A Commutation Bush should Seek Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

Muntazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw the shoe heard around the world, has been sentenced to three years in jail.  Whatever feelings one has about the whole shoe throwing incident, this sentence is excessive.  This isn't something that the Obama administration can get involved in.  It could be perceived as the U.S. playing in Iraqi politics and pushing Maliki around.  Or it could be perceived as Obama trying to stick it to Bush. 

Clearly Maliki is angry and embarrassed, which is why al-Zaidi has been so harshly treated.  The only person who can alleviate that concern is George Bush.  Bush should call Maliki and ask him to to commute the sentence. Ultimately, this isn't a government-to-government issue.  This is a personal issue.  The shoe was thrown at Bush and he is probably the only one who can convince Maliki.  If Bush really believes all those wonderful things he said about bringing democracy (including free speech) to the Iraqis, he should do what he can to get al-Zaidi released or at least reducing his sentence. 

Comments

[mark andrews]

Mark Andrews, Munich Germany. Well this all points out the problem with a lot of people around the world. If there were laws in place that covered such an incident in Iraq and this reporter out rightly broke the law, than let justice be served. Law based on sentiment is why there are laws in the first place. Everybody hated Bush for probably good reason but a guy throwing a show at a head of state of another country is wrong and an embarrassment for the country especially if this is to suggest to the rest of the world that such behaviour is acceptable? I guess it is somehow.

[Lee Oates]

Obviously the wrong man went to Jail. Personally I would give the shoe-thrower a Medal, and send the Bush to jail for crimes against humanity.

[Seth]

This man insulted the President of the United States, rather he was a good on or a bad one, he was a President. If it was a muslim dignitary they would want us to kill the man who threw the shoe. Get it right people.

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This man insulted the President of the United States, rather he was a good on or a bad one, he was a President. If it was a muslim dignitary they would want us to kill the man who threw the shoe. Get it right people.

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Bush has not mentioned pardons often, but in a statement released in July 2007, he said the Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted.