Results tagged “presidentbush”

The Iraqi journalist who threw both of his shoes at President George W. Bush last December received a reduced sentence from Iraq's highest court yesterday. Mutandhar al-Zeidi was sentenced to three years in prison last month, but now a court spokesman said he will face one year, "he's still young and doesn't have any previous convictions." Plus he could be free in five months with good behavior, according to the Daily News. al-Zeidi's family and lawyer are happy with the decision; al-Zeidi had explained the incident as a reaction to Bush's smiling and joking as "a whole people are saddened because of his policy... I was blind to anything else. I felt the blood of the innocent people bleeding from beneath his feet and he was smiling in that way... So I reacted to this feeling by throwing my shoes."

In a Baghdad courtroom, Iraqi reporter Muntadar al-Zaidi testified about what led him to toss his shoes at former President Bush during a press conference late last year. To sum it up, he was irritated by Bush's jokey manner: Zaidi said, "While he was talking I was looking at all his achievements in my mind. More than a million killed, the destruction and humiliation of mosques, violations against Iraqi women, attacking Iraqis every day and every hour. A whole people are saddened because of his policy, and he was talking with a smile on his face …and he was joking with the prime minister and saying he was going to have dinner with him after the press conference... I was blind to anything else. I felt the blood of the innocent people bleeding from beneath his feet and he was smiling in that way... So I reacted to this feeling by throwing my shoes. I couldn't stop the reaction inside me…. It was spontaneous." Zaidi faces up to two years in prison.

The shoe-ing that former President Bush received during a trip to Iraq has inspired an Iraqi artist to create a large "sofa-sized" copper and fiberglass shoe statue. The shoe also seems to double as a planter, given the greenery inside it. The Post reports, "Baghdad-based artist Laith al-Amari described [it] as a homage to the pride of the Iraqi people. The statue also has inscribed a poem honoring Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his footwear at Bush." The statue was unveiled in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit. al-Zeidi is reportedly seeking asylum in Switzerland and is interested in becoming a journalist for the United Nations.

Though somewhat overshadowed by the U.S. Airways Flight 1549 that landed in the Hudson River, President Bush gave his farewell address to the American public last night. He said, "Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I've always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."

Today, President George W. Bush gave his final press conference as his administration winds down. It was a way for him to thank the White House press corps as well as yet another of his "exit interviews." Bush admitted some mistakes—"Clearly putting a'Mission Accomplished' (banner) on an aircraft carrier was a mistake. It sent the wrong message"—while defending himself on other matters, such as Hurricane Katrina and whether America's stature in the world fell during his presidency:

I've thought long and hard about Katrina -- you know, could I have done something differently, like land Air Force One either in New Orleans or Baton Rouge. The problem with that and -- is that law enforcement would have been pulled away from the mission. And then your questions, I suspect, would have been, how could you possibly have flown Air Force One into Baton Rouge, and police officers that were needed to expedite traffic out of New Orleans were taken off the task to look after you?

Continue reading "Bush Holds Last Press Conference, Plans Farewell Address"

No, it wasn't a gathering to mourn the recent death of the First Cat, but rather just a meeting of the minds when the four living presidents were invited to lunch by the president to be. President Bush said he was happy to give a holler to former Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush 41 (his father). It was the first time all of the living presidents had gathered at the White House since the funeral of assassinated Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat in 1981.

First Lady Laura Bush spoke to Fox News's Chris Wallace and she wasn't very happy with the shoe-y reception her husband got on his surprise trip to Iraq two weeks ago. Wallace said though many Americans thought it was a joke, the First Lady didn't, which she confirmed, "Of course I wasn't amused. It was an assault. And that's what it is. And it would be an assault to anyone for -- if anybody had been there. And the president laughed it off. He wasn't hurt. He's very quick. As you know, he's a natural athlete. And that's it. But on the other hand, it is an assault, and I think it should be treated that way." She said whatever happens to the Iraqi reporter who threw the shoes is up to the Iraqis, "But I know that if Saddam Hussein had been there, the man wouldn't have been released. And he probably wouldn't -- you know, would have been executed. So it is -- as bad as the incident is, in my view, it is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves."

After President Bush's reversal of a Brooklyn developer's pardon, the White House said President Bush was unaware the father of the developer, Isaac Toussie, had donated money ot the Republican party. Yet the President did meet Toussie's father, Robert, who is also a developer, earlier this year and the Daily News published a photograph of the two, adding, "It was not immediately clear if the picture was snapped before or after Robert Toussie's $28,500 donation to the Republican National Committee in April." And it's not just the Republicans who have benefited from Robert Toussie's largesse: He's donated to Rep. Anthony Weiner, City Comptroller Bill Thompson, and other elected officials. Toussie and his son face lawsuits, accusing them of using deceptive tactics to sell shoddy homes to homebuyers (many of them minorities).

Some more spinning from the White House after President Bush pardoned a Brooklyn developer—and then rescinded the pardon the next day. White House spokesman Tony Fratto told Newsday that the President "followed the process" when he first granted the parson to Isaac Toussie but decided to reverse the decision after finding out Toussie's father made contributions to the Republican party and politicians, "It [the contributions] had the potential to create at least the appearance of impropriety."

It was a Christmas Eve embarrassment! The White House had to announce that President Bush's previously announced pardon of Brooklyn developer Isaac Toussie would no longer be happening. Funnily enough, the announcement came after it was reported how Toussie's father donated tens of thousands to the Republican party and Republican politicians. Coincidence—or Christmas miracle? One homebuyer who says she was scammed by Toussie said to Newsday, "There is a Santa Claus after all. I couldn't have wished for a better present."

to execute the pardon! Earlier today, Daily News reported Toussie's father "donated $28,500 to the Republican Part this year." And there's a federal lawsuit against Toussie from homebuyers who were apparently duped into buying overpriced, defective homes in bad areas from him, after he used deceptive tactics. Some had given comments like, "The politically connected get what they want, and little people like us are just left to sink or swim. Thanks to the President for the worst Christmas gift you could have ever given us," and "I think Bush stinks anyway," but maybe they'll slightly change their tune now.

President Bush just announced loans to the GM and Chrysler totaling $17.4 billion: $13.4 billion now and $4 billion in February, if they, according to Times, "undertak[e] sweeping reorganizations to show that they can return to profitability." The money will come from the TARP bailout.

Naturally the double shoe-throwing attack that put President Bush under siege during a press conference in Iraq is a gold mine for the tabloids. The Daily News explains that when Muntather al-Zaidi threw the first shoe, he yelled, "This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog!" And, casting the second shoe, Zaidi said, "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

While the White House signaled it would be ready to step in and help the auto industry after the Senate failed to pass a $14 billion bailout package for the Big Three, President Bush told reporters, "We're not quite ready to announce that yet." And when asked he would use money from the TARP (the earlier $700 billion financial industry) bailout, he added, "I signaled that that's a possibility." Stock futures are, according to CNBC, "uncertain...amid a dismal manufacturing report and" auto bailout anxiety. Still, lawmakers believe there will be relief for Detroit; Sen. Bob Corker says the Treasury Dept. was talking to automakers over the weekend.

    

In the twilight of his presidency, President Bush made a surprise trip to Iraq today--and he had to deal with a journalist who threw shoes at him. Seriously. During a press conference of Iraqi Prime Minister Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Al Baghadadia reporter Muntadar al-Zaidi, seated 12 feet away, threw both his shoes--one right after the other--at President Bush while yelling "This is the end!" See the video:

With the Senate's failure to pass the $14 billion auto industry bailout bill, world stock markets fell: Asian markets fell over 5% and European markets are down more than 3%. Futures suggest that Wall Street will open lower as well, also due to news from JPMorgan Chase (it had a "terrible" November and December) and Bank of America (cutting 35,000 jobs over three years).

President Bush gave his first "exit interview" to ABC Word News' Charles Gibson, and among the revelations: He was "unprepared" for the 9/11 attacks and regretted the WMD intelligence that led him to the Iraq War. He said, "I think was unprepared for war. In other words, I didn't campaign and say, 'Please vote for me, I'll be able to handle an attack.' In other words, I didn't anticipate war. Presidents-- one of the things about the modern presidency is that the unexpected will happen." Bush does believe that 9/11 brought the country together, though.

As his successor unveil his economic team, President Bush, alongside Treasury Secretary Henry Pauslon, spoke to reporters about the Citigroup bailout. Bush said the bailout, which he approved last night while flying back from his APEC meeting, was needed to "safeguard the financial system." He added, "We have made these kind of decisions in the past. We made one last night. And if need be we will make these kind of decisions to safeguard our financial system in the future." The White House deputy press secretary Dana Fratto later said, "We would never foreshadow any specific actions involving private firms, but I think it’s safe to say ... that we take threats to our financial system seriously and we stand ready to take any steps necessary to prevent systemic events in our economy."

       

World leaders convening for the G20 summit agreed they will "do more" (in the worlds of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown) to help bolster their economics and the global economy as a whole--not that they had any other choice. However, the NY Times reports, "they put off thornier decisions about how to overhaul financial regulations until next year, providing a serious early challenge for the Obama administration."

President-elect Obama released his first address to the nation via YouTube, a groundbreaking move that is seen as the next step in presidents interacting with the public since FDR began giving fireside chats through the radio waves 75 years ago.

Wow, President Bush is making sure he's getting in his NYC time leaving the White House--after visiting the city Tuesday for Veterans Day, he's back! This morning he spoke at the United Nations--a "high-level debate on interfaith dialogue"--and will head to Federal Hall to discuss the economy. According to the White House (hold on, it's a lot), "the President will review the origins of the financial crisis and observe the increased interconnectedness of the global financial marketplace; discuss the importance of making our markets more transparent; ensuring our markets are appropriately regulated, promoting integrity within the markets; and strengthening cooperation among the world's financial leaders; emphasize that free market capitalism, especially free trade, is still the best system to create economic growth and lift people out of poverty." This weekend the President will be meeting with foreign leaders for an economic summit. President-elect Obama is not attending, but his advisers will.

Donald Trump, the man who once said that Kevin Federline was "fantastic" and "doesn't get enough credit" is back in the news for sharing his thoughts on current events and pop culture icons. In an interview with NY1 that began airing last night and will continue tonight, he called President Bush "so bad, so evil that I don't think any Republican could have won." To explain his political insight, he added, "He'd go into a country, attack Iraq, which had nothing to do with the World Trade Center and just do it because he wanted to do it."

       

President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush flew into NYC today for the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum's re-dedication--and also for President Bush to receive the Intrepid Freedom Award.

     

President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush have arrived in NYC for Veterans Day events. Bush will be awarded the 2008 Intrepid Freedom Award at the USS Intrepid; the award is for "world leaders who embody the ideals of world freedom and democracy." Air Force One landed at JFK Airport, and then the Bushes took a helicopter to the aircraft carrier off Manhattan's West Side.

After dropping his daughters off at school in Chicago this morning, President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama flew to Washington D.C. to visit the White House. President George Bush and Obama are expected to discuss transition while the First Lady Laura Bush will give Michelle Obama a tour of the White House and private residence.

President-elect Obama will meet President Bush at the White House today to talk transition. However, the Washington Post reports that Obama's transition advisers "have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues." Even closing Guantanamo Bay prison is a possibility. John Podesta, a "top transition leader," said, "There’s a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for Congressional action, and I think we’ll see the president do that. He feels like he has a real mandate for change. We need to get off the course that the Bush administration has set.”

Shortly after President Bush called and congratulated President-elect Obama, throngs of people ended up outside the White House. DCist editor Sommer Mathis writes, "As we moved from U Street...and headed south to the White House, the celebration didn't slow down. Down 14th street to Thomas Circle, everyone hooted and hollered. They stood up through their sunroofs to cheer on passersby on the sidewalk. They danced. They played drums. They honked and honked and honked... At the White House, big crowds gathered on both sides of the compound to let the least popular president in U.S. history know they were glad to see him go. Spontaneous renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner and 'Nananana nananana hey hey hey goodbye,' broke out within the ebullient masses." (Photographs here.)

After a volatile four days on Wall Street (today looks the same--the Dow fell 200 points in early trading today, but have gone back up to about 22 down), President Bush discussed the economy this morning, first explaining what led to its current state and then defending the bailout plan. He said, "The 21st century global economy continues to be regulated by laws written in the 20th century. Enacting these ideas into law must be a top priority for the next president and the next Congress." He also emphasized patience, "The actions will take more time to have their full impact. It took a while for the credit system to freeze up, it's going to take a while for the credit system to thaw."

This morning, President Bush announced that the Treasury Department would take a $250 billion stake in U.S. banks. The money comes from the $700 billion bailout plan, which originally did not include any bank investment. USA Today reports, "The government will temporarily guarantee new loans between banks and offer to insure unlimited deposits in accounts that don't pay interest, such as checking accounts. The new guarantee goes beyond the $250,000 federal insurance that generally applies to bank deposits." (More on the FDIC's temporary liquidity program.)

So, as the NY Post puts it, "The Bush administration is racing to rescue its rescue plan." Previously, the $700 billion bailout's focus was toxic debt but now, as Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson mentioned on Friday night, the government is considering injecting banks with capital to help the credit squeeze. The move basically gives the country ownership of banks and the NY Times writes:

As recently as Sept. 23, senior officials had publicly derided proposals by Democrats to have the government take ownership stakes in banks.

Continue reading "White House Revisits Rescue Plan"