Shoe Thrower:Muntadar al-Zeidi, a Correspondent for Al-Baghdadiya Television

[tekisui]

An Iraqi reporter called Bush "a dog" and shouted out "this is the end" at Sunday's news conference in Baghdad, before hurling his shoes at the US leader.

Bush, who had been giving a joint press statement with Nuri Al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, ducked behind a podium as the shoes narrowly missed his head.

He was reported to be unhurt after the attack by Muntadar al-Zeidi, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadiya television, the Associated Press news agency reported.

The outgoing US leader had just told reporters that while the war in Iraq was not over "it is decisively on its way to being won," when al-Zeidi got to his feet and hurled abuse - and his footwear - at the US president.

Sign of contempt

In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of contempt.

The incident will serve as a vivid reminder of the widespread opposition to the US-led invasion of, and subsequent war in, Iraq - the conflict which has come to define Bush's presidency.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/12/2008121419453773379.html

[rug]

1. "In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of contempt."

Is it a sign of respect anywhere?

[tekisui]

2. Ha!

:rofl:

[Mist]

7. This is the actual translation of what the shoe-thrower said:

"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."

From this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4650945

[panader0]

3. I can only hope that he isn't punished too harshly.

Perhaps we can send him some new shoes.

[EFerrari]

5. We could probably send some nice new ones to his media outlet

and it would probably be run as a story. :evilgrin:

[leftstreet]

4. It's a good thing Condi is on Bush's side

[murielm99]

6. Why should that shoe cost $525.00?

It looks like any other black leather pump. Sheeze!

[uppityperson]

8. Here is more on him...He was kidnapped, tortured, thrown onto st released...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4650443&mesg_id=4650443
I could copy paste but just go and look downthread there.

[leftchick]

9. my newest hero!

The shoe-throwing incident happened as Bush discussed falling levels of violence in Iraq

[bermudat]

10. When watching the actual video, anyone notice how little Maliki

reacts. It looks like he's trying not to laugh out loud.