Bosnia Girl Calls Out Clinton on Tuzla Lie

Selim Algar of the The New York Post has the story that the little girl who recited a poem on the tarmac at the air base in Tuzla is 'stunned and outraged' that the former First Lady of the United States would make up such a blatant lie.

Emina Bicakcic, now 20 and studying to become a doctor, told The Post she stood on the tarmac at the air base in Tuzla, greeted Clinton and even had time to share the lines of verse she'd written - all without fear of attack from an unseen enemy.

"I was surprised when I heard this," Bicakcic said, referring to Clinton's assertion that she braved snipers upon landing, ducking and sprinting to military vehicles.

Bicakcic goes on to describe the day that she got to read her poem to the First Lady of the United States. Her poem began with the words, "Peace has come", and Clinton, she said, seemed far more interested in her poem than in dashing for shelter.

Bicakcic said she was reluctant to criticize Clinton's account of that day because of a deep appreciation for the US role in ending Bosnia's bloody nightmare.

A picture of the girl's meeting with the then-first lady - signed and inscribed by Clinton - has become a treasured family heirloom.

Still, Bicakcic admitted that she is not supporting Clinton in her contest against Barack Obama.

"I'm staying neutral," she said, declining to discuss the issue further. "I have very mixed emotions about it. It's a difficult situation for me."

Other Bosnians are not reluctant at all to speak out and call Clinton on her lies referring to them as a "low  blow done to gain publicity":

Many Bosnians - still confronted with bullet-scarred and burned-out buildings from Sarajevo to Tuzla - said their very real experiences with violence should not serve as cheap fodder for Clinton's political ambitions.

"It was a horrible lie," said 29-year-old Midhat Efendira.

Like most Bosnians, he expressed a deep appreciation of Bill Clinton for his role in ending the war. But he found Hillary Clinton's remarks intolerable.


Poll
Should Hillary Clinton focus on the issues in this campaign and stop trying to pad her resume with "mistruths"?
Yes
No

Votes: 22
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Display:


Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (none / 0)

OMG someone took the time to find and interview the little girl!? lol that's just crazy

how much time do these people have on their hands!


Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."
by TruthMatters on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:34:04 PM EST

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (2.00 / 1)

The New York Post .

What do you expect.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:37:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm surprised (2.00 / 1)

That you would look down on the NY Post when many of you Clinton supporters were citing among others, Newsmax, the Washington Times, and American Spectator!


by highgrade on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:23:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Actually, it's called doing their jobs. (none / 0)

Because, as your username implies, the truth matters.


Sean Robertson
by Sean Robertson on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:38:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Actually, it's called doing their jobs. (none / 0)

oh come on, what the little girl thinks? lol its not THAT big of a deal, the damage was done

heh this is what happens when things get slow.


Obama said, as Bill beamed. "Thank you, President Clinton."
by TruthMatters on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:43:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' (2.00 / 1)

Once upon a time... this was called reporting.  I know, I know, the media should just stick to feeding us the latest poll results, right?


by Whash on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:39:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Bosnia Loves Hillary? (2.00 / 0)

Remember that diary (you probably rec'ed it)? Well now we finally actually hear from Bosnians and ..... not so much.

Sema Markovic, 22, a student, said she has long respected Hillary as a strong leader but was angered by her remarks.

"It is an ugly thing for a politician to tell lies,' she said. "We had problems for years, and I don't like when someone lies about them. It makes us look bad."

A worker at the airstrip where Clinton landed said the surrounding hills that could have harbored snipers were far too distant to pose any real threat to the first lady.

He said that he found her false account hard to stomach and that it unnecessarily revived difficult memories.

Many Bosnians - still confronted with bullet-scarred and burned-out buildings from Sarajevo to Tuzla - said their very real experiences with violence should not serve as cheap fodder for Clinton's political ambitions.

"It was a horrible lie," said 29-year-old Midhat Efendira. ....

"It was a low blow," he said. "She did it to gain sensational publicity."

Sead Numanovic, the deputy editor-in-chief of Bosnia's largest newspaper, Dnevni Avaz, laughed at Sen. Clinton's account of the alleged sniper fire and her claim that she "misspoke." ....

"We don't have space for someone's lies," he said. "Why is she so stupid? It doesn't portray her as a real leader."


by JoeCoaster on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:12:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (none / 0)

your user name states that truth matters and then you question when somone does reseach to find out what the truth is? That sounds a bit hypocritical to me.


by lion king on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 03:42:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (none / 0)

OK. Now it's out. Christopher Hitchens has confirmed what I've always suspected. It was Hillary who was against intervention rather than Bill, and responsible like many others for countless unnecessary deaths.

Read the article. This is why I am so outraged.

http://www.slate.com/id/2187780/


by brit on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 04:05:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (2.00 / 1)

While I've gotten great amusement out of "sniper-gate," it's time to drop this one.  

It's starting to seem as desperate as the Clinton supporters who diary daily about some new angle of the Wright controversy.

In other words, let's bash McCain!


No way. No how. No McCain.
by freedom78 on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:39:49 PM EST

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (2.00 / 0)

The problem is how the candidates handle the matter.  When Wright was the focus, Obama took less than 2 days to give an amazing speech, spoke calmly and truthfully to the American public about race in the country.  He talked to us as if we were adults and that helped to stop the bleeding.  Hillary on the other hand thinks we are all stupid and still won't admit she lied.  How can you not remember if sniper fire was out to get you?  This is why the story has legs.  She should just come out and say she lied and the public would drop it.


My dream is Hillary will sponser a joint resolution to authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces against Trinity Church
by denounceandreject on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:45:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (2.00 / 1)

Amen to "She should just come out and say she lied and the public would drop it."  Problem is, she doesn't like to admit mistakes -- sound familiar?  Last 7 1/2 years?


Oregon Hussein KCG - Hussein means: "good; small handsome one" in Arabic.
by oregonkcg on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:49:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (none / 0)

By the " public " I suppose you mean you.

Because I have been calling PA for the Clinton camp everyday since the the story and not once has anyone asked me about it.

Outside of the blogs , not too many people are really bothered about it.

The story has no legs , now Re. wright thats one I have heard being raised by the voters I have spoken to in PA.

If you think the bleeding has stopped , I think you would be mistaken


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:50:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (2.00 / 0)

Look at the latest polls the man is up by 10 points nationally, he is gaining in PA, and he is in the lead in NC and OR.  If it weren't for that speech, he would not be in the position he is in now.  Funny you think Wright story is going to be the main cause people won't vote for him. I saw the clip when Obama was on The View.  Elisabeth Hasselback was ready to jump on him over the Wright issue and he calmly and coolly deflected her accusations it was a beauty to watch.  I can't wait for the Republicans to bring it up.  Another rousing speech, another trip on the media circuit = more exposure for Obama.  By all means, keep bringing up Wright or Rezko the more he talks about the better.


My dream is Hillary will sponser a joint resolution to authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces against Trinity Church
by denounceandreject on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:00:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (2.00 / 1)

Wow.  I don't think I could care less.

At least the girl in the 3AM ad was an Obama precinct captain.  That made the story semi-relevant.


by bawbie on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:40:26 PM EST

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (none / 0)

HRC is the gift that keeps on coming.


McCain: The Past, Obama: The Future
by KathyM on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:41:52 PM EST

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (none / 0)

" Gift that keeps on giving "


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:43:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned and Outraged' by Clinton (2.00 / 0)

Thanks for that correction; because the original was a visual I didn't want in my head. :-)


Nos causidicus Obama , ergo nos non suadeo
by rb608 on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:09:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

barf rated (2.00 / 0)

:)


by highgrade on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:22:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Your Poll (2.00 / 1)

This is the same thing as asking man "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?"

You lost any credibility this diary might have had (and it wasn't much) with that idiotic poll.


by creeper1014 on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:43:32 PM EST

His poll (none / 0)

It was an idiotic poll, but if you rate diary writers by that...Jeesh. Where would you start? Check out Universal's one about Obama being a law professor.

If that became your standard of credibility, then most of MYDD is literally incredible.


by brit on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 02:35:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: His poll (none / 0)

ummmm, you mean like Obama was a law professor?  As for example according to the university?


Donate!
by chrisblask on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 03:06:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Exactly (none / 0)

Obama was clearly a law professor. And Universal posted an idiotic article with an idiotic poll.

Is there an irony problem here?


by brit on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 03:52:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

'Stunned and Outraged' (none / 0)

The women said she was "surprised," not "stunned." The Post used that word, not the women. As far as I can tell, you are the using the word "outraged." Despite the hysterical tone of your diary, even the Post article quotes people Bosnians talking about exagerrations, and "Hollywood," not "lies."


by freemansfarm on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:44:59 PM EST

Re: 'Stunned and Outraged' (2.00 / 0)

I understand why they're talking about "exagerrations... not 'lies.'", because they're being more polite than is needed.  She lied.  Period.


Oregon Hussein KCG - Hussein means: "good; small handsome one" in Arabic.
by oregonkcg on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:47:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 'Stunned and Outraged' (none / 0)

Quotation marks are used to indicate quotations, i.e., what someone has said.  You have put the phrase "Stunned and Outraged" in quotations.  Yet neither the girl nor the article nor anybody else quoted in the article uses that phrase.  Indeed, the word "outraged" never even appears in the article.

Therefore, it is you, oregonkcg, who is the liar in this matter.

Glad that we have cleared that up.


by markjay on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:51:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 'Stunned and Outraged' (none / 0)

Oh ratchet down the righteous indignation.  Your correction is noted and I will modify the title.

I'm sure you agree that a mistake and a premeditated and repeated lie (a la: I dodged sniper fire) are ajust a tiny bit different? :)


Oregon Hussein KCG - Hussein means: "good; small handsome one" in Arabic.
by oregonkcg on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:55:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 'Stunned and Outraged' (none / 0)

By the way I hope you know the pedigree of the NY Post ?

Because it seems to me you are a little confused about it.

Free republic looks like an angel when compared to it.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:54:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Like it or not . . . (2.00 / 0)

This story made it to the top of Drudge . . . so it will last for another news cycle.

The relevancy is that it shows the other side that had their valor stolen - the people of Tuzla that endured even more than my fellow soldiers.


NO 100 year WAR, NO McConnell run Senate, & NO GOP-led Supreme Court!!!
by Veteran75 on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:54:04 PM EST

Re: Like it or not . . . (none / 0)

Its not even on the website , not that it matters.

Did you miss that or you made that up ?

Plus all your valor crap that you have been trying to push ever since the story came out is a lot of hogwash.

It doesn't make any sense so get over it.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:58:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Like it or not . . . (none / 0)

On the Drudge thing . . . you are correct. It was up at 11AM ET - gone now.

On the "valor crap" - "It doesn't make any sense so get over it." : I don't expect you to get it, and that is fine.

Veterans like myself protect civilians like yourself, so you do not need to ever understand our valor and blood that we shed for you.

This election is bigger than you and me, and it is bigger than Obama or HRC. This election is about my fallen brothers and sisters in Iraq!

Do you get that?


NO 100 year WAR, NO McConnell run Senate, & NO GOP-led Supreme Court!!!
by Veteran75 on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:04:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Like it or not . . . (none / 0)

Just say you know I have an immediate family member serving in Iraq right now a 22 yr old marine , so spare me the whole valor nonsense.

There is a long line of service to the country among my folks , this is a military area and any time a soldier is lost in combat the pain is felt around here.

It's ridiculous to cheapen the service of a lot of this folks by claiming that their valor was stolen based on the bosnia thing.

So please just because we are on the blogs and you have " veteran75 " as your screenname doesn't mean others don't have a stake in what is going on here.


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:13:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Like it not . . . (2.00 / 0)

So, you have family in the military and they are OK with anyone who chooses claiming to share the credit for the risks and loses they face and have faced?

Sorry, I have a hard time buying that.

There is a reason for the Stolen Valor Act that was signed into law in 2006.  General Stewart summed that up better than I can manage, you can take up the issue with him directly. All you need to do is post a refutation of his position here:

http://pennsylvaniaprogressive.typepad.c om/my_weblog/2008/03/bosnian-vet-acc.htm l

May as well put your real name and email address up there, so he can contact you directly.  No sense hiding behind nicknames when confronting a General about your perception about his lack of understanding of issues of military honor.

-chris blask
chris@blask.org


Donate!
by chrisblask on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 03:00:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Like it not . . . (none / 0)

I completely agree. When 200,000 people lost their lives in a real war zone, i.e. six months before Hillary landed, and suffered the worst genocide in Europe since World War II, it's not only valor theft, it's victim theft.

I've posted this in a diary last week. Don't underestimate how this undermines Hillary's credibility in Europe. Damn. Even my Polish girlfriend, for some reason a Hillary supporter, was upset about this issue more than any other


by brit on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 03:56:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned (none / 0)

This sure doesn't sound like a campaign or supporters who have things locked up and in the bag, does it?


by americanincanada on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:56:45 PM EST

Re: Bosnia Girl 'Stunned (none / 0)

Oh, aren't you just a cute lil' sniper.  Find me a quote from the Obama camp that he has this "locked up and in the bag"?  B.S. lovers like you deserve Clinton.


Oregon Hussein KCG - Hussein means: "good; small handsome one" in Arabic.
by oregonkcg on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:59:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yeah, It's in the bag (2.00 / 0)

No, It's not locked up.

Hillary can't pay her bills.

Hillary can't raise funds as well as Obama.

Hillary's only chance is to convince about 2/3s or the remaining uncommitted Super Delegates that she has what it takes to win a presidential election.

I don't think she has done that nor do I think it is likely that she will.

IMO campaign donors and gamblers have a lot in common. The both behave based on expectations. Hillary's supporters are suffering from diminished expectations. The math is killing her.


We shall overcome. Yes we can.
by Sam Wise Gingy on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:28:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bosnia Girl Calls Out Clinton on Tuzla Lie (none / 0)

Where's the stunned outrage?  I thought this girl was "stunned" and "outraged"...from the quotes, it sounds to me like reporters were doing their best to get her to say something along those lines and she was being very equivocal in her responses.


The universe is a casual place, not a suit-and-tie affair.
by mtnspirit on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:03:02 PM EST

Re: Bosnia Girl Calls Out Clinton on Tuzla Lie (1.00 / 0)

roflmao...you guys are desperate, aren't you.


by LindaSFNM on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:21:07 PM EST

Re: Bosnia Girl Calls Out Clinton on Tuzla Lie (none / 0)

Who freaking cares?


Restore America's Strength.
by RJEvans on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 01:29:27 PM EST

Who cares? (none / 0)

I agree this diary is a bit tenuous, but come on:

Bosnia was the worst conflict in Europe since World War II, with 200,000 (much higher per capita than Iraq). WE CARE - and the fact Hillary only seems to care about how this may damage her spin wise, rather than the genocidal context, is a bit rich.

She shouldn't be flogged any more for it, but don't doubt Europeans care


by brit on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 02:38:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.