By Jim Stanford on December 14, 2008
This surreal scene unfolded today as George W. Bush made his final visit to Iraq as president.
An Iraqi television journalist threw both of his shoes at Bush, shouting, “This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!”
Bush displayed rather cat-like reflexes in ducking and dodging both shoes, which were hurled from about 15 feet, according to various media reports.
The Iraqi journalist, Muntader al-Zaidi, 28, was beaten by Iraqi security guards and dragged from the room, and presumably faces execution.
The attack occurred as Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held a press conference to say everything is basically hunky-dory in Iraq.
From the N.Y. Times report: “Hitting someone with a shoe is considered the supreme insult in Iraq. It means that the target is even lower than the shoe, which is always on the ground and dirty.”
Could Dick Cheney get thumped with a Sorel while dining at Snake River Grill?
Ah, the prestige and dignity of the U.S. presidency. (Saul Loeb - AFP/Getty)
Posted under Politics
It may be an insult, but it actually gave W a chance to A) look like he’s actually good at something, even if that something is ducking thrown shoes, and B) respond in a gracious manner.
I think he’s happy it happened.
This insult shall not stand! Bomb Iraq!