He’s called Muntadar al-Zaidi, and if don’t know his name I bet you’ve seen his shoes flying towards George Bush. If you missed it, here’s the video.
It’s the most talked about story online, and essentially this comes down to two questions. What’s your reaction to what he did? What punishment or response should he receive?
LINKS
Blog celebrating the attack – including celebratory cartoon
http://tales-of-iraq-war.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-02%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-02%3A00&max-results=50
Petition calling for his release from custody
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iwffomuntatharalzaidi/index.html
Online game where you can throw a shoe at the President. People don’t miss a trick these days.
http://www.kroma.no/2008/bushgame/
RSS feed
He should receive praise for facing Bush the way he did.
It’s the pride of Iraq.
Bush deserved it, plain and simple.
I’d say more but would hate for my words to be skewed and/or get myself into some sort of trouble if I said something that could be misconstrued as a threat… No matter how many things he deserves thrown at him.
Neither. Iraq did not throw the shoes, a graceless journalist forgot his manners. The President ducked like an expert. End of story.
Al- Zaidi just wanted to vent his frustration to someone he thinks as well as many other Iraqs is responsible for the destructive war that ousted Saddam. Unfortunately he allowed to be overpowered by his frustration and resort to violence which is wrong. However, he deserves to be pardoned as he was emotionally driven and President Bush has ever experienced similar attacks on campaign trails with people throwing eggs at him.
Moses Magoola
Kampala- Uganda
Neither. Iraq did not throw the shoes. A graceless journalist lost his temper and forgot his manners. He should lose his press card permanently.
The President ducked like an expert and responded with poise. End of story.
This was not a professional act.
From now on journalists will not be able to enjoy this type of close access to any president. This fellow did a disservice to his profession and he should be punished through professional sanctions as well as whatever is provided for by the laws of Iraq.
I am not a fan of President Bush, however I was most impressed with his ducking maneuver!
Is the shoe-throwing journalist the pride or shame of Iraq?”
Are invading, bombing, and dismembering Iraq the pride or shame of USA and its shoe-thrown president Mr. Bush?
Actually, what we have in balance today is not the pride of Iraq, because it’s not logical to talk about an occupied country’s pride. We’re now writing a dark black page of USA history, a page that would be stamped with Al Zaidi’s.
What a hero “Muntadar al-Zaidi”, if it was me I would have thrown a polythen bag hand full of fieces on his face. Remember all widows, dead innocent children who are dead of his own making.
We should instead call this act a devilish act before proposing whether a pride or shame of Iraq.
There should be many ways of expressing one’s grieve. Iraqis who think that George Bush killed their loved ones or caused misery to them. It’s a mistake. Because many were saved by the action of this Bush.
I don’t know what is more shameful, this cowardly attack on a Head of State or the media’s hardly-veiled endorsement of it. Even the WHYS blog has a link to a series of cartoons praising the attack, however I don’t see the BBC providing a similar link to information regarding the penalty that an assault against a President carries in the USA. In any country, a similar action would result in imprisonment at a minimum, and probably much worse.
Pride? Shame? Footnote. -if even that- I support enough of the presidents policies in Iraq, and I thought the shoe throwing was funny. The presidents reaction was the proper one. People in free societies do things to gain attention to their cause. The reporter shouldn’t face anything but possibly mis-demenor assualt charges. I’d rather he not be charged with any crime. -As if Bush hasn’t ducked a pair of well aimed heels in his life- the guys not that good at choosing his words-
If only they had been my shoes.
He was just a man looking for sensation strangely he got it. Now he is in jail and a celebrity after all we live in a world obsessed with reality TV.
Maybe George Bush should have in retaliation done the American thing remove his trouser and throw it or even worse his socks. The whole shoes debate adds nothing to anything, its shallow.
Bush was dignified in the whole thing and he became my hero.
This story does show the difference between free speech in the west vs. elsewhere. There are throw shoes at George Bush games, and the link is on here. more power to whoever created the game, and whomever plays it. It’s in bad tastes, but I have no problem with the concept of it exist. NOW, let’s say instead if it were throw shoes at George Bush, it were throw shoes at the Koran, or flush the Koran down the toilet game, do you think it would be met with applause? I have a feeling there would be protests, and there’s NO WAY the BBC would have posted a link to it. I just like to call out double standards when I see them.
While I don’t condone what this “journalist” did, I can’t blame him for his frustration. I think about how the life of the average Iraqi citizen has changed for the worse in the past five years and I think, in some way, he spoke for a lot of people with his actions. He’s not a hero, but I think he is a symbol of what has gone terribly wrong with this war and the toll it has taken on so many people, both coalition and Iraqi.
I think that Mr Muntadar al-Zaidi had every reason to throw his shoes and I would have felt the same but George Bush only appears to think of himself above everybody else so this gesture was probably wasted on him. It wasn’t wasted on me, Well done!
A whole programme about this?
Hi gang !
… As a young Baghdadi woman who’s suffered a great deal both before and after the US-led invasion of my Iraq, let me tell you Ros and all of you guys my take on this story : Part of me condemned what my brother Muntadhar did, because his act wasn’t professional at all, let’s not forget that above all, he’s an Iraqi journalist, and he should’ve sticked to the commonly shared and agreed ethics and codes of the profession of journalism… BUT also another part of me felt extremely happy, extremely satisfied, and extremely proud of what my brother Muntadhar, the Iraqi human being, has done… Muntadhar did touch a highly sensitive nerve, and his act relieved me a great deal… The job was done, and Mr Bush, the ruler of the strongest nation on earth was exposed to the harshest insult in the Arab World, to be hit by a shoe and called a ‘dog’, and I say that Mr Bush does deserve much more than what Muntadhar did to him… Mr Bush isn’t a welcomed guest in my Iraq, so I guess that Muntadhar’s shoes were just the perfect farewell present for him… With my love… Yours forever, Lubna in Baghdad…
The reaction to the shoe throwing journalist is a mix of emotions.He is right to be angry at Bush due to the carnage that has become Iraq and throwing shoes might have been the only means available to him to clearly pass on the message.
On the other hand the diplomatic fact of throwing shoes @ a head of state is not a very nice thing.But the more somber thought is the glaring security lapses.What if the shoes thrown were rigged like the “famous shoe bomber”?the thought of the aftermath is too ghastly to comprehend.
The shoe-throwing journalist is indeed a shame of Iraq. It is only barbaric to hail such an act as heroism. While I am not in support of the policies of George .W. Bush, I believe that as civilized people, we utilize lawful means in expressing our grievances. What that guy did was an assault on Mr. Bush and no one should blame him should he decide to press charges to uphold his rights.
I am further disappointed by the fact the person in question happens to the be a journalist. What happened to the assertion that the pen Is mightier than the sword. I guess Mr. Muntadar al-Zaidi has no business being a journalist in the first place, because Journalists are known to be calm, a character what was seriously demeaned by his actions.
Pros and Cons
I can only say that I think one understands what al- Zaidi did instinctively, even if one does not have the same customs and does not understand the cultural implications of shoes in Iraq. The invecative that he shouted was in keeping with Arabic customs, from what I have read in the translation.
I can understand his anger at George W. Bush. For all of the people who have died in Iraq, for the destruction of the infrastructure, for the dissolution of families and break-up of society. And for the stupid apology about ‘lack of intelligence/faulty intelligence’ of WMD that was the starting point for the B2 continuation of his daddy’s first Gulf War.
I am a pacifist and leave it to judges and lawyers to mete out punishment.
I, too am angry as all get-out about the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Bush’s failure to listen to the warnings about Hurricane Katrine and most of all Bush’s disregard for human life. He is the worst example of a human being to ever be President of the United States in my lifetime. But in my cultural context, my aversion to him would mean that I would do the opposite of al Zaidi. I have grown up with freedom of speech and freedom of expression. One blogs and sings songs and makes jokes about Bush. I believe that the pen is mightier than the shoe. And at this point in time, it is as if we all know that President Bush is the joke. That is pretty scary, too.
Unfortunately,this is the kind of stunt that gives journalism a bad reputation. As a journalist, I believe that we have to make certain that our colleague al-Zaidi is not harmed because of his actions. But at the end of the day, nobody wants to have to strip to go to a press conference.
surprise, awful, bewildered, strange, unforgettable, disdain, unbecoming, reprehensible, punishable, despicable, unwarranted, primitive are some of the adjectives that at best describe the drama of 10 seconds
I think Iraqis are beginning to somehow reap the dividends of free societies aka democracy. Think about it. Could that young man have ever conceived that under dictator Saddam Hussein?
Both himself and his family would have been gassed to death with immediate effect. I submit that Iraqis ought to show some gratitude, at least to a certain level
We should instead call this act a devilish act before proposing whether a pride or shame of Iraq.
There should be many ways of expressing one’s grieve. Iraqis who think that George Bush killed their loved ones or caused misery to them. It’s a mistake. Because many were saved by the action of this Bush.
Arnaud Ntirenganya Emmanuel
Hi, everyone!
Nobody – neither comon citizens nor professionals – is able to anticipate their reaction when there’s anger, which was what happened to this guy. His anger is justified, though. I can’t believe how Mr Bush turned up just like if nothing had happened. Did he expect to be honoured, after all the harm he’s caused in Iraq? I’m just sorry none of the shoes reached him.
Shoes won’t change the history of Iraq, but at least a citizen (Bahh, let’s say, many) would have felt relieved somehow, at least for 30 seconds.
The journalist should have been set free long time ago. I’m doubtful about it.
I agree with some of you that this man doesn’t deserve a monument, but he did what many of us may feel when we have someone we don’t like before us, and Mr Bush has done lots of things for gaining our apathy, hasn’t he?
Cheers!
My first reaction to the video when I saw it on MSNBC was of shock. It wasn’t till he threw his second shoe that I realized what had happened. My second reaction was that I was surprised the U.S. Secret Service reacted so slowly I always thought the second they saw a threat their immediate reaction was to wisk him away to a bunker.
What do I think his punishment should be? Normally I don’t agree with this philosphy but in this case I think the old eye for an eye philosophy should go. President Bush should be allowed to throw a shoe back at the guy.
Throwing shoes at anyone is an insult and a disrespect in any culture at anywhere in the world, and throwing it at the President of the greatest country of the world is more than an insult, it is a crime, and he should be thrown in jail forever. What this mentally retarded man did shows of his primitive and no respect culture and the way he was raised. He insulted the man who is the reason why he is standing and gave him the freedom to do this. This is what we get when we help backward people. And any comments here saying is a good thing to insult our president is a disgrace for you, and you are not American, and if you are you should go live somewhere else.
If this reporter did something like this to an Arab leader, he would be hanged by now! That tells something to the liberals and radicals here who does not like Bush. Our President Bush is one the best Presidents, he sticks to his guns, stood up to liberals and kept us safe. I would vote for him for the third term, better thant he one we have now (Obama).
The whole western world joins the whole Arab world in condemning the unprovoked attack on Iraq which has led to Hundreds of Thousands of Iraqis dead, a country where Al Qaeda had no foot ho,d being subjected to years of terrorist violence and the mission to bring peace to Afghanistan being now doomed to failure. I applaud the shoe throwing, it was after all merely an insult and one the George Bush and our own mad mullah Tony Blair fully deserve for their ill judged imperialist actions.
Of course Saddam had done terrible things, many of them as proxy for earlier western governments. Few would say he should have gone free but earlier wiser politicians like Margaret Thatcher, John Major and of course Ronald Regan found other ways to get rid of evil dictators without plunging whole countries into a frenzy of blood letting. That is what should have been done in Iraq which at the time we attacked it was known with absolute certainty not to pose any threat to anyone.
Thank You Muntadar for your protest, now if Iraq wishes to be seen as a free country it is time for this upright man to be given a rap over the knuckles and released.
Sadly there is no real international justice yet and Mr Bush and our own mad Mullah Tony Blair will not face trial for war crimes as they should.
No it wasn’t professional, but I still laughed. Bush is lucky thats ALL that was thrown. Jan 20 can’t come soon enough for me.
Hi WHYSers!
I am excited about this discussion, especially several of the last entries which focussed on the so-called detachment of journalists, something which I am never sure is always true! I think this shoe attack, as it has been branded, expresses the contradictions between being a human being and a professional anything, journalist included.
As Lubna pointed out above, this is the worst insult that one can experience in the “Arab World”. I find the entire episode telling, as a result. It is a pointed departure from the US (political) narrative of the “success” of the Surge. And, forces us to consider, “success” for who? Many (in Iraq) seem to feel that the “freedom” promised by the occupation has been too costly and, from what one reporter said on the BBC on Sunday, according to some is comparable to the deaths under Saddam! That is saying alot! Pride or shame? Not so sure if it is that easy! But, I do know it is important, regardless!
Hi Ros,
Firstly I think it’s pretty clear no Western journalist would ever get away with that. He has compromised his journalistic principles to remain objective and unbiased. What should be done to him? If he worked for any Western outlet he’d already have been fired by now. I believe he should be treated by the letter of the law for assault or attempted assault, or whatever it is in Iraqi law. It’s only fair.
Regards
ZK in Singapore
Pride or shame? This only reflects the point of view of each one of us.
History is made of moments like this: a single individual standing before authority.
Consider the solitary “shopper” standing in front of the tanks in Tianamen Square in Beijing. Or Mahatma Ghandi, or many others.
Love it, or hate it, this act will live in history. He was brave enough to make his statement public and knew the consequences.
This is classic non-violent protest. Whether any of us might agree or not, this is a defining moment.
The shoe-throwing journalist is the pride of the sane world (small though that may be). He’s my hero.
I dont condone violence but i think bush deserves much worse than a shoe thrown at him. The journalist is a hero and must be released
Hero to them and many here. It would have been too much to ask for him to connect and leave a nice red mark on the old forehead. How cynical and arrogant for Bush to take a victory lap in Iraq? I mean really. Saddam started the war? Listen to what the guy is saying. No one believes this now. Did you guys know that our congress has set aside millions of dollars for “Victory In Iraq Day”? We haven’t been able to spend it yet. That will most likely disappear with all the other money that’s been looted in the last 8 years. At least the last memory most people will have will be Bush ducking a flying shoe. Unless of course he has another embarrassing moment up his sleeve?
Cheers,
GB/OB
Re: What’s your reaction to what he did? What punishment or response should he receive?
I found his actions shameful. What he did was a disgrace to himself and his people. His actions have also brought up alot of gloating from people here in the U.S. who would have behaved in a similar way. For myself, I am feeling even more happy at no longer considering myself a liberal progressive democrat!
As for his punishment; I do hope he is punished to the fullest extent of the law and doesn’t get out on the victim card.
@ James in London
As I said in the talking points thread, this is an insult not an assault. As for it warranting a jail sentence “in any country” this is certainly not the case in the UK where you live. Look at things like the eggs thrown at John Prescott or Boris Johnson being drenched in beer. The dastardly perpetrators were let off with warnings or small fines.
A healthy disrespect for politicians is a good thing and a sign of a healthy democracy. If you start treating elected officials…even presidents…as an elite rather than public servants, you have your priorities wrong.
The throwing of shoes by an upset Iraqi journalist does not really begin to quantify the extent of the damages/ horrors that Iraq has experienced in the US poliitical experiment, post-9/11. Though, it still clearly reminds that the urgent threat to international security in the age of modern terrorism is still very much an important issue. It requires careful thought, in terms of a solution. The war in Iraq has only served to make that issue all the more problematic and, rightly, angers many in that country regarding US foreign policies, it would appear.
personally, i disapprove with bush about Iraq, however, i also disapprove the reaction of that Iraqi journalist. i think the Iraqis most be tired of confrontation, by now lets find an amicable away to solve this problem. Besides, even though, Bush is the president, America and the world entirely should also be held responsible for allowing the will of few individuals to prevail. thats way i was not impress by the hype”CHANGE” during the presidential rallies. Honestly, what we need is “WAKE UP CALL”. lets referred back to the early seventies and see what happen to Richard Nixon. instead of wasting our time until four year, lets get rid of bad official as early as possible.
FROM. NIGERIA
Both got it wrong. As journalist, Mr. Muntadar al-Zaidi should have not become the news. To have made an appropriate statement to the Iraqi people, Mr. George W. Bush should not have avoided being hit.
g
Apparently, the theory of man’s evolution is a myth. A pencil is a great tool but in the hands of a criminal, it’s used as a weapon.
@ Morf
“This is classic non-violent protest. Whether any of us might agree or not, this is a defining moment.”
How do you define violence? If he had shot him but missed would you say it’s non violent? He tried to hit him. He assaulted him. He committed a crime and a tort against the President. That’s not exactly “non violent”.
I am surprised that this didn’t happen sooner, since Bush hasn’t exactly made very many friends with his unbelievably aggressive stance towards foreign policy.
Bush is good at ducking things…..
(erhem, Vietnam…)
In all honesty what the journalist did was not in the best interest of journalistic responsibility, however I don’t blame him. The Iraqi people now have the freedom to express such distaste but they have payed a very heavy price in the process.
There is no justification whatsoever for such an act, the journalist, who should be ashame of himself should be tried and throwon into jail. His country should be ashame of him. You can protest in civilized way, throwing shoes is a crude act of a primitive man with no manners. Bush is the reason for the freedom he enjoys, be grateful for our good President. I love President Bush and will vote for him for a third time.
HI BBC. Shoe-throwing at the president George W. Bush was neither pride nor shame to the Iraqis but worst for the journalisms, therefore world?Iraqi government should punish(life Imprisonment)to this individual who involves in this heinous crime to avoid the occurrant of this in the journalists world.
It doesn’t matter whether it be viewed with pride or shame.
One thing is for sure; those shoes will be celebrated and be preserved for
future generations to marvel at.
@ Hiam,
Agree completely that the “the one (bush) that he threw the shoe on, was the very reason for the ‘freedom’ he was seemingly expressing. If only Bush was Saddam. By now, he would have been singing a different song.
@ Vanessa,
A very heavy price, indeed! Throwing shoes, though unacceptable, does not readily equate, if truth were to be told!
@ Bob
You couldn’t be more wrong. Look at any legal definition of assault.
Every politician deserves to have something thrown at them once in a while. A shoe is probably a good choice of missile, if you can afford to throw your shoes away. Pride or shame of Iraq? Both too strong to use in this case. This is in the league of very minor heroics, and it was rude, too. But not as rude as George W. Bush saddling up for an uninvited gallop through Iraq. He’ll just keep doing nutty things to the bitter end, won’t he? So he deserves a nutty response.
Well, as much as I applaud his desire to exercise his freedom of speach, its basically attacking a head of state. If an American threw his boots at say a british ambassador, or a chinese ambassador, and especially if they hit them, there would be consequences.
Freedom of speach is the right to speak and peacefully demonstrate. He crossed into a gray area. Which Americans have done throughout our history, and many of them paid the consequences.
So I can respect his desire to excersise his right to free speach, while at the same time believe some sort of consequences (whether they are a slap on the wrist or what) should apply.
well I thought it was funny, and really can’t understand what all the fuss is about.
I’m sure even Bush knew he was getting off lightly with only a shoe thrown at him.
Sure, the journalists emotions got the better of him,but so what?
There was just as much fuss made when Juan Carlos (king in spain) told Hugo Chavez to shut up, everybody commenting that he should have restrained his emotions…but guess what? the world is made of up of more than uptight controlled people, and frankly, its good now and then to see that people can be spontaneous,
I’m sure the journalist wasn’t thinking about the repercussions of his action when he hurled his missile.
( And kelb is not the worst thing that dubya deserves to be called.)
@rawpolitics
I agree. Throwing a shoe definitely does not equate which is exactly the reason I don’t blame him. Currently we as Americans can’t even begin to understand what the Iraqi’s have gone through. Stuff like that doesn’t happen here. I imagine more people would be empathetic if they had lived through such experiences that Iraqi’s have endured.
He’s both — at least, according to the Iraqis. Both folk hero and jerk journalist.
And you know what? They’re the only ones who should be able to judge. I just hope with Saddam gone and when the U.S. finally gets their behinds out of there, the Iraqi people will rebuild their nation and not have to throw their shoes at anyone.
It is neither a shame nor a pride. It is a clear indication of the frustration at lack of progress in Iraq. First time in eight years, I have seen Bush junior reacting in a very civilized way. It could be because he too is aware of the iraqis’ frustration. But it is too late on his part to come to senses now. Yes, the incident could cause some troubles to iraqi journalists in future.
Journalists don’t through shoes! Surprisingly mundatar al- zaidi remained with his note book and pen – what was the Bush’s security team doing? It meant the presidents life was at risk. Even the entrance from bush’s back showed ……???
However push should pardon this frustracted fellow like the pope once did when there was an attempt on his life! He should be an example of forgiveness!
Actually an FBI or CIA agent should have first practiced some technical flying kicks on mundatar al- zaidi’s! He should have been “planted” as a Journalist !
Both at the same time.
Pride in that he is making his point and engaging in some form of non violent (by the standards that prevail in Iraq) debate/point making.
Shame however that given all the good points you could have used about the US’s failures in Iraq that he had to resort to a childish stunt.
@ Justin
Conducting an act of violence is not free speech. Burning an effigy is free speech. Assaulting someone is not.
Hi, World Have Your Say
Throwing projectiles at a sporting event is an act of hooliganism. Throwing projectiles at a press conference has nothing whatever to do with freedom of expression, and the person who throws them is not courageous, nor is he a hero.
He is a hooligan. And he should be treated like any other hooligan.
It felt like he was throwing the shoes for me too, and I thank him.
Before the war there was no reconstruction plan. That was unforgivable. What was cobbled together after was more in US interests than Iraqi. I’ll never forgive those responsible.
What are Iraqis angry about? They are the ones slaughtering each other. How is it Bush’s fault? What, for removing Saddam? To the extent that Iraqis endorse the assault on the President then the entire country is shamed along with al-Zaidi, and convicted of immaturity and hysteria.
Once again Iraqis revel in victimhood and self-pity, and offer no constructive solutions for their problems. A visit from Bush before the end of his term was only to be expected. A rational, mature and foresighted people might have put together a petition of intellectuals, journalists, political scientists, economists medical professionals, etc identifying the key issues facing the country and suggesting ways of addressing them and presented this to Mr Bush. But we’re talking about Iraqis – so throw a shoe, scream ‘dog’ and congratulate yourselves on what you’ve achieved.
The US should withdraw pronto. Saving Iraqis from themselves is not their responsibility. Let the Tigris and Euphrates flow with blood if that’s what Iraqis want. The greatest shame of Iraqis is that their religious insanity and unbridled violence make Saddam look like the ruler they needed and deserved.
I laughed, I must admit. I wanted to throw shoes at him too, and Rumsfeld, way back in 2003.
The shame is not in the act of throwing shoes. If there’s any shame, it is the way Sunni and Shia went at one anothers’ throats for all these years, prior to the awakening, and now accuse Bush of all the deaths that caused.
But it is not our country, it is theirs. They should be allowed to go at one another, as they have, without involving us. Everything that happened was SO EASILY predictable. This adiministration’s foreign policy, based on “preventive conquering of other nations,” was too insane to even contemplate.
My next prediction is, Iraqis will find excuses to try to keep US forces on their soil a little longer, when push comes to shove. If for no other reason than the billions of dollars we STILL pump into their economy, every week.
That guy should have known better – Bush has made a career out of dodging.
So, is he the pride or the shame of Iraq? Not being an Iraqi I wouldn’t know.
But it’s the thought that counts.
Congratulations for having the balls to do it – the guy could easily have been shot dead!
Pride or shame doesn’t come into it because it was neither – the man, like so many others was and is, simply frustrated.
Bring on the 20th of January.
What an embarrassment al- Zaidi is to the profession of journalism. He was uncivilized, unprofessional and his behavior has discredited not only Iraqi, but other Arab journalists. For those of you applauding his behavior, please consider the consequences of his action and lack of access that now certain journalist will have to western leaders. Think about the additional bureaucracy that journalist will dragged through in a country that already does not value freedom of speech. All progress that had been made by Arab journalist is undone, because one idiot selfishly believed his opinion was more important than doing his job to disseminate information the masses of people.
Please, do NOT confuse me with a Bush supporter; many of us in the western world condemned Bush for his policies and reprehensible behavior as President of the United States. I agree Bush deserves to be called many names. However, this was a press conference and journalists should use their most powerful weapon, their pen, and keep their shoes on their feet.
@ Luci Smith & Henry– Well said.
an inspiration to everyone, everywhere – don’t throw your old shoes out – show up at the inauguration ceremony and throw them at Bush – good riddance to the most useful fool the global finance oligarchs have every had – however, save a pair for his predecessor, just in case, as many fear, he turns out to be an even more useful tool
A special one time Nobel Prize for Courage ought to be awarded this year to the journalist for his incredible courage in facing the bloodthirsty monster War Criminal Bush and only throwing his shoes as insults when Bush has murdered so many Iraqi men, women, children, and babies by throwing US bombs and bullets!
I suggest considering Statues for Courage to be established at the UN, The Hague,and the ICC, of this courageous journalist because he has done what that Chinese man did in facing off the tanks in Tiananmen Square, he faced off against evil tyranny in an immense act of courage.
He is a bright light of inspiration for all who are against extremists and this is the perfect time of year for him to arrive in the Mideast!
And what a great thing for the leaving of the old US president on next Jan 20, 2009, everyone should show Bush the bottoms of your shoes. Don’t throw them, just show them!
Heavy price? Tell that to the young girls, that have had acid thrown in their face for getting an education. Heavy price? Tell that to the families whose sons and daughters, whose body parts are scraped up and thrown in trash bags. Heavy price? Tell that to those who have been tortured and killed because they opposed this so called Jihad. Yes, heavy price – of which you take no part in.
Look at this thread. Full of liberals talking about how they would assault the soon to be former President of the United states. Has there EVERY been another topic where the BBC would have permitted such acts of violence to be spoken about prominent people? Virtually every comment is “give him a nobel prize” or “I will save my shoes for the inauguration”. Remember, you’re basically threatening violence against the President of the United States. The Secret Service is OBLIGATED to investigate any threats, and even though you’re threatening only assault, this is very serious stuff, and it would be wise of the BBC to now allow in comments like this BEYOND just the poor taste it shows in the posters.
Personally, I found the whole thing to be rather comical. It was only after a shoe sailed over the president’s head that someone came to his aid!
But that aside, it was an exceptionally rude, and unprofessional thing to do. Though it does show us how deep anti-bush sentiment runs.
I agree that he really should only be charged with a misdemeanor assault. Mostly because a lot of the negativity surrounding Mr. Bush comes from the failure on the part of America to win the hearts and minds of people in Iraq. In terms of politics and public relations, if he’s charged with something more severe, it may just aggravate the general public in a country that is far from stable.
Yes, he is one individual. But look at the comments even on this blog, the “support” he is receiving seems to indicate that his act was an embodiment of the will of the masses. Would the masses not see his prosecution as a prosecution of themselves?
Re: Pointing out double standards where you see them; you’re comparing throwing a shoe at a human individual to desecration of a holy text….
I don´t this he should be labeled “the pride” or “the shame” of Irak. He is a grown up who did a childlish act, not matter how frustrated/angry/whatever he was.
Fortunately enough, the Bush administration is going to end soon.
BTW. You have to give it to him… he was GOOD at dodging the shoe…
Finally George Bush has seen combat. A proud and grateful nation salutes him for his valor.
Mutader al-Zaid throws two shoes at George Bush and after he is subdued is beaten to a pulp. “He was crying like a woman” gloated a reporter for the tv station owned by Prime Minister Maliki’s party. President Bush hears his screams and says “That’s what people do in a free society, draw attention to themselves.” For once in his miserable tenure as President he could have actively done something to prevent someone from being brutalized. And all he could do is make a harsh cynical joke.
Those two shoes represented a HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE. That barely makes up for the more than 100,000 citizens killed as a result of Bush’s administration.
-Anthony, LA, CA
I understand Arabs throw shoes or show the sole of their shoes as a mark of insult to someone whose actions greatly displease them. al Zaidi seemed to have put aside his journalistic principles and behaved as an ordinary Arab. His reckless action showed absolute frustration and I can’t say I blame him though I don’t agree with his behaviour. What is certain is that the world now knows his name and his feelings about Mr Bush. It’s most unlikely his report from the press conference would have reached beyond Iraq.
And what was Mr Bush doing in Iraq anyway? Surely he and his advisers know he’s especially unpopular there. Mr Bush could’ve done without this incident in the final weeks of his Presidency. If this was an attempt to raise his popularity before he leaves office, it was a miserable failure.
Right on :Eyes Wide Open:.
On “Air America”, deaths from US missiles has been described as: “people, men, women, children and babies turning into red mist”. A pair of shoes thrown at a war-criminals head, and some name calling, was heroic. Too bad he missed.
“He is blamed when he does something (anything) and he is blamed when he does nothing. He is blamed for things that ocurred even before he was President, as well as everything that has happened since. He is blamed for things he says; and for things he doesn’t say.
What makes Bush Hatred completely insane however, is the almost delusional degree of unremitting certitude of Bush’s evil; while simultaneously believing that the TRUE perpetrators of evil in the world are somehow good and decent human beings with the world’s intersts at heart.”
The blogger ‘Dr. Sanity’ on ‘Bush Derangement Syndrome’
http://drsanity.blogspot.com/2005/11/lets-discuss-bush-derangement-syndrome.html
Given the development of this thread into a Bush hate-fest, could WHYS, in the interests of balance, have a programme about global attitudes to GWB, including the allegations of political psychosis on the part of many of his left-liberal critics?
In most countries it’s called assault and is punishable. The fact that it was assault against the president of the United States of America does not change that fact. Breaking the assaulter’s arm was a bit much, though.
Personally, I commend the president for being so fast on his feet and having a sense of humor about it. And to all Bush-haters, U.S.A. haters, Christian haters and Western haters, I say “Right back at you.”
This is the most impressed I have ben with Bush in eight years. Sad isn’t it!!!
The presupposition, that the masses would consider his a prosecution, as a prosecution themselves, would be fine if it were not for the fact, that to do so, would endanger themselves and their family. It is the voices that are unheard, which is the true Islam, of long ago!
@ Steve
“….this is very serious stuff, and it would be wise of the BBC to now allow in comments like this BEYOND just the poor taste it shows in the posters.”
The BBC and any other new outlets are not here to protect the President of the United States from disgruntled constituents’ opinions. They are here to report and provide people with information and various points of view.
Is this form of freedom of speech really your constitution of “very serious stuff”? Apparently, I have US intelligence team and secret service in better regard than to think they will come after Tom Ford for wanting to show his shoes to the worst President the US has ever had. Tom Ford, Julie and Brett are protected by the Bill of Rights handy 1st Amendment.
if this was done few years back, not only he himself, but all his friends and all his family (just to make sure) would have perished. I think Irakis should thank Mr Bush for the freedom of shuethrowing and survivng. Most of them would love americans to go, yet are afraid of the bloodlet which would follow. Seems they take great delight in killing each other (in big numbers) and blaming Bush for it.
The guy was aiming to do damage – if not for the quick reaction of the President he could have lost an eye or a nose. But for the sake of a few centimetres the tone of this blog might be very different.
What would we be saying if the shoe connected and there were serious injuries?
While I do not support the involvement of USA in Iraq, I see the decision to “go in” as more than just that of President Bush – he got some bum advice from CIA for a start, Donald R was also very influencial.
So I dont think he deserved it. Maybe we should throw shoes at all of them… that’s the stuff of civilized societies !
We have a popluar Jamaican expression – “yuh shame tree blow down” – And I would apply this to George Bush. He is one of the worse presidents in US history and has done many shameful things. He’s very bold to show his face in Iraq. It would be wiser for him quietly put his house together and leave things in good order for the next president. It’s been a long eight year period. The Iraqi journalist was being human and he has boldly expressed what many people feel… right or wrong… i don’t know… but it was honest and deserved.
@ Steve
“….this is very serious stuff, and it would be wise of the BBC to now allow in comments like this BEYOND just the poor taste it shows in the posters.”
The BBC and any other new outlets are not here to protect the President of the United States from disgruntled constituents’ opinions. They are here to report and provide people with information and various points of view.
Is this form of freedom of speech really your constitution of “very serious stuff”? Apparently, I have US intelligence team and secret service in better regard than to think they will come after Tom Ford for wanting to show his shoes to the worst President the US has ever had. Tom Ford, Julie and Brett are protected by the Bill of Rights handy 1st Amendment.
Let him throw his shoes at the dictator that will come to power when the US leaves.
I don’t understand why his anger is directed at the US rather than the militias that are murdering people.
The people who argue in favor of prosecution can’t have it both ways. Saddam was executed because he had cracked down on people who had plotted to assassinate him in Dujail. The trials and executions were not fair, but then Saddam wasn’t reacting to a mere shoe throwing incident.
So, I don’t understand the people who say that the journalist should be severely punished and locked away for a long time simply for throwing a shoe and not even because he had tried to assassinate Bush.
@ Bert
Over all, well said.
“My next prediction is, Iraqis will find excuses to try to keep US forces on their soil a little longer, when push comes to shove. If for no other reason than the billions of dollars we STILL pump into their economy, every week.”
Absolutely true.
——
@ Brett, Julie P, Tom
I am proud I not to be a religious conservative hypocrite who selectively chooses which rights people are entitled to. Too bad we won’t get the chance to show Bush our shoes.
I have to say, I’m particularly proud of President Bush. He took a fairly heavy and personal insult more than graciously. He conducted himself with great dignity, and good manners, and greatly took the burden of embarrassment away from the Iraqi leaders.
All that he did from the original invasion of a genocider tyrant, and regional invader who continually threatened world conflict with Iran, Kuiwait, Isreal, Saudi Arabia, and virtually all around him….was good and right.
The United Nations backed America to oust Iraq from Kuiwait. In order to end the war the Iraqi leader promised to abide by certain agreements. President Bush was the only world leader to insist that this bully and intimidator measure up to his agreements. Great Britian stood by us and a few others. The great betrayors like France and Russia actually violated sanctions and attempted to give that evil regime in Bagdad credibility. The ignorant masses in fairness deserted the American President. The political weaklings conspired against Bush, but President Bush stuck by his decision to help Iraq form a decent and good government capable of running its own affairs, and delivering the riches of its oil resources to the people of the nation.
It was one of the most vile and worst foreign intervention ever, but was needed to keep the middle east from turning into a world war. The number of deaths to all sides is quite a bit lower had Bush done nothing. He also ran a world wide campaign to hunt down terrorists and in the end protect the American people.
He is really a lot greater than onlookers have been able to perceive.
Thank you Mr. President.
troop, Oregon Coast
PS. I think he should be let free. May be in time he will understand how wonderfull freedom to throw shoes is and duly thanks US for it.
I applaud Muntadar al-Zaidi for his courage! I just wish his aim was better! After all the death, destruction and pain Mr. Bush has caused, he could live with a couple bruises.
It was the shame of the journalist that threw the shoe. Violence is not the answer for disagreement. Althought it certainly seems that the majority of the people in the Middle-East know nothing but violence. This isn’t a freespeech issue, it’s a assault issue. I love how people often defend the person who did the wrong.
@ steve
HAHAHAHA, lol at your comment!!! Obviously if SO many people feel this way, then there must be some validity to think that way.
-Anthony, LA, CA
While I am NOT a Bush-supporter, throwing shoes just shows what a lack of class by this “journalist”. Unfortunately, we’ve come to expect this type of aggresive behavior from Arabs.
The shoe throwing is an unbalanced act which shows an overstrained mind but achieves nothing. I have not happened or avoided to find myself among the people so behaved. We shall remember that when Nikita Khrushchev clapped his shoe on a rostrum, it showed he was at his tether, but the reaction in political circles in the West was unanimous – it was disgusting and elicited sneers. The act is never mentioned or alluded to – it is obviously beyond what is tolerable in politics. The Iraqi shoe throwing is conceivable only as element of war but the journalist was not wise or intelligent. Common men sometimes permit themselves a bit of patronising when they remind woman that she must refrain from hasty reactions or responses, that one has to learn to bear rather than explode. This is a tolerable act and a useful reminder. The Iraqi journalist was not a great man in any respect. President Bush’s reaction humourising it was a very right turn, while the journalist should be charged with challenging duties in which he would have to take to unpopular decisions on behalf of a city, a region or a whole country. When men endure tension, they can be great, but when they lose patience, they can be just wild. Thank you,
I don’t have too much of a problem with the situation. I agree that it was disrespectful. I disagree with the way that Bush has represented my country and his behavior, demeaning sense of humor and arrogance have been counter-productive.
So he threw a shoe, far from a “shameful act”, as some holier than thou’s have stated. He could have blown himself up. I am sure that the beating he sustained after his goodbye gesture was far more of an assault than the shoes.
To those who immediately start comparing this act of defiance with defacing holy relics or the like; This deceitful dog of a president deserves everything he gets.
He has been ordering people to drop BOMBS on the Iraqi people and we are getting up in arms about a shoe……………..that truly is twisted. Mr. Bush and his posse should be in prison, not giving press conferences about the wonderful success of his campaign…….
As an American I think this shoe thrower should be sent to jail for a while, not that I am a Bush lover but because he broke the law (Assaulting someone with an intent to hurt them). Of all of Bush and his gang’s mistakes most of the deaths that happened or happening is Iraqi killing Iraqi. Americans are not the ones killing Iraqis. If someone throws shoe towards me I will introduce them to my fist.
Pride or shame of Iraq? He’s the shame of AMERICA! Anyone interested in contributing old shoes to fill a truck headed for an exclusive community in Texas late next month?
I cannot condone any attack, however harmless, on the office or the person of the President of the United States.
That said, however, I fully understand the reasons for these actions. It should not have been done, but then again it should not have been necessary. George W. Bush deserved the insult.
The sad part is that Bush is completely unable to understand the depth of this insult. It will change nothing, and he has probably already forgotten about it.
RE “” What’s your reaction to what he did? “”
—————————————————————————————————————————–
——— Always thought the shoe thing in the Arab culture some kind of insider joke.
Didn’t interrupt the good humoured interview a bit save for a few flummoxed security beefsters.
If Mr. al-Zaidi was a man, he would have asked for a few rounds in the ring so things could be sortedwith some honour. Instead he threw a sissy-fit which has made for a month’s worth of material for comedians all over the world.
Fairplay, he probably gave a huge boost to the shoe industry and probably bets are being wagered as we speak how many shoes will be flyin’ in the way of the Whitehouse and Crawford. I’m also guessing given the typical overreactions by the SS, future press conferences to be conducted in socks and bare feet which perhaps the sock industry can capitolize on.
Need all the boost to the global economy we can muster after all..
I laughed and felt vindicated when I saw this. As an American, I tip my hat to this journalist. I wish the shoes were mine.
Our governments’ may be corrupt and careless, but normal citizens share similar feelings, regardless of where they are from.
Fritz
Portland, Oregon
What the guys did was poor in taste and if they don’t like US in their country they as well channel their frustration at building a stronger and stable country.
Its a criminal act.and they guys should be prosecuted with assault charges.
Brinda
Presently in USA
You can’t really use emotion as a justification, otherwise probably most crimes could be excused. Most murders/manslaughter are due to extreme emotional responses to thing. This is a case of simple assault. Can’t use emotion as an excuse for a crime. The man committed a crime. What kind of society doesn’t hold criminals responsible for their crimes?
In the US, people would burn their draft cars, as a form of speech. It’s still illegal to do that though. And they were punished for committing crimes. And nobody physically could get hurt from burning a draft card. The man intended to hit someone with shoes. He committed assault. He needs to be punished. If you can do the time, don’t do the crime.
They were only shoes! If that’s the way Iraqi’s express their disgust, then it was appropriate. Iraqis have every right to be disgusted with George Bush, after the way we allowed Iraq to be trashed immediately after the invasion. What’s the worst that could happen if he was hit. A broken nose? The journalist wasn’t trying to kill the president.
I think the action shows how much the world is desperate for some form of hope and peace that does not come from a political government but from the prince of peace. People can be disappointed with the actions of an individual but the way they react says much of whom they are. I think the action is really shameful to the respected men and women of Iraq. while It shows that Iraq is on the road to freedom the people of Iraq should not misuse their freedom. Every person will be asked to give an account for what they have done with their lives. whether he is punished or not, we need to continue helping the people of Iraq to their long awaited democracy. The Iraq’s should know that we the christian community love them and want to help them see the good side of life.
Pr Enoch Kategaya
Mbarara Uganda
Hello,
I thought the guy was a bit cheeky or arrogant, not really threatening to anyone.
Look at Bush’s reaction, does he seem threatened? This was not like a gun being pulled as some have suggested. Bush was laughing afterwards…
I learned a lot about what the insult means in arabic, with the shoes and everything Noone does that in America).
Good luck to the Iraqis and I’m sure Bush will be fine.
Joey
Colorado, UsA
Locking up, and questioning Muntadar al-Zaidi is ridiculous and cowardly.
Bush ought to just take it like a man and realise how much the average person on the street in the Middle East hates him with a passion for the way he has interacted with this area.
This issue is black and white, the Middle East hates Bush and the journalist reminded the world of this. Bush’ farewell tour should not be allowed to whitewash this resentment as America may act in this same unchecked manner again.
I am anti-Bush but, in order to put my remarks in context; I still do realise that the coalition has achieved some good in Iraq.
Let’s remind ourselves that it is the Bush-puppet government of Iraq that is charging this courageous and heroic journalist and Bush can order them to let him go, Bush can forgive and pardon him, but will he?
Dear Iraqis, what is it that you wish for your country? Are you REALLY angry about the demise of Saddam Hussein and his regime? Do you wish to return to the days of unchecked oppression. Oh, how I wish that American soldiers had been spared this dreadful war….they, who are always at risk of sacrifice for YOUR freedom…are missed here at home. Say “thank you,” and “goodbye” govern yourselves. Protect yourselves. We are so done with your acts of disdain!!!! Ask most Americans…many of us never believed your cause, political or otherwise, was worth the death of so many….your people or our American soldiers. George Bush is our president. What outrage would be levied against Americans if an American tossed a shoe in the face of your Head of State?
K. Thomas, Venice Florida
This Iraqi journalist and ALL Iraqi journalists should receive instruction in how to improve their aim.
Akin is correct, the coalition has achieved some good in Iraq, but the problem is the arrogant,bloody manner in which they have achieved these goals
Is the shoe-throwing journalist the pride or shame of Iraq?
If the person was an ordinary Iraqi who had no other way to express themselves it would still be a shame but understandable,however this person is(was) one of the privileged few who had access to the US and Iraqi leadership whose actions he could directly question and also an occupation which allowed him to express himself publicly so that he could influence others.
I hope he was taken into a corner and given a beating,if only to encourage the other journalists as to their future conduct.
George Bush could certainly demonstrate his professed christian faith by forgiving and pardoning this man. A great opportunity for him which sadly he will botch as he is not a gracious, merciful or compassionate leader.
We have one of these men coming though – the name is Obama.
Peter
Too bad the other journalists in the conference room didn’t join in the shoe-throwing party.
It wasn’t a childish thing to do. Quite to the contrary, it took more courage than to remain silent. Even though it won’t change much to the course of history.
What a perfectly, exquisitely eloquent expression of the pain and rage of a country. It was funny, it was tragic, it was fabulous. That man is a hero and an artist and a poet. I salute him.
Hi..
ironically it is acceptable to see ourselves insulted by Bush and his soldiers.. but people can’t accept to see Bush insulted!!!Why is that?
I’m proud of Muntadar cuz he just did what many Iraqis want to do.
Bush couldn’t understand how much we hate him..But i hope he understand now.
I believe this was a very appropriate and clearly a very effective way of demonstrating disapproval of Bush’s actions in Iraq.
I am hoping that a similar protest occurs in the United States as a show of solidarity. I would love to see hundreds or thousands of shoes thrown onto the whitehouse lawn.
Two shoes lobbed at a war criminal’s head does not compare to the 1000s of bombs and bullets Bush has unleashed on the Iraqis. Al-zaidi expressed his protest against a war of agressive and occupation as an iraqi citizen. he is a hero for risking his life to express what many Arabs and others around the world believe. Bush does not hear or see the protests of Iraqis (or Americans). Bush’s insulation allows him to keep his delusional belief that he has brought peace and democracy to the middle east. al-zaidi’s action perhaps made Bush think (if he is capable for formulating thoughts) for a moment that not all Iraqis are happy with US actions. It was a very rare opportunity to directly address Bush and al-zaidi took action to express the views of Iraqis who otherwise have no voice, at the very least get the world talking about their plight. i feel bad for the other journalists who will likely be forced to attend future press conferences barefooted.
I am shocked and troubled by those who would seek a punishment that in no way commiserates with the “crime” committed. Violence on any level under these circumstances shouldn’t be praised in a perfect world. HOWEVER, I haven’t walked a mile in this man’s shoes (no pun intended). I haven’t seen my country/city/home reduced to rubble because a war whose origins were arguably illegal. Therefore, I don’t know exactly what I would do if given the opportunity to give the architect of this debacle a piece of my mind had I been him.
That being said, I can neither condemn or commend this person for his emotional outburst. But I can say that it was an assault and he should be made to answer for that assault, both legally and professionally, on a level that accurately reflects the “seriousness” of the offense. I hazard to say that throwing a shoe at someone warrants beating or torture of the shoe thrower on any level, even if that shoe throwing has significant symbolic meaning. In the USA punishing for the symbolic portion of the protest would be like punishing the journalist for exercising his freedom of speech…now the assault in and of itself is another matter altogether.
I’ll try to post again. The presupposition that the posters here and elsewhere, reflect the masses would hold water, if it were not for the fact that there are other voices unheard, because they been silenced by the radical elements within the society, through torture and death. It is these seldom heard voices, that represent the the true heart of Islam, of long ago. Study to show yourself approved.
President Bush is still the president of a country and represents a country.An insult at him is like an insult to that country.which is totally unfair.America does not deserve it.
At least now (hopefully) the new president will concentrate on the development of his own country first .
But its an offense and the guy should face the consequences.
Brinda
Presently in USA
I remember when Bush was telling us that the Iraqis would welcome his invasion by throwing rose petals and now reality has finally forced it’s way into his life, Bush just got served with what Iraqis really thought of him, the bottom of their shoes.
The journalist shouldn`t receive any punishment. Bush is a killer!!!!
I repeat my words from the main bbc site (sorry, I’m not used to this site):
I live in the United States. President Bush has been the shame of our country for a long time, and I am very proud of the man who threw the shoe. It didn’t hurt our president, and it got a very powerful and important point across. Many, many of us celebrate the act for what it is: a beautifully useful gesture that breaks through the walls that surround powerholders like Bush. That man found a voice.
We smile. We cheer.
I’ll try to post again. The presupposition, that the posters here and elsewhere, reflect the masses would hold water, if it were not for the fact that there are other voices unheard, because they have been silenced by the radical elements within the society, through torture and death. It is these seldom heard voices, that represent the the true heart of Islam, of long ago and peace will not come until the heart of Islam is once again embraced.
Is this the best we can expect from Middle East! Middle east needs to learn to better express themselves; guns or shoes will keep them a medieval society in perpetuity.
Actually Al-Zaidi wanted a symbolic act as he chose to buy a pair of Iraqi made shoes. And yet, that act was all but professional, who else than journalists can have easy access to political leaders and others? It was unbecoming of a journalist.
Al-Zaidi could ask instead a forthcoming question to George Bush.
Al-Zaidi should face justice for what he did.
Your aribic listeners should know that President Bush is contoverisal in the United States as well.
As an example there was a measure on the ballot San Francisco to name the new sewer treatment plant after President Bush. It required a large number of signatures to quialify for the ballot. However, the measure failed by a large margin in the general election.
Perhaps this it the lesson of democracy. President Bush personally raised hackels with many people but respect for the office trumps this sentiment in the greater sense.
Bush is an angry, witless, dangerous, despicable degenerate, and has brought this country and the rest of the world even more blackness. Muntadar al-Zaidi deserves nothing but praise. He stands tall and always will and I hope is he returned to his community and family today!
Calling bush, The Lesser, a guest in Iraq who should be accorded traditional Iraqi courtesy is a sick joke. He is a failed illegal aggressor whose policies have killed a million Iraqis and devastated the country. Al-Zaidi is a hero to most of the world for providing THE defining image that will be bush’s legacy.
On November 4th, we threw our own “shoe” at Bush and the entire GOP for their actions over the last 8 years. It ‘fits’ that this happened on foreign soil as well.
It may be wrong to throw shoes at someone. But in the USA, and with Juries here, there are such things as mitigating circumstances. Getting your family killed, being falsely arrested, and having your country destroyed probably counts a mitigating circumstances
Just look at the difference in severity of the crimes, an angry Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at Bush who is a vicious bloodthirsty murdering War Criminal responsible for the deaths of over a hundred thousand citizens of Iraq.
I think he should be hanged. They should film his captors taunting him as he prays on the gallows and put it on youtube. That way he can express himself like his hero, Saddam Hussein.
Jack
WCPN Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A.
Hello,
In my 30 years of living in America I’ve never heard of this gesture. It seemed to be quite spontaneous and not premeditated.
Could you see this guy practicing throwing shoes at targets for weeks of time?
I don’t think so, or he would have come closer at such short distance away.
We learned something about Iraqi culture, and isn’t that what a news conference is about?
JOey
Colorado, UsA
If W. had an ounce of grace — which of course he does not, he would back up his attitude that this was a joking gesture that can be done only in a free society by requesting publicly that the journalist be released with no further punishment. W. deserves much worse than a shoe to the head. Would that he had a little grace…
I live near Don Rumseld in Taos, New Mexico. I think I’ll start carrying an extra pair of shoes in case I get the opportunity to throw some.
The Americans and British are preparing to pull out of Iraq now so this journalists actions are rather late in the day.
There are still a few people who hanker for the days of Saddam when they had the power,influence and connections (Lubna et al) and despise the international community for liberating Iraq,and take pleasure in petty insults of the new administration and their american allies.
I live in the U.S.
It’s too bad his aim was off. Bush deserves at least a broken nose and black eye for his arrogance regarding the war.
Bush is both foolish and destructive. This journalist kindly chose to emphasize
the former. Too many people are afraid to say the emperor has no sense.
The position of the president should deserve respect, but Bush has dishonoured
the position.
Bush’s reaction was gracious, but he demonstrated his usual blindness that
anyone might think he ever made a mistake.
There is a fine line in a democratic society between making a protest and violence, the journalist crossed that line.
Iraqis should neither be proud nor ashamed of Muntadar al-Zaidi for throwing shoes at Mr. Bush. Journalsts , however must be especially dismayed since t was a member of their profession who was unfortunately unable to express his frustration in an eloquent enough manner to impact the lame-duck. No one else has either though. Our out-gong president may have done good things along the way to the long over-due end of his term but the damage he left in his wake will be his well-earned and miserable legacy, which those shoes have trampled. If he Muntadar had thrown those shoes at W in this country I’m sure they’d be bronzed and put in the Smithsonian.
RE: “Steve – December 16, 2008 at 5:42 pm …all these “liberals”l threatening violence…”
Wrong, Steve, a “liberal” is someone who leaves the room when a fight breaks out.
Forget the shoes. Start erecting guillotines, rounding up the global finance oligarchs who run fools like Bush and Blaire and show them we mean business.
Oh! The irony of a US soldier saying that an Iraqi shoe thrower is uncivilized.
I think those trying to defend the ‘journalist’s’ actions on the basis of political speech are wrong. While his conduct certainly has an expressive element, the fact that President Bush could have been struck suggests that this was an assault first, and a political statement second. That President Bush has failed to engage in elevated discourse and has taken preemptory action does not justify this resort to an attack. Tolerance for diversity of opinion must be respected and promoted within the bounds of law. The journalist should be prosecuted for his actions, but not the content of his speech.
i think shoe throwing journalist did an excellent job .because iraqis have right to speak against bush regime.
Hi,
This can be a lesson to those iraqies who are using bombs to make their points. Even a shoe has more impact on whole world which 100s of car bombs haven’t. I hope some thing good will come out of this act.
Though i do not support this kind of behaviour, but It is quit understandable that what an iraqi must be feeling about america. It is not only a shoe on bush’s face but it is a slam on america’s face. At least now america should learn lesson. They have manage to bring Iraq on the verge of civil war.
Yogesh Lalit
Roanoke, Virginia, US
The frustrations and anger in the Middle East are so great that the “shoeing” of George Bush was similar to the ancient practice of killing a “scape-goat” that allowed the emotions of the people to be expressed.
edits: “since t” should read: since it — “If he Muntadar” should read: If Muntadar…
thak you
Prehaps George Bush deserved the shoe in the face but the only thing he is guilty of is being naive and unleashing the Iraqi people upon themselves. It’s not american soildiers blowing themselves up in the markets, but Iraqis killing each other. If George Bush deserves a shoe in the face so to do the Iraqi people for hating eachother and being unable to live together. You get the country you build, and they’re building theirs.
This is an example of vigilante justice. It represents a conflict between two high values, justice and civilization. We all know that we’ll never see GW Bush before an international court, and if this is the most justice he receives for his invasion and occupation of Iraq, then he will have got off lightly indeed. However, if we value civilization, we must support the concept of rule of law, and condemn acts of vigilantism, no matter how justified they may seem.
A student from Chiswick, London.
I take heart from the fact that because of Mr al-Zaidi’s actions the resentment of Bush’s policies in Iraq will not be overlooked, nor forgotten, nor denied
How many shoes did the guy throw at Sadam? Was he sucha hero tehn? Or now that he has freedom he realises how great he is?
Dear BBC,
I can’t understand the intention of Muntadar al-Zadar! Is he really a professional journalist becasue it would appear he acted on emotions. This man who threw a shoe at President Bush was not fair and greatly potrayed an erosion of media ethics in Iraq and to a large extend internationally. Much as Bush could have made wrong decisions in the past in trying to liberate the Iraqs this man has no right to act in the way he did and if l may ask did that day really record any information because it appears he went in that room in search for an opportunity to land his shoe at Bush.
Can the international media bodies and muslim leaders seriously condemn this man. It is a wrong time he is threwing a shoe at Bush because he has no time to effectively respond to his concerns or feelings since his term of office is at the edge of a cliff.
This man must be taken to jail because he is even luck that he could access free and fair trial a product that he Bush has exported to Iraq but if it was during Saddam Hussein this man would have six fit in the grave by now.
Regards,
Kelvin Kamayoyo (from Lusaka-Zambia)
Bush has been surrounded by so many sycophantic-suck-up yes men that he has never had to face the reality of his murderous policies and now reality has finally leaked through. Amazing!
How about that old saying “walk a mile in someone elses shoes” if you want to understand their life. It sure fits here!
All though I can understand the passion of the reporter, and the support of the many people (including some in this country) but he should be held accountable for his actions.
If the journalist Mr. Al Zaidi is prosecuted, then so should President Bush be prosecuted for war crimes against the Iraqi people. Bush’s crimes are heinous, while Al Zaidi should be protected as someone who has spoken out directly. The only crime is that Bush has no awareness of how much of an insult he was dealt.
I will state the obvious only because nobody seems to grasp it: This gentleman was not acting as a journalist, but as a citizen and a human being. His job happens to be journalist. Were he an ordinary citizen, he would never have been allowed in the same room with Bush, because of what Bush keeps calling the “improving” state of security there.
The notion of actually doing his job ad trying to ask Bush a question first misses the point, and second betrays an evident ignorance of how Bush behaves in press conferences. I have never seen him answer a question honestly, and almost never seen him even comprehend the question.
Ros, you said that Bush is “an elected president.” That has zero bearing on his behavior in Iraq, and zero bearing on the propriety of bringing him into a rare confrontation with reality, but I will again remind you that he was not elected; he was appointed by a Supreme Cout that to this day is embarrassed at its improper action. Anyway, he clearly enjoyed it. He was animated and smling throughout.
Jonathan
San Francisco
democracy creates a bourgeois society which contributes to the death of the lower classes and therefore there should be no democracy
Bush wouldn´t have started a war and even he wouldn´t have said that the journalist only wanted to appear on TV, Bush should regreat of everything he did. He should say sorry: to himself, to God and to every family who has a soon killed or surfing any kind of traumatic post war.
ERICA FROM ARGENTINA
I don’t judge the actions of this reporter, but I see it as accumulation of worldwide frustrations over the actions of the Bush Administration. I would seriously like to see our government legally charge Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice for war crimes.
President Bush is luck it was only a shoe, he has the right to state his opinion, but he should face some penalty, it is, by US standards anyways, assault, but to suggest he should be in jail is ridiculous
I can’t believe how anyone could be so uninformed as to think that the US has accomplished anything positive in Iraq. The Iraq invasion is one of the greatest crimes against humanity of all time. Millions of we American citizens mourn the fact that he missed! This man is an international hero!
Hi
The question is not whether Iraqi people are proud or not. The point is whether Iraqi people learned something from this.
I think bush is the real hero. He got democracy to Iraq where people can express freely. This was not obviously possible during saddam regim. The Iraq will realize the greatness of bush after 50 years down the line by the sons and grand daughters of the generalist and the like.
The demonstrations which are going on in Iraq is the perfect example of what bush gifted to Iraq where people can speak up against government if they are against the government. The generalist should be dealt according to Iraqi law.
lohith
The Iraqi journalist and ALL Iraqi journalists should be instructed in improving their aim.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone. what that man did reflects the collective frustration of the Iraqi people that is why he received a lot of public support within the Arab region. it shld also send a message to the US or any govt that suppresses people.
According to those people in support of the “war” in Iraq, we are helping the Iraqis build a democratic way of life — the same as we enjoy. Doesn’t that include “freedom of speech”? Now I don’t agree with HOW he said what he said, but I do think that he had a right to say it to the supposed “leader of the free world.” Now professionally, his actions should be reviewed accordingly. Criminally, he should be punished for an at a level that commiserates with his crime.
Show your solidarity with Muntadar al-Zaidar!
Send Your shoes to this address:
“President” George W. Bush
c/o The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Be sure to include a note that says something like the following:
Dear White House Staffer:
Please throw the left shoe at President Bush’s head, and yell “This is a gift from the Iraqi People via [YOUR HOME STATE]; this is a farewell kiss, you dog!” Then throw the right shoe, yelling “This is from the widows, the orphans, and those who were killed in Iraq!” Finally, yell “Free Muntader al-Zaidi!”
Thank you for your prompt attention in this matter.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
PS Please make sure you don’t miss.
As an American, I applaud the behavior of Muntadar al-Zaidi. It is a fitting way for George Bush’s presidency to end. The Iraqi people and citizens of the world should know how sorry so many Americans are for the pain and suffering perpetrated by Mr. Bush in the name of the American people. Mr. al-Zaidi is a hero and deserves no punishment.
Many may think, actions speak louder than words. I think it’s disgusting. In the world today, I would think we are a little more evolved than these childish antics.
That inccident was the most preposterous act a public servant as journalist could involved in lest to an honorable guest to his country as president Bush,that is disgraceful not only to Iraqis but to the whole world I hope my president will give him a presidential pardon and advice him not to do such thing again.
It is understandable for one to show frustrations over the treatment of Iraqies and the deaths of the civilians (ALONG WITH THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS)…..But it was in no way a Civil behavior especially considered the target…..
The Reporter should be punished….mainly because he clearly doesn’t know how to separate his work from his personal opinions!!!!
@Jessica, concerning your response to Steve’s comment.
“….this is very serious stuff, and it would be wise of the BBC to now allow in comments like this BEYOND just the poor taste it shows in the posters.”
“Is this form of freedom of speech really your constitution of “very serious stuff”? Apparently, I have US intelligence team and secret service in better regard than to think they will come after Tom Ford for wanting to show his shoes to the worst President the US has ever had. Tom Ford, Julie and Brett are protected by the Bill of Rights handy 1st Amendment.”
What is being asked of the BBC only proves the hypocracy of those on the right. There are some who believe free speech is for them, but not for others. No one is breaking the law by voicing their opinion on this.
As a member of media, this man was out of line. It was not his place to do this. He should find his own platform if there is one for this.
They need years of their new found freedoms to get used to being able to express themselves freely.
As a proud American, this was disrepectful to me. Mr. Bush represents the U.S. and basically this proves that there is much more work to do to normalize relationships between the West and the Arab street.
Millions of Americans have thrown shoes to Bush by voting out the republicans last month. Not a big deal at all. Let’s move on and hope Obama recieves garlands
This is nonsense. The man tried to assault a president. We in america believe in freedom of speech but you can’t tell me that assault should be tolerated as an expression of free speech. Why the hell didn’t this “brave man” throw his shoes at Saddam. Why didn’t the Iraqi people throw their shoes at Saddam. Don’t make excuses for idiotic behavior. It’s insulting to listen to the justification.
I just wanted to add that none of the coverage I’ve seen or heard here in San Francisco,USA , has included the mention of “widows and children”. The emphasis is on “dog” and “kiss”, but there’s nothing about his second sentence. That’s why I can’t quote it correctly.
Is it just too awful for us Americans to think about – all the dead children and devastated families in Iraq?
THANK YOU, Muntada al-Zaidi, for acting to express the outrage of the majority of Americans and others throughout the world at the illegal and unjust actions of Mr. Bush in Iraq.. It is a case of the Emperor without clothes FINALLY condemned publicly. It is my hope now, that Mr. al-Zaidi be preserved from any and all mistreatment, most particularly torture or imprisonment. Mr. al-Zaidi is a heroic figure who will be long celebrated for his bravery.
As a journalist, he should have kept his own emotions and opinions to himself.
As a human being with valid emotions and opinions, thank god he only threw shoes and didn’t bomb anyone or kill or hurt anyone.
If only the worst we humans did to each other was throw shoes, we all would be immensely better off.
There is no question that Muntadar al-Zeidi, who threw his shoes at George Bush in an outburst of indignant rage, was a lawbreaker–though his action was primarily symbolic. It puts me to mind of another lawbreaker that I read about in the past. Her name was Rosa Parks.
I am an American living in Iceland. I am also a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. I have been listening to your broadcast in Iceland on the BBC in the car on the way home and am outraged at the discourse. I must say that I am not shocked at the responses against my President. I am shocked that the World keeps calling on America for help. In the case of Iraq we should have let the genocide continue. We should have allowed American blood to be shed in greater quanity to ensure that we never forget “Why” we stepped up to the fight. President Bush should have done nothing and allowed more attacks to be made in America. Should have waited good and long until the American people demanded action that would not be retracted. President Bush should have ignored Sadam, let him live, and continue his global expansion across the Middle East and Europe until the opressed world was in utter ruin under that dictator. I am sure that Inevitably, like in WWII we would have risen up to the fight. You see we acted quickly to avoid the cost like in WWII where millions of Jewish and others were wiped out. Now this man living in Egypt throw shoes in the name of culture and expression. When is the last time a shoe was ‘culturally’ thrown at an Arabian, Egyptian, or other Muslim nation´s leader? Americans are pretty sick of the world’s ‘opinion’. I hope the next time there is a crisis in the world and the world cries to America for help that we just turn a deaf ear. He did not throw a shoe at President Bush, he threw a shoe at America, at me.
The man that threw the shoe was obviously deranged, as so often aggressive people are. It really points out the need for attention to mental health. Nothing new here. I was impressed at President Bush’s reflexes though.
I have little respect for George W. Bush and don’t blame Mr. al-Zaidi for showing his own disrespect for our president, but can you imagine what would have happened if an American journalist had done the same thing to an Iraqi leader? (Saddam Hussein)
One more thing: if he would have thrown that shoe to Saddam he would have goten a bullet for that, the same day.
So shame on those who now criticize Bush and those who paid a great price to liberate that country.
Regarding the Iraqi journalist and Mr. Bush:
I have listened to your callers on satellite radio and am amazed at how a vast majority are condoning this act as if this man was some sort of hero. I am especially amazed at the callers in some of these countries who have governments much less tolerable than ours and know good and well that they would have been arrested at best or killed at worst had that happened to their leader (some of them).
I greatly approve of throwing shoes, if you’ve ever done it you will know how satisfying it is. I’m aware that this is an insult but mild in comparison to the ransacking of iraq and afganistan by the U.S and British government.
The only thing that surprised me was that Bush later expressed no idea why al-Zaidi was so angry.
We invade his country for no reason, turn it into Dodge City for Islamic lunatics and trigger-happy marines to blow bloody holes through entire families, change his flag, and humiliate and kill their leader — I’d be a little miffed, too.
I’m just glad it was only a couple of shoes.
The US should set a good example and persuade the Iraqis to be lenient with him. It wasn’t mortal, it was just an attack expressing an opinion.
Louisville, Kentucky, US.
Similar to Americans not understanding Iraqi customs, some of your Mid-Eastern listeners should understand that the average American doesn’t see the symbolism, nor appreciate, the whole “shoe/foot thing”
that means so much to Iraqis.
I am a first a first generation American. My father is British. I am not only delighted but still laughing. I wish I had the throwers address, I’d send him a new pair of shoes!!
@ jennifer
“I found his actions shameful. What he did was a disgrace to himself and his people. His actions have also brought up alot of gloating from people here in the U.S. who would have behaved in a similar way. For myself, I am feeling even more happy at no longer considering myself a liberal progressive democrat!
As for his punishment; I do hope he is punished to the fullest extent of the law and doesn’t get out on the victim card. ”
How can you continue to tow the party line of a man (Bush) who is truly a disgrace to his country. It is a disgrace that you would have a man prosecuted for throwing shoes and think nothing of your president bombing thousands of innocents in order to spread the conservative agenda. …….”Victim card “?!!!!
The liberals in the U.S. do not hate this country. They hate what has been done in their name by ignorant, entitled, self-righteous flunkies who blindly support anything their beloved idiot leader has to say or do. Throw a shoe, burn a flag, protest…….that is the essence of democracy.
Proud to be a gloating liberal who loves his country……………
Given all the violence and tragedy we have seen in Iraq, throwing shoes is hardly a capital offense. In my opinion all of those who were at the press conference should have taken off their shoes and thrown them! The most that should be done is to slap the man on the hand and let him go.
A few years ago I attended a debate between Howard Dean and Richard Perle in Portland, OR. A man in the audience rushed the stage and threw his shoe at Richard Perle. We cheered!
Yes Bush made mistakes. Yet we have done some good.
Kill thousands of Irag peoples to help them. Yet Saddam killed millions, just at whim.
Bush was there as guest and should have been protected.
What the man did is inapproprate,insensetive,with his persona a journalist,he should have known better.
Mr Bush,is a disgrace to America,we all agree to that,he should have to choosed a right way to express his disgust
Hi, I wish I were also a journalist and did the same against him in Kabul, soon after he came to Afghanistan.
It’s a shame for us as our president welcomed him with a medal!
The shoe attack was shameful! Do iraqis prefer oppression of saddam or the potential they now have to become a great democracy in the arab world? Which is better? -
The question of whether or not the shoe throwing was good or bad, correct or incorrect but a question of it’s timing. Coming as it did at the end of the Bush era, this image, this action will come to define the folly Bush in Iraq (and indeed the world at large) for years to come.
Just an addition to my last note: I read and hear people quoting that most of America agrees with the shoe thrower. That is an outright lie. I do not know anybody that any body that thinks that way. I have 700 people in my data base for coorespondence. I am in contact with over 100,000 people with a monthly mailing. 95% are Americans…we are all angry at the actions and consider the ‘whipping’ of the shoes as a personal attack.
Also, 58,000,000 Americans tried to keep Republican leadership in America. 67,000,000 for Obama.
well i think he did the right thing.. considering all the illness Bush has caused, i do agree with the man
The Question – “Does he deserve to be punished” is ridiculous.
Those of you calling this an “Incident”, “Unfortunate”, “That’s just the way it is”
or IDIOTS saying “just damn funny”
Have you imagined what might have happened, had the security been more alert as they should have been, he would be dead.
Or worse
Have you forgotten Richard Reid
A little explosive in the shoe a detonator that works – two leaders dead or wounded
what do you think would be happening in Irqaq and the Mideast today?
Are you apologists sane – why don’t you start handing out diplomas to suicide bomber’s families – there is no way until after the fact, anyone could have known this was not a suicide attack.
Karl, USA
The real question is “What would have happened to any journalist who dared throw a shoe at Saddam Hussein?”
While I understand the frustration and anger of the Iraqis, symbolized by the shoe wielding journalist, the majority of Iraqs problems now are due to the corruption of their leaders and unsettled ethnic disputes. Let them throw shoes at eachother. Americans want to bring the troops home, but they are considered the enemy and the problems in Iraq are due to the Iraqis can only be solved by them.
Here’s are two predictions for those who explain Iraqi rage and hostility by Bush’s wholesale slaughter of Iraqi men, women and children (supposedly).
After the inauguration of the Obama the violence in Iraq will continue; it may even worsen.
If Obama is as good as his word and does withdraw US troops from Iraq, the bloodshed in that country will reach record levels.
It will be interesting to see how this will all be accounted for by the liberals and leftists here in the absence of George W.
Un usual in journalist community instead of pen pencil Mr. Zadi use his shoe to write his news colum & draw world attention.
Any way he created a histry & will alive for ever.
This is what I always point out to US Govt, please try to find out whats wrong with US policy maker’s & Lobbiests, that this discrusting & disgracefull behaviour US President is faceing in International community.
BTW, judging by his superb reflexes I would venture to say that this is not the first time Mr Bush has had something thrown at his head. No way. That was a beautiful bob and weave.
Cheers
Still a long ways to go, but it’s better than sneaking around and killing people with car bombs.
(This story does show the difference between free speech in the west vs. elsewhere!!…Steve December 16, 2008 at 2:42 pm)
Dear brother Steve
When I destroy your country, and kill your children, do not use free¬¬ speech, just throw them in my face.
I dont think the shoe tosser is a hero, but I do sympathize with his frustration. The act doesn’t reflect badly on Iraqis as a whole, just as Bush’s entire presidency is not representative of Americans as a whole.
However, the reactions on both sides, that of hero-dom and martyrdom of the journalist from those in the middle east and the macho arrogance of Bush in his pseudo-aloof response minutes later just go to show that even though we should be learning lessons about US – Iraqi relations from these disastrous six and a half years, not much has changed at all.
Whether it is a journalist throwing shoes at a president or a Palestinian throwing stones at an Israeli soldier, the incident is emblematic of Arab powerlessness.
This incident is complicated. At the base the man is a hero. As they say one mans freedom fighter is another mans terrorist. If we all threw shoes and not bombs would the world not be a better place?
Irrespective of his approach his message is resounding and clear.
The journalist is being charged for aggression against a president, but will be George Bush be charged with war crimes?
The good news: this was the exercise of free speech of political nature The bad news: the reaction was a vicious beating by the government
I think it should be considered a “youthful indiscretion”. Hasn’t Bush done the same thing? He was charged with assault on a police officer when he was younger. Unlike Bush, this guy is going to suffer the consequences. Why is he being beaten like this. Most likely it has to do with the Iraqi government losing US funds.
this is not about journalism its about erupted emotions due to the tyranny of a world leader.
The journalist is being charged for his little crime. The incident can’t be understand outside the context.
Look how effective this incident was at drawing public attention, and no one had to die…
Bush will never live this down…
The Question – “Does he deserve to be punished” is ridiculous.
Have you imagined what might have happened, had the security been more alert as they should have been, he would be dead.
I think, since it is a custom in Iraq to do these things, I don’t think the action should be condemned nor do I think the journalist should be punished.
I do wonder what the reactions would have been if George had thrown them back.
Frankly, I think most Americans, at least Democrats think it was very funny…
It is almost impossible to get the message across that the Iraqi people are dissatisfied with the Bush invasion. The journalist who threw his shoes give voice to voiceless in this controlled media era.
If someone had thrown shoes at Hitler, fine – it’s deserved, but I think we all would MUCH rather have had them stand up by saying “NO” to barbarism in its infancy. To simply commend the shoe throwing seems so insignificant to me.
I applaud the Iraqi journalist for discovering a relatively nonviolent means of protest that generates more world news coverage than a bomb killing 30 innocent Iraqi civilians would.
Yes, as a public figure, George W. Bush is subject to critisism, whether it be by a passionate journalist or anyone else. But even as I also think Bush isn’t worthy of everyone’s respect, I think it accomplished nothing (except for a bit of controversy) where a constructive and intelligent point could have been made and/or proven.
honours to the irishman that has the website for sending shoes to bush- i was just going to write with a similar suggestion- how about people of the world taking them to US embassies and consulates? there are hundreds of thousands of people in need in the US and iraq!
i appprove of the shoe toss, i’m so sad he missed!
I can’t keep quite about this. I live in the US. The journalist did not commit a crime and the beating was excessive punishment. He didn’t even hit the president, never mind threaten his life.
Bush played it off as a joke. It is not as big of a deal here. Sadly this is what many of us here expect from some in this part of the world.
Get over it. If you do not want us there, vote us out. If you would like to invade and or go to war with the U.S. go ahead. There is nothing like a good war to boost a poor economy
Should we also condemn the G-20 leaders who expressed displeasure with George Bush by refusing to shake his hand in a reception line at last month’s G-20 Summit in Washington, DC?
No one without living the life in Iraq through the war and occupation has no right to make any jugement of this action.
The only opinion that I can formulate is that it is sad that this is probably the most strong but civic way that an Iraqi can resort to express their anger, pain and frustration.
The opinion of people outside of Iraq is really meaningless. We don’t have any choice but show understanding to this man and his action.
No one has mentioned that the two shoes actually missed bush – pretty poor aim.
His action may have been inappropriate, but understandable. I would charge him with reckless endangerment at most.
And then suspend his sentence, since no one was actually hurt.
cute.
though i have to wonder what would have happened to the journalist if he had thrown those shoes at saddam? good thing bush just shrugged it off.
instead of … you know… killing him.
i wonder what would happen if they’d throw shoes at al qaeda or the Taliban? LOL would they run out of shoes?
The journalist who threw the shoe was probably deeply upset by the actions of George Bush in his war on Iraq. While throwing a shoe may not be the most gracious way of expressing the anger that naturally arises from the U.S. occupation of Iraq, it is a very human response.
It would be even more humanizing for the journalist to apologize to George Bush for the disrespectful manner in which he expressed himself. It would then be even more humanizing for the journalist to ask George Bush to apologize for the innocent women, men and children who have been killed as collateral damage of U.S bombs and bullets in Iraq.
I’m from America and I think Bush deserves more than a shoe in the face. Not all American’s agree with the service member you just had on. He was not voted in, he was cheated in. The jounalist is more than just a journalist, he’s a man who has feelings and anger toward the Bush administration. He had an opportunity to tell Bush how the Iraqi people feel and I think he did a good job. Whatever question he would have had for Bush, would not have been answered honestly.
Who’s to think that throwing a shoe, won’t escalate or start a trend? I think it’s a poor taste and I’m glad the journalist is receiving some level of punishment.
Perhaps we have the bones of a new fable here- The Emperor’s New Shoes. I’ll put my favorite fablist on it.
My name is Jason Howd. I am a journalist here in the states. I understand that journalists have ethics and should try to refrain from this sort of behaviour.
However, we are also HUMAN. And that sometimes should take precedent to supposed professional ethics.
Afterall we are talking about a war, an invasion of a soverign country and thousands dead from the mistakes and behaviour of a few individuals.
How would you want a journalist to react in the UK if their occupier came to give a last goodbye?
As an American citizen I applaud the journalist who threw a shoe at Bush….I’m frankly surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Bush is the one who should be going to jail, not the journalist who had the guts to stand up to him!
I must say listening to the show and hearing GIs prattle on about how they are feeling so under appreciated. As though the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq was a charity operation…like a huge church bake sale. Look what Sadam got and the manner in which it was carried out in the end for killing far fewer than the Anglo-American invasion caused directly and indirectly. The shoe throwing should be a minor footnote and the shoe thrower and even more of a minor footnote in the daily news cycle. Why does not the BBC do a show on whether the world thinks Blair and Bush ought to be tried for conducting an illegal war and committing war crimes and what their punishment should be if found guilty.
Am listening to your excellent show re: the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush. I am a poet, whose primary work is with words, yet there are times when theater, drama better expresses one’s heart and soul. This man chose a non-violent dramatic act to express his and his people’s grief at the loss of many Iraqi lives and the continued occupation of their country by a foreign power. I think the man should be released. Thank you for sponsoring this discussion.
I am thrilled by this action. Bush and Company deserve to be scorned and punished. This action was long due. Now, the journalist must also take the consequences of his behavior. I remember Martin L. King who broke unjust laws, but he was always prepared to take the consequences of his actions. That can never be said about Bush. I am an American and I am ashamed of the behavior of the Bush administration and the dehumanization and suffering they visited upon so many Iraqi people.
I think the reporter’s actions were culturally appropriate, nonviolent, and sent an unmistakable message. Pres. Bush entered into this war in an arrogant fashion, wasted countless resources, and ruined thousands of lives and all to satisfy his desire to be important and a war-time president. The President’s actions have been inexcusable. The reporter’s actions are more than understandable.
I have to say, the shoe throwing made me laugh for a long time. My friends and coworkers and I watched it over and over and laughed. Bush hasn’t deserved respect for a long, long time.
Questioning him would be worthless; he would just avoid answering. Throw more shoes!
It is simple…” and the old adage says it all ” Two wrongs do not make right”. Those who are justifying this throwing of shoe on Pres Bush are simply missing the point which is that the journalist had all the opportunity in the world to verbally engage Pres Bush. what a pity they are justifying vioilence but yet condemning it on the other hand.
what would they think if he hit him.
respect is important but mr bush himself have not shown much respect for a lot of people,including
many gorvenment of this world. this journalist must be promoted , not punished .
Send a pair of shoes to Bush. One for the soldiers that have died and one for the Iraqi citizens that have died.
I’m an American and I was thrilled and delighted to see Muntadar al-Zaidi chuck his shoes at Bush.
Yes, leaders are generally due respect. Yes, a journalist should not behave in such a manner. But there are extraordinary circumstances which can justify such an act. This man was expressing the frustration of average Iraqis to the destruction of their country by Bush. The US serviceman who decried the world’s lack of respect for America displayed an astounding degree of arrogance and ignorance about US aggression world-wide.
If someone had thrown a shoe at Hitler or Stalin, they would still be celebrated as folk heroes. Perhaps al-Zaidi will be remembered years from now.
I am really ashamed of all the contributors who are supporting what the journalist did. The could have a better way to express his anger. He is a shame to Journalism.
While I sympathize with the plight of the Iraqi people, you can be sure that Mr. Muntadar al-Zaidi would not have had the courage to do what he did under the regime of Sadam, as he and his entire family would have been butchered within the hour.. So in my book, he is simply a mannerless coward, and after the humor and shock wears off, that is how he will be remembered.
I think the shoe throwing at Bush showed how frustrated many are with his decision to invade Iraq. The journalist who threw the shoe at Bush represented many people. This was a new low for Bush and the US. During the Cold War there was never an incident where American Presidents were disrespected in a similar when they visited communist countries. I am from Pakistan and most of the politicians there are corrupt, but no one has ever thrown shoes at them. This was just too funny and embarrassing. Many Americans also support what was done to Bush.
Freedom of speech is cherished by all who are blessed by it, but that is not an entitlement, to propagate hate in any form! You must understand, that your effectiveness, is in direct proportion to how much you love those you are protesting against! Other than that, you sow discord, division, violence and hate and you become the very thing you are protesting against. Know thyself.
RE “” Blair and Bush ought to be tried for conducting an illegal war “”
——————————————————————————————————————————-
————– Oh, another fine parser of the law eh?
Legal wars, slavery, fraud, A-OK. Illegal wars, slavery, fraud, naughty, naughty.
Apparently this beleaguered chap threw illegal shoes per Iraqi law, or at least merited being arrested, whisked away and investigated, maybe beaten with legal shoes which may be fine by you.
Classic!!!!!!
I am thinking this may be our own fault. As this trip was done in total secrecy (again) it was probably a nightmare for our security to screen all these guys. If they had more time they could have prevented any journalists that would even ask the hard questions let alone throw ITD’s.
What a strange bunch of people. It is almost as if they would have preferred to have Iraq’s astute leader continue on genociding people, building palaces to himself and letting the wacko two sons, take, rape, and use for their own pleasure any woman they wanted or kill any man to show their wisdom and good breeding skills for ruling.
Is the true lesson from Iraq, that we should ignor all genocide, all threats in the bud of evil people from doing really bad things until they themselves, you know the brilliant ones who post here, are threatened by a real bully. Or is it after millions if not billions are indangered?
Iraq happened because they let an idiot charge all over the land invading countries like Hitler. The Americans showed incredible patience for over 12 years before flat taking out a really evil regime that threatened to annoy, endanger and kill innocent people for generations to come.
Does not anyone think about what they would have done if they were the President of America and or Iraq?
Are the posters here actually wishing the Iraqi dictator and wacko sons were a far better deal for the world than what Bush did to end the spiral of nothingness for Iraqi people?
Next time pick a leader who is good to their own people and their neighbors.
troop
I think in both ways! Pride, that it could happend; and also, shame that it should never had happend.
Although, I do not like President Bush and any off his policies…It was totally not called for behaviour.
This Muntadar al-Zaidi has lost his sole.
I agree with others that the president handled the situation really well, with humour and making light of what could have been a bit more serious if he had been hit in the face. I was impressed with his speedy ducking reaction. That shows an alert individual with good reflexes. And he sensibly guarded his face with his hand for the second shoe.
I also liked his subtle dig at the journalists when he said the shoe-thrower succeeded in drawing attention to himself because he got them to ask him (Bush) a question.
I agree that some of the comments here are completely unacceptable. People who have this incredible hatred for the president of the US should hit a punching bag to try to get it out of their system. Though I guess that wont work. The hatred runs too deep.
I don’t think they should treat this guy too harshly though. Sentence him to a year of leaving his shoes at the door of the press conferences. And reduce the sentence to six months on condition he makes a formal apology to the president.
If George W. Bush had any real class, rather than merely a sense of upper class entitlement, he’d have urged the Iraqi’s to treat his assailant with gentle mercy instead of beating the man half to death.
Bush and his policies have been a disaster for Iraq and a disgrace to the US. In support of Mr. al-Zaidi, Americans should carefully box an old shoe, sole uppermost, and mail it to the White House.
A KALW listener in San Francisco
Throwing a shoe at George Bush, even if it is a political statement, is disrespectful, immature and unproductive.
President Bush has the ultimate responsibility for the very many acts of murder, torture, and kidnapping committed by US military and intelligence forces under his command.
Perhaps we who accord him respect that he doesn’t deserve are more at fault than this man who showed his attitude very clearly.
Would it have been improper not to show Hitler the respect that his office customarily demanded?
what Iraq was before under the notorious Sadim Hussien and what it is now, can only be concluded that the people of Ireq were better of under the dictator Hussien.
Well, at last we know the truth: Iraq does have WMD. They hide them in their size 10 clodhoppers.
Well, he did totally ruin thousands, if not millions, of ordinary citizens’ lives. The economic “turmoil” is nothing compared to what Iraqis have suffered – the only job going for men there is to join the army or police, where the chances of getting shot by your fellow countrymen are great.
If a foreign entity were to invade America, for example, destroying buildings, lives, families, culture and future welfare of the population – I’m sure Americans would feel a bit more hatred than to throw a shoe at its foreign invader, making a victory speech – in THEIR country.
I think of the shoes as every child’s cry for their missing mother or father….every mother’s excruciating pain over the loss of their daughter or son. Be it an Iraqi death or an American, this war was not needed. Bush should be happy that the man didn’t shoot him dead on the spot. I view Bush as a war criminal, and he deserves nothing but to face his crimes in the world court.
I praise the man who stood up for those who can’t….throw more shoes! Given the chance more people should throw shoes at the single man responsible for so much death and destruction.
Bush is a disgrace to the people of America….and the world.
I just wish he would have been a better shot.
Neal,
Spot on. I too live in the USA, and I feel nothing but shame for what Bush was able to accomplish with lies and deception in the last 8 years. The cost in human suffering has been much too high for everyone. The gain is nothing, nothing but more world-wide hatred and less understanding.
Bush does not deserve respect.
He deserves a jail cell.
Ok,we now know that Bush miscalculated and lack visional consequences of the Irak war,but he did not deserved that kind of uncivilized way treatment,am not American nor African or European,am just world citizen who strongly love free live aka DEMO.The World is sympathising with Irak for huge loss of lives.we can ask ourselves reflect deeply,search our souls,come to a point and say what tempted Americans into Irak?is it because of oil or Saddam?is it American business?Irakis both Sunni/Shitte opened arms to welcome the Americans,now they turned against the Americans.American-trained Irakiqs now turned killers over-nite.Americans,now learn your lessons,not knowing that this part of the World still live primitively at this century,the energy wasted on Irak, Americans should have exerted on most African countries who have oils,if oil is American taste,besides most Africans are used to Americans in so many ways,a great lesson to learn by Bush.
not only was the incidence a rebuke of being thrown death at,this incidence was a standard of measure of a leaders quality of leadership and also a measurement of reason in the judiciary and in any person……i hear the journalist has already been tortured…..as if the shoe came from a GUN.
Bush missed the chance of having a misbehaved on one occassion journalist be forgiven…….i hope bush didnt throw the shoes back,like DROGBA threw back an english penny coin back to a british football fan.
creamium boy
THE LAST DAD
Pride or shame, love or hate, honor or disgrace. Good or evil. Iraq or America. Despot or fool. Tyranny or freedom. America or Iraq. Which country are we talking about, which leader? Both nations now share a destiny: the result of deliberate terror and horrifying blunders. And Sadam and Bush and all the other secondary players in this absurd game of Risk share the same pathetic historical destiny as the European leaders who gave us WWI. As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and all of us have been marched along it by men who proclaim the validity of their ideals despite the endless numbers of those who are orphaned, maimed or killed in the name of those ideals.
Sadly, none of these men, none of their ideals, will ever be remembered as noble, courageous and decent. The best they can hope for is what Mr. Bush has been getting in this blog: justifications and excuses. To you who must defend him I simply say that great leaders do not inspire world-wide loathing. If his campaign for peace has been so successful why did he resort to bidding farewell to Iraq on a secret mission? Why did he go at all? Who would show up at his farewell parade here? At least there, one Iraqi marcher passing the parade stand last Sunday took off his shoes and used them to demonstrate to the world how badly our feet our burning.
I understand Mundatar al-Zaidi’s intention and his action. Passive aggression. Simple complexity. Unforgettable insignificance. Let us hope he is in good health and freed to return to his loved ones quickly. His act was a misdemeanor. In this country throwing your shoes at (and missing) someone you called a dog in this country would rarely result in a night in jail. If Iraq is on the road to democracy, in the manner of American justice and freedom as Mr. Bush has claimed Mr. al-Zaidi’s freedom and well being are assured. If he suffers at all, it will demonstrate how little our current war in the name of freedom has changed anything.
Poor, Mundatar. I worry for you and hope your country men are compassionate.
Pride or shame, love or hate, honor or disgrace. Good or evil. Iraq or America. Despot or fool. Tyranny or freedom. America or Iraq. Which country are we talking about, which leader? Both nations now share a destiny: the result of deliberate terror and horrifying blunders. And Sadam and Bush and all the other secondary players in this absurd game of Risk share the same pathetic historical destiny as the European leaders who gave us WWI. As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and all of us have been marched along it by men who proclaim the validity of their ideals despite the endless numbers of those who are orphaned, maimed or killed in the name of those ideals.
Sadly, none of these men, none of their ideals, will ever be remembered as noble, courageous and decent. The best they can hope for is what Mr. Bush has been getting in this blog: justifications and excuses. To you who must defend him I simply say that great leaders do not inspire world-wide loathing. If his campaign for peace has been so successful why did he resort to bidding farewell to Iraq on a secret mission? Why did he go at all? Who would show up at his farewell parade here? At least there, one Iraqi marcher passing the parade stand last Sunday took off his shoes and used them to demonstrate to the world how badly our feet our burning.
I understand Mundatar al-Zaidi’s intention and his action. Passive aggression. Simple complexity. Unforgettable insignificance.
Let us hope he is in good health and freed to return to his loved ones quickly. His act was a misdemeanor. In the ideal America we believe we live in, throwing your shoes at and missing someone you also called a dog would rarely justify a night in jail, let alone a police beating. So, if Iraq is on the road to democracy, in the manner of American justice and liberty as Mr. Bush has claimed Mr. al-Zaidi’s freedom and well-being are assured. If he suffers at all, it will demonstrate how little our current war in the name of freedom has changed anything.
Mundatar al-Zaidi, I am worried for you and hope your country men are judicious, wise and compassionate.
hi guys
if u contract to the Iraqi people every day like the journalists u will know that to be savages and behaved respectably no know should blame u
we always see journalists or TV reporter tear on many sadness events they express what the people feel SO WHAT MOUNTETHED DID IS SOMETHING ALL IRAQIS WANNA DO IT ……………………
Did you say he is a journalist or he was just posing as one?
This is a watershed for all journalists. From now on they need to be treated like potential terrorists and attackers thanks to this foul hardy act. Poor shot!
The journalist would be hanged or beheaded for throwing those shoes at Saddam, he should thank Mr Bush for the freedom to behave badly.
Oh yes, the people killing innocent people in Iraq are the Iraqis, not the people who are attempting to bring peace to that country. How dare Iraqis drive to markets with explosives in cars and blow up people shopping. They have slaughtered many thousands of their own people and they blame Mr Bush. One day this history will be written truthfully and the shame of the Iraqi people will live forever.
The fools who believe the culprits are not the Iraqis will hate the truth.
Have you forgotten the many thousands of Iraqi bodies in mass graves thanks to Saddam’s tyranny? Or the attempt to destroy the Kurds by draining their land, and gassing them. What about the invasion of Kuwait ?The war with Iran in the 80′s.
Before opening your prejudice mouths – learn some facts .
Dear BBC,
I can’t understand the intention of Muntadar al-Zaidi! Is he really a professional journalist because it would appear he acted on emotions. This man who threw a shoe at President Bush was not fair and greatly portrayed an erosion of media ethics in Iraq and to a large extend internationally. Much as Bush could have made wrong decisions in the past in trying to liberate the Iraqis this man has no right to act in the way he did and if l may ask did that day really record any information because it appears he went in that room in search for an opportunity to land his shoe at Bush.
Can the international media bodies and Muslim leaders seriously condemn this man. It is a wrong time he is throwing a shoe at Bush because he has no time to effectively respond to his concerns or feelings since his term of office is at the edge of a cliff.
This man must be taken to jail because he is even luck that he could access free and fair trial a product that he Bush has exported to Iraq but if it was during Saddam Hussein this man would have six fit in the grave by now.
Regards,
Kelvin Kamayoyo (from Lusaka-Zambia)
Shoe throwing is a reflection of deep seated hatred for Bush ,not only by the Journalist but by the people of Iraque. If the general public was allowed to attend the meeting,more shoes would have followed.
Fortunately the shoes did not strike Bush’s body.If that happened the shoes would be smelling to high heavens with Bush’s dirty odour of crime against humanity.
I would urge that the shoes be preserved as a MUSEUM PIECE ,one in USA and the other in Iraque , with a clear write up of the incident, together with the photograph of the Journalist. concerned.
The video clipping also should be preserved carefully for future reference please
Bush’s security agents must be taken for refresher training because they behaved unprofessional and had they behaved professional they would have just shoot at that man straight away. This is because the life of a president was in great danger more especially that no one knew what that man was throwing at the President.
My word for the incoming President (Obama) is that please choose a team of well trained and disciplined security agents to avoid such embarrasements and later alone a huge risk onto your life.
The USA security service men and women need to periodically attend refresher courses in rules of engagment and codes of ethics in the snipper principles.
Regards,
Kelvin Kamayoyo
FURTHER BUSH SHOULD BE TRIED FOR WAR CRIMES.
That journalist must be asked properly to show reason why he disgraced the US president. No matter what the problem he has with the president, he should not have thrown shoes at him. It is a disgrace to not only George Bush and the United States, but to the world at large. And for so doing, that journalist must be penalized appropriately for taking the law into his own hands. That is my comment even though it is late.
Thanks;
Mohammed
Like this article, the throwing of shoes was another display of of how low journalism can stoop.
Many Americans are very happy about what he has done. Bravo!
We are ashamed of Bush, who only became president because his brother stole 2 elections for him.
He has been a disaster for our country.
RE “” Like this article, the throwing of shoes was another display of of how low journalism can stoop. “”
——————————————————————————————————————-
———– The incident has brought together the whole of the world in that both the Mission Accomplished-Good Job Brownie administration and Iraqis are seen as nothing more than comic relief from a cruel era.
Not unlike many on this blog comparing the present day to the era of Stalin and Hitler era. One supposes a doodle bug is as big as an elephant in their world of nonsense and flying shoes.
Aside from a boost to comedians, the shoe and sock industry, one supposes the computer combat games now to feature all manner of shoe attacks. Maybe future US attacks on Arab terrorism will include shoe carpet bombing, shoe torture, and boiled shoe victuals, shoe horror films, one supposes the imagination is limitless with shoes..
Carney shows at the circus and state fairs can scrap the old baseball/ring throwing games and feature bobble headed villians needing to be knocked down in the shoe toss.
Future may record this incident lead the world out of global depression and a peaceful world where shoes are not just for walking in. Who knew the mighty power possessed by Imelda Marcos back when the world was naive in the full understanding of the shoe?
iam mohummad yasir from afghanistan what i wanna say about throwing shose on mr bush that was completly shamful for ajournalist to react his feeling like throwing shose he might declare his feeling and his all sadness he had by lo gecaly mentioning i can tell u that this kind of action has politice back ground and i think it was the first world happining to apresident like mr bush that he is a kind of politition that care about his country and world and the one who expelled Sadam hussien the former president of Iraq and also who expelled Taliban from afghanistan and we are athank ful mr bush and its collouge and we hope a long life full of prosperity and being in peace…… thanks …Mohummad yasir from afghanistan studing in 11 class in kabul the capital of afghanistan.,,
inspite of insulted by a shoes thrown by a iraqi journalist george bush says its sign of independence and freedom in iraq bought by america who actually transgressed iraq flouting all international law norms ?
but the actual reason of staying calm might be the deep recession in america which would have made bush pennyless to buy a spare shoe .that was why he was so happy when he got a pair of his size and yelled 10″ ?
DEVADAS.V
KERALA
INDIA
@ Archibald
I listened to the Podcast last night with all of the people stating that Bush was to blame for the deaths in Iraq; everything under the sun. It occurred to me that I did not hear one person say that freedom is NOT free; it comes with a price. That democracy does not happen overnight, it takes time. The silver platter thing…
What this shoe thrower did was a disgrace to himself, his people, and to the profession of journalism. The worst thing was the individuals from the U.S. supporting such immaturity as if it did anything to facilitate peace. As far as I am concerned these people have the US exactly how they like us-divided and weak. Some wanting to cuddle them and some that don’t.
Please, continue to place blame for all of your problems on one man. It’s very unrealistic and highly inappropriate. What the dude did was dangerous. Noone is talking about the poor lady that got a black eye during his “protest”. Shoes are not deadly but what if it had been something else? I am ashamed that someone would treat another human being this way. Nevermind the fact that Bush has made mistakes, as ANY president would.
P.S.
In fact, this blog has pushed me further over the line more than once. 
I am past toeing the line!
Over simplification makes it easy to come down on one side or another and feel justified. Either way, it is ivory tower crap………….Go live there ……don’t just watch it on FOX…….then talk ………be careful with that towline, it might hang you, so to speak…..
Archibald, If you “turn your camera around”, and Look at what your hiding, you just might be able to help someone with the speck in their eye. Now that difficult when you got a log in your own eye because you can’t see clearly but do try as a human being. Anything less than that is being a “hypocrite”. lol
Each & every US citizen is kind of quite, embarace & trying to restore his confidance in Govt, as majority vote for Bush, now they have sence of guilt.
This miserable failour of Bush Govt, may not be understand republican failour as Democrate support his policy makers & lobbiests too.
Infact leader’s of this nation never understand public demand, essence & democratic values, in my openion both political parties are responsible for this miserable Govt failour.
Do you have ability to lead the world, no one trust on you in national & international community, you claim you librate Iraq.
Its time to quet with b.s, & establich trust worthy friendship lobbies, even Pakistan, India, Isriel, Bosnia, Afghanistan & Arab world dont trust in USA lobbies.
A trust worthy relationship will help USA & we will live with dignity, respect & pride being a world leader.
May God bless America.
Funny, I thought only two shoes were thrown at president Bush, but in your video I counted six.
Was it really necessary to show the incident three times? This sort of immature and unprofessional output appears to be a growing trend at the BBC. You are in danger of becoming the broadcasting equivalent of a sensationalist tabloid and you should try to reverse the process before it is too late.
On second thought, DEVADAS.V makes a good point. Under the Saddam Hussein regime, this guy would already have been dead.
Unlike those who joyously embrace self-righteous, violent indignation at being insulted by some boor cracking jokes or someone unaware of making an insult, President Bush showed self-possession, humor, and a commendable refusal to get angry and call for the shoe-thrower’s head. That is the correct response when you understand that the shoe-thrower was under the influence of hatred and anger so strong that it made him temporarily insane if he, or members of his family, suffers from the occupation rather than benefits, as many have. Surely most would agree it was an insane action, though probably less insane than a similar act directed at one of his own leaders would have been.
I haven’t seen any news reports that loyal Americans are rioting and calling for death to the Iraqi’s who allowed one of their citizens to show disrespect to President Bush and, through him, disrepect for the American people, including disrespect for those Americans who apologize to the world for being Americans.
Anybody still wondering about the official BBC view on this incident ?
Let’s see…
A video showing the incident 3 times,
A link with cartoons celebrating the incident,
A petition defending the perpetrator,
An online game
@Ros – does this story only have one side ?
Well, till now this issue is at the head of news..and the thing that I can’t understand is why some people are condemning the brave journalist,saying that it is an uncivilized unprofessional, devilish, barbaric, or shameful act, and some saying that Muntadhar is looking for fame, and some go to the extreme demanding to hang poor Muntadhar?
Are you serious.. what do you (who say things like that) know about what Bush has done in Iraq.. Oh yes you’ll say Bush has FREED IRAQ?? come on for God sake!!
Let me ask you does occupation mean freedom??
another question: Did what bush and some of his soliders do in Iraq seem as CIVILIZED , PROFESSIONAL, ANGELIC ACT? Well let me just remind you of one act..At ABU GRIB.. I bet you remember that!!!
Note for whoever crying on bush and saying he is good.. just look at this video and you’ll see how he avoid the shoes letting them to hit the American flag.. if he is good he will take the shoes on his face and protect his flag.. he is not patriot at all!!
Yesterday I heard in the news that Muntadhar may be judged 7 years at prison.. Good God, how many years will merciful bush be judged? well..I must ask a lawyer!!!
RE: Fadi, writing, “… the only thing he is guilty of is being naive and unleashing the Iraqi people upon themselves. It’s not american soildiers blowing themselves up in the markets, but Iraqis killing each other.”
Wrong – Black-op. False Flag Provocations created this mess – the 2005 Basara arrest of 2 British SAS doing just that is proof enough – hundreds of these ops have been executed, plus kidnappings and assassinations – it’s called the Salvadore Option and the old Salvador Master himself, Negroponte went to Iraq to run it.
Chaos is the goal. Failed states everywhere is the goal of the Global War Of Terror – terrorized populations begging for protection – oldest racket in the book. The CIA/MI6/MOSSAD nexus is behind it, in service to the New World Oligarchy.
Indeed Bush is guilty only of being the most useful fool the global finance oligarchs have ever had. And, don’t expect much different from Obama. Focus people, 99% of the media world wide is shilling a lie and the politicians everywhere know it.
WHYS Shoe-out B2
Now that the debate has died down, I would suggest that people do a cull of the shoes in their closets and give them to Oxfam, The Salvation Army or any organization that helps the homeless or people who cannot afford shoes.
I am unable to organize a shoe drive but there are others that can and do .
Wars, sunamis and just plain poverty mean that there are people near any BBC listener, who need shoes between now and January 20th.
Why don’t we all concentrate on getting people shod who cannot afford it?
WHYS listeners who want to “Shoe-out B2 ” and his barefoot politics can contribute to people being able to dance in the streets in 2009.
I hope that Mr. al-Zaidi is being watched over by the Appropriate International Organizations and I look forward to other Appropriate International Organizations delving into the chaos that B2 and his cronies have created and the acts of genocide that have occurred.
These things take time. So switch off the computer for 20 minutes and collect any shoes that need a new home and find where there are feet that need to be shod. Thank you all and Season’s Greetings.
despite all my fake pretensions of good manners, I must say that I really enjoyed Mr. Bush getting his farewell bid with the shoe-ing. I’d even suggest the extremists of all flavors to give up mindless violence & adopt a more effective method of shoe-ing attacks. I’m sure most of the Indians too would have welcomed had the jihadists, instead of attacking innocent commoners in Mumbai Taj Mahal Hotel, given a good shoe thrashing to the cunning war-mongering politicians.
The mainstream media, BBC included, have studiously ignored the facts that (a) the video shows that his fellow Iraqi journalists at the news conference, being closest to him, were the very first to lay hands on him, pull him to the ground and subdue him, and (b) a spokesman for the Iraqi press condemned the shoe thrower and offered their apologies to President Bush immediately after the incident.
Of course it’s much more fun to bash Bush and rather than report on the feelings of those Iraqis who are ashamed and embarrassed by the incident the story is spun by pretty much the entire MSM to show the thrower as a national hero.
So who will replace Bush as the fall guy for all of these jokes in the future or will we be obliged to put up with the fawning adulation of Obama that we’ve been subjected to so far?
Eyes Wide Open,
The imprisonment and torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib directly contravenes the Geneva Convention which America signed up for sometime ago, is just another prime example of the USA’s complicity in attempting to cover their tracks and lead us away from ever gathering evidence to this effect. It is American governments and Bush & Cheney et al being the greatest offenders in modern times that should be on trial for numerous crimes against humanity. If they weren’t the most powerful country on earth still, they would’ve been found out by now and been held up to the world’s most rigid examination with the apt description that they so easily apply to others being placed at their doorstep i.e. “A Rogue Nation.”
Indeed many people here, in America, the UK and elsewhere in the world need to open their eyes wide and see the truth and reality of what Bush & Blair achieved since 2003 up to and including the present time. Numerous people need to open their eyes wide and ears for the first time in their lives and feel total shame at was has been perpetrated in their name, under the auspices of regime change and liberation.
The throwing of shoes is such a minor offence in light of those committed by the current US government.
@ Eyes wide open
Archibald is too busy gloating to realize that I wasn’t coming down on one “side” over another! As a person, I am disappointed that some are not civilized enough to conduct themselves with manners. I wouldn’t ever throw a shoe at someone to get my point across and I don’t think it’s professional for a journalist to resort to such childishness to get his or her point across either. I would go so far as to wonder how much of what we read in media is written by people who have so much bias also.
People seem to be enjoying that this dude is acting as a fill in for what they would enjoy doing. In my opinion, all that did was validate and encourage aggressive behavior when we are already inundated with it.
You sound a lot like Selena in Canada!
Take care,
Jennifer
Perhaps, when there is a balance between the heart and the mind, we will discover the joy of brotherhood, rather than finding joy, in the degradation of a nation, or persons. Perhaps, when we can go beyond all the individual differences and our own desires, what turns us on and what turns us off, we can clearly see that in the spirit of truth, we are all one. The level of thinking – of Us against Them, can not solve the problems of the world, that this level of thinking has created! We need a new level of thinking! Humanity can no longer afford or tolerate antiquated thinking!
Eyes Wide Open,
Honest comment as before!
Well thought out sentiment and honesty in what you say. Something George W Bush, soon to be ex. president thank God, could never be accused of.
You can’t be aiding and abetting Iraq one time as in the past for many years, and then quite calculatingly find the most tenuous link with which to prosecute an illegal war and occupy a sovereign territory at your whim, and sell it to the world as liberation and a democratically principled act of goodwill in the face of a tyrant.
For want of a better phrase, America needs seriously to be brought to heel and not the other way round.
In my mind the invasion of Iraq has just set a precedent and began a continuous domino effect in the region and beyond. Afghanistan & Pakistan will just serve to exacerbate the whole situation unless a new USA administration can propose an approach and method of doing things, very different from most recent dealings courtesy of Bush, Cheney et al.
Feelings and emotions, often lead us astray. To judge a man’s “intent” is a difficult because you must know what he knows to judge properly. I don’t know what America, needs to go through. I don’t know what any of us, need to go through but I do know this, as we read many of the posts here, we can forget about the posters because what you and I, are touching, is simply ourselves. I’m just like YOU.
Shame,
to think that such an act could possibly emanate from the birth of civilized culture. what direction is the world heading in when civilization is beginning to unravel from the ground up. i only wish those who still live and work in Iraq the best of luck as their right as a cultural monument stands trial to the audacity of “Americanization.”
best of luck
regards
Somalia
@ Eyes Wide Open
I agree that we are all alike, in that we can only be so objective, before our environment and/or perspective mutates into the subjective. I am a firm believer in manners and respectful conduct. However, this is a unique situation, “David” takes a harmless shot at the “Goliath” that has laid waste to his country, or at least the representative of the “Philistines”. Desperation creates a lack of rational thinking. Having empathy for this man and his desperation seems the only true human response. It is so easy for those who have, to overlook the plight of those without and to judge. Maybe it was an act of desperation for Bush to invade Iraq, but, it seems that he had a few more options than this man, and it wasn’t shoes that Bush was throwing……………that is all I am saying. Everyones got a speck in their eye, no matter how wide you open.
Perhaps, there are higher levels of understanding to this story – than your own but that would be dependent on what your ready to hear. Thank you for the clarification.
Impolite,rude and utterly delicious.My advise to them ,the journal;ist pracice makes perfect .To Bush “if the shoe fits wear it”.It was only a matter of time that the” other shoe “would drop.After the disaster he has wrought on the entire world Bush should be thankful that this gesture of disdain and anger was so muted.This incident should be a sign ,if one is needed ,to the American people of the tragic misery that this fool Bush has created in their name..A fiting image of the consignment of Bush to ignomy ,and the ash heap of history.
The journalist who threw the shoe was using his pent up anger and frustration as a symbol of how many Iraqis have been powerless to report the reality of their daily existence, without ever having had an open and honest debate of what has occurred in Iraq over nearly 7 years now, due to media suppression, complicity and collaboration with a mendacious occupier of sovereign Iraqi territory, who calculatingly offer up one story in the main for public consumption in America.
When are you going to stop burying your head in the sand and sticking your fingers in your ears to the facts and reality of the situation? All because you can’t accept reasoned argument and debate ably supported by evidential information and facts readily available in the public domain, if you were to look beyond your investigative shortcomings. If I can discover Hillary Clinton’s less than honest past, then so can you in relation to Iraq’s dreadful predicament and continued suffering.
“I would go so far as to wonder how much of what we read in media is written by people who have so much bias also.” comment by you needs to contended with: In November, 2006 three major UK universities studied news reporting leading up to and during the invasion of Iraq. The report concluded that over 80 per cent of national UK media unerringly supported the British government’s line and less than 12 per cent challenged it. So much for media bias against Tony Blair’s Iraqi policies at the time. The complete opposite being the case.
Jennifer,
The earlier comment was aimed at you also. God only knows what percentage of US media actively and consciously supported Bush at the time. But I would believe the figure to be extremely high. Otherwise he would have been challenged to such an extent as to the wisdom and foresight of his actions, which meant he would probably have been forced to have stood down the invasion, let alone the highly dubious legality and United Nations contravention of the Geneva Convention, by America.
FOX TV News owned and editorially biased to US intervention and invasion is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who owns 175 newspapers throughout the world and each one supported military intervention prior to and during the Iraq invasion. What does that tell you? One thing is that there sure as hell isn’t much media balance being struck in general! You can refute that all you like, but your just flaunting all reality and substituting the truth for lies.
RE “” So who will replace Bush as the fall guy for all of these jokes “”
——————————————————————————————————————–
——— I’m thinking the comedy act just moves to Crawford.
Ample rocks for the expresidential noggin to fall upon whilst riding a bike and plenty of cowboy boots that could be thrown his way.
After what we have learned and suffered through in the last 8 years, in my opinion, there isn’t a question you could ask Bush that wouldn’t be a rhetorical one or anything that could be said that would make any impression on him. A shoe, a better aim, a handful of wet horse dung – all are better options than the usual journalistic approach.
While you fly your banner of compassion, was there ever a time, that you can remember, that you flew that banner for America, when over 3000 human beings lost their lives? Or, do you also find joy, in inordinate affections?
How do you know that this man was simply a reporter and not something else?
How do you know that this was a random act out of despair and not predetermined to rally those who would kill an American on the spot?
Yes,
i was also watching the news conference,
and aftermath,president started his speech,
he did not come to conclusion ,
when a journlist got up threw a shoe ,
in the first instance,i could understand what he said
because i don’t know arabic language,
He said ”dog”
but i understood as he was asking to outgoing American president ”where is weapons of mass destruction?
Sultan Ahmed ,Pakistan.
What the journlist has done?
has been disputed matter before the world people,
different opinions, views standpoints are receiving the press,print and electronic media,
there is no similarity among them.
According to my view
there must be a superior authority,
not district court,but International Court Of Justice,
And this case should be filed before the International Court Of Justice and permission granted to all persons relating to inter national law for advancing arguements
The International Court Of Justice decide the case ,keeping in mind all the facts and circumstances attributed to the case and deliver decision whether,
journlist has committed a crime,
or Mr.Bush deserv for such behave?
Sultan Ahmed, Pakistan
@ Matthew,
Thanks for pointing that out-I skipped your post.
What the journalist did was wrong. You may seek to validate it in any way you choose by saying that he was releasing his pent up anger. At the least, he showed the character of his people. At the worst, he was very unprofessional as a journalist. Either way, his actions have had a negative effect with rational people who would NEVER, even when displeased with events, do something so disrespectful or inappropriate and who seek to receive FACTS from news outlets. Next thing we know, a journalist will be interviewing someone they don’t support personally and they’ll start beating them up. After all; that’s just expressing their pent up anger?!
What the journalist did i won’t say its right, but BUSH deserves it. I think for a professional its very wrong, let alone for a journalist. what message will he say he is sending to the outside world?. But with all what the Iraqi people have gone through, you don’t expect them to sit tight and listen to thePresident say shit. Bush has done enough damage to that country, and i still wonder what gave him the gut to go to Iraq and try to even say anything, not even to say he is sorry and meant well for them. just stay in office untill january and leave we are tired of your policies. I mean the whole world is sick and tired of you and your cabinet. thank you, you have tried but i still think its high time you kept shut and remained in your office untill you step down. The United states have so much economic problems now, so i don’t expect you to be in another country, not for nothing, but to be working on solving this problem, atleast thelittle you can before leaving office. If i were the one i would have thrown something worst, maybe a stone or something.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. President Bush leaned left twice and succesfully ducked the shoes thrown at him. The answer to America’s economic meltdown is here and Barack Obama should read the premonition. Simply lean left like Hugo Chavez or Fidel Castro and all your economic woes will be solved.
Eyes Wide Open,
I wonder if you’re not playing a double game here. All your well meaning sentiment is refreshing in one sense. On the other hand what is your point precisely in drawing attention to 9/11 once again?
The outpouring of sympathy for the victims has been immense and nonstop since 2001. I wish the same could be said for the tens of thousands, and quite possibly hundreds of thousands who have died in Iraq, the countless wounded and mentally scarred for life, suffering immeasurable fear and torment throughout the nation as a consequence of the invasion. Where is the universal outpouring of sympathy for a nation that has undergone such horrendous treatment at the hands of its supposed liberators? Why is the media not paying full attention to the truth of what has happened in Iraq? If it bought home the real situation of what’s going on then Bush, Cheney et al wouldn’t have a leg to stand on such would be the revulsion by Americans and British, similar to that of Vietnam. Bush can’t afforded for that to have happened, so the media are complicit in permitting his WMD, “threat to the region”, “ruthless dictator” comments to have been the only ones to have filtered through for public consumption in the main, so added weight to the cause in the first place.
We are all guilty, everyone of us by association, in allowing our leaders to dupe us all, and such a situation to take place, and allowing such resentment and hatred to be sown amongst our own communities and countries in sympathy for the endless suffering, not at the hands of a dictator, but the western world and its allies. The USA & UK have exacerbated tensions in the region beyond belief and witnessed sectarian tragedies arise from nowhere because of USA self-interested military activities inside Iraq.
Eyes Wide Open,
When Saddam’s statue was torn down and a gathered crowd, (very small when examined by the media from a helicopter shot), beat his face with shoes in disgust. Years later US and UK soldiers can count themselves extremely lucky not have suffered “death by a thousand blows” with a shoe constantly bringing blows to bear by hundreds of thousands of enraged Iraqis upon their faces as well as those wholly deserved upon the faces of Bush (what a pity it didn’t hit) & Blair, shouting and screaming in banshee fashion, echoing and reverberating throughout Iraq the words WHY? WHY? WHY!!!???
Neither. I don’t care what happens to Bush.
Brilliant! I can’t believe there are people who think it is shameful. Nothing to do with being civilized or otherwise, who can compare throwing a shoe with bombing and murder? You people…
Shoes are for walking and pencils for writing and compassion is for all!
He’s my hero ~ he threw my shoes. RELEASE HIM!!!
I think the ”shoegate” scandal is a perfect example of the serious negative impacts the Iraqi invasion left. if we look at the journalist as a human being and not a robot, we will realise that we are all similar. The journalists code of conduct may have been inappropriate but his message to Mr.Bush was clear,” Iraqi people have suffered for too long!”
I wish I could have helped him throw the shoes. I would have been so proud to have been able to support him. I deeply respect his courage, and I totally despise Bush. Hopefully he will not receive much punishment, and I hope that when he is free he will be offered a better job than he had before.
Well done Muntadar al-Zaidi!
I wish I could have helped him throw the shoes. I would have been so proud to have been able to support him. I deeply respect his courage, and I totally despise Bush. Hopefully he will not receive much punishment, and I hope that when he is free he will be offered a better job than he had before.
Well done Muntadar al-Zaidi!
Shame or pride? Love or hate? Pleasure or pain? Fame or shame? God or Devil? Black or white? Good or evil? Man or woman? Tall or short? It is the world we live in. Learn from God, for His Love is like the rain, it pours down on the unjust and just!
I am happy that the journalist threw shoes and not BOMBS at Mr President..that clearly proves he is not a terrorist and should not be taken to guantanamo..it may be un professional,I wonder what the reactions could have been if it was a hand grenade and if throwing a pair of shoes was un professional then how could we describe the actions of the president who threw BOMBS at the Iraqi nation and destroyed everything they have..?
I think the thrower of the shoes should be punished. George Bush is not my president but as a western citizen and Bush a president of a western nation I am more connected with him than with any Iraqi president. Islamites always see themselves as victims while often they are the perpetrators of offences.
Yes, he must be punished……….. but because of his bad shot!!!!
He is a pride. Bush invaded Iraq just for the oil. The USA forces are killing many innocent people everyday. Bush is the responsible for the destruction of a culture. Yes, he deserved that. The journalist deserved to hit his target.
He should be punished to the extent that other journalists can not dare to forget the ethics of journalism in such a crucial meetings.
Sorry Mathew I dissagree with you,Though you have responded very responsibly on several important issues but in this case there has to be no compromise.
@ Jennifer
My sound is original; I am Dr.A.K.Tewari
The real question is “What would have happened to any journalist who dared throw a shoe at Saddam Hussein?”
I really don’t advocate for a capital punishment but not lesser than it.