Iraqi reporter throws his shoes at George Bush video

[Xyun]

http://www.progressivejunction.com/2008 ... eorge.html

[Winnow]

missed!

[Fairweather Pure]

That's an Iraqi tradition that's actually thanking Bush for libirating his country!

[Animalor]

Wow.. The secret service was kinda slow on the uptake on this one.

[cadalano]

who throws a shoe? honestly?







(obligatory)

[Nick]

It's a shame they weren't bullets and its a shame they didn't hit him.

[Fairweather Pure]

It's a shame they weren't bullets and its a shame they didn't hit him.

Too little, too late I'm afraid.

[cadalano]

nah. its good that it wasn't a significant threat to his safety.

[Canelek]

That was pretty awesome! I think, in Muslim tradition, it is the equivalent of Roberto Alomar spitting on the ump.

[Truant]

That was pretty awesome! I think, in Muslim tradition, it is the equivalent of Roberto Alomar spitting on the ump.

Or Crash Davis calling the ump a cocksucker.

[Boogahz]

Look at those cat-like reflexes!

[Winnow]

It's a shame they weren't bullets and its a shame they didn't hit him.

moron

and what do you think will happen when some crazed Irish racists attacks Obama? Presidents need to be safe whether they are unliked or not.

God, you're such an idiot.

[Aslanna]

Across Mideast, Arabs hail shoe-hurling journalist

AP BAGHDAD – Iraqis and other Arabs erupted in glee Monday at the shoe attack on George W. Bush. Far from a joke, many in the Mideast saw the act by an Iraqi journalist as heroic, expressing the deep, personal contempt many feel for the American leader they blame for years of bloodshed, chaos and the suffering of civilians.

Images of Bush ducking the fast-flying shoes at a Baghdad press conference, aired repeatedly on Arab satellite TV networks, were cathartic for many in the Middle East, who have for years felt their own leaders kowtow to the American president.

So the sight of an average Arab standing up and making a public show of resentment was stunning. The pride, joy and bitterness it uncorked showed how many Arabs place their anger on Bush personally for what they see as a litany of crimes — chief among them the turmoil in Iraq and tens of thousands of Iraqi deaths since the 2003 U.S. invasion.

The reaction explains in part the relief among Arabs over Barack Obama's election victory, seen as a repudiation of the Bush era. But it also highlights the task the next president will face in repairing America's image in the Mideast, where distrust of the U.S. has hampered a range of American policies, from containing Iran to pushing the peace process and democratic reform.

Some Iraqis were appalled by the act, including Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker Abdullah al-Alayawi, who called it "irresponsible conduct" and an affront to the Iraqi people. But such voices were drowned out by those who felt it was time someone stood up to the American president.

Bush "got what he deserves," said a Jordanian businessman, Raed Mansi, in Amman.

"I hope he got the message loud and clear: that he's loathed for his wrongdoing, for killing Muslim women and children in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine," the 52-year-old contractor said.

Some regional TV channels aired the footage from Sunday's press conference more than a dozen times in several hours. The scene bounced around Internet networking sites like You Tube and Facebook, showing Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi standing, hurling both his shoes at Bush and shouting in Arabic, "This is a farewell kiss, you dog. This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

Shoes hold a special place in the Arab lexicon of insults as a show of contempt — effectively saying, you're lower than the dirt on my shoes. Even sitting with the sole of a shoe pointed at another person is seen as disrespectful.

The hurling of shoes at Bush on his last visit to Iraq as president made an ironic bookend to one of the first images after the 2003 U.S. invasion, when Iraqi opponents of deposed leader Saddam Hussein toppled one of his statues in Baghdad and hit it with their shoes.

Al-Zeidi attained instant hero status around the Arab world. At one Baghdad elementary school, a geography teacher asked her students if they had seen the footage of the shoe-throwing, then told them, "All Iraqis should be proud of this Iraqi brave man, Muntadhar. History will remember him forever."

In Baghdad's Shiite slum of Sadr City, thousands of supporters of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr burned American flags in protest against Bush and called for the release of al-Zeidi, a 28-year-old Shiite who works for the private Iraqi TV station Al-Baghdadia.

What made al-Zeidi's defiance particularly resonant for many was their anger at autocratic Arab leaders whom they have considered slavish followers of Bush's policies in the Middle East.

Abdel-Sattar Qassem, a Palestinian political science professor at the West Bank's An Najah University, wrote in an online commentary that "Bush wanted to end his bloody term hearing compliments and welcoming words from his collaborators in the Arab and Islamic world. But a shoe from a real Arab man summed up Bush's black history and told the entire world that the Arabs hold their head high."

The Iraq war is the most prominent cause of Arab resentment of Bush. Even many who were outraged at Shiite and Sunni militant groups for the killings of civilians and sectarian strife that tore the country apart ultimately blamed Bush for unleashing the chaos. Some accuse his administration of fueling Shiite-Sunni tensions across the region.

But more broadly, nearly every U.S. policy in the region became seen as part of a campaign to divide or subjugate Muslim nations, from Iran and Syria to Sudan and Somalia.

His administration's war on terror was seen as a war on Muslims and Arabs in general, an image fueled by civilian deaths in Afghanistan and, in particular, the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.

Bush was seen as heavily favoring Israel over the Palestinians. His administration's campaign to isolate the Palestinian militant group Hamas translated to the Arab public as an attempt to starve Palestinians in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

The intense personal resentment of Bush may give Obama an automatic advantage in his attempts to repair the U.S. image.

Obama's race and his family ties to Islam have raised hope among some Arabs that he'll be more sympathetic to their views. Obama's aides have spoken of his delivering a major address in a Muslim capital early in his administration to set a new tone.

But many in the Mideast say it will take more than symbolic gestures. The president-elect's promises to withdraw from Iraq and close Guantanamo have also raised Arab hopes. Another top demand is for a more balanced U.S. stance in the Arab-Israeli peace process.

But on Monday, Arabs were just glowing with pride over the farewell to Bush.

"I've watched the video over a dozen times on You Tube and was excited every time I see him (al-Zeidi) standing up and calling Bush a dog," said Tamer Ismail, 23-year-old art student in Cairo. "But I felt so bitter when he missed."

[Fairweather Pure]

It's a shame they weren't bullets and its a shame they didn't hit him.

moron

and what do you think will happen when some crazed Irish racists attacks Obama? Presidents need to be safe whether they are unliked or not.

God, you're such an idiot.

The man who threw the shoe was the effect that Bush caused. For your scenerio to play out, Obama would first have to invade Ireland, kill lots and lots of innocent people, then go there and hold a press conference. If that happened, I would say the same thing as I'm saying about Bush: "If this is the worst thing that happens to you, you're goddamn lucky."

[Tyek]

It's a shame they weren't bullets and its a shame they didn't hit him.

He achieved far more doing what he did then he ever could have with a gun. Sorry.

[Boogahz]

This guy's local commentary can be fun to read.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/n ... kelso.html

COMMENTARY: JOHN KELSO

Bush too quick for Iraqi TV reporter's sizzling shoeballs
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Today's topic? It's gotta be the shoes.

When an Iraqi journalist chucked his shoes at President Bush during a news conference Sunday in Baghdad, American journalists wondered one thing.

Could he expense-account them? You know he's not getting them back, right?

Lord knows how many of us in the news business in this country have gotten stuck covering tedious news conferences and wanted to hurl something at the podium. What stops us? Manners? Nah. Most journalists don't make enough money to toss away a good pair of shoes just to make a point.

So the big question becomes whether this Iraqi TV reporter could put his shoes on his expense account under "miscellaneous" and get the managing editor to sign off on them.

"This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog," Muntadhar al-Zeidi shouted before he threw his shoes one after the next at Bush's head. See, in Iraq, it's an insult to throw your shoes at somebody. Not like it's a big compliment in Waco — although in those parts it would be a pointy-toed boot.

Anyway, this probably being Bush's final Iraq trip, it means his legacy is that this guy thinks he's a heel. And the shoes? They should put them in the Smithsonian.

You gotta wonder what's to become of Zeidi. I figure maybe he'll get his own talk show on Al-Jazeera, or on MSNBC with Keith Olbermann.

I saw the video of Zeidi hurling his footwear at Bush, and all I could think of was 'Take me out to the ballgame.' What an arm. What a fastball. Zeidi's first toss whizzed past Bush's right ear with some zip on it. Bush was so nimble at dodging the shoe that it looked as if he's used to people throwing junk at him. With his approval rating, this is a surprise? Then Zeidi let loose his second pitch, a high hard one over Bush's head.

Last time I looked, the Yankees could use some pitching. They should invite this guy to spring training. So what kind of shoes was Zeidi wearing? I'd say they probably weren't lace-ups, because they came off easily. Handy tip: If you're fixing to wing your shoes at the president, wear slip-ons.

The problem with this protest is that it'll mean more hassles for travelers out at the airport. Under current rules, we only have to take off our shoes while going through security. Now that this guy has tried to bean the president with his Florsheims, they won't let us wear shoes on the plane at all. I wouldn't be surprised if Homeland Security declares a three-day cooling-off period on shoe purchases. So before that happens, I'm going to Payless and loading up. Hey, they'll have to pry my Crocs from my cold, dead hands.

[laneela]

I'm pretty sure that's the first time Bush has leaned left.

[Nick]

lol:P


As for this:

He achieved far more doing what he did then he ever could have with a gun. Sorry.

What? How has he done that exactly? If he had killed Bush he would have achieved a hell of a lot more than this little stunt. (?)

Winnow's sour grapes anti-obama/anti-irish post is hilarious. It's great seeing this rightfully ostracized idiocy scrabbling for attention nowadays.

[Sargeras]

[Kaldaur]

lol sarg

[Tyek]

What? How has he done that exactly? If he had killed Bush he would have achieved a hell of a lot more than this little stunt. (?)

So he kills a President with one month left in office and goes to jail. He also gives those who think this is a violent and extreme people a reason to continue that line of thinking. Sure I could see how that would be beneficial. Feed a stereotype of hate and mistrust by killing a guy. He goes to jail for the rest of his life.

or

You throw a shoe at the man, showing your disgust with him. You prove your point, you are hailed as brave and have thousands calling for your release. I am sure there would have been some calling for his release if they killed him, but again it would have fed into the stereotypes the pro-war honks have of Muslims and all Middle Eastern people.

So Nick, let me get this straight, it is better to kill someone that you (I mean you personally) don't like politically then to demonstrate your point in a non-violent manner. You personally do not know Bush, could not tell anyone anything that was not media based and biased information, yet he deserves death? I did not think Hussain should have been killed, nor do I think Bush should have.

While we are on Hussain, do you think that the guy would have dared fired his shoe at him or his sons. In some ways, his action proved to me that we have given them at least some semblence of freedom and that they are ready to forge their own path. I never agreed with the invasion, but it is done and if this is the spirit of rebellion in the people then great. Your calling for Bush is assinine, if you really think killing Bush would have been better then what he did, then you truely have a twisted and warped world view.

If you decide Barrack is not to your liking in 4 years should we kill him too?

[Winnow]

Bush is pretty athletic! It kinda looks like he was enjoying the challenge.

[Xyun]

What? How has he done that exactly? If he had killed Bush he would have achieved a hell of a lot more than this little stunt. (?)

So he kills a President with one month left in office and goes to jail. He also gives those who think this is a violent and extreme people a reason to continue that line of thinking. Sure I could see how that would be beneficial. Feed a stereotype of hate and mistrust by killing a guy. He goes to jail for the rest of his life.

or

You throw a shoe at the man, showing your disgust with him. You prove your point, you are hailed as brave and have thousands calling for your release. I am sure there would have been some calling for his release if they killed him, but again it would have fed into the stereotypes the pro-war honks have of Muslims and all Middle Eastern people.

So Nick, let me get this straight, it is better to kill someone that you (I mean you personally) don't like politically then to demonstrate your point in a non-violent manner. You personally do not know Bush, could not tell anyone anything that was not media based and biased information, yet he deserves death? I did not think Hussain should have been killed, nor do I think Bush should have.

While we are on Hussain, do you think that the guy would have dared fired his shoe at him or his sons. In some ways, his action proved to me that we have given them at least some semblence of freedom and that they are ready to forge their own path. I never agreed with the invasion, but it is done and if this is the spirit of rebellion in the people then great. Your calling for Bush is assinine, if you really think killing Bush would have been better then what he did, then you truely have a twisted and warped world view.

If you decide Barrack is not to your liking in 4 years should we kill him too?

Tyek you are absolutely right, but trying to convince Nick is like trying to use logic to explain something to a screaming crying 4 year old child.

[Nick]

Ah, the pseudo intellectual opinionazi is trying to hold some form of moral high ground.

As for Tyek's idiocy, effectively we can only judge world leaders and their murderous acts if we know them personally? It is true that American's really are completely and utterly out of touch with reality.

[Sylvus]

Interesting that you picked only that line out of his whole post. Because he schooled you with the rest of it, son!

I hate GWB as much as the next guy, but it'll be better for him to retire and fade into obscurity where he can live out the rest of his life hearing everyone dissect the worst presidency in history. Much more torturous.

[Nick]

Justice is obviously not a particularly important thing to American's then.

Quel surprise.

Yeah what a schooling from Tyek! Hurf durf yank circlejerk rinse and repeat.

[Boogahz]

If he had shot Bush, I can only see the US involvement in Iraq becoming escalated beyond what it has been. At least what happened caused no physical harm which could escalate the situation there on the US side, and it gives a "moral" victory to Iraqis that share the reporter's views. Whether or not he should be jailed will be up to the Iraqi judicial system, but I personal think a light slap on the wrist for violating "protocol" for a press conference with a visiting leader would be adequate. Enough to say that they don't agree with the manner it was carried out, but that they acknowledge the man's complaint in front of their nation.

[Aslanna]

Justice is obviously not a particularly important thing to American's then.

Assassinating someone, at least in the civilized world, isn't exactly the definiton of "justice". When you're older you might understand that. But I wont hold my breath.

[cadalano]

if anything had happened to that tool, it would make all of the things his admin is responsible for worse.

nick is more concerned with his own personal satisfaction than any improvement over the many quagmires left by bush. he doesn't care about any of these real tragedies that are cited so often in his persona's U.S. hatin' rants. he doesn't care about the innocent people whose lives have been ruined. No, he would trade the lives of more innocent people for the death of an American president.

said it before. you're no better a person.

[Gzette]

Assassination is not the answer.

Saying so shows you're just as much of a reactionary as any other extremist. It discounts your opinion greatly. I'd back away from that viewpoint if I were you.

[Xyun]

Too late. Nick has already proven that he is of the same ilk as George Bush except on the opposite end of the political spectrum. Justice and vengeance are not the same thing. Murder and casualties of war are not the same thing. The ramifications of an American president being assassinated on foreign soil are far beyond anything Nick seems to understand. That these concepts need to be explained over and over to a self proclaimed intelligent adult speaks for itself.

[Tyek]

Ah, the pseudo intellectual opinionazi is trying to hold some form of moral high ground.

As for Tyek's idiocy, effectively we can only judge world leaders and their murderous acts if we know them personally? It is true that American's really are completely and utterly out of touch with reality.

Edit - For the record, I have never seen a better review of your posts. Congrats on nailing this one...

Hurf durf yank circlejerk rinse and repeat.

I had a long post ready to go, but looking back I realize that it is impossible to actually have a discussion with someone who thinks only his opinion is right. Looking back over your past posting history I saw that you consistently ignore valid points and when backed into a corner you lash out with name calling and rambling about how stupid Americans are. For someone who is so forward thinking and liberal you sure have a intolerant and unopen mind to other opinions and you sure don't take the longview on issues. Everything is react, react, react and if the world really did share your opnion we would be in even more trouble then we are today. Now it's your turn, call me more names...YEAH!!!

[Nick]

Hay guyz anyone who thinks George Bush should be held accountable for his actions and not just left to walk quietly into the sunset is no better than him America is totally in touch with reality amirite.

[Xyun]

Being held accountable and being assassinated are the same thing to religious fanatics, terrorists, zealots, and you.

[Nick]

Haha, oh god - Go back to being that fair weather lefty that hides behind Obama's rhetoric you get such a hardon for, you flounder when you're on your own.

[Dregor Thule]

An assassinated president by default becomes an angel worthy of Sainthood in the eyes of most Americans. Far more than Bush deserves. I thought the shoe-throwing was awesome, and is possibly the first time in 8 years Bush has been made aware of public opinion.

[Gzette]

Also if Bush were assassinated in Iraq it would ensure that the U.S. would be there pretty much forever. Despite Obama's intimations towards a troop withdrawal, such a brazen act would lead to a likely surge, maybe another go around of Shock and Awe along with warmongering not seen since 9/11. Is that what you want Nick?

Guess what? The overflowing majority of lefties in the U.S. do not want President Bush killed. So 'fairweather' is not an accurate description. Nick, you sir are an extremist and possibly a little nutty.

[Lalanae]

I wouldn't cry if he choked on some beef jerky in Crawford, Texas, but I'm with Dregor. The media would turn him into a martyred hero.

[Braxter]

The point is moot. Maybe the guy would have used bullets if he had the opportunity. You have to wonder if he woke up that day thinking he was going to throw his shoes at Bush or whether seeing him in person made him so angry that he couldn't resist.

But there's no way anyone is getting a gun that close to Bush in a closed building. In fact, I think the secret service has been doing such a good job keeping guns away from Presidents that their reflexes have waned...I mean how do you let a guy yell a whole sentence, throw one shoe, and then another, without jumping in? They best get their shit straight...I can't imagine that protecting Obama will be easy.

Anyway, to put things into perspective, an assassinated George Bush would lead to an inaugurated Dick Cheney. President Cheney, for a little over a month, would be in charge of the most powerful arsenal in the history of the world. And he would have an axe to grind.

Be careful what you wish for ;p

[Drolgin Steingrinder]

I don't want Bush dead. Well, not while he's in office. If he were to contract some painful bowel disorder that caused him to have the bloody runs for 9 months following Obama's inauguration, it'd be fine by me. Preferably if it meant he'd shit himself in public a few times.

Not "Oh what's the hump on Bush's back???", but "Oh what's that lump in his pants?"

[miir]

I hope he chokes on a pretzel and dies!

[cadalano]

thats more like it. bush doesn't deserve to die like kennedy and abe lincoln. he deserves to die like a guy who cant figure out how to eat and inhale at separate times