Dec 14, 2008 12:54pm

Iraqi Man Throws Shoes at President Bush

ABC News’ Martha Raddatz reports from Baghdad: Not everyone is excited about President Bush’s surprise trip to Iraq.

An Iraqi journalist in Prime Minister Nouri-al Maliki’s palace threw two shoes at President Bush during a joint press conference with Maliki. The president quickly had to duck to avoid the shoes, while Maliki stretched out his right hand to try to catch the second one. Neither leader was hit.

As he threw the shoes the man, identified as Muntadhar al-Zaiydi, a local television correspondent, yelled "This is a farewell kiss, dog!" and, "This is the end!"

Watch it Here:

Displaying the soles of shoes or throwing shoes is not polite behavior anywhere, but in much of the Arab world the shoe is used as a special tool of insult or affront. Before the Iraq war, Saddam Hussein had a mosaic of former President George H.W. Bush on the ground at the entrance to the main foreign hotel in Baghdad, the Al-Rashid. You had to step on Bush’s face to get in.

Right after the fall of Saddam, men beat his ubiquitous posters with their shoes.

Al-Zaiydi was grabbed and dragged out of the news conference screaming.

Bush, who reacted spryly as he saw his assailant winding up, joked about the incident, saying, "That was a size 10 shoe he threw at me, you may want you to know. "

As security grabbed the man, White House press secretary Dana Perino got knocked beneath her eye by a microphone and ended up with a small shiner.

After order had been restored to the room, the man could still be heard screaming from another room.

User Comments

If the shoe fits ….

Posted by: Almo | December 14, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

I’ll bet the Iraqi guy’s opinion wasn’t the only thing that stunk…

Posted by: Rich | December 14, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

Oh gosh! people have lost respect.

Posted by: Rita | December 14, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm

Probably a reporter.

Posted by: Trypto | December 14, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm

ahhhh cant wait to see the liberals comments on this little gem.. lol

Posted by: tim | December 14, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

thats not cool

Posted by: Sexymunsta | December 14, 2008, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm

Well at least a shoe doesn’t kill anybody….

Posted by: Ben Straub | December 14, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

Yahoo really sucks~~ one minute I saw the headline of this story…next minute they took it off and search result shows nothing about it!!! I found this story through Google. And perhaps that’s why Yahoo! is losing money!!!

Posted by: pt328 | December 14, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

I think many Iraqis have a very positive view of President Bush, especially the millions who have friends and relatives buried in the sand by Saddam.
One guy throwin’ shoes is a story but should not be construed to mean that all Iraqis hate Dubya.
Why were the lives we sought to save in Kosovo worth more than the lives our brave troops saved in Iraq?

Posted by: Aaron Burr | December 14, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

This guy should have ordered one of Shaq’s shoes. You can’t really miss with one of those.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

I’m sure most Democrats were only hoping it was a grenade.
Great sadness in liberal circles tonight.

Posted by: Dan | December 14, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

Dan – My guess is that libs don’t want this guys shoe/grenade to take Bush out. I think libs probably want Bush in jail. I am not a lib, but this is my assumption on their behalf.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

you forgot to mention that the “thrower” was a journalist

Posted by: OldSarg | December 14, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

Was Keith Olbermann in Baghdad…?
The man was grabbed and dragged out screaming.

Posted by: NeoKong | December 14, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

If the shoe fits, wear it?

Posted by: Tony Winkler | December 14, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm

You see, Iraq really isn’t all that different from the USA. Both countries want more than anything to shoe Bush away.

Posted by: KC | December 14, 2008, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm

Who Cares! Wasn’t worth reporting,
unless you are anti Bush

Posted by: John M | December 14, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

He missed because it’s the first time anyone in Iraq has had the chance and survived. Not a common occurance under the previous government.

Posted by: tim | December 14, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

tim:
I am a liberal but am not impressed at all with this kind of behavior.

Posted by: FM | December 14, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

FM
I am a conservative that is impressed with this guy taking a stand against the guy that maybe indirectly killed his family. Who knows…..

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

Whacko reporters. Check his paychecks. he might be paid by the Iranian regime

Posted by: winston | December 14, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

“Well at least a shoe doesn’t kill anybody….”
Google “Reid shoe bomber” for my response.

Posted by: unclesmrgol | December 14, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm

Violence is not the answer. Bush should be forced to meet with the families of million Iraqi’s he murdered , the victims of his torture . the families of the Iraqi vets who committed suicide , the families of the maimed vets and the families of the 300,000 vets with PTSD. The incalcuable damage this inhuman monster has wrought on civilization is beyond all comprehension. He disgusts me as a human being and should be prosecuted for war crimes. No one who believes in the US or it’s constitution could feel otherwise. Stalin, Hitler, Bush. Three of a kind

Posted by: Darlie2 | December 14, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm

You all seem to want to blame Pres. Bush for everything, it does not matter who is president, ther is always going to be discontent with our government, they may have not been any weapons of mass destruction, but then again, Bill Clinton never had sex with Monica either.

Posted by: Lee | December 14, 2008, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm

Huh:
Everything has a limit. This was over and above the limit. I am so sad.

Posted by: FM | December 14, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

shows his unpopularity

Posted by: Josh | December 14, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

one person …no one can possibly respect….responsible for 400,000 death….

Posted by: Ali | December 14, 2008, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

FM – I appreciate your viewpoint. Without knowing this guy’s reasoning and story, I can not say that he should or should not have done it.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

To bad one of the peep’s from Iraq who named their kids after President George Bush wasn’t in the room, they could have smacked the idiot shoe thrower guy with a flip-flop!
The real freedom loving people in Iraq LOVE President Bush and our Military.

Posted by: Chris | December 14, 2008, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm

Ok Darlie — the millions that Bush killed? The Saddam cronies that murdered their own people for 20 years? The torture he did not sanction? How about the THOUSANDS that Saddam tortured and then killed after he raped their wives in front of them? Do you really think Bush went in without thinking? The world is a better place without Saddam in it. Just ask ANY Iraqi — pick one of the MILLIONS that have been liberated from a brutal Ditatorship.

Posted by: Xianstudio | December 14, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm

George Bush dodging that shoe cracks me up! He was pretty quick!

Posted by: Holly | December 14, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

Chris – Many military folks that I have talked with are very upset with current US foreign policy. There are also military folks that see things as you do, but as a whole I think the military sees the futility of our current predicament. There are Kurds who have named their children after Bush in part because of the no-fly zone established by the first Bush, but many of the Shiites and Sunnis want us gone.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm

Hey Ali,
“400,000 death..”,,,so that’s this weeks numbers?..I have a number for you,..how about 3,000 in one day? September 11,2001…or how about THOUSANDS killed for the fun of it by Saddam and his terrorist friends?
BTW,..do some research on Yellow cake,.the media wont tell you, but they found it,..where?..In IRAQ!
Here’s a date for you,..November 22,2008,..VICTORY in Iraq day, the media wont tell you that either.

Posted by: Chris | December 14, 2008, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

Josh,..LOLOL..” 1.2 million Iraqis.”,,,you liberals really need to regroup and get your numbers straight.

Posted by: Chris | December 14, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm

unclesmrgol obviously suffers from extreme Bush Derangement Syndrome and an extreme drive by media overdose. Your stupidity is beyond comprehension.

Posted by: happyinhawaii | December 14, 2008, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm

BTW,..it was a Iraqi journalist who tossed a shoe…(Like he would even have a job if it wasn’t for our Military)

Posted by: Chris | December 14, 2008, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm

Xianstudio – We should do a kill count. Saddam on one side, US policy on the other.
All kidding aside, teh world is better without Saddam, especially for Iran. The question is whether or not invading nation preemptively to take out dictators is in our interest or moral. Certainly economically, this war has been a disaster. Maybe we will learn something from it.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm

josh…
first off, i believe your number is a little high. secondly, you forgot to mention all the iraqi’s that were tortured and killed under husseins rule. always a villain though right??!!

Posted by: tim | December 14, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

Chris – 3000 on 911. The trillion dollars on the war could have been spent building all sorts of skyscrapers. Now we have another 4000 Americans dead and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis with loved ones that want to throw shoes at us and maybe worse. By the way 911 could be justifiably argued from an arab’s view point. Sanctions under Clinton in the 90s killed 500,000 Iraqis. Albright on national news said these deaths were worth it. Interesting isn’t it?

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm

where is the video? I need it for my collection.

Posted by: seemstome | December 14, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm

The irony of this is that if saddam hussein was having a news conference:
1)he would not have a news conference
2)if he did, reporters would not be allowed to ask questions
3)if a reporter threw a shoe at saddam, he would be executed.
nothing went perfect with iraq, but I certainly appreciate that the iraqi reporter had the freedom to throw his shoe at bush while he was there. The fact that there is an open news conference in the middle east is something that is simply not in the habit of happening. With that, I am sure that to some degree the iraqi media is getting used to these freedoms.

Posted by: Mark | December 14, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm

“The success of the surge”?
Very well done to the man with the shoe. Great statement, and I hope he isn’t severely punised.
To those who think that Iraqis love Bush: Go ask the source.

Posted by: FFM | December 14, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm

The only substitute for bad manners – is good reflexes!

Posted by: Clarence Stumpwhistle | December 14, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm

Bush, and the republicans who support him have disgraced America in the eyes of the entire world. They need to go away quickly and permanently. They have brought shame to our brave troops and great nation, and made a mockery of all of our sacrifices. This is but one small example of what most of the people of the world think of George Bush and his stinking republicans.

Posted by: bob10001 | December 14, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm

seems like iraq is a bit tense lol no respect at all….

Posted by: britton | December 14, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm

The guy had wicked aim, Bush would have been completely clobbered if he hadn’t ducked.
If only he could think as quick….

Posted by: pete | December 14, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm

who cares. this is not news. if someone through a shoe at a decent, intelligent, respectable political figure that had done many positive things for his country and others… then it would be news.

Posted by: yomama | December 14, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm

Huh:
Whatever reason the guy had, throwing a shoe is almost like beating. This is not acceptable at any level.

Posted by: FM | December 14, 2008, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm

huh…
if we dont do it, who will?? unless if you believe, like i do, to STAY OUT OF THE WORLDS BUSINESS ALTOGETHER. for good or bad. dont help, dont hurt. our foreign policy should be NO FOREIGN POLICY. build our military to the biggest it has ever been, and sit back and watch as the world collapses. to all the haters who believe our nation is a bully, we dont offer anymore aid to all that we do anymore either. no food. no clothing. no peacekeeping. nothing. leave it up to the united nations (which after all, was what it was designed to do). then again, we are EXPECTED to do the good, but when the good initially requires the bad, we are the villain. stupid liberals.

Posted by: tim | December 14, 2008, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm

What about all the Iraqis buried under the sand because of George W. Bush? We liberated over 200,000 Iraqis to death. That’s just wonderful.

Posted by: Linda | December 14, 2008, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm

we are all americans republican or not… u bring shame to what that means… think about it bob!

Posted by: britton | December 14, 2008, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm

Thanks to Bush that guy can throw shoes and yell at his opinions. Before Bush he would be tortured and his family killed. Bush should take it as a compliment and the thrower should be happy he has both his legs.

Posted by: Carmen Skey | December 14, 2008, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm

Has anyone got the video of the incident?

Posted by: Braaaaaap | December 14, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm

FM – I appreciate your comment. However if this man’s family was killed by one of our bombs, he should have thrown something else. Remember our invasions are often premeditated responses to something. This man’s shoe throw is no different to me.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm

linda…
you DO realize that is part of war right?? see my above point of when the good sometimes requires the bad. EVERY war in history has had loss of innocent life. its sad, but thats war. its about the greater good. but im sure you believe that saddams sons (who were crazier than him) would have changed the country around.. lol

Posted by: tim | December 14, 2008, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

I don’t classify myself as a liberal or a conservative. I am a woman. Nothing more. It doesn’t take a genius to see that mistakes were made, lies were told and this whole war was a sham. WHY is it so hard for, so called, Conservatives or whatever you call yourselves, to see that. This war was uncalled for. Saddam Hussein is an excuse. Period. He was a bad man, but it had nothing to do with what we needed to do. Meanwhile, Osama Bin Laden is still around, somewhere. Maybe I need to start my own little classification. We can have the Conservatives with their stuffed shirts and money and the liberals with their bitching and whining and Human Beings with their common sense and humility. I am a Human Being.

Posted by: Linda | December 14, 2008, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm

Bush is lucky this man only threw shoes at him after all he’s done to Iraqi people. Unnaceptable political behavior deserves unacceptable consequences… Those doubting that don’t desserve to belong to an idealistic country such as ours!

Posted by: marc | December 14, 2008, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm

This act is casual for the arabic society to insult somebody by throwing a shoe at him, that tells how much George Bush is aware of the arabic culture if he realy was he wouldent dare to make visits to Iraq and to implant democracys to people that dont understand it, in addition to the people who lost their life as a result of his Stuipid Policy

Posted by: emil | December 14, 2008, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm

It’s amazing how people still justify this war by pointing out how evil Saddam was. By that rationale, why don’t we invade Zimbabwe, North Korea, etc.?
Answer: no oil in those places.

Posted by: pete | December 14, 2008, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm

tim – If we don’t do it who will? Last I checked Saddam kept Al Queada and Iran in check. Plus Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, two country’s that support these militant maddrassas, hated him. He also fostered an environment where the Christians were able to worship. Now all the Christians have been run out. All we have done is increased Iran’s power over there. We give 3 times as much aid to Israel’s enemies than we do to Israel. This is probably to keep the cheap oil flowing. Look we can have peacekeeping missions, but am arguing that Iraq has been a disaster from every angle. We will have tens of thousands of injured troops to care for for decades to come. Iraq will probably fracture along ethnic lines once we are gone. We need to make smarter decisions in the future. Invading Iraq was stupid, and intervention into Iran will be even more costly.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm

Two other journalists were arrested too, they were arrested because they both said that the man that threw the shoes was a couragous hero.
So much for Iraki’s enyoing Bushes presence.

Posted by: Ascarona | December 14, 2008, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm

This was the funniest Incedent since the discovery of late night shows, This act will provide David Litterman with alot of raw materials for his Manufactoring Process and im sure after this incedent alot of producers will offer George Bush a late night Job Maybe replacing Jay Leno.

Posted by: Amy | December 14, 2008, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

The guy who throws shoes at the Bush was very Brave…..Very Good Work By Him…I hate Bush

Posted by: Familar | December 14, 2008, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

Familar….I totally agree with you…I also Hate BUSH….WELL DONE

Posted by: Adams | December 14, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm

William – Just wait a few months after we leave.

Posted by: Huh | December 14, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm

Bush Is The ……….
VERY GOOD WORK..BUSH SHOULD BE KILLED

Posted by: Ranjit | December 14, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm

Dubya’s got some nice reflexes!

Posted by: Whitney Riedl | December 14, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm

These shoes should be displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of art in New York to memorate the funniest and the most Symbolic act in the modern history of the world

Posted by: Emil | December 14, 2008, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm

If yo8u throw something as a sitting US president you should be shot no questions asked. If it was a IED then what

Posted by: xcactus | December 14, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm

Hitting someone with the sole of the shoe is the ultimate insult for those people. The guy must really be pissed.

Posted by: mal | December 14, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

What kind of man throws a shoe at someone? Was he having a “Will and Grace moment” with a dramatic hissy fit or simply showing that to be like an liberal American you have to act like one.

Posted by: daving id | December 14, 2008, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm

BAHAHAHAHAH!!!! I love it!!!!!~!!

Posted by: JasonStevens | December 14, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

Hey Harvey…Go and kiss Bush…Bush is the………………LPC

Posted by: Mohanti | December 14, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

WMD bogus claim, a war for oil and result is a negative impact on the economy. More so US soldiers getting killed. While the afghan raid is justified, going after saddam was not really worth. Just earned the wrath of the locals there.

Posted by: GR | December 14, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm

Ranjit: Calling the Secret Service as we speak. Laugh that one off ……..

Posted by: Art C | December 14, 2008, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm

WHUDABOUT Haaaalliburton!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jim | December 14, 2008, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm

I don’t agree with everything Bush did put he’s still my leader. I respect the office and every President as a matter of fact. This is stupid.

Posted by: Zach Watkins | December 14, 2008, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm

Bush should be shamed…WELL DONE

Posted by: happy | December 14, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

Eggs and Tomatoes should be thrown on Bush…But Well Done

Posted by: happy | December 14, 2008, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm

I think the guy who throws his shoes was very upset..May be his all relative died due to attack of America.This is true that Bush is a Murderer.and one day he will more ashamed..Because every one has a right to live with freedom.But Bush did wrong..Bush must be punished.He should not attack at any country.He is thirsty

Posted by: Jon | December 14, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm

I can only hope the screaming was a result of the gentle interrogation methods that Iraqis are well know for. We have that clown from Iran here and he’s treated so well and President Bush goes there and is treated like obama should be. It’s sickening. Think he would have treated that murderer Saddam that way? One time only. Then it was off to the beheadder.

Posted by: Michael Gibson | December 14, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm

Amazing, when Clinton used Haliburton in Bosnia, the journalists were rubbing their legs making cricket sounds.

Posted by: ArtC | December 14, 2008, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm

Why are we in Iraq, again? These Iraqi people aren’t worth the dirt on OUR shoes. Why do we have to sacrifice our soldiers and our tax dollars to assure them freedom? Road to heaven is not by killing people, and the way to protest is not by throwing shoes at a leader (no matter who that leader is).

Posted by: Daisy | December 14, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm

very good work done by the reporter..i recommended to throw A full of container of cold water on BUSH

Posted by: toni | December 14, 2008, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm

Bush was very lucky that the shoes did not hit his face..If both shoes hit on his face..Then that was very gooooood……………..BUSH HUSH

Posted by: tankar | December 14, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm

I have seen the video. The guy threw both shoes one after the other. If not Bush bending down, he could have one eye
by now.
This is totally unacceptable.

Posted by: FM | December 14, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm

bush should be punished…He really did wrong…Well I think that was the last gift to Bush…Shame Shame BUSH

Posted by: Daisi | December 14, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm

It is a sad commentary on how low the respect for our President’s Office is. The shoe was not thrown at Bush but on the office of the President of the Free World. Bush does not deserve that title. Lets hope and pray thatthe next president can restore the dignity to this office so we may walk with our head held high and not have to duck like Bush had to.

Posted by: Salman | December 14, 2008, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm

Pretty good arm if you ask me. Maybe the MLB should take a look at this guy.

Posted by: Ben Straub | December 14, 2008, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm

ha ha ha ha…well said daisy…I am also against of Bush…He should be punished…BUSH……

Posted by: Tinkcl | December 14, 2008, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

Is there punishment for attempting to assault a world leader? Lol, that’s great. Hope Al-Zaiydi doesn’t receive any serious punishment for the incident.

Posted by: Alexandria | December 14, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm

Once again the quality of thinking behind many of the comments makes one wish that pro-choice had been even stronger some 20-30 years ago. With friends like this, the US needs no enemies.

Posted by: Pathetic losers | December 14, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm

Would that reporter have been able to throw his shoe at Saddam? Guess that is how he shows his appreciation for his freedoms.

Posted by: PT | December 14, 2008, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm

Perino took a black eye for Bush!!!
Duck and weave, duck and weave!!!
lol

Posted by: sisterdearest09 | December 14, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

If you guys dont like the President, then leave the country, just be proud you have what you have, THAT FREEDOM to say what ya want. If you were in another country, and did or say anything about the president, you would be shot, your whole family shot. You would end up like jimmy hoffa. Just Shut up, and just live your life. for those who are happy about the president almost getting hit, im sure you are in this country already. or else you wouldnt be posting. hahah moronic idiots, i swear.

Posted by: Arcadian | December 14, 2008, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

Arcadian – Are you happy we have a president that lies and distorts intel to invade a nation that didn’t attack us? Meanwhile 4000 troops and 500,000 Iraqis die. I am proud to be an American. I am not proud of Bush. Maybe you need to Shut Up as you say.

Posted by: Ben Straub | December 14, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm

Ben Straub I totallay agreed with you..Arcadian Just shut up and Get lost from here

Posted by: James | December 14, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm

I am also an American.But I feel shame when I remember the war at Iraq.Our President Mr.BUSH did not do well.He killed the Iraqi’s.The Iraqi citizen was innocent and Bush killed Iraqi Women And Children without any reason..Bush should be punnished

Posted by: Marcas | December 14, 2008, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm

All your Boys who have died in this war
must turn turn over in their graves when and if they see this. Their Families Too. It hurts me to see the deaths of these men were for nought when one see the actions of this man.
It is for their sacrifice that this man can stand up and throw his shoes. Disgusting behaviour. God bless the memories of your soldiers. I saw the US troops in action during the 2nd world war and I can assure you we gave thanks to them for their sacrifice and also for the USA. and still give thanks to this day. I do not agree with the war, but respect the troops for doing their duty, whether they like it or not. With deep respect for all your Troops. Frank McL.

Posted by: Frank McLaven | December 14, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm

James – Thanks, just a Ron Paul supporter saying how it is.

Posted by: Ben Straub | December 14, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm

Funny funny funny! Too bad the Shrub ducked. He has surprising agility.

Posted by: Toby2957 | December 14, 2008, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm

Liberal or Conservative matters not. A dude just stands up and throws his shoes at Bush. Stand back and laugh a little. Bush did himself–”it was a size 10″.

Posted by: David Reiner | December 14, 2008, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm

That was hilarious! That reporter has watched the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq, the countless civilian casualties, children, women, men, the indiscriminate killing of innocents. Now as an American person imagine this: what would you do if an evil dictator invaded the US? Killed tens of thousands of citizens. Then came to visit and stood smirking….

Posted by: Johnny | December 14, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

This Bush guy you talk about, I’ve heard that he can direct hurricanes at cities and for helping he sends aircraft carriers which can produce thousands of gallons of drinkable distilled water, have operating rooms, dental facilities and a great quantity of medical personnel on hand. What an idiot he must be. Usually politicians promise money via tax payers.

Posted by: Jude O'Connor | December 14, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

This was hilarious, and way overdue. But where were the Secret Service? Bush is one human for whom I would not grieve it he were killed, but it is too late for that to do the world any good. Better a couple of shoes than nothing at all. BTW, didn’t Kruschev use a shoe to express his dislike for us, also? Hmmmm.

Posted by: Shockolit | December 14, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

The only US president to go down in history as the only one to screw the world, lucky it was only a shoe…. As for Kosovo these people wanted saved they were trying to flea to another country didn’t see any Iraqis fleeing under the Maddas reign… Ben Straub is right shoes do not kill and where were the “so called” weapons of mass destruction or the so called reason we went to war when we all know it was for OIL.

Posted by: Rose Szymanski | December 14, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

It’s funny how the few Bush supporters left in this country immediately start commenting about liberals. Listening to too much Limbaugh and Hannity there? And stop bringing up 9-11 in the same topic as Iraq. There was not one Iraqi national on those planes. The majority were Saudi Nationals. You know, our eternal friends” according” to Bush.
If you think that so many in Iraq are free, maybe you haven’t noticed the piles of those killed in sectarian revenge and the millions who have had to flee the country because of the ethnic cleansing.

Posted by: james | December 14, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

president bush isn’t a good president, but he can dodge shoes pretty well.

Posted by: J.j | December 14, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

hahahahahhaaaa

Posted by: joe | December 14, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

hahahahaahahahahaahahahahaaahahahaha

Posted by: joe | December 14, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm

this has probable been said, but..
“honestly.. who throws a shoe!?”

Posted by: alisa | December 14, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

One small shoe for a man, one giant shoe for mankind!

Posted by: Nolan Ryan | December 14, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm

hahahha alisa but i think its “who throws a shoe?! honestly!”

Posted by: joe | December 14, 2008, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm

After thinking it over, go with the democrat/liberals. Pull every American out of Iraq, let another dictator take over the country and kill millions of Iraqis. Let’s see how many shoes that clown throws then. They hate President Bush for setting them free, let’s see how they like another Saddam Hussian. I guess they’ve forgotten him.

Posted by: Mike Gibson | December 14, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

say what you want about hussein but at least he had control over his people

Posted by: joe | December 14, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm

You’re right Kurdish. I’ll even go the democrat/liberals one better. Withdraw every troop from every country, we need them to control our borders anyhow, withdraw any embassies throw their embassies out of here. Let the world take care of itself and see how long it lasts without us.

Posted by: Mike Gibson | December 14, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm

Give this man a medal!

Posted by: Samir | December 14, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm

I agree most of you have no respect for the President. Regardless of who is in office he is our leader. If you don’t like the leader please leave!

Posted by: Dennis | December 14, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm

I wonder who will be pegged as the scapegoat for the world’s troubles in five years. Bush mistakenly thought the Iraqi people had the gumption to step up and form a civil society after their liberation from Sadam. Unfortunately the Iraqi people have been told what to do by their country and self serving clerks for so long that they were dumbfound with their opportunity. Bush opened a Hugh leadership vacuum that the wrong people rushed in to fill. I can’t help but think Sadam would have been an ally against the radicals. He viewed the radicals as a threat to his own government. Sadam was quite the poker player; the intelligence services were convinced that he had a hand of cards they couldn’t ignore. The US and British administrations suckered themselves into overthrowing him. Sadam was an unsavory character but those that followed with bombs that indiscriminately killed and maimed women and children are worse. The next two elections in Iraq will show whether it can honorably hold the title of being the “Cradle of Civilization” and be an example of civility.

Posted by: MBell_TX | December 14, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm

Dennis: “if you don’t like the leader please leave”
No thanks, I’ll stay in my country and hate the leader.

Posted by: Ahmed | December 14, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

In my opinion it was a shame he wasnt hit square in the face! Bush made a mess of that country. Democracy isn’t the answer to everyones problems and it doesnt work for every country. The trouble is that Iraq had two groups, the Sunni and the Shia. The Shia were the poor majority and dominated by the wealthier minority the Sunnis. These Sunni were the middle class who were well educated doctors and teachers etc. and were the most secular of the Iraqi people. But since the Shia, who were nonsecular and poorly educated, controlled the oil we ran in there supporting them and destroyed the sunni population or made them refugees and now the more radical bunch is in control all for the sake of friggin oil! The sunnis could have been our most helpful ally in the fight on terror but now do u think those educated individuals will ever forget what we did to them? Were in more danger now than we were after 9/11! And democracy would only further the problems because with the majority being Shia they will have radical control of the country! Way to go Bush! As the most respectable general in the US military Petreas once openly said “If you know why we are here you tell me!” Shortly after he was fired by Rumsfeld because, while he actually made sense, it was against the Bush policies. Thank goodness hes back in there now! Hes the only one I trust!
Put it this way, if the US was invaded by another country and my countrymen, landmarks, and cities destroyed, and I had to take refuge to mexico and most of my family had been killed all for the sake of that country wanting to impose communism or whatever, but their main goal was to take control of our most valuable resources. I dont think I would just throw my shoes at their ignorant leader, Id kill him and absolutely LOATH his country and probably swear revenge…. but then again im just a 19 year old girl who couldnt possibly know anything about how this world works right?

Posted by: Kat | December 14, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

hakan – Your quote “Give Bush roses, for destroying his country on the basis of a pack of lies and killing a million of his people? “. So who are you saying bombed civilian populations after the overthrow of Sadam? Are you saying it was the US Military or the unsavory characters that swooped in to take advantage of the leadership vacuum? I am appalled at the carnage that resulted at the hands of the insurgents and those under the influence of evil clerics. I fault Bush for not securing the country immediately after the fall of Sadam. But I do not fault him for the evil intent of those that massacred civilians with suicide bombers or tortured others as a vendetta and to promote ethnic cleansing.

Posted by: MBell_TX | December 14, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

This guy got was able to take off two shoes and get in two strikes before the umpire had him sacked. that is some rapid fire pitching. Might wanna sign him up to a texas baseball team

Posted by: Nike | December 14, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Oh my god. Shoes.

Posted by: Trista | December 14, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

all this ink for the lost sole of George Bush?

Posted by: kravitz | December 14, 2008, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm

to start of I am not a fan of Bush, and I do not agree with the war. We speak of the ones they lost in their country, what about the one’s we lost. He is not the greatest President we have ever had, but still we lost alot of loved ones in 911. I believe Saddam Hussein along with his sons Did far worse than Bush to his people. After all this is America, United we stand even with the mistakes he has made he threw his shoes at all of us when he threw them at Bush in my eyes. This is coming from a woman that has never supported anything that Bush has done.

Posted by: kim | December 14, 2008, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm

question is where are those highly trained bodyguards who are supposed to catch bullet for thier principal? if they cant even catch shoes for the prez maybe Blackwater, Triple Canopy or DynaCorp would do that for a right price.

Posted by: rmo | December 14, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

While I think throwing shoes at the President is very disrepectful, even the thrower himself should be grateful to NOW live in a country that no longer throws political opponents into a wood chipper.

Posted by: midasallen | December 14, 2008, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

Well said Kat. You are certainly perceptive for somebody of your age.

Posted by: Jay | December 14, 2008, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

What a bunch of idiots you people are! You Bush haters better wake up – where do you think the troops from Iran are going, and more? They’re not going home, they’re being moved to Afghanastan! You can’t even listen to your own guy’s speeches!
Those posted must have been the ones that think Obama will pay for their gas and their house payments! LOL!

Posted by: sorms | December 14, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

why is american patriotism a serious problem?
Because, while US is a country with very important democratic traditions, it is at the same time an entrenched class society. These two are in sharp opposition to one another and at present, the US is a country with seriously compromised democtratic institutions.
The so called US national interest, is not the general interest of a democratic society. It is the interest of a ruling elite, which has been getting more and more ruthless and lawless over the decades since WW2. Think Cheney, Rumsfeld etc… for visuals of what I am trying to say. It imposes its will on the rest of the world, by any means necessary, including the US military.
Now, the problem with american patriotism, is that it turns the American social majority who are already removed from political power, into programmable robots for the ruling elite. The sad irony is that the majority of americans suffer at the hands of the this criminal ruling elite anyway. Think haliburton, think the current financial crisis. Think the dead soldiers. The families so sign their sons and daugthers for the US Army do not do so, so that they could be used as tools of bloody coercion against whoever the ruling elite sees fit. They do so because they think they are defending their country, or others who need defence.
So, to the extent that you buy into patriotism, you remain blind to the true nature of the problem, the and true instigagors of crime and injustice.

Posted by: hakan | December 14, 2008, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm

hisham,
Do not fall in to the fallacy that a nation as large as the United States has people who all think alike. Many Americans disagreed with the Iraq war, and many disagreed with the bombing of civilians and many Americans are peaceful people. You should not condemn a whole people for what a minority do (a MINORITY elected Bush, not the majority) Just like many smart Americans so not condemn the entire muslim populations for what a few extremists do, you should not judge all Americans — plus we have many allies and the US never acts alone.

Posted by: mistaken | December 14, 2008, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm

I’m a proud dem and I must say this was wrong. Do I disagree with the Iraq war? Yes – most definitely.
But, come on, this is ridiculous and with people throwing shoes at Presidents, it’s no wonder they let a madman like Saddam rule for as long as he did. What an embarrassment for both the “shoe thrower” and President Bush!

Posted by: Sara | December 14, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm

midasallen,
How do you know that Iraq no longer is a violent, corrupt state? where is your sources?
Even if the Iraqis are better off, does this justify 500 billion dollars – higher taxes o Americans and American blood? who’s war is this, anyway, not the American people’s war.
There are MANY dictators around the world, in Africa women are raped, little boys tortured and men murdered everyday, in Darfur there are violent tribal militia stealing the food of their own people — why does the US not intervene in these countries, too??? Republicans – EXPLAIN.

Posted by: yankee | December 14, 2008, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm

Well put, Yankee. That is precisely what needs to happen.
But.. I am afraid most members of the Democratic Party establistment are more interested restoring the credibility of the ruling elite, rather than doing away with it and democritizing America.

Posted by: hakan | December 14, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm

I see alot of liberals like the idea of Bush getting hit by a shoe. Does that mean we can throw shoes at Obama?

Posted by: Karen | December 14, 2008, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm

yes Karen, the day Obama breaks international law, wages a war against a small defenceless nation and kills a million of them in the process, you can definitely throw shoes at him.

Posted by: hakan | December 14, 2008, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm

Hakan – you are right, but if WE put pressure on the Dems that have to cave in…even if O. is on our side..we still have to put pressure…Democracy is built on vigilance and we shouldn’t trust our leaders to do everything for us.
Sign petitions!
Write letters to your Reps and Senators and local officials
Use your rights to Protest! (peacefully)
let it be known that we AMERICANS will have no more lies and we want accountability. For every lie. for every life. for every no-bid contract dollar

Posted by: yankee | December 14, 2008, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm

Karen, as a Liberal, I will proudly die for your right to protest against and throw a shoe at any president you feel has violated the Constitution and not upheld American values. This is called freedom of speech, freedom of protest, and this Nation was founded on DISSENT against TYRANNY and EMPIRE.

Posted by: yankee | December 14, 2008, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm

with you all the way, Yankee. And should the two party system fail you, and if the democrats won’t budge, then we look for solutions via other democratic and political organizations who are prepared to fight for the interests of the disempowered majority.

Posted by: hakan | December 14, 2008, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm

It’s probably Bush’s fault the guy missed.

Posted by: Buzzymuzzwelle | December 14, 2008, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm

Not to worry.
Bush’s top security officials insisted that he prepare himself for the likelihood of such a shoe tossing event by practicing ducking shoe throws at least once a week in the Rose Garden. Bush wore the same body armor as US Special Forces along with a special impact proof face mask during the sessions. Only the Presidents personal security guards were allow to toss custom made extra soft leather shoes ($35,000 a pair) and only those agents that had gone through a special 6 month course in “Non Vehicular Flying Object Impact Prevention” as taught by former Israeli Mossad operatives, well known experts in numerous avoidance techniques.
Bush’s security people decided to rehearse the President in shoe evasion techniques after they saw ordinary Iraqis’ hitting a fallen Saddam Hussein statue with their shoes (a great insult in Middle Eastern lands) after the successful invasion by US troops.
It looks like their precautions paid off. The video shows Bush skillfully bobbing his head out of the way as the shoes are flying towards him.
Congratulations President Bush Another Mission Accomplished.

Posted by: Jim Tokyo, Japan | December 14, 2008, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

Bush needs just to go away….he makes me ashamed to be a Republican. He is not even close to one. His party begins with an N…Narcissits sp

Posted by: Lockport lass | December 14, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

GWB just GO AWAY

Posted by: Lockport lass | December 14, 2008, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm

I appreciate the thinking and logic of those that believe this act was justified and/or funny.
Using that same line of thinking, we can now confidently say that John Kennedy and MLK got EXACTLY what they deserved.
We reap what we sow, right, libs?

Posted by: laserbeam | December 14, 2008, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm

Todays radical Christian right makes me think the Romans were right…..Let’s throw them to the lions!

Posted by: oneydjacks | December 14, 2008, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm

How many of you people VOTED for this guy.??????????????????????
When you know he was a pupet for the oil companys….

Posted by: Cicero Guy | December 14, 2008, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm

Why is no one thinking about life from this man’s perspective. There was a reporter on CNN who said that this man is a well-respected journalist. He has had relatives killed in the violence and one of his producers was murdered. He was covering Sadr City where there is still a great deal of violence and was recently kidnapped.
You know – when you know the names and stories of the widows and orphans who don’t get to travel Iraq in Humvees and wearing kevlar vests and carry guns for protection – you might have a much different attitude. As hard as it is for our troops, Iraqis don’t get R&R or get paid for tours of duty in a war zone. They are supposed to live in that hell with no control over their lives.
I pray to God that this man is not being tortured tonight or murdered while we’re all sitting in our comfortable, heated homes, writing about his life at a distance.
In my ideal world, instead of making jokes about it, President Bush would have asked people later if he could meet privately and let him express his grief face-to-face. They could turn it around if he actually showed some remorse or genuine compassion for what’s happened to the everyday Iraqis.

Posted by: Think | December 14, 2008, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm

Bush’s War killed more than million Iraq people and displced 3 million more. His reaction is understatable.

Posted by: Micheal | December 14, 2008, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm

Thank God, after Clinton we have a president who has brought dignity to the office. What did Achmed the reporter call Bush? A dog wasn’t it?
Can’t get much more dignified than that.
Did you notice the dignified way Georgie
ducked the flying shoes? Impeccable form. Very presidential. Much more evasive than Clinton or Poppy would have done it. Let history so record it.
George W. Bush, the evasive dog.

Posted by: seemstome | December 14, 2008, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm

I forgot to mention, we still are not out of the Bushes. Jeb will run, you can bet your bootie on it. Bush is a royal name in America. The cream of society. The ruling elite.

Posted by: seemstome | December 14, 2008, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm

you guys are all cowards and socialists if you think thats funny..poor bush man.

Posted by: will | December 14, 2008, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm

Was it realy worth getting thrown in jail to throw a shoe? This guy probobly thinks that Bush is taking great insult, but it’s just an other thing to laugh about.

Posted by: Dork | December 14, 2008, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm

Looks like he got himself ….shooed out….ha! Get it?

Posted by: Lawla | December 14, 2008, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm

Does this incident warrant two
articles?

Posted by: reaganfan | December 14, 2008, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm

IT’S SOOOOOOOO GOOD TO KNOW BUSH IS ON HIS WAY OUTTTTT – SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

Posted by: dan | December 15, 2008, 12:06 am 12:06 am

It just goes to show that Bush is not popular there, no surprise really. Heck, the guy is not popular in his own country.

Posted by: Michael C | December 15, 2008, 1:18 am 1:18 am

It is such a shame. I am an Iraqi and I feel angry and frustrated. This reporter doesn’t represent Iraq or the Iraqis. Yes things aren’t wonderful in Iraq. But at least we are not under Saddam the tyrant.
Looks like we hit the lowest low when coming to communication. That reporter could have acted like a decent person and just spoke his mind. Instead he uses uncivilized, brutal, ignorant way! For real, throw shoes! Where was this moron when Sadam was a president? How come he didn’t throw shoes at Saddam or Uday or Qusay? Because he was and is still a chicken. I hope he rots in jail. If the Iraqi authorities lets him free then they are in on it!
America is a great country. Disregard what you think of President Bush as an individual. He was in Iraq as the President of the United States. Disrespecting him, is disrespecting USA. After all did you see what did the shoe hit? The US flag. I am an Iraqi, but I take pride in America and its flag. Do you think all the fine men who died to make things work in Iraq deserve this disrespect?
And from a different point of view, this man threw shoes at the President of the United States. Do you ever think what does he do to his wife or his kids when they make mistakes? Exactly! He is just an ignorant brute! It is a shame to have a filth like that being connected to Iraq and called Iraqi.

Posted by: Lepter2003 | December 15, 2008, 2:16 am 2:16 am

cat like reflexes

Posted by: steve | December 15, 2008, 2:27 am 2:27 am

You know, the main reason I had to laugh at that was because I hoped it told Bush that perhaps he won’t be remembered as a liberator of Iraqis, as he claimed, and force him to revisit his insistence that he has no regrets about starting a war on false pretences.
He should just go and walk on the streets on Iraq and see how popular he is. What I find galling is that Bush doesn’t seem to comprehend or feel sorry for the gravity of the Iraq war fiasco. He has yet to apologize for the mistakes made. I believe he should not have invaded in the first place, and also that even if they went ahead to invade, they could have executed the war properly and not engaged in war profiteering by hiring private contractors that were only more expensive then the local Iraqi firms or US Army sodliers.
I am sorry, but someimes I do not see how Bush is better then Saddam. What did they really want in Iraq? The oil, perhaps? Maybe that is why he cannot be bothered with Darfur- the Chinese got their hands on the oil there already.

Posted by: Grey Matter | December 15, 2008, 2:28 am 2:28 am

I have just read another article, and it turns out that this journalist himself had experienced the violence in Iraq especially personally- he had been kidnapped by Shiite militiamen, before he was released.

Posted by: Grey Matter | December 15, 2008, 2:31 am 2:31 am

first off, i’d like to address the liberals on here who are saying this shows that Bush is unpopular and that he should be imprisoned.
he shouldn’t be imprisoned, as he did nothing illegal. going to war (policing action) is not illegal.
the iraqi’s love our troops and love GW. just because one guy doesn’t like him doesn’t mean that they all do. I mean, JFK was assassinated, that doesn’t mean that a majority of America didn’t like him. Reagan and Lincoln the same.
I must say, for an older guy, GW has some quick reflexes. I like how the secret service guy jumps up to tackle GW and GW is like “no, he’s just a nutcase.”
lmao.

Posted by: Derek | December 15, 2008, 2:33 am 2:33 am

Derek,
Bush did break international law. Human rights abuses? Check. Invading a country against the UNSC resolution? Check. Employment of mercenaries- Blackwater- which leave legal grey areas about the charging of war crimes? Check.
The guy who threw the shoes himself had gotten kidnapped by militiamen. IA survey taken said that just stop any Iraqi on the street, and most likely they will have had lost one family member to the invasion or the near-civil war after that.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Iraqis were feeling somewhat more friendly to the troops-seeing how the troops do try their best to help them individually, but I highly doubt they “love” Dubya. It’s not a matter of assassination. Look at Bush’s approval ratings. Obama’s approval ratings are 50 points higher, for crying out loud. Any other POTUS’s approval ratings were easily 20 pts higher.

Posted by: Grey Matter | December 15, 2008, 2:40 am 2:40 am

so, it’s not just in America were bush’s approval rating is low?

Posted by: t man | December 15, 2008, 3:25 am 3:25 am

As a moderate, I still don’t like the actions, but it was far better than throwing bombs or such. If he could have staged a walkout by respected journalists, I would have felt less contempt of the journalist. I have little love for the departing president, but if the journalist wanted to show a sign, challenge the man to a one-on-one match of fists. It’s unlikely, but then again, you probably won’t see Bush throwing shows back at the guy either. Oh well, Bush has low approval, Congress has low approval, America in other countries has low approval, some American’s views of other countries are low, . . why don’t we all just start the shoe throwing at each other en masse?

Posted by: Xavier | December 15, 2008, 6:10 am 6:10 am

This is another reason why we need Obama to start clean alternative energy development immediately.
Iraqis in general are not happy being ruled by oil stealing corporations. As with the British in the past, this will end in failure.
So hooray for Achmed the shoe thrower. Tens of millions of Americans would love to throw something smelly at Bush.
A fitting end to the worst president of modern times and one of the worst in American history.

Posted by: seemstome | December 15, 2008, 7:06 am 7:06 am

looooooooooooooooool, god damnit, that’s really funny stuff to watch again and again….loooooool! But if that guy throwed the shoes on Saddam Hussein the second previous God, LOOL! He will cut his balls and cook them for him to eat them, after that he will force him to sit on a sharp broken glass bottle.
But i think that reporter said Goodbye to his life by now. Anyway, it was funny to watch LOOOOOOOOOOL i even playing it in slow motion LOOOOOOOOOOL, But i think that bastard he was lucky the shoe didn’t hit him because the reporter he didn’t aim propery. LOOOOOOOOOOOL

Posted by: Ali | December 15, 2008, 7:39 am 7:39 am

History repeats itself, NO doubt it happened quite quickly..it was few years back when statue of saddam was beaten by shoes by people at his fall of regime.A few people was present at that time and it was more like like american sponsored dollar paid few guys.That was shown live on TV channels across the glode making headlines ” BRUTAL ERA IS OVER NOW”.Same thing happened here,Bush at the end of his tenure, got shoes in his conference which was telecast live across the globe.He was lucky enough to escape but the flag couldn’t.It must act as an eye opener for the americans that where they are heading to and where they are being taken by their elected leaders.So it is moment to ponder and think for the Obama cabinet.

Posted by: Fawad Kazmi | December 15, 2008, 7:42 am 7:42 am

I wonder who will throw the shoes at Obama when he moves these troops from Iraq to Afganistan?

Posted by: Mike_C | December 15, 2008, 11:35 am 11:35 am

karma, karma, karma.

Posted by: SR | December 15, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

Bush should have taken the lesson of Clinton/Albright. We would have been better off continuing to kill millions of Iraqi babies. Instead of liberating them. Yeah, that’s what Bush should have done and he would be revered by all the world.

Posted by: Sue | December 15, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm

A new Iraqi institution was formed after this incident. Its purpose is to teach journalists and other press conference participants how to throw and actually hit.
I suggest we learn by the Iraqis and copy their idea.

Posted by: Ian Jade | December 15, 2008, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm

He dodged that shoe nearly as well as he dodged vietnam………

Posted by: ikkle | December 15, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

Norwegian entertainment!
This is the “throw a shoe on Bush” -game.
In the upper curve you adjust the angle.
In the lower curve you adjust the strength.
And if that wasn’t it, this guy has 3 shoes!
(When it pops yellow you have a hit, when it is red you must throw again)
Kast skoen = Throw the shoe
Kast igjen = Throw again

Posted by: Tiril Auby | December 15, 2008, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm

Outdated information. In modern Iraq, chucking a loafer at somebody means, “I greet you as a liberator”.

Posted by: Yukon Sam | December 15, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm

i love scrolling and reading someone advising me that jeb is going to run. I could not be happier. jeb and Palin..the democrats dream ticket..
shoes thrown at bush..most presss hes gottne in years..how sad…..This guy will trip on the helicopter steps as his final act as president…

Posted by: chris | December 15, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

It’s sad to see people like Trypto and Huh suggest that “liberals” somehow take pleasure in this. There are those of us who, based on the available facts, have concluded that Bush (1)misguided the American people in the run up to this war, (2) executed that war poorly and killed may innocent people in the process (3) has often flouted the U.S. Constitution and that (4) he significantly contributed to the recent financial meltdown by failing to regulate the financial industry. I suspect that Huh and Trypto would brand me a liberal based on my conclusions about these matters.
The truth is that this reporters behavior was childish and reprehensible. I can say the same for those who have given up thoughtful discourse in favor of slinging petty insults. Our Republic has suffered enough insults during the past 8 years — it’s now time for all of us to start acting like adults and working together to solve our problems!

Posted by: Hank | December 15, 2008, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm

Kudos to the POTUS for being quick on his feet and for being so lighthearted in the press conference afterwards. If I were him the day I see the WhiteHouse in my rearview mirrior couldn’t come soon enough.

Posted by: Jerry | December 15, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

Hats off to Bush for being so Quick to duck. I am glad he didn’t get hit.

Posted by: maryanneoke | December 15, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm

Great Duck. I am glad that this overshadowed Bush’s trip. I really feel this guys anger.

Posted by: Huh | December 15, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

Ironic isn’t it that the only reason this journalist was able to throw his shoes at President Bush and the current Iraqi President was because of the democracy brought to his country courtesy of the USA. Too bad the left wing bomb throwers can’t appreciate that. It’s easy to throw shoes at the president of a free nation……….a real man would have taken a shot at Saddam.

Posted by: centurion666 | December 15, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

Thanks Pre Bush for liberated Iraq. Now our people is getting to know our basic human rights. In order to gain something we will be losing something. Changing such a dictatorship regime has to face human lives. You, American people always hate your own race…shame on you ! You’re only looking for perfectness ! Looking at yourself on the mirror now! What did you do? Are you great ? That Journalist is ruthless and immoral. He should be punish ! Americans should not hate your own people/leader.

Posted by: tiksiro | December 15, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

omg in a way i dont blame that man bush needs it look wat he has done to the world

Posted by: amber | December 15, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

I feel sad, very sad for you people (American in general).You people are living in this so call “freedom” can say anything, do anything to your own government, but don’t feel shame that the outside world are all hate you people for no reason. Don’t hate Bush, he has nothing to do with this hatred. Before Bush or after him, they still hated you always, wanted to hunt down American people merciless. Just go and live in China, Vietnam or Iran, Palestine and open your blind eyes to see how precious life you are living in now. The reason I saying this because you people are so stupid, don’t know much but blaming on your government. This is my second country, but i love this country and defense it with any price.

Posted by: ThaiTran | December 15, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm

I am disgusted and appalled at the site of the Iraqi people burning our American flag in support of the reporter. LET”S GET OUT OF IRAQ AND LET THEM FEND FOR THEMSELVES!!!!

Posted by: Cheri | December 15, 2008, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm

I would like to throw more than a shoe at Bush — he dodged the shoe the same way that he has “dodged” the truth in several instances in his FAILED 8 year administration – the same way that he has “dodged” responsibility for getting us into an economic mess as well as getting us into two ridiculous wars – AND not surprising, he “dodged” TRUE military service…bottom-line: this is NOT something that has EVER happened in my lifetime — this TRULY shows us what the WORLD thinks of us — the U.S. — through what they do to our “so called” leaders….HURRY UP January 20, 2009!!!

Posted by: Ava | December 15, 2008, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm

Bush home go

Posted by: Muhamed Ahmed Al Aqua Muhamed Siad Muhammed | December 15, 2008, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm

Bravo to the Iraqi journalist that threw his shoes at Bush. He is my new hero and he shouldn’t be in jail. I have disliked Bush from the first time I heard him open his mouth. He is a war monger and has sooo much blood on his hands. He’s an oil man who laughed all the way to the bank, while people were paying $4 for a gallon of gas. He is a traitor to the working people of this great country. Yet in your recent interviews with him he sat there so smug and denied all wrong doing. What an outrage! Does this mean that we can at least start throwing rotten tomatos at him? I fully and actively support our troops and don’t condone flag burning. But what do people think would happen in this country if we were invaded for over five years? Wouldn’t we do some flag (their) burning ourselves?

Posted by: Marion | December 15, 2008, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm

The deicider has decided that it was a size 10. Yeehaw!

Posted by: Joe | December 15, 2008, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm

I laughed so hard:)
That was great!! Bush deserved it.
He has killed thousands and maimed
God knows how many for his own selfish
needs. Is it January 20th yet??
What a sorry President he has been.
He should have known better than to step
on their soil which he has destroyed.
Shame on Bush and Shame on this sorry
Administration. Bye Bye Bush!!!
You have made a mess out of America!!

Posted by: sammy | December 15, 2008, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm

Almost forgot, Bush you have made a
mess out of the whole world!!!!
Killing people is not the American way.
Especially when the United Nations has
ask you to give them more time.
You killed anyway!!
Thank God one more month!! Thank God!!!

Posted by: sammy | December 15, 2008, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm

USA needs to review its foreign policy in gereral and towards Muslim Countries espacially. The journalists and media persons are always most mannered people. Such a hatered action espacially from journalist conveys many many thoughts for USA regarding their Foreign Policy espacially for Brotherly Muslim Countries.
well wisher of USA in general and Human Beings espacially.

Posted by: Iftikhar Alam | December 15, 2008, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm

Posted by: ThaiTran | Dec 15, 2008 6:47:36 PM
You are one out of many that seem to understand the beauty of this nation. Unfortunately, those who have always been blessed by the safety and freedom of living in America sometimes tend to be the ones that are the quickest to condemn her. Those who have lived under tyranny are the people who most appreciate this country.
Remember that one does not appreciate the water-well until it goes dry.

Posted by: gzel | December 16, 2008, 1:02 am 1:02 am

hey ! lets look on th bright side , at least George bush has a future in acting , cos i heard they gave him a contract to act in the new matrix movie ,”rise of the talibans”lol!!! nice shot whoever that was !!!

Posted by: mr effects | December 16, 2008, 11:04 am 11:04 am

Those who were born and raised by bread, hot dog, pizza…and enjoying all the freedom in the USA do not really know what is the real deal of dictatorship regime in Iraq until you see the beheading American troops on the internet. Pre Bush changed this regime for GOOD, especially for the future generation of a new Iraqis…may be 100 millions more in the future..Don’t hate your own race and your president ! Those countries need a real Change of Democracy and Human Rights! Be United and Be Proud of American Troops who are working toward these changes ! Have a wonderful Christmas to All American Troops and the President of the USA ! Booth Black and White ! Be a Strong American ! Be cause I do not hate Americans. I feel Good.

Posted by: Tiksiro | December 16, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

To all you Bush haters,
where were you when men hiding their faces with scarfs (because they are so brave) kill women and children just for the sport of it.
Where were you protesting against violence after 9/11 or KLM over Scottland. Did I miss something???

Posted by: usa | December 16, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

hahahahah this was amazing.
To bad he didnt get him.

Posted by: haha | December 16, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

The Borgen Project has informative statistics on addressing global poverty.
$30 billion ends world hunger
$550 billion is the US Defense budget
This organization has the ability, resources, and policy-makers to suppress the threat of global poverty by enacting legislation here in the US, which is tied to the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals. Please support organizations such as The Borgen Project so that we may rid the world of poverty.

Posted by: Abel Tsegga | December 16, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

usa – You must yell “yeehaw” when we bomb a wedding party.

Posted by: Joe | December 16, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

I agree so much with Linda that I repeat her comments here. Search within yourself to see if you only see things one way. Does anyone dictate how you think? If so, you are not benefitting from the very freedom that you say we fight for in this country. You are controlled by little-minded hatred. Too bad for you.
Linda said, I also say, “I don’t classify myself as a liberal or a conservative. I am a woman. Nothing more. It doesn’t take a genius to see that mistakes were made, lies were told and this whole war was a sham. WHY is it so hard for, so called, Conservatives or whatever you call yourselves, to see that. This war was uncalled for. Saddam Hussein is an excuse. Period. He was a bad man, but it had nothing to do with what we needed to do. Meanwhile, Osama Bin Laden is still around, somewhere. Maybe I need to start my own little classification. We can have the Conservatives with their stuffed shirts and money and the liberals with their bitching and whining and Human Beings with their common sense and humility. I am a Human Being.”

Posted by: JIF | December 16, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm

ultra liberal inside the us army put termite explosives inside 3 buildings and the buildings they fell as if it was hit by 2 plains! gWbush was informed beforehand, and started preprepared war s at afghanistan and ie´raq, why should he be praised????????

Posted by: Yahn | December 16, 2008, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

Bush has quick reflexes

Posted by: Sage | December 16, 2008, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm

Jeff – Nice republican talking points. Thanks to your dear leader we are broke. Neocon foreign policy is a pick part of our out of control debt. Yep thanks Bush. Republicans are no longer fiscal conservatives.

Posted by: Fwoo | December 16, 2008, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm

It’s a disgrace that this idiot shows so much disrespect for the President of the United States and so many people think it’s funny. It’s not just a show of disrespect for our President but every U.S. Citizen.

Posted by: Don | December 16, 2008, 11:27 pm 11:27 pm

Well Fwoo, I like Bush for some things and I am not happy with other things but to blame him for the U.S being broke…come on research things before you type a response. As far as our foreign policy,these other countries have hated us forever and it does not matter who is in office. They hate us because of our way of life. How are facts Republican talking points are you saying he would not of been executed for throwing a shoe at Saddam? Oh and by the way I am a Independent.

Posted by: Jeff | December 17, 2008, 2:03 am 2:03 am

President Bush is a hero. The liberal media has NEVER represented the majority of americans.

Posted by: Dean Casey | December 17, 2008, 10:25 am 10:25 am

Dean- Your totally right on the liberal media, they will never show any good that has happened in Iraq because they hate Bush blindly. Our media is suppose to report the news as it actually is good or bad but they only report the bad. Our media is a disgrace. Our military is doing nothing and we are the terrorists if you listen to our liberal media. The problem is the liberals have taken over the media and the Democratic party.

Posted by: Jeff | December 18, 2008, 1:23 am 1:23 am

lol that was funny

Posted by: pioujh | December 18, 2008, 10:18 am 10:18 am

Look @ This!

Posted by: annie | December 18, 2008, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm

jeff and dean- i totally agree with you, i dont get why people hate bush so much! its not like the prez of the usa is some type of mass murderer! he wuz looking out for america AND iraq. he wuz SAVING them, not killing them off! but once again, everyone finds something wrong with wut he does. besides, hes still a human, i think he can be alowed to make a few mistakes.

Posted by: :D | December 19, 2008, 12:36 am 12:36 am

Thanks :D, the other problem is that we live in a sound bite society people see the little blups our media puts out there and take it as the facts. Time after time I have watched an interview get chopped up to make the person saying it look like a idiot, and of course that person tends to be a Republican. The media focus is not the person who follows politics but the people who do not follow politics and rely on the local news to get there info. The U.S has gone out of there way to limit innocent deaths in Iraq but the media makes the U.S out to be the villain. Can you imagine if our media of today was around during lets say WWII? We would probably be speaking German or Japanese right now.

Posted by: Jeff | December 19, 2008, 1:10 am 1:10 am

Getting back to the shoe incident. It just goes to show you that freedom is starting to come out in Iraq because as I stated before, the guy would of never dared throw his shoe at Saddam because he would of been tortured, shot or beheaded instantly. Those of you who hate Bush blindly because you don’t follow what’s really going on should get educated before posting your responses.

Posted by: Jeff | December 19, 2008, 1:23 am 1:23 am

if you take a step back from all the over analyzing political garbage, this video is hilarious

Posted by: Grain of Salt | December 19, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

it’s not surprising that recently designed Bush shoe-throwing games are so popular… there are millions who wish they could really throw something at the guy

Posted by: what is pop | December 19, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

Arab people thinking were backward, throwing shoe or stone is only way bcos they don’t believed in freedom, Bush doesn’t bad in 100% & no leader in the were 100% good too, anyway this is bad actitude, democracy should set the man free a little ponishment, but no body could do this to Arab leader and be free.

Posted by: savan | December 20, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm

first iam arabian but noy iraqi
and u call what happening in iraq freedom so u dont know anything do u know howmany civilians got killed by american soldiers ? or how many lost their families for this what u call freedom?????

Posted by: mohamed | December 21, 2008, 3:41 am 3:41 am

Bush truly deserved that for all the lives of the innocent iraqi civilians he has taken and all the lives of the american soldiers that r sent there. wen soldiers r sent to iraq by bush, they come back killing innocent civilians instead of getting the real bad guys, THE TERRORISTS. by doing this, hes angering even more ppl. please take this monkey out of the oval office plz and never bring him back.

Posted by: albanian | December 23, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

I’d like to throw a poop filled diaper at him.

Posted by: Gina Judd | December 26, 2008, 5:21 am 5:21 am

This previous post is worth repeating:
Why is no one thinking about life from this man’s perspective. There was a reporter on CNN who said that this man is a well-respected journalist. He has had relatives killed in the violence and one of his producers was murdered. He was covering Sadr City where there is still a great deal of violence and was recently kidnapped.
You know – when you know the names and stories of the widows and orphans who don’t get to travel Iraq in Humvees and wearing kevlar vests and carry guns for protection – you might have a much different attitude. As hard as it is for our troops, Iraqis don’t get R&R or get paid for tours of duty in a war zone. They are supposed to live in that hell with no control over their lives.
I pray to God that this man is not being tortured tonight or murdered while we’re all sitting in our comfortable, heated homes, writing about his life at a distance.
In my ideal world, instead of making jokes about it, President Bush would have asked people later if he could meet privately and let him express his grief face-to-face. They could turn it around if he actually showed some remorse or genuine compassion for what’s happened to the everyday Iraqis.

Posted by: Tammy | January 6, 2009, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm

So beautiful…

Posted by: Eduzz | January 7, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

rofl epic throw!

Posted by: cameron | March 9, 2009, 8:38 am 8:38 am

haha, reading this political debate is hilarious. You all sound ridiculous. You argue about morals, deaths, and ideals. Things that quite simply are just semantics.

Posted by: Aeternaliter | April 29, 2009, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm

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