ann althouse http://althouse.blogspot.com/ might want to comment on this constitution thing see
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2005/08/amsterdam-notebook...
althouse's february 2005 report on the state of the union
see
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2005/02/state-of-union-spe...
quote 2/05
It's very touching when the President introduces Safia Taleb al-Suhail:
(bush--) One of Iraq's leading democracy and human rights advocates is Safia Taleb al-Suhail. She says of her country, "we were occupied for 35 years by Saddam Hussein. That was the real occupation. 'Thank you to the American people who paid the cost' but most of all to the soldiers." Eleven years ago, Safia's father was assassinated by Saddam's intelligence service. Three days ago in Baghdad, Safia was finally able to vote for the leaders of her country - and we are honored that she is with us tonight. (--endbush)
She stands and holds her fingers up in the peace/victory sign, then rotates it around into a single index finger, the inkable voter's Finger of Democracy. Later, Bush introduces the parents of Marine Corps Sergeant Byron Norwood, who was killed in Iraq. Norwood's mother, Janet, is standing right behind al-Suhail and, at one point, the Iraqi woman turns around and embraces the American woman. The embrace goes on for a long time, and we imagine al-Suhail is thanking Janet Norwood for what her son gave to the Iraqi people. This long, symbolic embrace leaves a deep impression, beyond any words in the speech.
endquote from althouse 2/05
