Thursday, December 18, 2008

The making of an Iraqi hero

At the beginning of the year, I remember reading a story both tragic and inspirational.


On January 6th, 2008, Iraq held a parade honoring its military. Crowds gathered along the streets to see the powerful Iraqi Army show off its skills. Lurking in the crowds was a suicide bomber determined to turn what was supposed to be a day of patriotism into a bloodbath. As the bomber pushed deep into the crowd, two very brave Iraqi soldiers spotted him. Knowing something was wrong, they threw themselves on top of the terrorist, wrestling him to the ground. The attacker managed to set off his explosive belt, killing the two soldiers and 9 bystanders, although it could have been far worse if the bomber had not been confronted. These two Iraqi patriots--the soldiers who gave their lives knowing what was going to happen to them--are heroes.


And yet, they are nameless and largely forgotten. Instead, an angry shoe-tossing journalist is built up as a "hero". While the Iraqi Army and police are volunteering to protect their country, a man who attempted to assault a foreign leader is given prestige and honor he does not deserve. To Muntathar Al-Zaidi, I ask you...how many widows and orphans did that above-mentioned suicide bomber create? If it wasn't for the filthy "resistance" seeping in over Iraq's borders to mass murder innocent civilians, Iraq would be a successful and free society right now.

But I have an even bigger challenge for Al-Zaidi. If he is able to avoid prison time, and he is begging for that as we speak, what will he do if Al-Baghdadiya assigns him to cover a press conference with a Saudi cleric in downtown Riyadh? Better yet, what if Saudi Arabia re-opens diplomatic relations with Iraq, and Al-Zaidi is sent to cover a press conference between, let's say, President Jalal Talabani and the Saudi ambassador. If Bush deserves two shoes for destabilizing Iraq, then it would only be fair if Al-Zaidi tosses a truckload of shoes at the Saudi ambassador, since that country has turned a blind eye to the hundreds of suicide bombers who have crossed over the border into Iraqi towns to mass murder innocent civilians and continues to export Wahabbi fundamentalism across the region, which creates exactly the type of sub-human murderers mentioned at the beginning of this post.

As beautiful as it might seem, as many as 61% of suicide bombers in Iraq are said to come from Saudi Arabia, according to the LA Times.

Al-Zaidi also claims to have visceral hatred for Iran. But remember, President Ahmadinejad made a trip to Baghdad earlier this year and Zaidi's shoes stayed on his feet during that trip. Just think of all the Iranian-backed death squads who have terrorized Iraqi civilians. The journalist feels he can place all of that blame on George Bush. If it wasn't for Bush, Zaidi wouldn't be reporting freely on subjects, and if he had thrown that shoe at Saddam, he would have gone through a wood chipper by now...if Saddam chose to go easy on him.

There are many forces that are actively trying to destroy Iraq today, and many who were doing so before 2003. If all of them were to get the shoes tossed at them they desrve, there wouldn't be any left over to throw at George W. Bush.

14 comments:

Average American said...

Good post. Just think, Saudi Arabia is supposedly our friend. With friends like them, we don't need enemies!

C.H. said...

You're right, AA..unfortunately, the west is still at a point where it has no choice but to be "friends" with the Saudis.

Its good to see you blogging again. I'm sure you've been busy :)

Anonymous said...

C.H.,

Well-written and -argued piece. This is my first time stopping by. I'll add you to our blogroll over at IBC later. Excellent.

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C.H. said...

Thanks Jeffrey,

I have you guys on my blogroll...I've been following IBC for a while :)

I appreciate the support, and your most recent post was very good.

Anonymous said...

C.H.,

Your link is in the "Blogs of Interest" list, just below the list of the active Iraqi bloggers.

And thanks.

*

C.H. said...

cool :-)

I'm very glad to be a part of IBC. I'm sure you've seen it, but I have you guys in my "blogs I like to visit" section.

Muhannad said...

I think we should remember that many non-Iraqi Arabs, maybe a majority of them at least one point believed that Iraqi soldiers in Iraq's new army are traitors and don't deserve hero status.

C.H. said...

That is true, Muhannad, and also very unfortunate...I hope that Iraq's neigbors are beginning to change their minds as the Iraqi Amry proves itself to be one of the most formidable and capable fighting forces in the Middle East.

Anonymous said...

Hi C.H...
What about ordinary people of Iraq?? aren't they heroes too??!!.. they go to work/school or to anywhere and face the danger of death just like they are in a battle field every single day but they are still active and really want to built Iraq .. don't they deserve to be heroes?? Good post .

C.H. said...

Anon,

Thank you

You are Absolutely correct! The people of Iraq are indeed heroes and are very brave, especially the students who go to school each day for a better tomorrow...and who will be Iraq's future leaders.

Touta said...

nice post, but i am still kind of glad that the big topics in iraq now are over a journalist rather than over multiple bombings- now in iraq there are fewer attack and gunfire,(knock wood), and if a journalist throwing shoes is one of the big things, i prefer that to gang warfare. :D
And as well, if iraqis now can throw shoes about, it just shows that they are finally learning to speak about their opinions, albeit in a rude way.

C.H. said...

I say the same thing Touta...I would prefer to hear about this type of news anyway over more innocent lives being lost. If you remember, I also said something similar when the incident first happened--it showed that Iraqis certainly have the courage to speak their mind, because I don't think there is any living soul who would have done that to Saddam!

All that matters is that Iraqis are free, safe, and happy :D

I hope you are well Touta--not studying too hard, lol

Touta said...

c.h.
hhhhhh, me studying hard. :D

hope you have a merry christmas and a happy new year.

best wishes from a snow free baghdad,
touta.

C.H. said...

Thank you so much, Touta...I'm in the mountains right now, and it is snowing as I write this...it really looks great :D

Take care and be safe