Bush Administration Refuses To Condemn Saudi Court’s Punishment Of Gang Rape Victim
Bush Administration Refuses To Condemn Saudi Court’s Punishment Of Gang Rape Victim
In his second inaugural address, President Bush stridently declared that his administration would not compromise on its demand for basic human rights:
We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right. America will not pretend…that women welcome humiliation and servitude.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice referred to these goals as the “non-negotiable demands of human dignity.” But a recent Saudi court decision has shown the administration very willing to fold when this rhetoric is tested.
A week ago, a Saudi appeals court increased the punishment for the female victim of a gang rape. The woman, who had been appealing her original sentence of 90 lashes, was sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes after her appeal.
The Saudi judges more than doubled the punishment for the victim because of “her attempt to aggravate and influence the judiciary through the media.” The Saudi Justice Ministry confirmed that the stiffer sentence handed out on appeal stemmed from the fact that the victim had gone to the media with her story. “Media may have adverse effects on the other parties involved in the case,” a statement said.
Asked to offer the administration’s position on the court ruling, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Monday that the administration was “astonished,” but had “nothing else to offer“:
QUESTION: A very quick question also from this morning. Your comment, please, on — in reaction to the young Saudi woman having her sentence more than doubled the –
MR. MCCORMACK: Right, yeah. I saw the news reports and I guess the first thing to say is, while this is a judicial procedure, part of a judicial procedure overseas in the courts of a sovereign country, that said, I think that most would find this relatively astonishing that something like this happened. So while it’s very difficult to offer — you know, offer any detailed comment about the situation, I think most people would really be quite astonished by the situation.
QUESTION: Would you like the Saudi authorities to reconsider it or do you encourage them to do that?
MR. MCCORMACK: Look, you know, again, I can’t get involved in specific court cases in Saudi Arabia dealing with its own citizens, but most — I think most people here would be quite surprised to learn of the circumstances and then the punishment meted out.
QUESTION: Does that mean that the State Department is astonished by it, too?
MR. MCCORMACK: I’ll leave the answer where it –
QUESTION: Well, what does “most people” mean? I mean, most of who?
MR. MCCORMACK: I would just leave — I don’t have anything else to offer.
Yesterday, McCormack was asked if the administration’s silence was “driven by a desire not to offend Saudi Arabia as a close ally.” “No, it’s — no, that’s not it at all,” he claimed, but then acknowledged the administration has yet to convey its “astonishment” directly to the Saudis. “I am not aware of any direct contact with the Saudis on this issue,” he said.
Apparently, there is some negotiability in Bush’s demands for human freedom.
UPDATE: The Muslim American Society Freedom called the court ruling “a clear violation of the compassion and mercy taught by the religion of Islam.”
UPDATE II: Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) states, “I urge President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against this woman.” In a letter to Condoleezza Rice, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) wrote, “I strongly urge the Department of State to condemn this ruling.” Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) and John Edwards released statements expressing their outrage.
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Bandar Bush.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:31 pmIs it a bad memory or just old age? Hate to tell you guys but, and please sit down for this, George Bush is NOT running in ‘08!!!!!! Oops, sorry, I know that didn’t make your day!! I think you’re 3 years too late!
November 21st, 2007 at 4:32 pmTyrants have to watch each other’s backs.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:33 pmHeaven forbid Bush exhibit anything beyond astonishment. Bush’s good Saudi friends might just go along with Chavez and Ahmadinejad and start pricing oil in Euros. Bush looooves nice masters, oh yes he does. Who’s a good boy? Georgie is a good boy!
November 21st, 2007 at 4:33 pm“Negotiability” — That’s one way to put it. Bush is for human freedom just like he was for “Clear Skies” and “Healthy Forests.”
Is he speaking?
Don’t believe a word of it.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:34 pmI thought this one would be a homerun. There’s no way they could mess this one up. Sure, they wouldn’t come out with some strongly worded admonition, but they’d at least come out with a lightly worded one, like, we’re disappointed in the outcome, or something like that.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:35 pmBut this?
Wow.
#2…Bush is still the “leader” of the free world ain’t he?
November 21st, 2007 at 4:35 pm“most people really would be quite astonished”
How about fcuking pissed? I think that’s a more apt description of “most people”.
Most sane people anyway.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:36 pmHad to drop a big pile of dumb before Thanksgiving Mr. Kerry? He’s our only President now and this happened now. Given the statements both he and Ms. Rice have made about women servitude and dignity it’s very fitting to ask the question why are they so silent when such a blatant and contradictory attack on a VICTIM takes place in Saudi Arabia.
Hate to bring it up to you (or anyone else for that matter) but Bush is the Leader of this country. This country of Democracy and he’s been on the soap box since he got into office about spreading democracy. To sit on his hands while this disgraceful attack took place is both pitiful and an example of the inaction this missleader provides.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:36 pmMenehune, I think JK is arguing that foreign policy should be put on hold during a presidential campaign?
November 21st, 2007 at 4:37 pmI re-read the post and nowhere does it bring up any candidates or whose running in ‘08. Maybe Mr. Kerry has very short term memory loss. The type that clouds his mind 30 seconds after attempting to digest something.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:39 pmIs JK arguing that current foreign policy not be reinforced?
November 21st, 2007 at 4:39 pm#10 Evidently, JK thinks foreign policy should be put on hold indefinitely, based on most of his comments on this site. We, however, EXPECT our leaders to speak forcefully for human rights.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:42 pmBarbarians!!! Oh, and the Saudi’s are too.
They have some pretty sick rules over there, subhuman comes to mind, primitive and barbaric. Civilized? I don’t think so.
Bush/Cheney
Hague Trails ‘09
Buck Fush
November 21st, 2007 at 4:43 pmI think JK is just reminding us that the whole world sees Bush for the incompetent, evil fck that he is and we should turn our attention to making sure that the next President is someone we can be proud of, a Democrat.
And for that I thank you JK.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:43 pmWell, duh! It’s okay when your buddies do it!
November 21st, 2007 at 4:44 pmI just wish he’d explain his comment, since otherwise it seems really naive.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:45 pmI dont like Obamas Iran talk
soldiers ordered to pay back benefits-Clinton utters criticism
Clinton:saudi verdict an outrage
November 21st, 2007 at 4:46 pmIs it too early to have a few of our ICBMs retargeted at Paraguay? Bush may leave this country in a shambles, but he won’t be able to hide forever. We may need to convince our friends in Paraguay that they should sign an extradition treaty with the US.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:49 pmApparently, the mistake Saddam made was in not kissing the Bush family asses. Every other dictator who kisses their asses seems to be an okay guy in their book.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:49 pm#20…In the Saudis’ case it’s Mr. Bush who seems to have the brown nose…
November 21st, 2007 at 4:54 pmIs it a bad memory or just old age? Hate to tell you guys but, and please sit down for this, George Bush is NOT running in ‘08!!!!!! Oops, sorry, I know that didn’t make your day!! I think you’re 3 years too late!
Comment by John Kerry — November 21, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
Hate to tell you this, but GW is the CURRENT president of the US, and his incompetence and lack of moral and real leadership IS RELEVANT - you republican ‘tarded hack!
So you defend GW, just because he doesn’t want to embarrass his boyfriend? Yep, those are the IMPOSTOR VALUES we’ve come to identify with the GOP AND YOU RIDICULOUS REPUBLICAN TROLLS!
November 21st, 2007 at 4:59 pmIf this happened in Iran it would be on Faux Noise 24X7.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:02 pmGeorge Bush is NOT running in ‘08!!!!!! Oops, sorry, I know that didn’t make your day!! I think you’re 3 years too late!
Comment by John Kerry — November 21, 2007
Is he or is he not a card carrying member of the GOP?
I rest my case.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:04 pmAre there some circumstances that a victim of gang rape should be punished? If so, what are they? Are the details of this individual case so specific and unique that an opinion of the generalities of punishing victims cannot be expressed?
This is a no-brainer, which is why the administration has to beat around the bush.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:05 pmIt was very nice of the troll-centers to let their staff head home early today. Either that or “John Kerry” was even embarrassed at the bone-headedness of his comment.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:06 pmNo, no, no — you guys have Troll John Kerry all wrong. It’s not so much that he thinks foreign policy should be put on hold; he doesn’t even think that far.
All he means is that winning elections is everything, and the governing crap that comes in between campaigns is just a distraction. Like a good wingnut.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:06 pmNow I know why they were holding hands. Bush was sooo looking forward to his lashing. Does he wear leather for that?
November 21st, 2007 at 5:06 pmLeave it to a rightard chickenhawk troll to steal the name of a Dem war hero and then lie while using it.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:06 pmJust shows that wingnuts are lower than catshit.
The only reason Saudi Arabia exists, in it’s present form, is through the support of the U.S. That support only exists because they scare the crap out of O.P.E.C. They scare the crap out of O.P.E.C. because they are the most extreme “extremists” on the block and they control access to Mecca and other Holy Sites.
Saudi Arabia is a boil on the ass of American foreign policy.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:09 pmBush is so enamored in that picture, the shy little smile, the gentle squeeze of the hand, the chubby pushing against the tighty whiteys…..
“Just wait, Mr. Bandar buddy, after dinner I will get down and face Mecca again…”
Bush is a catcher, sure as shootin’.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:11 pmCut and run JK strikes again. In his world whipping and jailing a rape victim is a family value.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:14 pmEver wonder why Religious fanatics, Orthodox Arab Madmen, Right Wingers, and even Libertarians dislike Environmentalists and Feminists so much?
Hint:
Mother Earth
Witches
Pagans/Goddess
Womyn as equals
November 21st, 2007 at 5:18 pm2 obvious assertions:
1) the Neocon playbook is to give speeches with flowery phrases (compasionate conservative, spreading freedom, defending ourselves in the war on terrorism, protecting our children, no child left behind), get people to believe them and then do what they want as long as it enriches their budies.
2) The Saudis have long paid the Bush family as “advisors” and rumor is that they have bailed little Shrub out of many of his past failures..
November 21st, 2007 at 5:20 pmI take it that the troll JK is running away from Bush even faster than the GOP presidential candidates. Don’t look back, though, because Bush the Wrecker, like Godzilla, is right on your heels, bring death and ruin to everything around him.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:20 pmIs it a bad memory or just old age? Hate to tell you guys but, and please sit down for this, George Bush is NOT running in ‘08!!!!!! Oops, sorry, I know that didn’t make your day!! I think you’re 3 years too late!
Comment by John Kerry — November 21, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
What does that have to do with anything? Does Bush have to be running for office in order for him to formulate an opinion, especially for something that any person of any political persuasion can codemn as disgusting and wrong? By your post above, I assume you approve of the torture of a rape victim. Nice.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:22 pmPappy Bush has been in bed with the Saudis for decades! He’s a member of the Carlyle Group - need we say more??
November 21st, 2007 at 5:25 pmThe Kerry troll is reminding us that Bush isn’t running in 08? Well, hot damn! Maybe now he won’t allude to Clinton in every one of his inocuous, inane posts filled with drivel?? Okay, Jake D - you gig is up - AGAIN!
November 21st, 2007 at 5:26 pmI searched but couldn’t find one mention of any republican candidates speaking out on this. hmmmmm.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:27 pmJust say “carlyle group” three times and you’ll be as hypnotized as the Bush Crime family has been by the House of Saud.
Wasn’t it in Moore’s flick that he presented the Saudi embassy in NYC? Wasn’t it far more ostentatious than our own??
Go back to Papa Bush for the answers to this dilemma.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:28 pmAs in every situation in this country during this administration, just imagine the worst case scenario or the absolutely wrong thing to do, and, voila! like sheer magic, Chimpy does the wrong thing.
Is there one thing this guy can brag about doing right??
November 21st, 2007 at 5:29 pmAstonished is the best he can come up with? He’s filled with wonder and amazement? I’ll be astonished if I see snow on the ground in my part of Texas tomorrow morning. I’m am horrified and repulsed by the facts surrounding the punishment of this teen-age rape victim.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:31 pmOnce again the Busheroonies manage to shat all over human decency.
Astonishing!
November 21st, 2007 at 5:32 pmComment by Veritas — November 21, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
You’ve hit on the most remarkable aspect of this administration. First they choose the worst available information then make the worst possible action. One would think that the “blind pig rule” would come into effect and something would work or, at least, be defensible. Alas, this blind pig has yet to “find an acorn”.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:35 pmDon’t forget, this young woman’s male friend was also kidnapped and gang-raped by these men. His sentence was increased as well.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:37 pmRUC, I wish I could say the lack of response astonishes me, but sadly, nothing they do surprises me anymore.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:39 pmMR. MCCORMACK: I would just leave — I don’t have anything else to offer.
“I would just leave[…].” PROMISE??
“I don’t have anything else to offer ” No sh|t!! Just like every other useless RePugniScum on Earth!!!
November 21st, 2007 at 5:40 pmWhat Saudi needs to realise is they are next after Iran anyway
then it will be
November 21st, 2007 at 5:44 pm1st
2nd
3rd
largest Oil fields and the Muslim world finished for oil But lest not give away the neocon Plan
Bush may not be running in ‘08, but GOP presidential candidates are running on Bush’s record, whether they want to or not. It will sink them like a lead ball and chain.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:45 pmDon’t forget, this young woman’s male friend was also kidnapped and gang-raped by these men. His sentence was increased as well.
Comment by Zooey — November 21, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
Didn’t know this bit of info.
Isn’t religious based justice grand?
November 21st, 2007 at 5:46 pmBush may not be running in ‘08, but GOP presidential candidates are running on Bush’s record, whether they want to or not. It will sink them like a lead ball and chain.
Comment by VerbalKint — November 21, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Bush’s record damn well better be tied to their necks.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:48 pmBush is groveling to Saudi Arabia for Not changing to Euros at the OPEC meeting 3 days ago
When Bush looks at the Saudi Royal Family in the eyes all hes sees is Barrels of Oil and dollar sign , he dont see past that
November 21st, 2007 at 5:50 pmhes a rotten king that King Abdullah
Christianity tries to put the fear of God In men
Islam puts the fear of god into women
Both these religions are fake , most of us here would be burned at the stake 300 years ago and certainely put to death for stating the world is round
November 21st, 2007 at 5:57 pmWhy is it that when we see Bush’s image in a photo we are immediately repulsed??
November 21st, 2007 at 6:13 pmAyatollah Chimp.
-GSD
November 21st, 2007 at 6:15 pmYep, those gol’ darn Saudis! Perfect public relations partners for the corporate boards of Chevron, Exxon, etc. Kind of like very wealthy dancing monkeys. You can’t take your eyes off em’ Meanwhile the guy cranking the box is picking up the money.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:21 pmCaption Contest : “Holdin hands with you makes me feel like a King too!”
November 21st, 2007 at 6:25 pmWhy is it that when we see Bush’s image in a photo we are immediately repulsed??
Comment by Veritas — November 21, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
Just a guess, but he is holding hands with a terrorist…
November 21st, 2007 at 6:28 pmWhat’s happening at the NY Times? Not one single word about Scott McClellan’s Bombshell.
http://ostroyreport.blogspot.com/ 2007/ 11/ what-is-happening-to-ny-times-no-one.html
***Looks like the NY Times was under strict orders from Rove not to print anything until he gets their talking points in order.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:31 pmWhat else is there to expect from Bushie Boy. His entire family is joined at the hip with the barbarous Saudis over oil. What’s the odious mistreatment of a rape victim to them?
For that matter, what’s the Saudi financing of extremist madrassas to them? What’s a few Saudi hijackers killing thousands of people in the US to them? What’s the Saudi financing of Sunni militias in Iraq that target our troops and engage in ethnic cleansing of their Shia neighbors to them?
The Bushes, from grandfather to father to sons, love the Saudi princes because the princes keep the coffers of the Carlyle Group (read the Bush-dominated Carlyle Group) and other Bush oily interests well filled with oil money. The Bush family members are the ultimate carpetbaggers and influence-peddlers for Saudi oil money.
None of the Bushies will ever come out against the barbarism of Saudi society. It would cost the sleazebags too much if they dared. Honesty and morals clearly are not part of the Bush family DNA make-up.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:38 pmLashes, waterboarding, illegal inprisonment, …
This administration does not care! They drink OIL 3 times a day and take baths in money that comes from their rich Arab “friends.”
Those guys should be impeached and put in prison ASAP before we all get waterboarded!!!!
November 21st, 2007 at 6:41 pm“How do we beat the b*tch”? - the John McCain campaign
I guess 200 lashes with a bamboo rod, the way Bush family friends the Bandars do it.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:45 pmThe UPDATES above mention only Democrats protesting against the Court’s decision in Saudi Arabia.
Can we hear any REPUBLICANS protesting, too? Where are they? Hidding behind lunatic Bush’s & schrinking Dick’s skirts???
What kind of “representation” did the American people send to Washington?
November 21st, 2007 at 6:47 pm“What’s happening at the NY Times? Not one single word about Scott McClellan’s Bombshell.”
I don’t think you’ll find anything in the Washington Post either - and these are supposed to be the “liberal” papers of record. Maybe it’s way past time to reevaluate what we know about these publications and what we expect from them.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:47 pmThis is astounding - the Sibel Edmonds case and what she has to disclose about AIPAC, Bush administration, etc. Why is this NOT being covered in the MSM??
This is another nail in Bush Cabal’s coffin.
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5260#more-5260
November 21st, 2007 at 6:47 pmWhen you read the link you’ll see why Fatass Hastert boogey-ed out of Congress so fast! Unbelievable - involved in Turkish narcotics traficking?? Wow! This is huge!
November 21st, 2007 at 6:49 pmAnd, the Edmonds allegations help make some sense of the foot-dragging of our Democratic Congress as well.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:50 pmBoth these religions are fake , most of us here would be burned at the stake 300 years ago and certainely put to death for stating the world is round. Comment by Bush Cover Ups
Actually, no.
“It is he that sitteth upon the CIRCLE*
–Isaiah 40:22
*Circle=Hebrew “chuwg”,meaning “sphere”
Can you say PI?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:00 pmWhen you read the link you’ll see why Fatass Hastert boogey-ed out of Congress so fast! Unbelievable - involved in Turkish narcotics traficking?? Wow! This is huge!
Comment by Veritas — November 21, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
I’ve written and called some of my local Chicago TV stations alerting them to the Sibel Edmonds story and the alleged link to Dennis Hastert. None of them even replied to me. I told them they could be first with the story and “scoop” the competing stations. They have absolutely no interest in reporting the truth. They’re lazy, corrupt and stupid. And that’s their good points.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:02 pmIs it a bad memory or just old age? Hate to tell you guys but, and please sit down for this, George Bush is NOT running in ‘08!!!!!! Oops, sorry, I know that didn’t make your day!! I think you’re 3 years too late!
Comment by John Kerry — November 21, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
Is it a bed memory or just old age? Hate to tell you, idiot, but John Kerry isn’t running in ‘08. Is there some reason you use his name while posting your moronic comments?
In the original post, I see expressions of outrage from Democratic candidates, but I don’t see anything coming from Rudy and the boys. Does Mitt Romney have an opinion about punishing a rape victim? McCain? Yoo hoo!!
November 21st, 2007 at 7:03 pmDidn’t Rush Limbaugh coin the phrase “liberul media”?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:04 pmpete: “Didn’t Rush Limbaugh coin the phrase “liberul mediaâ€?”
Nah. Don’t give him so much credit. The “liberal media” cannard goes back decades. It actually used to have a kernel of truth to it, but only because the truth has a well-known liberal bias and news organizations used to be able to print the news without fear of angering a corporate board.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:09 pmNo wonder, the bush royal born again treats his women the same way the Saud treat theirs. Women are second class to bush or saud.
Open your leg but sit in the back of the bus.
America has been through the second class citizen syndrome too many times in its short history to have not learned a thing.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:17 pmComment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — November 21, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
That could, very well, be. I guess I didn’t pay attention to hysterical “pundits” before Rush. BTW, I thought he was just a bad comedian for several years. The thought that ANYONE took him seriously never crossed my mind.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:18 pmMy question to George Bush Sr. , when you go to the Saudi Royal Palace and lay on the silk sheets, contemplating the huge commission you will be making by representing the Carlye Group and other Military Industrial Complex , when you lay there , can you here the screams of people getting beaten , or shocked by the Stun guns the Saudis bought from the U.S. and Britain , people trained by Dyncorp , can you here screams of torture , could your maniacal son ?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:21 pmBut it really doesn’t matter that Saudi men and women are tortured , and murdered with barbaric laws , does it ? Because the bush CRIME Family are a bunch of blood sucking . deviant war mongering . war profiteers .
Wow, the Democrats seem to be on the same page on this. Is that because Hil has a position?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:26 pmGreat Photo !
There he is the most powerful dude in the free world walking Hand-N-Hand with his special buddy. Hey GOPer trolls, Do you know what Boy-George is thinking in this pic? Bush can’t wait to get behind closed doors and do the Larry Craig with his distinguished guest. Mmmmm, that special treatment for a Prince. Goodness, I only wonder if Laura makes him wash his mouth afterwards. Mehlmen must get soooooo jealous.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:29 pmAmerica’s new and improved motto befits a new and improved America, a nation with no principles, no morals and no sense justice: “We’ll suck any arse for oil.”
November 21st, 2007 at 7:39 pmThe real ruler of Amerika, the one with the headgear.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:42 pmNobody can be that arrogant, stupid, insane, whatever…but everyday is the same. That dumb f*** He is so stupid that he doesn’t realize how much most of the USA hates him (trolls and neocons excluded)
November 21st, 2007 at 7:44 pmComment by thecowboydictator — November 21, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
A minor point of contention. Every day is not the same. Every day is worse.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:59 pmdoes this law apply to visitors to saudi arabia or just the locals? - say if a foreign tourist or diplomat speaks to a guy she doesn’t know will she too be subject to being violated and whipped?
November 21st, 2007 at 8:40 pmDidn’t Rush Limbaugh coin the phrase “liberul media�
Comment by pete — November 21, 2007 @ 7:04 pm
No, but Rush did coin the phrase, “Wow… look at that new page in the skin-tight Speedos”, along w/ the phrase, “I saw him first”, and “Dibs!”
November 21st, 2007 at 8:43 pmComment by The Republic of Stupidity — November 21, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
What about, “Dude. I’m soooo wasted”.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:30 pmBush finds nothing wrong with the extreme laws and customs in Saudi Arabia. We’re talking about a person who has a sadistic streak evidenced since he was a child, when he used to blow up frogs. (Recall how he was begged by many to stay the execution of Karla Tucker, but instead he mocked her and seemed to find glee in her execution.)
November 21st, 2007 at 10:59 pmBush wouldn’t criticize the Saudis after 9/11 when it was learned that the 19 highjackers were from Saudi Arabia — instead he offered the Saudis safe passage out of our country.
Bush is one twisted, sadistic, small-minded man who can wield a lot of power. If the man is not eventually incarcerated, he should be institutionalized. Personally, I’d prefer to see him tried and imprisoned.
Bush is one twisted, sadistic, small-minded man who can wield a lot of power. If the man is not eventually incarcerated, he should be institutionalized. Personally, I’d prefer to see him tried and imprisoned.
Comment by Marie — November 21, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
I’m hoping that when he gets to hell, his MASTER Satan will
BASH HIS FACE IN EVERY SECOND FOR ETERNITY.
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
WHAM! SPLAT!
for ETERNITY!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
November 21st, 2007 at 11:11 pmBush wouldn’t dare offending his royal buds.
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:32 amWhen did Clinton ever criticize the human rights record of Saudi Arabia? Anyone?
Comment by DreamCrusher — November 22, 2007 @ 4:49 am
———————
You’re right. Holding hands witht the Saudi Sheik tells it all, except that it is wrong and that you won’t say that it is!
Now, back to Israel and its Apartheid policies…….
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:18 amFrom a .10-second Google search:
1999, Sept. 11 President Clinton condemns Indonesian backing of militia violence, warning it of “dire consequences” if it did not “reverse its course” and allow an international peace-keeping force. The US is to review “all aspects” of its economic assistance to Indonesia, says Clinton. He also announces suspension of all arms sales to Indonesia, including current orders worth $US100m.
A Cuban MiG-29 fighter downs two civilian planes belonging to a Cuban-American exile group, “Brothers to the Rescue,” that Cuba claims was violating its airspace. President Clinton condemns the action, suspends charter travel from the US, and pledges to reach an agreement with Congress on the Helms-Burton Act. (New York Times, 27 February 1996, A1; Washington Post, 27 February 1996, A8)
President Clinton condemns the brutalities the Russian troops were perpetrating against unarmed civilians in Chechnya…
President Clinton criticized China’s policy toward Tibet and he expressed America’s disapproval for what he called the tragic loss of life for the incident in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and two days later, a second event broadcast live over Chinese television, he engaged in a give-and-take questions and answers with Chinese students in which he defended American policies and principles and said they’d be good for China, too.
During a
brief visit in March, President Clinton criticized Pakistan’s support of the armed insurgency in Kashmir. Mr. Clinton also has asked Pakistan to use its influence with Afghanistan’s hard-line Taleban movement to help bring suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden to justice.
President Clinton criticized Burma’s rulers for repression.
On Monday, in his first comments about China’s crackdown on the sect, President Clinton criticized the imprisonment and detention of Falun Gong members as a “troubling example” of the government acting against those “who test the limits of freedom.”
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:18 amIs there one thing this guy can brag about doing right??
Comment by Veritas — November 21, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
—————-
Yep! Four trillion dollars (the war and the surplus he inherited) in the pocket of “his base”.
http://www.tompaine.com/ articles/ i_call_you_my_base.php
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:51 amI think that most would find this relatively astonishing that something like this happened. So while it’s very difficult to offer — you know, offer any detailed comment about the situation, I think most people would really be quite astonished by the situation.
that’s as weak and passive a criticism as I’ve ever heard… clearly human rights are not that important to Bush…
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:53 amLet’s see you live side by side with people who want to kill you, your family, and your entire ethnic group for religious reasons. Mk? Let’s see you do it, tough guy/girl.
Comment by DreamCrusher — November 22, 2007 @ 8:31 am
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You mean those stone throwing Palestinians who were displaced from their homeland?
I can live “side by side” with them anytime!
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:59 amI wonder is George has had a chance to read this morning’s New York times. It seems his “boyfriends” country is responsible for 60% of the foreign fighters in Iraq.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:20 am“Saudis accounted for the largest number of fighters listed on the records by far — 305, or 41 percent . The data show that despite increased efforts by Saudi Arabia to clamp down on would-be terrorists since Sept. 11, 2001, when 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi, some Saudi fighters are still getting through.”
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2007/ 11/ 22/ world/ middleeast/ 22fighters.html?
Hey, Bush’s lips were moving. That can only mean one thing. He was lying about human rights being any part of American foreign policy. Enough said.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:23 amwhen 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi, some Saudi fighters are still getting through.â€
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Who cares about the reason for an illegal foreign invasion?
Now, getting back to Israel’s Apartheid policies……
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:33 amWhy can’t Palestine be self-sufficient? Could it be that they don’t know how to create an economy for themselves? Could it be that blaming someone else for their plight is more convenient than putting forth the effort to overcome obstacles standing in their way?
Sounds like some of the people right here at TP.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:54 amBush and Jeffy send hugs and kisses to the Royal Saudi Family.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 amGit off the oil. Sounds good. I think we should.
In imagining that scenario, I envision the US getting off oil, but we would be first, so the rest of the world would still use it. These oil-rich countries would still be powerful. Any suggestions on how to deal with them at that point?
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:59 amCould it be that blaming someone else for their plight is more convenient than putting forth the effort to overcome obstacles standing in their way?
Sounds like some of the people right here at TP.
Comment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism — November 22, 2007 @ 10:54 am
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If you’re referring to the Palestinian people, don’t forget to include in your equation that the’ve been under seige for over 40 years. I dare you to do something out of you life after 40 years of of opposition from the powers that be.
Only Cubans can claim that title , so far.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:23 amSo your saying that they have been attacked by Israel and have done nothing to Israel. Basically unprovoked.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:28 amSo your saying that they have been attacked by Israel and have done nothing to Israel. Basically unprovoked.
Comment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism — November 22, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Sure, set up strawmen, it’s the only way you can win this discussion.
Hard for the Palestinians to be self-sufficient when Israel keeps blocking their roads, dividing their towns, and destroying their olive plantations and their houses.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:30 amYou guys love the strawman arguement to avoid answering the question.
Has Israel attacked the Palenstinians without provocation?
Pretty simple.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:36 amHas Israel attacked the Palenstinians without provocation?
Pretty simple.
Comment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism — November 22, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Pretty simple? In your world, maybe, but this is the real world, and “simple” has nothing to do with the Israel / Palestinian situation.
Who is Israel? The government? The Mossad? The Israeli army? The Knesset? The jewish Rabbis? The israeli citizens?
Who is Palestine? Hamas? Fatah? The PLO? The Palestinian people?
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:50 amWow! Our pet trolls will even use a story like this to spread their insane lies. I guess it serves to demonstrate just how disgusting, and devoid of character, they really are.
Hey trolls! I hope your mothers spit on you. I hope your neighbors shun you. I hope your children disown you. I hope you die unremembered. It’s all you deserve.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:00 pmLuis, notice how you did not answer the question. The question again is indeed simple.
Has Israel attacked the Palestinians without provocation?
The simplicity is “yes they have” or “no they have not”.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:02 pmComment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism — November 22, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
You obviously have no shame, or other redeeming qualities, but…
The Palestinians were forced from their lands by the Europeans who established Israel. They have been displaced by foreign invaders and, quite naturally, they want their territory back. Unfortunately the Europeans in question have never found a way to assimilate with the culture of the native Palestinians. Instead they have continually oppressed those to whom the territory belonged.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:14 pmWow Pete. I guess we could characterize you as a tolerant and peace loving person. Your post reveals a tremendous amount of character.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pmSo Pete it’s 2007. There has been a lot of displacement of peoples over the past 2000 years. Israel seems to feel they were forced out. But once again you guys here at TP refuse to answer the question. Here it is again.
Has Israel attacked the Palestinians without provocation?
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:19 pmComment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism — November 22, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
I think I answered your question. If you wish to be educated try a history book.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:36 pmNow, it’s time to start my 8 hours of constant consumption.
Has Israel attacked the Palestinians without provocation?
The simplicity is “yes they have†or “no they have notâ€.
Comment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism — November 22, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
In the eyes of the Palestinian common citizens, yes they have.
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:09 pmTyrants have to watch each other’s backs.
Comment by Proud American Liberal
As do Dictators (the two Busharruf’s)
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:47 pmComment by John Kerry
This particular troll comes here, flings his sh|t at the wall and then leaves. He never sticks around to defend the sh|t he throws on the wall. So, why do you folks respond to him. Just flag him for abuse and move on.
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 pmI told them they could be first with the story and “scoop†the competing stations. They have absolutely no interest in reporting the truth. They’re lazy, corrupt and stupid. And that’s their good points.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
No, they are not lazy, corrupt and stupid. They are owned by conservative corporations who have a vested interest in keeping us ignorant. The first thing the new Democratic President needs to do is to do away with all the damage the FTC has done to this country by allowing the media consolidation to the point where there is only one voice in this country and it IS NOT a liberal voice.
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:59 pmNo surpise. These two royal families have been tight for decades, but you won’t hear about this in the so-called “liberal” media. A woman will be violently punished for being raped? Insanity. Bush and Co. are just being true to form.
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:19 pmSo now the Bush Administration can’t get involved in court cases or the justice system of foreign nations? That wasn’t their position when they were urging the invasion of Iraq. Here in this Global Message from the White House website dated 9/26/02, they list one of their justifications for invading Iraq as the way Saddam’s legal system handled dissenters, including the rape of women and the torture of dissenters to intimidate their own people. Isn’t that what this increased prison sentence including torture on its face is meant to accomplish, to intimidate any dissenter in Saudi Arabia from not appealing to the media lest they get their sentence increased?
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:29 pmhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/ news/ releases/ 2002/ 09/ 20020926-19.html
Has Israel attacked the Palestinians without provocation?
Comment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism
In 1947 a bunch of European Jews, aided by colonial powers, decided to annex a chunk of land on which they were a minority, and on which the Arab majority lived for millenia. These Arabs, and their descendants, are what we call “Palestinians” today. So absolutely, Israel, by the very act of its creation on the land the Arabs inhabited while giving them no say in the matter of, or no reasonable compensation for being annexed, attacked the Palestinians.
The rest is simply a sad and violent history of Arab resistance against ever expanding Israeli belligerence, highlighted by the Israeli “preemptive” wars, such as their 1967 attack on Egypt.
Note that from all the 12 of the Israeli prime-ministers for the last 50+ years (save interim PM Yigal Allon in 1969 and the most recent 3) none were born in Israel, or even in the old British Mandate! And none at all have parents born in the area of what is now Israel! NONE! Now, contrast this with the lineages of the vast majority of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank….
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:18 pmComment by ThinkProgressPromotesSocialism
You are wasting your time. How long did it take veritas (bad choice of a screen name) to spin this to Israel. You can’t teach a pig to sing or expect left-wingers to admit facts about Israel. Palestinians are completely innocent of ANY wrong doing and have never killed an Israeli civilian. There will be no peace as long as people allow them to get away with murder.
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:09 pmPalestinians are completely innocent of ANY wrong doing and have never killed an Israeli civilian.
Of course they did. Both sides are guilty of many outrages. The question asked was however a very specific one and easily answered, which I did.
There will be no peace as long as people allow them to get away with murder.
That applies to both sides.
But it is insufficient only to focus on violence without addressing the underlying causes. The facts are simple and brutal: the Israelis, with Western complicity, have violently taken what is now Israel from its indigenous population. And that population is unlikely to relent in its attempts to retake it until an acceptable measure of compensation is put in place, which is now far, far more difficult due to all the death and destruction and the influence of the Islamic radicals, which is the direct result of secular forces such as Fatah being weakened and discredited. Israelis hoped that by destroying Arafat they would make the Palestinians give up and submit to their life in their prison camp, but instead it only made them more susceptible to even more radical, violent and less compromising influences.
Your argument is precisely the same made once by the Afrikaners about the “violent, uppity” blacks who were “getting away with murder” and that no peace would be possible “until they stop”, and subject to the white rule as pre-ordained by the white overlords. And it ended pretty much the same way the Israeli Appartheid is bound to end, only probably less violently.
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:14 pmYour argument is precisely the same made once by the Afrikaners about the “violent, uppity†blacks who were “getting away with murder†and that no peace would be possible “until they stopâ€, and subject to the white rule as pre-ordained by the white overlords. And it ended pretty much the same way the Israeli Appartheid is bound to end, only probably less violently.
Yawn. Same crap–different Jewphobe. Israel is NOT an apartheid regime. Sorry. Try facts.
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:23 pmI thought George Bush was “born again”. What exactly does that mean? I thought it meant he would uphold human rights, defend justice, everywhere on the globe, as a spiritual obligation to humanity. Apparently not. So, what is all this nonsense he spouts about defending the embryos and disallowing life-saving stem cell research? What about defending a REAL 19-year old Saudi woman, a rape victim who will probably die from this torturous beating? Mr. Bush, you will have the blood of this young woman on your hands, for your FAILURE as the president of the Free World, and your FAILURE as a person of moral decency to speak out against the crimes of the Saudi government. The remedy lies within your power, which you are failing to use. I hope you will hear the screams of the victim in your silence.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:55 amOur White House is occupied by GOOD OL’ BOYS. The definition of which is: A LIAR, A CHEAT AND A THIEF. Show me one reason why I’m wrong and I’ll show you ten reasons why I’m right
December 17th, 2007 at 11:09 am