From: The Associated Press"Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad on Dec. 14. 2008, while yelling in Arabic.
Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets today to demand the release of Muntadar al-Zeidi, as Arabs across many parts of the Middle East hailed the journalist as a hero and praised his insult as a proper send-off to the unpopular U.S. president.
The journalist is being held by Iraqi security Monday and interrogated about whether anybody paid him to throw his shoes at Bush said an Iraqi official.
He was also being tested for alcohol and drugs, and his shoes were being held as evidence, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
Showing the sole of your shoe to someone in the Arab world is a sign of extreme disrespect, and throwing your shoes is even worse."
I think some Canadian politicians had better start practising their ducking techniques.
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16 comments:
I'm amazed it hasn't happened to our president before now!
George W. showed some mighty fine reflexes in ducking the first one. Not bad for a guy his age.
I feel sorry for how bad he must feel at not being able to go anywhere these days, but I also have a sneaking suspicion that he doesn't even realize the full ramifications of this. This wasn't a terrorist or a crazy person but a journalist. What does this say about most of the Iraqi's
Some folks get to have all the fun.
I read about this incident, and have to quietly think, "Good for him!" What does it say about the Iraqis? It says they have been driven to such things in frustration and despair. And Bush is still delusional enough to believe he's done good for our country!
Frankly even if he been hit in the head, I dont think he would have 'gotten' it...
However a news commentator was opining this morning that it took our secret service a full 7 seconds to react ..
And as my boss said 'he did what so many of us have wanted to do for the last 8 yrs'
:-Daryl
I think it's a very civilised protest! In the US someone would probably take a pot shot at him! Well ducked tho! Do you remember when that huge statue of Saddam Hussain was pulled down and hundreds of Iraqis beat it with their shoes!
I'm with Suldog. I think "W" reacted very quickly. I was surprised to see how long it took the secret service to react.
Who'eda thunk it...reflexes in him like a youngun. there must be many a motherless son who would have thrown a brick.
If the daggone shoe had hit him square in the forehead, he would not have batted an eye and would have kept on talking. He's blind and oblivious to his surroundings and the sentiment of anyone around him. He'd deny that it happened and say with confidence that a shoe was not in fact flung at him. That's why the Secret Service didn't react quickly enough...nothing happened until other members of the audience said it did.
And in spite of what I really want to say next, I will stop now.
p.s. Don't worry about the whatchamacallit...I'm just honored to have been named in your pay it forward thing...and as I keep saying, I actually forget about it until you remind me!
I've seen this quite a few time on the news and actual got laugh out of it.
I understand in some culture to insult some one you throw a shoe at them and also have people hang a shoe from a flag pole when some one is coming to your area is also anther way of insulting them.
I heard Nixon in the 50 visit some place in south America he also got a shoe thrown at him and tobacco spat on him.
In our culture flipping someone the bird is insult but over in middle east I've heard it welcoming jester.
Coffee is on.
Too funny,
I suppose we should be greatful the rest of his body didn't go along with them considering how unpopular George is these days. The sad thing is....under normal circumstances....we as a people would be infuriated to have anything like that happen to the leader of our country....outraged. But, we are not. I guess that says it all.
George is unpopular, and a lame duck president. Obama still talks pretty, but hasn't done anything, and the democratic liberal congress has added two trillion debt to the books, and is just warming up.
I thought I was watching a Saturday Night Live sketch when I saw that show throwing incident on television. George W. reacted pretty quick!
That dear little Teddy Bear shoe wouldn't hurt a fly (or a President!)
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