Bush's Backing of Rumsfeld Shocks and Angers Arabs

Never mind that a poll showed that 69% of Americans don't want him to resign. Same old song and dance about our image. Their "image" of America is the rest of it falling like the twin towers. Funny I can actually remember when I respected members of the press.

41 posted on 05/10/2004 5:35:39 PM PDT by PROUDAMREP (Will the dems apologize for undermining the war effort and harming our soldiers for political gain?)

To: isthisnickcool

The only mistake Rumsfield and numerous other American politicans have made is not seeing Islam for what it has been...

Oh, Rummy knows, that's for sure. The problem is getting the rest of the country on board with it, and I can sense that the current campaign is about way more than just getting President Bush re-elected. I think the President's people can do the math, and see that Kerry is cooked in November, but now the goal is to get a mandate. The apologies, picture releases, and backing of Rumsfeld are all part of "playing" the fish before you reel him in.

42 posted on 05/10/2004 5:36:11 PM PDT by hunter112

To: Paul Atreides

Admitting mistakes and issuing apologies fits all of their agendas. They'd have soundbytes for campaign ads and reparations for "torture victums". Not to mention the fact that the President got us out of that miserable international court, and they'd love to shame us to sign onto it, again. They'll be trying to tie the hands of our intelligence agencies before this is over.

Notice how the left has made a point of always insisting on apologies for slavery, etc.? I'd bet there's some treaty somewhere, that would give them some legal standing internationally anytime that's done. Even without the International court treaty. Very suspicious.

43 posted on 05/10/2004 5:36:24 PM PDT by monkeywrench

Why don't I hear the Arab commentators expressing outrage at the real atrocities being committed by the Palis?

For the same reason leftist commentators in this country don't express outrage at the atrocities committed by the Palis.

45 posted on 05/10/2004 5:36:35 PM PDT by weegee (NO BLOOD FOR RATINGS. CNN ignored torture & murder in Saddam's Iraq to keep their Baghdad Bureau.)

It just doesn't get any worse, Peter. Not only is the Arab world but Eleanor Clift, Nina Totenberg and Al Hunt are all shocked and indignant.

46 posted on 05/10/2004 5:37:45 PM PDT by T'wit ("To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society" - Theodore Roosevelt)

"After the torture and vile acts by the American army, President Bush goes out and congratulates Rumsfeld. It's just incredible. I am in total shock," said Omar Belhouchet, editor of the influential Algerian national daily El Watan.

Did the DNC fax the Arab media their talking points?

47 posted on 05/10/2004 5:38:09 PM PDT by PogySailor (Proud member of the RAM)

The Arab commentators quoted in the article come to a grand total of five, plus one Englishman who's a professor at the London School of (Marxist) Economics. They all agree that Bush should have fired Rumsfeld.

It's like five Nazis, plus Lord Haw Haw, demanding that President Roosevelt fire General Patton in 1944.

48 posted on 05/10/2004 5:38:28 PM PDT by Argus

Bush's Backing of Rumsfeld Shocks and Angers Arabs

ALL of them apparently!!!!

As usual, the media speaks of "Arabs" as if they are a monolithic group which thinks exactly alike.

I'm no longer frustrated by it, I'm used to it by now.

49 posted on 05/10/2004 5:38:46 PM PDT by Dr. Frank fan

Bush's Backing of Rumsfeld Shocks and Angers Arabs

Not the one's who count. :^) The interview Rush read today from an Iraqi citizen regarding the abuse of the prisoners was TERRIFIC. This man's take...it is pretty cool to see democracy at work...wow...America really cares about how it's enemies are treated in their prisons....UNHEARD OF...after living for thirty years under Saddam....geeez...lots of us are having trouble understanding what all the fuss is about....

And this guy served in the Iraqi/ Iran war. Now owns a small cosmetic company and works for several firms helping to do work in Iraq as an interpreter.

50 posted on 05/10/2004 5:39:40 PM PDT by Republic

Sunday, May 9, 2004

To Iraqis, prisoner abuse story is largely a non-issue
By Robert C. Gross

It is Friday, May 7, 2004, the Muslim "weekend."

And the news here is apparently much different than there. From my early morning looks at the news channels, it looks like the "prisoner story" is dominating the national news. It appears to us to be taking on all the signs of an overreaction to a very negative and unfortunate incident.

It's amazing to us that people are calling for Rumsfeld's resignation or firing. Interestingly, it's mostly a non-event for most of the Iraqis with whom we work or meet. A typical reaction came from one of our key staff I'll call Abdul. He has a degree in English literature, is in his mid-30s, served in the Iraqi Army during the Iraq-Iran War, has a side business in women's cosmetics, and works with us in the coordination of several of our social institutions. He is somewhat typical of the many more educated Iraqis.

When I questioned him about how most Iraqis view the prisoner abuse story, his first reaction was a startled stare. He didn't really even connect with my question. When I explained more fully, he said, "Well, actually, sir, to be quite honest with you, we think that it represents a small dot on a large piece of paper. We know that the hearts of almost all Americans are good and they do so much good for our people. And remember, sir, we lived under Saddam for nearly 30 years. To be quite honest with you, sir, we believe that the media is not fair and has not been fair for this entire war. After all, we Iraqis watch every despicable act committed by terrorists as they are glorified by Al Jazeera."

Nearly all our translators and Iraqi staff indicate basically the same thing. Many Iraqis, even those who have televisions and watch Al Jazeera, are mostly nonplussed by the prisoner story.

I do not mean to excuse or justify these acts in any! way. It is an obvious black eye and tarnishes all that we're attempting to do here. The overwhelming consensus among the military working here in the Palace is abhorrence and an attitude that the enlisted personnel and their commanders ought to be dealt with appropriately and severely after a full investigation. Most are concerned that this is further tarnishing unfairly the military image back in the states, painting broad strokes across the entire canvas. I can tell you from my own experience that, for the most part, this is the best trained and dedicated group of people who could ever possibly serve the United States.

But Abdul is right. We just wish this could be kept in proper perspective. What we are thinking about often doesn't make the news. Many of you, I know, are interested in what we're doing in Fallujah and Najaf, Sadr's current headquarters. In Fallujah, it's not a matter of if, but when we eventually go in. We currently are working with an Ira! qi general who is standing up an all Iraqi force to patrol the city. We hope to neutralize the opposition as much as possible, thereby preventing collateral damage. Eventually, however, it will be necessary for the Marines to regain control over the city.

The same can be said for Najaf but for slightly different reasons. The Ayatollah Sistani has made it clear that he does not want to see Coalition Forces enter the city, one of Shi'as holiest sites. As each day passes, however, Sadr appears palpably to lose followers and influence. He is still a danger, however, and poses a threat. Yesterday, some of his militia attacked one of our coalition convoys close to Najaf: the score was 40 to 0 in favor of the coalition. He's probably gradually and painfully "getting it." Leadership sometimes requires great patience.

This is one of those times.

51 posted on 05/10/2004 5:40:42 PM PDT by kcvl

"Bush's Backing of Rumsfeld Shocks and Angers Arabs"

And this is a bad thing because....?

52 posted on 05/10/2004 5:40:52 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, thank a soldier.)

"Arab commentators reacted with shock and disbelief..."

And just whem the RATs were winning their hearts and minds.

53 posted on 05/10/2004 5:42:58 PM PDT by Loyal Buckeye ((Kerry is a flake))

You got me confused with someone that actually gives a spit!!!

54 posted on 05/10/2004 5:44:57 PM PDT by SierraWasp (Two... Four... Six... Eight... We don't wanna mitigate!!! GovernMental EnvironMentals are insatiable)

The sun rose in the east this morning, Arabs report shock and anger.

55 posted on 05/10/2004 5:47:58 PM PDT by joebuck

Oh My, this has really reallly ruined my day. They are mad at us? I am just so sorry about that. Now off to watch Deadwood and the Sopranoes reruns.

56 posted on 05/10/2004 5:49:51 PM PDT by cajungirl (<i>swing low, sweet limousine, comin' fer to Kerry me hoooommmee</i>)

"Bush's praise for Rumsfeld will discredit the United States...and further damage its reputation, which is already at a historic low in the Arab world,"

This "Arab world" is on my last nerve.

57 posted on 05/10/2004 5:50:37 PM PDT by Right_in_Virginia

58 posted on 05/10/2004 5:54:16 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Release all)

Hope it scares their pants of too. (Am I allowed to say that now?)

59 posted on 05/10/2004 5:55:30 PM PDT by CasearianDaoist

He ought to give Rumsfeld a raise, and really make um do the chicken.....

60 posted on 05/10/2004 5:56:47 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf (I failed anger management class, they decided to give me a passing grade anyway)

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