and Sunni mosques alike criticized the visit, saying Bush should expend his energy helping Iraq recover from war instead of flying across the world to pose for the cameras.

"Instead of coming here to celebrate Thanksgiving with his troops, Bush should release the innocent people in his prisons and arrest the real terrorists conducting attacks," Skeikh Abdul Hadi al-Daraji said at the Muhsen Mosque in the poor, Shiite Muslim neighborhood of Sadr City.

"First Bush said he would liberate Iraq. Now he is occupying it. How long will he stay?" asked the imam at Baghdad's largest Sunni mosque, Abu Hanifa.

Bush's visit was spent entirely on the grounds of Baghdad International Airport, a 15-square-mile complex heavily guarded by U.S. troops. He flew in under complete secrecy, keeping his plans even from his own parents, whom he had invited to his Texas ranch for Thanksgiving dinner.

News of his visit didn't emerge until he had left Iraq, and given the power outages in some Baghdad neighborhoods Thursday night, that meant many Iraqis didn't hear about it until Friday.

While U.S. troops called the trip courageous, some Iraqis saw it as cowardly.

"The way he made the trip shows he's afraid of Iraqis," said Mohammed Kamel, 40, a former soldier who now drives a taxi. "He should be; we're a fierce people."

U.S. senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Jack Reed spent about 10 hours in Baghdad on Friday and planned another day in Iraq on Saturday after overnighting out of the country. On Friday, Clinton traveled between the airport, coalition headquarters and another U.S. military base in a convoy of civilian SUVs with an escort of Humvees and Apache helicopters.

She met with coalition officials, U.S. troops, a group of Iraqi female politicians and talked briefly with Iraqi workers on the bases. Media coverage was restricted, however, and few Iraqis heard about her trip Friday.

Alla Abdul Wahab, a 38-year-old windowpane seller, hadn't heard about Clinton's trip, but asked what Bush's visit would ultimately do for Iraqis.

"What good will this visit bring?" he asked. "He came to see the Americans - that's all."

[sonsofliberty2000]

WHAT!!!!! This has got to be the biggest barf article ever.

Patriot Paradox

[ladyinred]

What they don't realize, partly because the media is spinning as usual, is that Bush actually went there for our TROOPS!!! When you are the one responsible for putting all of these young men and women in harms way, and you are a decent human being, You feel the need to express your gratitude to them, and let them know you do care!!!!

[Agnes Heep]

... with many Iraqis asking why he didn't take advantage of his trip to see firsthand how his rule has treated them.

For "many Iraqis" read "left-wing American journalists."

[sonsofliberty2000]

Gotta love this:

"The way he made the trip shows he's afraid of Iraqis," said Mohammed Kamel, 40, a former soldier who now drives a taxi. "He should be; we're a fierce people."

U.S. senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Jack Reed spent about 10 hours in Baghdad on Friday and planned another day in Iraq on Saturday after overnighting out of the country. On Friday, Clinton traveled between the airport, coalition headquarters and another U.S. military base in a convoy of civilian SUVs with an escort of Humvees and Apache helicopters.

She met with coalition officials, U.S. troops, a group of Iraqi female politicians and talked briefly with Iraqi workers on the bases. Media coverage was restricted, however, and few Iraqis heard about her trip Friday.

The way they put this is trying to say Hildebeast is braver then Bush. Sickening bias.

Patriot Paradox

[Paul Atreides]

"He visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis. He didn't come to see how we are doing," Muzher Abd Hanush, 54, said in his barbershop. "To come, say hello and leave - what good does that do?"

Perhaps, you would prefer a visit from a ruler, who would drop by only to rape your daughter. He's running a nation, and a war, not a community outreach project. Grow up!

[Free_at_last_-2001]

I thought Jason Blair had been sacked!

[samtheman]

What a bunch of lazy whiners. Why aren't they out there forming civil defense teams to kill the terrorist scum plaguing their country? They sit around whining that it's taking us too long to do it for them.

By the way, Bush's purpose was to visit the American soldiers. Period.

[sandlady]

"He visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis. He didn't come to see how we are doing," Muzher Abd Hanush, 54, said in his barbershop. "To come, say hello and leave - what good does that do?"

Obviously, these people have no experience with a Commander in Chief who cares for his military. Besides, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to recognize a trickle-down benefit for the Iraqis if the US military is "happy."

[VOA]

pardon this short side-bar:

Dear lurkers/posters...Pass The Word!

Dubya DELIVERED the turkey and the morale-injection...time for us to
deliver the goods for the next holiday!!!

Deadline for mailing military carepackages for Christmas delivery is DECEMBER 4TH!

(and we all know in our hearts those Christmas packages MUST be there by/before December 24th...
shhh...don't tell the children...)

For info, see threads at there URLs:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1023324/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003802/posts

[freeperfromnj]

"left-wing American journalists."

What a ridiculous story. What is wrong with these people?

[Jeff Chandler]

The left's only hope for power is to turn Iraq into a defeat. This is part of it.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Get with the program! St. Hillary isn't just the smartest woman in the world, but also the bravest!

[F16Fighter]

"If he takes care of Iraq, he will be welcomed here. If not - whether he's here or in the White House - he is of no use to us," said Fadel Hadi, 59, playing dominoes at a teahouse.

The French have obviously sent a consulting firm down to Iraq to "teach" gratitude and class.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Arnold would say.........

"I'll be back!"

[HarleyD]

"Alla Abdul Wahab, a 38-year-old windowpane seller, hadn't heard about Clinton's trip, but asked what Bush's visit would ultimately do for Iraqis."

I guess Clinton must not have met with any Iraqis either. Will CNN ask if she should have in a poll?

[JimVT]

He visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis

Goddamn right........the American troops who have been putting their lives on the line to save the Iraqis who are doing the bitching!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aculeus]

Correct headline: Desperate AP Reporter Finds Baathist Supporters Didn't like Bush's Visit.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Leftists are rooting and propagandizing for Baathists openly.

Why is no one with a loud voice making them pay for it?

[NativeNewYorker]

This reporter specializes in anti-US hit pieces. Google the byline and see the pattern.

[Wright is right!]

"Correct headline: Desperate AP Reporter Finds Baathist Supporters Didn't like Bush's Visit."

That's the way they work, and it's easy in Dadhbag, where all the Baathists are concentrated in one area, Mansoor. Everyone there GOT there by being a Saddam lackey of one sort or another. All you have to do to find a negative quote is to go to Mansoor and talk to the first guy you see on the street who spik-a-da-English. Or you can go to the markets and talk to enough people that you get your three or four desired quotes. The writers never tell us how many they interview before they get what they're looking for.

Michael

[Oldeconomybuyer]

..."He [Bush] visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis. He didn't come to see how we are doing,"...

I suspect President Bush will have a more extended visit to Iraq during his 2nd term.

[luvbach1]

Love that "what's in it for us" Iraqi attitude. LOL. Sounds so much like a Demorat constituent!

[luvbach1]

More savage than fierce.

[longtermmemmory]

Perhaps we should institute a Eurobarf.

[longtermmemmory]

It is what others were posting sarcastically, the left is not focussing on the success of the trip. The left is focussing on "Bush lied about thanksgiving" , "Bush did not meet with terrorists", or "Bush did not meet each and ever single Iraqi."

They have to talk down the victory. The left/socialists/democrats are trying to snach defeat from the jaws of victory.

[jackbill]

The way they put this is trying to say Hildebeast is braver then Bush. Sickening bias.

What it really points out is that she's a hell of a lot more expendable than the President.

[hotpotato]

The hypocrisy of all this is that the Iraqis NEVER saw Saddam and that is because he was afraid for his life (after several failed attempts to kill him). That's also why it was so remarkable Saddam was mingling with crowds during the war... a real sign of desperation at losing his country as his military deserted their posts. All the feined protests from Iraqis about Bush's visit are nothing more than that.

[Azzurri]

Ahmed Kheiri, 24, saw the visit as a campaign tactic.

"He came for the sake of the elections," Kheiri said. "He never thought of the Iraqi people. He doesn't care about us. It was a personal visit for his own sake."

Some of these Iraqis need to sit back, relax, and take a sip of STFU coffee.

[river rat]

"The way they put this is trying to say Hildebeast is braver then Bush."

Another way to look at it....perhaps the Iraqis thugs doing all the killing - look at Democrats as allies, and they're safe to wander all over the place...

Semper Fi

[Let's Roll]

"He visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis ..."

No sh*t, sherlock.

[river rat]

"Eight months after the U.S. invasion, Iraqis complain they still have few jobs, little security and no political representation.

LITTLE OF WHICH THEY HAD BEFORE WE ARRIVED.....but at least now they have the opportunity to seize them in the future ---- IF THEY DARE.

Semper Fi

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Why the hell would Saddam or al-Qaeda have the slightest desire to make any attempt upon the life of their fellow Bush and America-hater, and therefore (in practical terms) good buddy and fellow-traveller Hillary Clinton?

Hell, they're probably inviting her in for tea and a mutual strategy session.

[Tamzee]

It's wonderful having a President that deeply respects and cares about our troops :-)

[FreedomCalls]

Bush should release the innocent people in his prisons and arrest the real terrorists conducting attacks," Skeikh Abdul Hadi al-Daraji said ...

Even as OJ continues to look for the real killers of his ex-wife.

[brewcrew]

If he takes care of Iraq, he will be welcomed here. If not - whether he's here or in the White House - he is of no use to us," said Fadel Hadi, 59, playing dominoes at a teahouse.

You know, Fadel, if you and your ilk had "taken care of Iraq," none of this would be necessary, and you wouldn't need to be looking for a handout. Now, Fadel, if you want to help, put the dominoes down, get off your @$$, and go find a Saddam loyalist or two.

[FreedomCalls]

I suspect that at least some of these quotes are fabricated, possibly the people's names are fabricated as well. Do you really think an Iraqi knows that there is an American presidential election coming up next year or knows much about Thanksgiving as a holiday? Most Europeans aren't even aware of the American holiday of Thanksgiving.

[FixitGuy]

"You know, Fadel, if you and your ilk had "taken care of Iraq," none of this would be necessary, and you wouldn't need to be looking for a handout. Now, Fadel, if you want to help, put the dominoes down, get off your @$$, and go find a Saddam loyalist or two."

Now THAT'S putting things in perspective. AMEN!

[tbpiper]

When it comes to negative treatment of news from Iraq, a liberal 'jourlnalist' is his own force multiplyer. One slightly disgruntled soldier, Iraqi, adminstration member, et cetera, easily becomes a multitude.

[brewcrew]

Thank you. I have a real problem with whiners, and ol' Fadel is a prime example of one.

[LasVegasMac]

he didn't take advantage of his trip to see firsthand how his rule has treated them

Nice choice of words, liberal 'Rat.

"He visited Iraq for the sake of the Americans, not the Iraqis. He didn't come to see how we are doing,"

Ya think?? And I was starting to think that you Iraqis were a bit slow on the uptake.

"If he takes care of Iraq, he will be welcomed here. If not - whether he's here or in the White House - he is of no use to us," said Fadel Hadi, 59, playing dominoes at a teahouse.

Well thats one camel jockey that needs a good bitch-slap!I was wrong - you are slow on the uptake. Extremely so.

How about getting off your fat, teahouse going, domino playin' butt and help!

Wonder what Liberal school this clown went to.

LVM

[Mike Darancette]

Many complained that Bush met with few Iraqis during his secret, two-hour stay Thursday evening and never left the grounds of a heavily fortified U.S. base.

W invited Saddam but Saddam showed no interest in attending.

[WoofDog123]

"Ahhh, I see they have CNN up and running in Iraq."

In all fairness, there is certainly a political element to this visit, no politician ever is removed from that realm completely. This, like the aircraft-carrier landing/photo-op (which was totally unnecessary from any conceivable use OTHER than PR, unlike this visit), had a very real political use as well as troop-morale. This doesn't take away from the fact this president is very pro-military, but is more an acknowledgement of the fact that he IS a politician with an election coming up, and nothing he does in the public eye is ever removed from that realm.

The issue here is that if clinton had done the same thing (and he DIDN'T) the media wouldn't be spinning it this way, or giving much play to these parts of the story.

[ArmstedFragg]

The writers never tell us how many they interview before they get what they're looking for.

This guy did. The story indicates the opinions quoted were from interviews conducted among a group of locals who don't want us there. Let's see.... he went out and interviewed a bunch of US haters and discovered.... miracle of miracles... that many of them don't like us. Wow! Talk about break through discoveries!!! Page One stuff for sure!!

[ChiMark]

Would you be surprised if Fadel was'nt a plant by Clinton's team?

[gaspar]

What is wrong? First, check the pedigree of Niko Price and his miserable reporting on the narcotics wars in Latin America. Second, check the fact that as best anyone can figure Niko never leaves downtown Baghdad. Third, never forget that he is paid by AP, a service whose reporting from Iraq is even more anti-American than Reuters.

[OESY]

The Lion sleeps tonight.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The Iraqi people hate the press. They have more reason to than we do. Don't buy this.

[Mike Darancette]

The Iraqis produce Saddam maybe we will let the see Bush.

[Sawman from Phoenix]

"U.S. senator Hillary Rodham Clinton" Isn't she the same woman who looted the White House ? Now that Baghdad's museum has been restored, a perfect opportunity to gather a few more items for her personal collection ?

[F.J. Mitchell]

Another poorly written piece of fiction, passed off as fact by and for those who are unable to handle the truth.