Iraqi Journalist Throws Shoes at Bush - How Did he Miss!?

[Topaz]

In an interview Bush gave a couple weeks ago, he said that he was going to write a book of his presidency and explain to people why he did the things he did after he leaves DC. I hope when he finsihes the book he realize just exactly what he did and how many lives were taken.

[Moonlight Graham]

The video is too funny.

And yes, throwing/hitting with shoes does have significance in Iraqi/Arab culture. Doesn't everyone remember when they toppled the Saddam statue shortly after the U.S. invaded Iraq & tons of Iraqi's were in the streets hitting the statue's head with their shoes?

From BBC News:

"...Locals vented their anger at Saddam Hussein by attacking effigies of the man - with their shoes. The imagery is strong - shoes are a symbol of "dirt and degradation" in the Arab world, says Professor Faleh Jabar, a writer on Iraqi culture.

"Going into someone's house or a mosque, you would always take your shoes off first. Shoes are used to beat servants, thieves, prostitutes; it indicates servility. Were you to beat your children, this would be done with a stick or the hand, but never shoes."

[BC_chick]

Shoes are used to beat servants, thieves, prostitutes; it indicates servility. Were you to beat your children, this would be done with a stick or the hand, but never shoes." [/indent]

Note to self - immediately reconsider sending out the application for the position of servant for the new Iraqi family. Unless the alternative shall be serving Naomi Campbell without a helmet, at which time the desired choice between the two will be the Iraqi family.

[bush_cheney2004]

In an interview Bush gave a couple weeks ago, he said that he was going to write a book of his presidency and explain to people why he did the things he did after he leaves DC. I hope when he finsihes the book he realize just exactly what he did and how many lives were taken.

Which Bush? Which lives? Did Chretien write a book too?

[DogOnPorch]

The video is too funny.

And yes, throwing/hitting with shoes does have significance in Iraqi/Arab culture. Doesn't everyone remember when they toppled the Saddam statue shortly after the U.S. invaded Iraq & tons of Iraqi's were in the streets hitting the statue's head with their shoes?

From BBC News:

"...Locals vented their anger at Saddam Hussein by attacking effigies of the man - with their shoes. The imagery is strong - shoes are a symbol of "dirt and degradation" in the Arab world, says Professor Faleh Jabar, a writer on Iraqi culture.

"Going into someone's house or a mosque, you would always take your shoes off first. Shoes are used to beat servants, thieves, prostitutes; it indicates servility. Were you to beat your children, this would be done with a stick or the hand, but never shoes."

Yes, I do remember. However, that's the only other context for the act. So is it the internet or reality? Sure you can tell? Really?? But, if Professor Faleh Jabar says so.....

My point is still that throwing a shoe at someone in our culture will probably result in violence rather than a party. It's a pointless cultural reference since shoes fill the same role world wide.

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A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it.

---President George W. Bush

[moderateamericain]

Yes, I do remember. However, that's the only other context for the act. So is it the internet or reality? Sure you can tell? Really?? But, if Professor Faleh Jabar says so.....

My point is still that throwing a shoe at someone in our culture will probably result in violence rather than a party. It's a pointless cultural reference since shoes fill the same role world wide.

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A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it.

---President George W. Bush

I wonder what kind of shoe was thrown? Id rather get hit by a sandal then a boot.

[DogOnPorch]

Not sure...shoes I think. Doesn't take the game makers long, though...

http://bushbash.flashgressive.de/

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Any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a good carpenter to build one.

---President Lyndon B. Johnson

[Shady]

It looks as though the Iraqi "journalist" took a page out of the leftwing kook's book of tricks. Usually they're the ones throwing pies at Ann Coulter, or salad dressing at Pat Buchanan. It's part of their neo-fascist approach to shutting down differing opinions.

[tamtam10]

I love how every article I read related to this incident states that throwing a shoe is a sign of disrespect in Iraq. As if it's respectful anywhere else on this planet...And you have to love Bush's response to the incident - "It was a size 10 shoe!"

[DogOnPorch]

I love how every article I read related to this incident states that throwing a shoe is a sign of disrespect in Iraq. As if it's respectful anywhere else on this planet...And you have to love Bush's response to the incident - "It was a size 10 shoe!"

Yes...as mentioned it is a pointless cultural reference. If I threw a shoe at you, you'd probably throw something back equally hard if not harder.

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Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.

---Xenophon

[GostHacked]

Yes...as mentioned it is a pointless cultural reference. If I threw a shoe at you, you'd probably throw something back equally hard if not harder.

It is not pointless, and that is lost on most people. That is also part of the problem.

[capricorn]

Editorial cartoon.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/toon.php

[Oleg Bach]

Yes...as mentioned it is a pointless cultural reference. If I threw a shoe at you, you'd probably throw something back equally hard if not harder.

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Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.

---Xenophon

It's not a pointless cultural reference...it's equal to spitting in someones face in any culture.

[BubberMiley]

It looks as though the Iraqi "journalist" took a page out of the leftwing kook's book of tricks. Usually they're the ones throwing pies at Ann Coulter, or salad dressing at Pat Buchanan. It's part of their neo-fascist approach to shutting down differing opinions.

I'm confused how neo-fascist pies and salad dressings would shut down discussion. Is it that they are so delicious they render people incapable of further conversation?

[Oleg Bach]

I'm confused how neo-fascist pies and salad dressings would shut down discussion. Is it that they are so delicious they render people incapable of further conversation?

Funny but not funny - now that we bombed and blasted Baghdad back into the stone age we can now proudly hold them in contempt as being a bunch of raving primatives tossing shoes...That's like taking old African royalty and putting them out in the cotton fields untill they forget who they are - then treat them like dumb animals...It was us that debased them...and by doing so we debased ourselves - You two are talking about pies and eating...the journalist was making the point that hundrends of thousands of men woman and children were dead - and you say "let them eat pie?

[DogOnPorch]

It's not a pointless cultural reference...it's equal to spitting in someones face in any culture.

Sure it is. This is but one case. The Saddam statue is the other. That doesn't make it a trend. As mentioned, throwing my shoe at you would probably be thought of as an affront here in Canada, as well. Unless you WANT me to throw shoes at you. In that case...stand still.

I've heard many shoe/culture experts in the last 72 hours re: Shoes in Iraq and I still think it's just a pile of crap. The bare bones of this is some fellow with a bone to pick assaulted the President of the United States and still lives. The irony is that he can thank the very values he attacked that he still walls this Earth. Saddam would be fertilizing his roses with the 'reporter' in question.

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Well now, they often call me Speedo

'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time-

---The Cadillacs

[WIP]

Saddam would have killed the reporter slowly...then his family...then any pets he might have had. Cheer that the reporter now has the freedom to throw his shoes at a President and live.

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You know me... If you are Iraqi, you know me.

---Saddam Hussein

It's still a little early to say that he's going to live. Considering that all of the billions and the fighting and dying by American troops has ended up with a Shiite dictator sponsored by Iranian clerics, I'm still a little lost on how Neoconservatives can find anything positive to report in this story. The way things have developed, we would have been better off with Saddam!

One thing the shoe-thrower demonstrates, is that the Rummy's claim "they'll welcome us as liberators," has been proven totally false. If you're mystified why the Iraqis would now hate Bush and the U.S., it might be worth taking a look at the great, unreported part of the War In Iraq story -- the thousands who have been murdered or disappeared, and the millions who have had to flee their homes and become refugees both inside and outside the country. Colin Powell was right about that "pottery barn rule," if they story is true -- by invading and instituting regime change, the Bush Administration is responsible for the consequences of the invasion -- even the unintended consequences.

[Shady]

Iraqi Ambassador Chistises Code Pink

My favourite quote from the Ambassador"

"These are the fruits of freedom, everybody gets the fruits of the freedom, even those who don't know how to handle them."

Well said Mr. Ambassador!

[Oleg Bach]

Iraqi Ambassador Chistises Code Pink

My favourite quote from the Ambassador"

"These are the fruits of freedom, everybody gets the fruits of the freedom, even those who don't know how to handle them."

Well said Mr. Ambassador!

Saw a picture of the journalists shoes - very high quality - where do I get a pair?

[Moonlight Graham]

It looks as though the Iraqi "journalist" took a page out of the leftwing kook's book of tricks. Usually they're the ones throwing pies at Ann Coulter, or salad dressing at Pat Buchanan. It's part of their neo-fascist approach to shutting down differing opinions.

Lefties throw pies at people they don't like. Righties shoot bullets at people they don't like. See, stereotypes are stupid. Grow up.

[Shady]

Lefties throw pies at people they don't like. Righties shoot bullets at people they don't like. See, stereotypes are stupid. Grow up.

It's not a stereotype. It's true. Whenever you find a Conservative at a University to speak, you'll also find Liberals with food to throw, showing their compassion and understanding.

MSNBC

[tamtam10]

It's not a stereotype. It's true. Whenever you find a Conservative at a University to speak, you'll also find Liberals with food to throw, showing their compassion and understanding.

MSNBC

Hilarious and true.

[Carinthia]

Why did the journalist miss you ask? Because he's as quick on his feet as his mouth is to lie.

[Keepitsimple]

I hadn't heard this before but Bush apparently said "I looked into his sole". Pretty funny - good one George.