Al-Zaidi has become somewhat of celebrity in Iraq after having tossed his shoes at George W. Bush during his surprise trip to that country last week. Whatever else you think about the war in Iraq, with the exception of Israel, Iraq is now probably the only country in the middle east where an attack of this nature could have been attempted without the perpetrator fearing being tortured or killed for his efforts. If you truly believe in the principles of democracy, I’d call that progress wouldn’t you? I can only imagine what would have become of al-Zaidi if he had tried that against Saddam Hussein.
As Robert Burns said, in his poem "Here's to them that's awa'":
Here's freedom to him who would speak.
Here's freedom to him who would write.
For there's none ever feared,
that the truth should be heard,
than he whom the truth would indict.
Al-Zaidi may well deserve his celebrity status – depending on how you feel about heads of state being insulted in such a manner. But what is truly worth celebrating is the introduction of a freedom from suppression in Iraq that allows such political expression to be tolerated.
To our service personnel everwhere, working to install or uphold the principles of democracy...I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and congratulate you on the great work you are doing.
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