Bush soaks in Dubai culture in Mideast

[onehandle]

Source: AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - President Bush on Monday got a flavor of this cosmopolitan banking and business hub, whose glass skyscrapers and booming construction have turned it into the capital of Middle East bustle.

The soaring Persian Gulf city-state is Bush's second stop in the seven-state United Arab Emirates federation, following his gentle lecture on democracy in Abu Dhabi and an opulent picnic at a desert horse camp Sunday. The Dubai visit is part of a trip aimed at invigorating Mideast peace talks and keeping pressure on Iran.

Even before Bush touched down in Dubai, he had an impact. The government declared Monday a national holiday and shut down many main roads and bridges.

On a day of cultural diplomacy, Bush began with a stop at the historic home of the former ruler of Dubai, now a museum loaded with photos and artifacts of the emirate's history. The president grinned and tapped his foot as a group of girls stepped rhythmically to Arabic music, their long hair swinging from shoulder to shoulder. The light rain that fell during Bush's arrival did not dampen the mood, as rain is considered here to be good luck during the visit of a foreign leader.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080114/ap_on_re_mi_ea/bush_mideast

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Bush fiddles on as Rome burns and our men die in Iraq. So when does the "Save the Legacy Tour" end anyway? January 20th, 2009?

[bluerum]

1. Bush parties with oil barons in the middle east. Then lectures a war torn

region about the benefits of adopting his brand of democracy.

And he expects to make peace there.

[Supersedeas]

10. apparently the GoP Media Establishment has their own spin

[Catshrink]

2. Wonder if he stopped by Halliburton HQ

to pass on Dick's regards? Is he scoping out real estate for retirement?

[leftchick]

3. "Talking about freedom when you're occupying two countries in the region"

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/24721.html


"You have all types of contradictions," Shorbagy said. "Talking about freedom when you're occupying two countries in the region: Afghanistan and Iraq. Talking about justice while you're against the (Palestinian) right of return. Talking about democracy while you're against elected groups you don't like...Was he listening to himself?"

[rodeodance]

5. Was he listening to himself?" ha ha ha

[ixion]

4. ah yes, that glorious Dubai culture

where the House of Saud deems what culture will be, and where there are gross human rights violations.

Some culture! :eyes:

[lonestarnot]

6. How much of America do they own these days?

[DRoseDARs]

7. Nice to know he's soaked in something other than Jim Beam and urine for a change. n/t

[robbedvoter]

8. So Jr loves him some belly dancers? Didn't know those parts still worked

Eeeew!

[Habibi]

12. Sounds more like traditional khaliji dancing

Women's dance in the gulf is characterized by beautiful embroidered thobes (dresses) and hair-tossing.

[tekisui]

9. "Save the Legacy(By Bombing Iran) Tour"

He'll be going back in May, to get the final commitments on war.

[mcscajun]

11. Wish he'd stay there.

Permanently. x(

They seem to like him; he likes it there. A perfect match.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. Probably drooling at the thought of having that much power himself....

<puke>

[appleannie1]

14. Nothing like kissing the asses of those that funded 9-11