Al-Zaidi charged for throwing shoes in presence of Maliki, not for aiming at Bush.
Al-Zaidi charged for throwing shoes in presence of Maliki, not for aiming at Bush.
CNN Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware reports that Muntader al-Zaidi — the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush yesterday during a press conference — “is being investigated for possible charges not connected to assaulting President Bush, but for doing it in front of the Iraqi Prime Minister and hurling the shoes in the Prime Minister’s general direction rather than at President Bush’s head.” After CNN host T.J. Holmes clarified that “just because the Iraqi Prime Minister was in the vicinity that might really be what gets him in trouble,” Ware responded, “Yeah brother, this is Iraq.” Watch it:
This morning Ware reported the Maliki’s office explained the charges by arguing that “it’s not easy to say who exactly he threw the shoes at.”
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he should be charged and fined for missing bush and signed up for complimentary pitching lessons.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm“it’s not easy to say who exactly he threw the shoes at.”
_________
Really? What’s so difficult about “ar-ra’iis boosh?” The phonemes all exist in Modern Standard and Iraqi Colloquial Arabic, so I’m not sure what part they’re having problems saying.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:33 pm“it’s not easy to say who exactly he threw the shoes at.”
OK, case dismissed.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:34 pmAnd symbolic point scored.
The world wins.
Man, if he would have shot Bush, he would have been charged with the attempted assassination of Maliki.
So that’s where Gonzales has been. Running Iraq’s legal system!
December 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pmhurling the shoes in the Prime Minister’s general direction
– - al-Zaidi farted in Bush’s general direction.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:38 pmAnd the people would have erected a statue of Al-Zaidi in the new “Bush Square”.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm“it’s not easy to say who exactly he threw the shoes at.”
I saw the video. That guy’s got some good aim. It’s pretty easy to say.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pmI mean really – it can’t be any harder than “shokran jazillan,” (thank you very much) which Bush completely botched right before he had the shoes tossed at him. I’m sure the other non-shoe-throwing journalists equally enjoyed being told “thank you island” by Bush.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pmI read somewhere else that if the charge was attacking/insulting President Bush, under Iraqi law Bush could drop the charges and free al-Zaidi.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:44 pmWhat a wonderful role model for all the little libs out there. I would have loved to see what would happen to that guy if he would have thrown that shoe at Saddam.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:51 pmSeems pretty clear who his rage was directed at.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:53 pmHe will be found innocent because it clearly went directly to Bush and no way in Malikis’ area. Now this is a fake show as this man is a hero and said what the majority of Iraq people feel in their hearts and Maliki knows it. He will gave a show of sort and then the man will go free. Bush reserved dirt as a going way presnt and shoud be glad dun wan’t tossed at him. I can’t wait to see how the Iraq people welcome President Obama on his first visit to Iraq as the US President.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pmICEMAN Says:
What a wonderful role model for all the little libs out there. I would have loved to see what would happen to that guy if he would have thrown that shoe at Saddam.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
________
Oh, good point, dude. You’re so right. It was SO worth murdering 4,100 American troops so that some Iraqi reporter could throw a shoe.
Finally, their deaths are worth something!
December 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pmStep up here, Icie-boy, and we’ll heave some shoes at you!
December 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pmICEMAN Says:
What a wonderful role model for all the little libs out there. I would have loved to see what would happen to that guy if he would have thrown that shoe at Saddam.
You know what? We would have never heard about it, cuz IT’S THEIR COUNTRY, THEIR BUSINESS, AND WE WOULD BE MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS. Which really, REALLY needs minding right now. Watch out, Ice-dude, the big melt is coming.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pmAnd Icey shows up to use the most potent defense of Bush available to the wingnuts these days — “He’s better than Saddam!”
Good one.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:58 pmHe needs to be exonerated. The Yankees are very interesting in him being the third starter in their rotaton.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pmMuntader al-Zaidi’s name should be recorded in history with all other great American patriots that dared to challenge imperialist rulers named George.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm“He’s better than Saddam!”
Yeah, but is he smarter?
I mean, even now. With Saddam having a dead brain.
Gotta be a toss up, at best.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pmICEMAN Says:
What a wonderful role model for all the little libs out there. I would have loved to see what would happen to that guy if he would have thrown that shoe at Saddam.
____________
Seeing as Saddam is dead, you’d have to ask those who knew him well, even called him a “good friend”… ya know, folks like Cheney and Rumsfeld.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:06 pmI wonder if this is Maliki’s way of also getting his “FU” to Bush in as well… hilarious!
December 15th, 2008 at 4:07 pmICEMAN Says:
I would have loved to see what would happen to that guy if he would have thrown that shoe at Saddam.
I never liked the snuff stuff.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pmICEMAN Says:
What a wonderful role model for all the little libs out there.
It’s good to know that even when you keep changing your name, your being as dumb as a bag of hair is still a constant we can depend upon, troll.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pmLong and short of it: 1) In future news(?) conferences of Our Dear Leader, Media will be required to leave shoes in the hall and 2) where would an Iraqi court find a jury (do they allow juries) of al-Zaidi’s peers to find him guilty.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:41 pmJohn Kerry Says:
Speaking of “dumb as a bag of hair”……
December 15th, 2008 at 4:43 pmThe cowardly troll masquerading as a war hero once again poops and scoots. Why respond to such an infantile individual?
December 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pmJohn Kerry Says:
Can you imagine what would have happened if this were done if he were still in power.
_____________
Please allow me to reply, JK.
Seeing as Saddam is dead, we don’t know. perhaps we could glean some insight from those who knew him personally, even called him a “good friend”… folks like Rumsfeld and Cheney, huh?
“In 1983, Mr. Rumsfeld was exultant after his summit with Saddam Hussein.”
http://www.observer.com/node/48894
“When Dick Cheney was CEO of the oilfield supply firm Halliburton, the company did $23.8 million in business with Saddam Hussein, the evildoer “prepared to share his weapons of mass destruction with terrorists.”
So if Saddam is “the world’s worst leader,” how come Cheney sold him the equipment to get his dilapidated oil fields up and running so he to could afford to build weapons of mass destruction?”
http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0904-04.htm
I hafta wonder, when Saddam died, did he think of Cheney & Rumsfeld at all, and were his last words, “G-damn Back-stabbing GOOPers…”???
December 15th, 2008 at 4:46 pmWhat a wonderful role model Bush is for all the little cons out there. I never had the position or power to invade another country to show how much more macho than my father I was.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:48 pmYou know what is really weird about this? The expression on Bush’s face after he dodges the first shoe. I can’t really describe it, it almost looks like he is laughing, as though he is happy to be invited to a game of Dodge Ball. What a strange reaction.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pmThis is a smart move on Maliki’s part. If Boy George was the target (and of course he was) only the petty little punk could drop charges. If Maliki was the target, or uncertain target, Maliki can let the guy go free. Another way to say Fck Bush in Iraqi.
I have to say, a shoe to the side of the head is a lot batter way to say Fck Bush than a pie in his face. I would like to see Bush showered with shoes the rest of his miserable life.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pm“Take that you dog”
December 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pm“I think he means you George”
“No wait, I think he means me.”
Bush was probably happy to have dodged the shoe.
He will go down in history as the first American President to have shoes thrown at him.
Can you Imagine how he would feel to be the first American President to wear a Shiner to the inaguration ceremony.
There is something Profoundly Sad about this whole Episode.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pmnanlichi Says:
This is a smart move on Maliki’s part. If Boy George was the target (and of course he was) only the petty little punk could drop charges. If Maliki was the target, or uncertain target, Maliki can let the guy go free. Another way to say Fck Bush in Iraqi.
Maaybe….but this has got to be embarassing for Maliki, too. It is quite possible he is pissed off at having a guest treated like this. Remember too, Maliki is PM only because of Bush.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:01 pmAnd despite Shrub-boy saying that the reporter was only one Iraqi, TP also reports demonstrations in support of the reporter.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:06 pmBadger Says:
Bush was probably happy to have dodged the shoe.
He will go down in history as the first American President to have shoes thrown at him.
Ha! Y’know, I just thought of the last time Obama was in Bagdhad and he sank that 3 pointer. Apparently, that city has some xtreme Presidential sports karma attached to it.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:09 pmRemember too, Maliki is PM only because of Bush.
True. There must have been a split second for both of them that scared the piss out of them. Is that a shoe coming at my/his head? Or does it just look like a shoe?
December 15th, 2008 at 5:19 pmnanlichi Says:
True. There must have been a split second for both of them that scared the piss out of them. Is that a shoe coming at my/his head? Or does it just look like a shoe?
Yeah, that baby had some mustard on it! Had it connected it would have done some damage.
I wonder what this guy thinks of AQI. If he loathes America, does he like the people who blow up our soldiers? I have a very hard time thinking of this guy as any kind of hero. He is brave, no doubt about it, and I hope he doesn’t get in too much trouble, but no punishment at all…that doesn’t seem right.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:26 pmI have a feeling this guy will have a real future in Iraqi politics if he wants one….
December 15th, 2008 at 5:37 pmKeltoi, I just wanted say — and maybe it’s because of the infestation of freshly-minted trolls on yesterday’s she-throwing thread, or maybe I’m just in a holiday mood — I appreciate your contributions to this forum. Glad to see you here.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:40 pm(Sorry — that shold have been “yesterday’s shoe-throwing thread”.)
December 15th, 2008 at 5:41 pmMy guess is that the vast majority of Iraqis have no use for AQI. They didn’t like them before, and now they have more reason to dislike them. Once we leave, the AQI will get kicked out right behind us.
I agree that you can’t allow people to assault without some punishment, but this act was more of an insult than an assault. Maybe a fine for being impolite?
But I am glad he did it. Bush lives in such a bubble that he doesn’t realize how much he is despised by his fellow Americans, much less Iraqis and the rest of the world. This gesture may break through that barrier.
Honestly, if Bush would come out and admit his mistakes. Say that it was a bad call, that he acted rashly and asked for forgiveness, his ratings would go back up to the 40’s. Maybe 50’s. But he is not contrite, he did nothing wrong in his simple little head. He acts vengeful that we would dare to question him. Wrong man at the wrong time. Bush was a horrible mistake.
Don’t accuse me of pulling a John Kerry by posting and splitting, but it’s that time and there is no nanlichi at Night.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pmBack at you, Ralph. For a camelid/ungulate, you are truly ein mensch. Happy Saturnalia.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pmKeltoi,
From HuffPost:
The AP also reports that al-Zeidi was kidnapped by gunmen while on assignment as a journalist in a Sunni district of Baghdad. he was also arrested by American soldiers. Al-Zeidi is a 28-year-old unmarried Shiite.
He was freed unharmed three days later after Iraqi television stations broadcast appeals for his release. At the time, al-Zeidi told reporters he did not know who kidnapped him or why, but his family blamed al-Qaida and said no ransom was paid.
In January he was taken again, this time arrested by American soldiers who searched his apartment building, his brother, Dhirgham, said. He was released the next day with an apology, the brother said.
Those experiences helped mould a deep resentment of both the U.S. military’s presence here and Iran’s pervasive influence over Iraq’s cleric-dominated Shiite community, according to his family.
“He hates the American material occupation as much as he hates the Iranian moral occupation,” Dhirgham said. “As for Iran, he considers the regime as the other side of the American coin.”
and here’s an interesting photo from the Sydney Morning Herald:
I think that’s another Iraqi journalist pulling at him from behind.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:45 pmYeah, we respect people who stand up to tyrants.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:47 pmnanlichi Says:
——————————————————————————–
My guess is that the vast majority of Iraqis have no use for AQI. They didn’t like them before, and now they have more reason to dislike them. Once we leave, the AQI will get kicked out right behind us.
I have always been mystified at the lack of Iraqi ire toward AQI, though I guess the Sunni Awakening is a pure expression of such ire. But it seems like it is always the US that gets blamed for the bombings instead of the people doing the bombings.
I agree that you can’t allow people to assault without some punishment, but this act was more of an insult than an assault. Maybe a fine for being impolite?
Well, clearly his journalistic credentials need to be yanked. The press gets special access to leaders, you just can’t have people abusing that privledge this way. I’d give him 6 months. I mean hell, I work in a juvenille detention center, I have kids doing that much time for far, far less.
But I am glad he did it. Bush lives in such a bubble that he doesn’t realize how much he is despised by his fellow Americans, much less Iraqis and the rest of the world. This gesture may break through that barrier.
Fiddle. The state of W’s soul is of no concern to me.
Honestly, if Bush would come out and admit his mistakes. Say that it was a bad call, that he acted rashly and asked for forgiveness, his ratings would go back up to the 40’s. Maybe 50’s. But he is not contrite, he did nothing wrong in his simple little head. He acts vengeful that we would dare to question him. Wrong man at the wrong time. Bush was a horrible mistake.
Truth to tell, W will remain a cypher to me. What goes on in his mind…I cannot tell. I am a functional alcoholic, I admire that he was able to quit, but his religious zealotry is a poor substitute. But what he really thinks or believes…he is not as stupid as people make him out to be.
Don’t accuse me of pulling a John Kerry by posting and splitting, but it’s that time and there is no nanlichi at Night.
Ciao, nanlichi.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:50 pmBased on your article, Mary, it sounds like he is something of a Sadrist. That would explain much, Sadr is definitely no friend of the US.
He is being lionized on Syrian state TV and praised by Hezbollah as well. A very strange event.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:59 pmMaliki is already in serious trouble politically. Considering the demonstrations among Iraqis supporting Muntader al-Zaidi and his actions, I’d say Maliki better figure out that punishing al-Zaidi on behalf of Bush, leaving office in about 36 days, is a mistake.
December 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pmKeltoi at Night Says:
I have always been mystified at the lack of Iraqi ire toward AQI, though I guess the Sunni Awakening is a pure expression of such ire. But it seems like it is always the US that gets blamed for the bombings instead of the people doing the bombings.
Probably because AQI wasn’t in Iraq until we invaded their country.
December 15th, 2008 at 6:25 pmWhat does your big black book have to say about shoe tossing, Tracy 5?
December 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pmCheck it out John Kerry!
December 15th, 2008 at 6:57 pmI have some really great organic cherries that I have been having as snacks. I also have some really great Thai leftovers. I’ll admit that it will be a reheat if you will admit that you are afraid of me…
ICEMAN Says:
what a whiny little punk you are. Do you ever post anything worth the five seconds of wasted life it takes to read?
December 15th, 2008 at 7:16 pmFund raising idea…..cutout of W $1 to throw a shoe at his mug.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:18 pmJK why do you even exist you snivelling, ignorant loaf? Why do you waste the oxygen a higher life form could be using? What kick do you get out of showing just how stupid you are day after day and why does TP put up with this troll who does nothing but come here to attack us and never ONCE has offered a cogent argument or furthered discussion in any way? Do the world a favor JK and take a nice leasurely swing toward Hawaii. Feel free not to get back to us.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:19 pmShoe shaped cards to send to W with slogan, “Take that you Dog”.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:21 pmThe thrown shoe expresses more TRUTH than anything W could say at this point.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:22 pmTracy__5 Says:
You are a moron Tracy why would anyone waste time meeting you? I mean they could do something productive like watching paint dry.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:23 pm“Hey, I am not the one who is way overpaid for driving a train.”
You forgot the high on cocaine part. So are you overpaid to do what you do or do you think you deserve what you make?
December 15th, 2008 at 7:29 pmWhat kind of loser wants to “meet up with” some bonehead from a blogsite?
oohhh, that’s right; twacy, the rollerderby queen.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:32 pmYou can tell by the way he dodged those shoes he’s had stuff thrown at him before.
I think this was the defining moment of his legacy.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:35 pmyes dumstruck, dummya has had a lot of experience “dodging” things…most notably the draft.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:37 pmdbadass, do you really think you can tempt Troll JK with organic cherries and left-over Thai food?
I can see your predicament, though. I mean, you can’t keep stocking the ingredients to whip up mouth-watering treats for him if he just splits every time he posts, and you’re stuck with a pot of lentil soup with andouille sausage, or worcestershire-flavored salisbury steaks with garlic mashed potatoes and swiss chard.
And we all know how lame tacos are when they;re reheated.
So I sympathize. But at least T-5 has shown up to amuse us.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:58 pmTracy__5 Says:
No you are the one so stupid you think I DRIVE the train. Conductors dont drive the train, we are the boss. The Engineer drives he is Sulu I am Captain Kirk. Who says I am overpaid? Is that your call? Just because they dont pay YOU the big bucks to ask if they want fries with that doesnt mean I am not worth my pay. My company makes a lot of money and they make THEIR money when I do MY job. A train has an awful lot of valuable cargo and it takes skilled professionals to do my job. Look the term up since I am certain you would have no experience with it.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:07 pmI am on call 24 hrs a day. Though I only work about twice a week I am gone both times for 30 to 36 hrs. You have to pass very serious tests to keep my job because we have to strictly comply with complicated rules. That is why there are so few trainwrecks considering how many trains run in the US. I might have to go to work at 2AM or 2 PM and work as much as 12 hrs though I probably average just under 8. A LOT of people get fired from my job every year because of the complexity of the rules and how easy it is to overlook something simple in the paperwork. It isnt physically demanding but it IS a skilled profession.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:11 pm> I would have loved to see
> what would happen to that guy if
> he would have thrown that shoe at Saddam.
You think he would have fared any better if he had thrown his shoe at one of the rulers of Saudi Arabia, our ally? Should be invade Saudi Arabi too so the people of the middle east have the freedome to throw shoes anywhere? You know our ally Saudi Arabia still recongnizing “gouging your eyes out” as a legitimate form of punishment…
December 15th, 2008 at 9:40 pmChocolate Jesus Says:
——————————————————————————–
> I would have loved to see
> what would happen to that guy if
> he would have thrown that shoe at Saddam.
You think he would have fared any better if he had thrown his shoe at one of the rulers of Saudi Arabia, our ally? Should be invade Saudi Arabi too so the people of the middle east have the freedome to throw shoes anywhere? You know our ally Saudi Arabia still recongnizing “gouging your eyes out” as a legitimate form of punishment…
Your point about SA is valid. They have been a ally, though, and more importantly, as the keepers of the Holy sites of Islam, they are inviolate. They may not have nukes, but any attempt to take them on militarily would result in a billion pissed off Muslims. The Saudis are well aware of this.
The fact remains, this guy had the “Freedom of Expression” to throw shoes at Bush becacuse of Bush. There is no getting around that.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:58 pmEugeneDebs,
December 15th, 2008 at 10:08 pmThere are semiconductors, conductors and super conductors. I would guess that you are the latter. ;=)
MUNTAZER AL-ZAIDI IS A HERO!!!!! HE SHOULD BE FREED IMMEDIATLY!!!! HE HAS PRODUCED ONE OF THE ICONIC IMAGES OF THE 21TH CENTURY!!!!! FREE AL-ZAIDI! ARREST BUSH AND CHENNEY! AND RICE AND PERLE, AND WOLFOWITZ AND YHOO…
December 15th, 2008 at 10:28 pmAWE HELL NAW! I SAW THE VIDEO LIKE 20 TIMES AND THE ONLY ONE DUCKING WAS BUSSSSSSSH! IT WAS SO HILARIOUS! I LAUGHED TIL I PEED MY PANTS! TOO DAMN FUNNY! I WILL LAUGH JUST AS HARD WHEN BUSH AND CHENEY GO TO JAIL! YEAH! FREE ALZAIDI! THAT MAN HAD SOME SERIOUS GUTS! DUCK BUSH YOU MF! DUCK!
December 15th, 2008 at 11:04 pmWaltTheMan Says:
I am indeed
December 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pmTracy__5 Says:
There is information that he was a Baath party supporter…by his own family members.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
____________
Um, yeah. That’s cause he’s Iraqi. Everyone in Saddam’s Iraq who wanted any kind of decent job HAD to be a Ba’ath party supporter, you nitwit!
December 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am“Think tank”?
December 16th, 2008 at 11:24 amThinking people do not even watch Fox News.
Forget the shoe — Ware is WAXED in this — wasted, ossified, three sheets to the wind, tanked, drunker than a priest on Sunday.
December 16th, 2008 at 2:24 pmTracy__5 Says:
None of this is up to YOU. You dont get to decide what other people make. You are a moron. YOU being stupid doesnt make ME overpaid. My company makes a lot of money. You are jealous and lashing out. Your stupidity isnt really my problem. No one in their right mind would take YOU seriously as a judge about what people deserve. Grow up and dont be so consumed by your jealousy PUNK.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:28 pmTracy__5 Says:
#78
Blah, Blah, Blah, same old sh*t from the propagandist freaks.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And the same old STUPID from you. WE understand. Ya got nothin else to offer but stupid. You are a brainwashed braindead moron. A zombie who is TOLD what to think. You are a fool Tracy.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:30 pmTracy__5 Says:
Debs with you working less than 40 hrs. per week and making 100k+ per year per you union contract negotiations I now see why GM and Chrysler are getting the crap kick out of them by Toyota and Honda.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
No you dont think anything. You are too stupid to think. I suggest you obtain the requisite equipment before trying to perform the function known as thinking. My industry is quite profitable. We arent asking for a bailout. Warren Buffet just bought huge amounts of our stock he isnt really known for making bad investments. Your jealousy is showing. Just because no one in their right minds would pay a moron like YOU good money doesnt mean those of us actually capable of higher brain function arent worht our wages. It isnt up to YOU MORON. You are just a jealous punk Tracy. Try not to whine and snivel so piteously its just pathetic.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:32 pmTracy__5 Says:
I doubt seriously you could learn to do my job any easier than I could learn to do yours. I mean I am not a moron and you are. You really are the epitome of ignorant. You just DECIDE I am overpaid based on your jealously and stupidity. So you really are pretending its up to you how much people ought to make. I cant really dumb it down any further moron. Find a reasonably bright ten year old to explain how words have actual meanings. How stupid do you have to be to say we dont have competition? What do you think trucks and planes are? Last I looked fool they were ways to transport goods. My GOD you are ignorant. As for Zaidi I didnt look because I dont care. He has every reason to despise Bush whatever his politics they are irrelvant. Bush lied to invade his country and kill a few hundred thousand of his countrymen. How would YOU feel if China invaded us? The fact you are an ignorant fascist wouldnt mean you werent justified in your anger. You are just so ignorant. Its a pain to have to take you by the hand and lead you through points any reasonably bright ten year old would understand. No wonder you dont make good money you are incredibly stupid.
December 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pmMy job is also dangerous. In the more than 130 years my railroad has been in existance not ONE of those years has someone not DIED. People leave every year from being hurt. I figure someone as stupid as you would be out within six months.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:01 pm