An Iraqi journalist hurled two shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a press conference, an incident that garnered major media attention on Sunday, [see the clip above, and note the cool Austin Powers addition]. In fact, news outlets, including Pakistan’s GEO Television repeatedly played video footage of the “shoe throwing” throughout the day. I have to say, while I’m not a fan of the current U.S. president, he did exhibit some pretty fantastic reflexes.
It definitely reminded me of a very amusing “chapal [sandal]-throwing” incident that occurred in April, when angry protesters hurled a shoe at Arbab Ghulam Rahim, a former chief minister of Sindh and a member of the pro-Musharraf party, PML-Q, as he left the Pakistan Assembly building, [see the video below]. Apparently, if you want to show you’re particularly angry at a politician, chuck your shoe. That’ll get your point across.
Chucking a shoe at Bush? Big deal. I would have liked to have seen him try that with Saddam.
I am sure Bush would not care and Americans do not think that is an insult on America, because they themselves are not supporting him. I am sure this journalist go down the history.
@ Colin,
you shock me with your small mentality, I would have
simply pissed on him, Saddam was assassinated by US
thats is why you are provoking, grow up man !!
@Ravi,
Its the heaviest shame cowdum rubbed on US face
atlerast their Neocons ” connards “, No you are
certainly mistaken, HE HAS ENTERED THE HISTORY
Ravi ji !!
@ I salut this brave journalist, as he was, courageous,
only a MAN could have done it, he represented his
compatriots Iraqians and freedom lovers, and ofcourse
1.5 millions Iraqians genocided by the Terrorist Consortium
the Batilans.
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@ unfortunately Musharraf
did not have such treatement . But
for Zardari & Peer might be even
worst than that.
Bush received two ” Chitters ” in Iraq
lets see what he gets in Afghanistan
perhaps donkey’s………….
just came back from a lysée explaining what does
it signify beating or throughing slippers or shoes
on some one as hurling insult and dirty someone,
I was stunned and surprised to see the hatred
and redicule students have against Bush and his
Neocons administration.
I never thought I would see something like this in my lifetime. I am truly amazed at the Iraqi journalist’s daring. I don’t know if I really agree with his mode of showing his emotions, but I do surely agree that it was highly effective. The world today can no longer be under any doubts as to how much the common Iraqi hates Bush and the U.S.
I must also say, that Bush showed some remarkable composure also. He attempted a joke – and a good one – and kept on conducting the press conference like nothing had happened. That’s impressive.
Monkey-
I agree with you, even though I don’t like Bush, he showed good humor in the situation – he must be used to people disliking him 🙂
Rafay-
Colin doesn’t have a small mentality – I think his comment was in jest – because it IS true – if that was Saddam in power, a guy throwing a shoe at him would have meant death. I don’t think he meant anything more.
Monkey —
Daring? Really? Chucking at shoe at almost any Arab head of state — now that would be daring. I’d tip my hat to the man who tries that with the king of Saudi Arabia or Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Courage would be throwing a shoe at Kim Jong Il, the Castro brothers or Osama bin Laden — not that they are known for giving many press conferences.
Throwing your shoe at a democratically elected head of state is pure thuggery. What is this guy really risking? Torture? Death? This is just like the Code Pink people that love getting themselves thrown out of public venues. It’s a way of calling attention to oneself. Just look, this clown is already a celebrity.
Your contention that this — the actions of one guy — shows how much Iraqis hate Bush and the US is laughable. What counts more, the actions of this one man or the several Iraqi journalists that stood up to apologize to Bush afterwards?
I think that Bush leaves much to be desired, but the contrast between his polite demeanor and the actions of his opponents could not be more stark.
SERVES HIM RIGHT! He deserves a lot more than just a shoe on his face.
@ colin,
your sadness has some limits, he set an example of
courage and audace which you and me and other
chickens don’t have , attacking world biggest power’s
President elected Democratic, as you sadly put !
the perpetrator of Genocide, head of The mafia
Consortium of Terrorrism, its a slap on the faces of Israel,
India, Britain, USA and Iraqi puppet regime with all their
acolites. Perhaps if the Arab leaders go there they might
receive big sizes, I wish so dearly for Tony Blair, I would
have send my pair of slippers and horse shoes !
why are you judging this brave act by your miserable
mean paranoia . youmust be sick !
@ Kalsoom,
the name of the guy seems to be ” Zaidi ”
well The Greatest Zaidi on Earth I am proud of you
chum,
longlive Zaidi, he should be defended.
sorry colin I forgot Musharraf !! kindly add him on
all slap recipients.
@Kalsoom,
sorry to bother you again, I am thrilled with this
historical event never existed in comtemporary history,
I had watched it in detail with the students of a lycée,
I wrote before, I came and had another look at it,
now I have been watching it for 18th times, specially
the way Bush ducked, was halarious, my ribs are aching
with laughter, the guy was so cool until he was subdued
by people realizing, hey whats going on here !¨
the history will remember US President Bush’s unique
press conference with flying shoes as a very
” close topic!
Its not finished here, we are still contemplating on
such phenomenon !
Rafay,
You’re right, the whole incident is pretty amusing!
I agree with Colin. While it is certainly funny to see Bush have a shoe thrown at him, and while he certainly deserves a lot more than that, this journalist’s actions do not lend him or his fellow journalists a lot of credibility or respect.
Unfortunately, Bush’s actions in Iraq do not lend him a lot of credibility and respect either.
for all of you who would like to reenact the incident… here is your chance
http://www.ridiculopathy.com/crappy_flash_games.php?gamename=bushoes
good luck!
@Rafay Ji,
“Go Down the History” means “Getting into History”, not reaching bottom of history so that he would not be remembered.
@Ravi ji,
what ever was your intentions, this brave and
courageous individual has become a historical
personality, I expect some kind of concrete
interview from him on media !!
http://www.sockandawe.com/
I wonder what would happen if that boot had hit the most powerfull man on earth.
Regarding that journalist, i think his whole family is like a dead meat now, but atleast he has courage, which i or we don’t have. God bless us all and give us ability to understand things.
[…] for people to throw shoes at. Yes, shoes – a la the Iraq-shoe-throwing incident not too long ago [see related CHUP post]. Every time a person managed to get a pair of shoes around “Bushoccio’s” nose […]
@ another shoes thrown at Israeli Ambassador
in Sweden, by a young swedish lady,
B R A V O B R A V O