Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi is the Iraqi journalist who shocked the world by throwing 2 shoes at President George W. Bush. Most people are laughing at the incident, but there is much more to this incident than some idiot reporter chucking his shoes at Bush:#1) Most Americans do not appreciate how extreme of an insult it was for that reporter to throw his shoes at Bush. In Arab culture, it is considered to be very offensive just to display the sole of one shoe to another person. Throwing two shoes at someone is an extraordinary insult in the Arab world.
#2) This incident represents a dramatic failure of security around Bush. It is stunning enough that someone would be able to throw one shoe at Bush from almost point blank range, but this reporter had the chance to slowly reload and chuck a 2nd shoe at Bush. Where in the world was the secret service? What if the reporter had actually been armed?
#3) Bush's reflexes are still quite sharp. Did you see how quickly he ducked out of the way from the first shoe? Perhaps after he ends his term he can play goalie in the NHL.
#4) This incident has drawn attention to the fact that the people of Iraq are sick and tired of the American occupation. The truth is that Iraqi anger is as hot as it ever has been and it is not going to go away any time soon.
For those of you who have not seen video of the shoe throwing incident, it is posted below:
I agree that many Americans (a few days ago) did not understand the signifigance of the 'shoe'. I am surprised that now, about 3 days later, I am still hearing supportive sentiment toward the attacker- aka the journalist.
ReplyDeleteA more proper sentiment is in order: copy/past...
http://dfwworldcolumnnews.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/the-terroristic-shoe-incident/