Remember when dubya tried to justify the iraq invasion by saying we did it for the womenfolk?

Our story begins:

then

There was an emotional moment during Wednesday's State of the Union address when the mother of a 25-year-old Marine killed in Iraq, Janet Norwood, embraced an Iraqi voter, Safia Taleb al-Souhail. They were among the guests invited to sit with the president's wife Laura Bush for the annual address.

Voice of America
Iraqi Voter and Marine's Mother Embrace During State of the Union
February 3, 2005
VOA news.

here's the pic:

don't forget the purple fingers

and now, Safia today:

When we came back from exile, we thought we were going to improve rights and the position of women. But look what has happened -- we have lost all the gains we made over the last 30 years. It's a big disappointment.

Safia Taleb al-Souhail
Iraq's ambassador to Egypt
August 24, 2005
Reuters interview

(Note: This story, above, from Billmon, two posts, mostly, here and here)

_________

And our second story is:

then

Laura and Dubya doing their women's equality gig routine. Read the entire thing, if you have time, especially laura's
part. Date is: White House, March 12, 2004, Bush is speaking.

I want to thank my friend, Dr. Raja Khuzai, who's with us today. This is the third time we have met. The first time we met, she walked into the Oval Office -- let's see, was it the first time? It was the first time. The door opened up. She said, "My liberator," and burst out in tears -- (laughter) -- and so did I. (Applause.)

Dr. Khuzai also was there to have Thanksgiving dinner with our troops. And it turned out to be me, as well. Of course, I didn't tell her I was coming. (Laughter.) But I appreciate that, and now she's here again. I want to thank you, Doctor, for your hard work on the writing of the basic law for your people. You have stood fast, you have stood strong. Like me, you've got liberty etched in your heart, and you're not going to yield. And you are doing a great job and we're proud to have you back. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)

And now, Dr. Kuzai yesterday:

"This is the future of the new Iraqi government - it will be in the hands of the clerics," said Dr. Raja Kuzai, a secular Shiite member of the Assembly. "I wanted Iraqi women to be free, to be able to talk freely and to able to move around."

"I am not going to stay here," said Dr. Kuzai, an obstetrician and women's leader who met President Bush in the White House in November
2003."

(Note: This above thread found at: catch.com)

(editorial note: this post was bayprairie's idea and was written mostly by her. i did the html and some minor edits because she had to go to work. so any credit really belongs to her