posted on May 22, 2005 06:14:46 AM
Laura Bush Faces Protesters in Jerusalem
Updated 8:22 AM ET May 22, 2005
By NEDRA PICKLER
JERUSALEM (AP) - First lady Laura Bush was met by protesters as she visited two of Jerusalem's holiest sites Sunday. Mrs. Bush, who is on a Middle Eastern tour meant, in part, to help defuse anti-American sentiment, placed a note in the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest shrine. She wrote the note on the plane to Jerusalem, but told reporters she wanted to keep its contents private.
She then went to the Dome of the Rock, a mosque on a hilltop compound known to Muslims as Haram as-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount. Before she entered the mosque, one heckler yelled, "How dare you come in here?" and "Why do you hassle our Muslims?"
Mrs. Bush removed her shoes as she entered the mosque and walked barefoot on the red carpet. She held a black scarf tightly around her head as she gazed up at the gilded dome and the colorful mosaics on the marble walls.
A group of women studying inside the mosque were clearly annoyed at the intrusion and waved their fingers at the U.S. entourage. Despite the chaos at both sites, Mrs. Bush kept smiling and did not say much.
At the Western Wall, dozens of protesters stood nearby, shouting, "Free Pollard now." Jonathan Pollard is serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison for spying for Israel.
The first lady was mobbed by protesters and local reporters, and Secret Service agents and guards had to physically hold back the crowd as she approached the wall.
Mrs. Bush's next stop Sunday is the West Bank town of Jericho, where she will participate in a round-table discussion with prominent Palestinian women.
posted on May 22, 2005 08:22:05 AM
Mrs. Bush is not too popular because of her views on women in the middle east. We have the left complaining that we shouldn't press our western ways on them, but out the other side of their faces they are saying let their women have more rights. That is only a western view.
posted on May 22, 2005 09:03:21 AM
Mrs. Bush is not popular in the Middle East because she is married to Mr.Bush
The White House is using Laura. This White House is desperately looking for a positive photo opportunity because old George sure isn't doing so well these days.
I think Laura is a nice woman its too bad George has messed up Iraq so badly.
posted on May 22, 2005 09:50:22 AM
She has consistently offered herself up to do Georges dirty work, such as deliver the first blow to stem cell research and cancel the White House conference, "Poetry and the American Voice," in order to stifle opinions in opposition to the war.
"So much for democracy, free speech, vigorous discussion. In this most insulated and choreographed of administrations, the "American voice"--note the singular--is welcome only when it says what the White House wants to hear. And yet, as so often, censorship backfired. "They did us an extraordinary favor," Hamill told me. "They revealed that there are many, many poets opposed to the Bush regime. And they demonstrated their fear of the carefully chosen word--their fear of poetry."
posted on May 22, 2005 09:54:20 AM
You're right...er...correct...the bushes don't allow oposition or differing viewpoints...believe in only THEIR right to free speech.
From my OP "How to get an "Honest" Opinion"
THE NATION
How Bush Makes Sure They Agree
A memo illustrates the way the White House is selectively casting members of the under-30 set to promote its Social Security plan.
By Warren Vieth, Times Staff Writer
MILWAUKEE — As President Bush resumes his cross-country campaign to promote his vision of Social Security restructuring, it's no secret that he is relying on outside organizations to help provide the supporting cast.
Yet a memo circulated this week among members of one group, Women Impacting Public Policy, illustrates the lengths to which the White House has gone to make sure the right points are made at the president's public appearances.
ADVERTISEMENT
"President Bush will be in Rochester, N.Y., for an upcoming event and has called on WIPP for help," said the memo to New York-area members, from one of the group's leaders. "He would like to visit with local workers about their views on Social Security."
The memo went on to solicit several types of people "who he would like to visit with" — including a young worker who "knows that [Social Security] could run out before they retire," a young couple with children who like "the idea of leaving something behind to the family" and a single parent who believes Bush's proposal for individual investment accounts "would provide more retirement options and security" than the current system.
The people solicited appeared to represent various arguments that Bush has been making for why Social Security should be overhauled. The memo requested an immediate response, because "we will need to get names to the White House."
posted on May 22, 2005 10:21:54 AM
It's hard to believe she was a democrat before she married into the Bush family. I'd never sacrifice my political beliefs for my husband or anyone else. It's a cop-out and shows no backbone whatsoever.
posted on May 22, 2005 10:24:42 AM
Who knows , Cheryl, maybe when Laura goes into that voting booth she laughs like hell and votes straight Democrat
But somehow I don't think so....she's pretty well controlled by the bush handlers(and no, classic, that's not a play on words)
Somehow I see all of the wives being controlled by the men in that family. Like the Mafia. A close eye is probably kept on all of them. Wouldn't want to be one.
posted on May 22, 2005 10:46:19 AM
LOL - yea...and probably why ol' Joan Kennedy started hitting the bottle. how funny statements like those are. Imo, it's jealousy on the part of the 'women lib'. Can't stand viewing a supportive, loving wife.
After all, they had hillary for 8 years, mostly running the WH...and SHE wasn't even elected.
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Then I really got a chuckle from this one:
They revealed that there are many, [/b]many poets[/b] opposed to the Bush regime. And they demonstrated their fear of the carefully chosen word--their fear of poetry."
You guys ARE great for laughs. They things you come up with....and show how your minds function..are hysterical.
Since you just love the AOL polls...maybe you all might want to look at the AMERICAN polls to see who was more popular
hillary or Laura. Laura Bush wins - hands down.
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Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on May 22, 2005 12:11:42 PM
Linda_K, Thanks for your info about the AOL poll for Hillary and Laura. Its interesting but neither Laura or Hillary are the President of the United States.
Before I have posted several polls showing the majority of American people don't like how Bush is running our country. But being a bias Democratic I never looked very hard for polls that show the majority of the American people do support your man Bush on national issues facing America. You know issues like the war,economy,jobs, health insurance, open borders etc.
Since I am sure you want to support your President Bush and since you are so skilled at research. I was hoping you could post some up to dates polls showing that there are National issue polls where the majority of Americans do support your President. I will be waiting to read and learn from the polls you find.
posted on May 22, 2005 12:49:07 PMSomehow I see all of the wives being controlled by the men in that family. Like the Mafia. A close eye is probably kept on all of them. Wouldn't want to be one.
Cheryl, the inside scoop is Barbara Bush is the proverbial Matriarch. I guess you missed that somewhere along the line?
posted on May 22, 2005 06:54:24 PM
Linda_K can't do it can you. Its about the 3rd time I asked but don't worry I won't ask you again. It very clear you don't have much left.
