Bush Dodges Shoes on Farewell Iraq Visit

Hell is too good for this creature.

I thought he was busy figuring out a bail out plan for big 3? i guess iraqis are more important than millions of tax payers on the brink of losing jobs.

Please, please let W’s ticket to Baghdad be one-way. He’s in such love with his Iraqi failure it would only be right to relegate him to staying there permanently.

Just a bunch of Bush Bashers. The man was showing respect to the troops you bunch of morons. Be patient Obama Bin Laden will be in office soon. Lets see how long it will be before he loses his GLOW.

The country is so polarized that all we hear are over the top comments about Bush. Give me a break,as there is plenty of blame to go around. Life isn’t that black and white. that kind of thinking produces no ideas on how to help with the problem of Iraq. It’s 8th grade stuff.

Great – more wasted fuel for the butcher of DC, more carbon footprint and he will always be seen as the worst most damaging illegally installed president in our history. The entire earth hates this ideological drunken lying fool.

“TruthNMichigan” – I feel sorry for you, because you are a moron. Who will remember Bush as a “great President” exactly? Do you have some right wing scientists locked up in your cellar that you plan on releasing in 10 years only to write a bunch of positive books on Bush? Lol…please buddy. The VAST MAJORITY (which means at least 90%) of U.S. political historians have openly declared Bush a failure, and in many cases, the WORST U.S. PRESIDENT of all time! The only people who will remember him as being a “great President” will be the idiots who only watched FOX News (like you), and those who worked for the crooked companies that profited from the war and the Bush administration in general. President Obama is a better President already, and he hasn’t even been sworn in yet.
BUSH=
WORST PRESIDENT EVER

Why going there hiding Bush. You claimed you brought them democracy. Is it not the time the Iraq people sing for you and give you bunches of flowers??? and thank you!!
You really destroyed their country and ruined their lives George.

Lighten up on old Bush. Bush is only a symptom—not a cause. Sure–he is a no good deadbeat of a man. But on the positive side, his so obvious and blatant stupidity has come home to roast in the form of Americans finally realizing what a stupid bunch of people we “had” become. To cure this malady, we first had to recognize that it existed.I therefore think that Bush’s legacy will always be ,that he brought us face to face with ourselves–And, as it turned out about 60 percent of us–did not like what we saw.

Thanks Pres. Bush for leading us to victory in Iraq and I know the troops will welcome you there with eagerness. You have been remarkable at your commitment to fighting and winning this war and should be proud of the results. We have come together as a nation in so many ways with this kind of leadership and courage. We could also rest assured as a nation well protected from future terrorist aggression.

I wonder what Al Gore thinks about it right now.

Gutsy visit by the PREZ when he didn;t have to go. His mission to get rid of Sadaam was correct. To bad the rest of the countries wouldn’t put their money and troops where their mouth was since all agreed and the US Congress including Gore, Kerry, Kennedy, Clinton , Pelosi and Reid agreed he had to go. After 9/11, the war on terror was and is correct. History will judge Bush correctly as long as it is not written by Bush haters and liberals.

Shame the shoe didn’t hit right upside the head.

Like the pie thrown at Ann Coulter, I would like to know why the throwers don’t fine tune their skills before the event takes place. There are just too many misses. Completely unacceptable!

Bush thank you for being our president. You were the right man for the right job at this time in our history. History will show that. Now is the time for change and now is the time for Obama. There is a time and place for everybody.

Joe C – Nice consensus building speech. The problem with Bush is that he twisted intel to support his agenda in order to invade a country that hadn’t attacked us. This is very immoral especially given the fact that so many lives have been lost, especially Iraqis. Too be proud of the job he has done in light of this fact makes me sick.

Herb Gray – What Ron Paul got elected? How did that happen?

honoring the troops?… please, the only way bush can honestly honor our troups would be to bring them home and apologize and take responsibility for the deaths and injuries caused to tens of thousands of humans… what a war criminal… can we press charges against him and his administration yet?

I wish the shoe had hit “W” in the head … it might have knocked some sense into him. He’s an embarrassment to the USA.

What do you expect of Bush II, with an I.Q. of 91 ?
Just remember, if Obama makes it to the White House, you may wish for Bush III.
With Obama’s citizenship problems, the next president may be a Supreme Court pick.

Oliver – Would Bush III be Jeb?

For all of the posters on this board that want to spout their hatred for Bush; please remember that Obama will soon be challenged by Putin and other dictators. He will be confronted with difficult choices on a broad range of subjects. In the end he will make mistakes just like you think Bush made. You have to rememeber that 46% of the American people voted against your candidate and your disrespect for president Bush will be paid back in kind toward Obama. Perhaps in even more strident and negative tones. You have killed the art of voicing the opinions of a loyal opposition and have replaced it with vengeance that will one day be used against you candidate. This is shortsighted and frankly just plain stupid. I for one have lost all respect for the Obama supporters who have been trapped in their delusional, hate filled world for the last four years. What goes around comes around. Please have the class to not complain when the shoe is on the other foot and Obama is on the receiving end of the same type of hate you are peddling.

If this was the reaction from a well orchestrated unannounced meeting, imagine the reaction by the general public if he were to go in the streets of Baghdad to a scheduled public lecture. The shoe thrower is probably not the only person having very little to be grateful for and is probably not the true representative of the people of Iraq but most likely the representative of most of Iraq and a significant part of the world.

Bush: “Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” “Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?” ” There’s an old saying in Tennessee–I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee–that says, fool me once, shame on–shame on you. Fool me–you can’t get fooled again.” “They underestimated me.”

doug – The Iraqis are a complex bunch. Some appreciate Bush’s actions and some despise his policies. My guess is that more Iraqis despise him, especially the 2 million displaced Iraqis, the Iraqis will love ones killed, and the million or so Christians that have been purged from the country. My prediction is that a few years after we leave, the country will fall apart along ethnic lines, and our work will be for nothing. It’s nice to know that we are borrowing money from China to fund this extravagance. You neocons keep convincing yourselves that this is a good idea. Remember Muslims want to kill us because of our policies. Remember the sanctions in the 90s under Clinton killed 500,000 Iraqis, and this current war has fostered an environment where another 500,000 people have lost their lives. A mini genocide if you will.

John Locke – Thanks, I am a Ron Paul supporter still bewildered at Paul’s treatment by republicans. I also dislike the neocon agenda.

Another item that requires clarity is this thing called the Iraq war. For starters, it isn’t a war! Surprise! The war in Iraq ended a long time ago and had we gotten out then, all would have been OK. Indeed we’d have done the Iraqis a favor, but we didn’t leave and that is when our troubles in Iraq started. Our staying there, is called an occupation, not a war and the Iraqis, quite rightly, objected to our presence. Furthermore, the whole thing could have been prevented and still toppled Hussein, if, indeed, that was the objective by using our dark forces at what they were trained to do. On the other hand, looking at the country’s long history, we would have been better off just leaving well enough alone.

Bush-Cheney have major business interests in Iraq and the Middle East. Haliburton’s new headquarters is in Dubai. Bush is just on a business trip.

Paul,
Bush wasn’t honoring the troops. He is trying to save his ‘legacy’, put a little shine on it. He’d spend his time more productively trying to put shine on a manure pile. He is one of history’s worst leaders, and most certainly the worst president this country has seen. Hopefully, we’ll never experience another this bad. When will the Bush apologists quit making excuses for this lying, self delusional piece of work?

Huh, or Duh? While I understand your commentary, it is easy to dwell on what occured and viewing it out of perspective. The vast majority of over 24 million people are experiencing freedom for the first time. There are horror stories everywhere and easy to find if you look, but for each of these there is a success story, never before even dreamed of.. I work with 4 young Iraqi Christians, there life was difficult but they have made a commitment to be part of the new Iraq. Most of the Iraqis I interact with on a daily basis are not terribly religious and even less sectarian. They will readily admit to you that they probably go to a mosque even less than most Americans predictably go to church. Al Qaeda and the extremists are failing because we have kicked them militarily and the Iraqis are not about to give up there late night parties, music, whiskey, cigarettes and beautiful women. As crass as that sounds, they have always enjoyed this type of life as part of their culture which is much older than the Islamic dictates that these groups were attempting to enforce.
It is remarkably quiet now.. and no rockets and bombs have been no picnic but the Iraqis themselves have every intention of moving forward.

Simply reading the posts here shows how much of a divider Bush has been for this country. In 2000 he campaigned with a promise to be a uniter. Obviously, that didn’t pan out. History will judge him, long after we are all dead and gone, as the worst president of all. To you sad people who feel it necessary to defend him, I have just one question: is our country better off now than it was when he took office? No one with an ounce of intelligence can say ‘yes’ to that question…..

doug – You speak a wonderful game. I must admit I want to put my hand over my heart when I read your posts. We have no choice but to let this play out as it will. What I argue is that we don’t make the same mistakes again. I assume we won’t since we are broke, but the Federal Reserve can always get a war going with an infusion of cash into our war machine.

Bush sure is courageous. Every time he leaves the USA he risks being arrested for War crimes against humanity.

Let’s compare Bush’s visits with the ones by the Iranian President – Alan..(cannot spell his name).
1. Bush’s visits are always secret and never advertised in advance. Alan..’s are always well publicized in advance.
2. Bush is always heavily guarded and meets only with previously vetted people. Alan… has about three guards and walks openly in the streets of Bagdad.
3. Bush does not know the language or the customers or traditions of the Iraq people. Alan… has lived them.
Who do the people of Iraq trust and admire more?

After we leave Iraq, the countryside will return to its former, time honored ways and pickup things where they were. Al Sadr will form alliances with Iran (probably already has done so) and the Shiites will once again face off against the Sunnis with the Kurds going back and forth between them for advantage. There will be civil unrest, then civil war and then a strong man will emerge and become the new despot. In short, once we leave Iraq will return to Iraqi normalcy.

John Locke – Now I get your name. I found out about Ron Paul a year ago. By the way, I agree with your last post.

that video is the best thing i’ve ever seen. not only does he dodge both shoes but he’s smiling the whole time.
he’s officially a poor president but the number one guy i would want to party with.

Our pseudo-president, who was too cowardly to honestly serve his country in uniform when he was called, has caused the suffering and deaths of untold thousands. He is justifiably hated by all moral people, except, of course by his neo-con clique of bullies and Evangelical hypocrites. If justice prevailed, he would have been arrested in Iraq and prosecuted for crimes against humanity.

Since he’s over there, he should visit all the new orphanages he created.

“Thanks Pres. Bush for leading us to victory in Iraq and I know the troops will welcome you there with eagerness. You have been remarkable at your commitment to…”
-
David, did you really say all of that with a straight face?

exrepub – Dumb question, if you knew anything you wouldn’t ask it. Reason being is we have control, Haji’s don’t!

That’s one heel to another.

“Displaying the soles of shoes is an insult in the Arab world?”
…hmmm, don’t get it? They really need to get in the right century.

John Locke wrote:
“In short, once we leave Iraq will return to Iraqi normalcy.”
Exactly. Had the Bush adminstration spent just a short time researching Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds, they would have found that customs and alliances dictate reality ‘on the ground’(Bushies love that term)in Iraq. I suspect the Bushies were in fact told of this situation by more open minded members of their security advising team but chose to ignore it as it conficted with the plan their already made up minds had chosen. The information revealing how badly the people of our country were misinformed and flat out lied to regarding these goings on will continue to find it’s way to the light of day for years to come.

As much as I dislike bush, I’m glad that it wasn’t a gunshot. Then we would get stuck with Cheney. Bush got what he deserved though. For all of you Obama haters out there, you cannot deny that he will definitely be an improvement over Bush. At least Obama can speak with dignity.

Huh – Thanks. There’s no reason to think that our minuscule time in Iraq will have any lasting consequence when taken within the context of its thousands of years of history. Every once in a while the region experiences interlopers (mostly, if not exclusively, westerners) who stir thing up for a while and are either ejected, or leave of their own accord. Such were the occurrences of all the misbegotten so-called “crusades” that occurred some centuries back, the invasions of the Ottomans, the removal of the Ottomans via WWI and the subsequent betrayals of the British against the Arabs as a consequence of the peace treaty ending WWI. While oil certainly made a few very rich, for the most part, life in the middle east remains the same as it has been from the beginning of time, with not much else to do, but struggle for existence and wonder at the meaning of life.

Iraq a mistake even if it is a historical success and the is possible… because… it was a symptom that we all just saw played out through the Federal Reserve’s power in the “Financial Crisis.”
We do not have a Constitutional Republic any longer and will not ever again unless the Fed is demolished and its powers eliminated.
This anger towards the Presidential figure head is sadly the mark of media and state school conditioning and its programed de-construction of Liberty.
The result is now obviously an increasingly immature citizenry because responsibly individuals do not require help and by definition are not dependent.
The conscious breakup of, first, the Black family to create a new political plantation and then of WASP families and power and now near complete dependency upon the State is one of the long term goals of Marxist/Fabianism, along with the destruction of nationalism and religion, in other words anything that fundamentally conflicts with the powers of the international state.
However…it is quite possible that finally the school conditioning will not take and the American love of liberty will again assert itself; in that case there will be a civil war for those in power will not cede it back to a truly Constitutional government without violence… Civil War 11 over national sovereignty and who prints money and extends credit.
Indications of who is really in charge are these: Does the Federal Reserve exist, IMF, World Bank – Is the boarder open still to smudge national sovereignty and to demographically weaken WASP Constitutional based power – Is Israel still in control of Unions in the US through Mobsters, Sicilian and Russians and does Israel still control major communication switching centers in the US (Monica Lewinsky tapes with P. Clinton. a FACT), are the Drug Cartels bringing in hundreds of billions in drugs and is the hard currency being consciously washed… to pay IMF/World Bank loans?
The actors at this point don’t matter.
Add to this that Google founders are members of the Bilderberger Group!! literally attended the last meeting (same as… CFR, Aspen Institute, Trilateral Commission et. al. ) these are the second tear controllers and it has nothing to do with democracy! Stop focusing on Bush, Republicans and you prejudices and remember this:
Assumption of Responsibility is the act, the mark of and the function the the dark hand behind events.
Unless America intelligence organizations are again defenders of the Constitution which they most certainly are not now… there is not hope.
So why is it a sin for Bush to approve minor tracking in the context of terrorism… and Google can track thousands of clicks of every citizen and you reactionary well conditioned here do not have a problem with that?

He called bush a “kalb” – although literally it means “dog”, the correct translation in English would be “heartless” or “wicked”.
Throwing shoes in the middle east at someone – put it this way. There are some parts of the Middle East where they may punish a man by hitting him with a shoe. its soo humiliating. This war was wrong and has caused HUGE disasters for the country.
As a Christian from the Middle East, this war has hurt relations with Muslims & Christians.
Americans: Please use your head the next time you get involved in Politics. I feel Obama is making the same mistake with Clinton who wants to “obliterate” Iran. Such language does not encourage peace, and serves only to make you disliked as much as you already are.

Worst. President. In. American. History.

American soldiers are dying for democracy in Iraq when we have kids in america who can’t go to public schools due to racial segregation in Delaware, probably other states as well. You can’t even get the government to protect your civil rights, you have to have money for lawyers to get your rights protected, unless you are black and can call Jesse or Al to come in and get some press in exhange for helping you.

zeuser89-You have the right to disagree we me, but you have to realize the Vietnam was a different time and different war. Since you served during Vietnam you are much older than I as I only served during Panama and the Gulf War yet I do not fault anyone because they have not served. You served because you were drafted and if you volunteered than that is cool, but you cannot knock another man because his choice was not to. I respect your opinion and I am glad you disagree with me, because opinions are like a** holes, everyone has one. Our current President served his country securely from the National Guard in Texas and Vice President had more deferments from serving. So, if you want to call these two great men you can, but I wont!

Bush’s final crowning legacy may be something barely mentioned in the press– a pending constitutional congress. For those whose last persual of American history was elementary school, we haven’t needed such a convention since we crafted the US Constitution itself in 1787. The ONLY reason to call for one now is to substantially change our form of government. I don’t mean gay marriage or drinking age issues– that’s what amendments are for. I’m talking about fundamental change to the way our government is organized, how it operates, and how their ‘New World Order’ will affect us all. Do not for a moment think the lack of coverage of this pending coup by our leaders means this is no big deal– it doesn’t get any bigger.

I remember Ronald Reagan was hated this much by the left and Arab world. I bet you that GW will eventually emerge as impressive as Reagan. Only history will tell.

It is truly amazing to see some comments people are making about their president. They act as if everything in the world is Black and White. I will tell you as an Iraq veteran I am ASHAMED to have fought in your name. I fought for good, hard working American’s who RESPECT each other. God help you all.

hey, andrew- you’re ashamed, huh?
then we’re ashamed to have served with you. shut up and go away, you poser.

andrew- he’s not a king. we can criticize him. he’s not god. he’s not a prince. he’s an elected president. we don’t owe him anything. he owes US.
you don’t automatically stop criticizing him just because he was elected president. unless you worship him.

I’m sure the fact he had a book with him is what threw off the reporters, everyone knows “the shrub” can’t read.

Bush was not elected president, he was appointed. He never was our legitimate president – period!

Andrew, you remind me of the neo-cons around where I live So. Cal. You’ve never seen such a bunch of chest thumpin, flag wavin “posers” in your life. Not one has ever served, they all were deferment using cowards that are proud of how they put other peoples children in harms way. I bet your just as much a bigmouth liar as they are.

I see by 99 percent of the post here on ABC that 99 percent of the readers are aligned with our New President-Elect, but wait, for the past two years the Senate and the House have been in the hands of Democrats! Obama shouts Change, and we have seen exactly the kind of change that is in store for us, the chaos of Chicago and the spending of US taxpayer dollars on re-building roads? All of you will say I DIDN’T VOTE FOR OBAMA, just to keep your guilt at bay! I’m alreading laughing at Obama and those that voted for him, and he isn’t even in office yet!

Every one that is bashing Bush, should stop and think that the majority of them are the ones that voted him in AS OUR PRESIDENT!!!!!!! YOU THOUGHT HE WAS GREAT THEN.

What a junk for a president, even as the sun goes down on him he is wasting much needed fuel to visit Iraq where no one want`s the butcher. Mr. president catch it while you can, no more free ride on air force one after janurary 20th. Luckely you can dodge shoe. JJ

Bush is VERY lucky it was just a pair of size 10′s!

huh.. I am not attempting to make anyone see anything that has been done in Iraq as some type of patriotic endeavor. If you simply would look at the cultures of the middle east and had to decide where we might most make a difference you would pick Iraq without any other considerations. Iraq is a country very much unlike the rest of the Gulf Arab countries.. it was always primarily secular in its behavior, 50% of the population is under the age of 18 and has the potential to change much faster than would be expected in a country with an older median age. It is a country with great natural resources, not only oil which will allow the government to eventually provide a more fully developed infrastructure. While Kuwait is a country full of self-important people that will be wondering the desert on camels again once the oil is gone… Iraq is a country with people willing to work and make a better life for themselves. They have a manufacturing base, they have good soil, abundant water and people that will actually do their own work. It could simply put be the most powerful and prosperous country in the middle east within 5-10 years. Are we willing to support them like we did the people in Germany, Japan or Korea?
What difference could a functioning modern society with a democratic government ( even one in their distinct format ) make in this region of the world??

Too bad the guy was not wearing concrete clogs and had good aim!

Ain’t it fun having someone to blame for all the world’s ills? Tsunami? We know whose fault it is. Hunger in Africa?…guess who again. Anybody want this job? Your first name gets to be…Dirty, and your last name…well you know. Now that we have a democrat in the big chair, all the problems will be solved. You people are religious extremists! You have blind faith in a MAN….This is a man we’re talking about. Heaven help us.

Guys, he may not be the most popular president, but HE IS OUR PRESIDENT, for crying out loud! Insulting our president is insulting our country and all of us.

Sally,
Though I’m laughing out loud I’m not sure whether I’m laughing with you or at you.

Too bad it wasn’t Joel Zumaya throwing those shoes.

While hard working Americans are living in the street and dying because Dubya and his friends have raped this country for the last 8 years, while giving away hundreds of billions of tax dollars to Iraq and Africa. It’s to bad the shoe missed, I hoped the man steped in something before he threw the shoe.
Ex Republican

“In about 50 years, I think Iraq could be a beacon of democracy in the middle east…”
-
Nick, comments like that confirm once again that most Americans don’t understand anything about the Middle East and the history of the Arabs, Islam, and more. However, since most Americans also don’t understand much about the rest of the world, I guess you can be forgiven for mentioning just this part.

John,
Re:I think Mr Bush will be remembered as a great President and I am glad that homosexuality is a sin.
I have questions.
1)How are these two things related?
2)How do you know?
3)What kind of drugs have you been using? I’ll bet they are good.

David Stewart says “Thanks Pres. Bush for leading us to victory in Iraq and I know the troops will welcome you there with eagerness. You have been remarkable at your commitment to fighting and winning this war and should be proud of the results. We have come together as a nation in so many ways with this kind of leadership and courage. We could also rest assured as a nation well protected from future terrorist aggression.”*********************David, David, David….poor, mind-numbingly, lost, pathetic, Republican David. Why did we attack Iraq??? Where is Bin Laden?! Where are the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Thanks David for your idiotic vote for Bush, who bankrupted America and destroyed our global economy!

what a waste of a perfectly good shoe!

I like how he has to sneak into Iraq. Must be “Mission Accomplished”. The video of the shoe thing. Pretty funny. I’m glad he didn’t get hurt though.

Disgusted posted “As for Bush, he did what he thought was best for our country” Let’s see, you condemn Obama who hasn’t even been sworn in but you praise Bush for doing what he THOUGHT was right. THOUGHT was right! Even though it turned out to be a total disaster now and will continue to be for decades to come. But somehow that’s okay with you, but you hate Obama. Gee, I wonder why?

It is an irony that Bush wanted to leave office with a bang as the liberator of Iraq has to sneak into Iraq and hide behind the Green Zone. On top of that he got a sent-off with a shoe… lol. I wonder how much of this is “arranged” by the Iraq President?

John Fish says “I think Mr Bush will be remembered as a great President.”***********Well that tells us how smart you are! Thanks for ruining our country with your (apparent) support of Bush in getting him elected. You (among other voters) are responsible for all the damage done by the Republicans. Your ignorance has bankrupted our country and caused a global recession! You didn’t do your homework before voting–you CLEARLY chose the wrong candidate.

You people who talk of physical harm to the President of the US are sick. Too many reasons to name. I disagree with many things that he has done but like every President he has done some good also. For example, he is a major reason your sorry carcass has not been blown up in a 9/11 type attack. If democracy does find a foothold in the Middle East, there will be so many good things resulting, and historians mark him as an unpopular but a great world leader.

The man who threw a shoe to George Bush,should be considered as an heroe,because it was the most expressive way he found to show how not only the US citizens but also the whole world is deeply disapointed with a president who doesn´t even know the meaning of words such as leadership,wisedom, comumsence and the most important thing :
1ºAmericans
2ºamericans
3ºamericans
not to put them at the bottom of priorities list.

Those of you complaining about people making fun of the shrub, stop questioning their freedom of speech (as all Republicans do).
He’s a president, not a king.
And he’s been a BAD president, so they will criticize him if he has not performed as he should have.
I know all of you republicans are depressed after the election. Deal with it!

That Iraqi man throwing his shoes at Bush was just trying to show Bush some appreciation for all that he has done for the Iraqi people. Remember, Bush brought them democracy.

There will always be liberal idiots but I am glad that many people in this country appreciate what President Bush has done to keep this country safe.

JR,
Very good!

Hey, how did one of his ex Rangers pitchers get hired as an Iraq reporter?
Folks…T minus 37 days!

We could also rest assured as a nation well protected from future terrorist aggression.
Posted by: David Stewart | Dec 14, 2008 11:28:58 AM
_______________________________________
RIIIIIIIGHT!!!
And we have such open borders that terrorist can enter the United States with such ease VIA Mexico.\
keep believing Bush kept us SAFE,
Nothing is stopping anyone from planting a BOMB or going off terrorist style anywhere in america at anytime,
Its not like America is situated in the middle east… or our neighbours are IRAN and Irag instead of Canada and Mexico….had it been like that then we can give him thanks BUT its not.
And oh! where is Bin laden, didn’t he said we would catch him under his WATCH .
Bush had 8 years what happen.
Jan 20th can’t come fast enough to clean up his mess.
cost over a trillion dollar and tons of troop lives and civilian lives , And non of the 9’11 terrorist was ever from IRAQ or any terrorist activity was taken place Iraq until george Bush decided to go there.

All republicans need to apologize for allowing bush to be president.

Subject: Insult for the injury!
As we learned in the fall of Saddam, the sole of the shoe is the greatest of insults to Iraqis.
It is fitting that someone finally was able to delivery the ultimate insult for all the injury we have thrust upon this country. This will be the legacy of GWB…

LAURA BUSH should have been elected President of the USA. She is intelligent and caring. We would not have had the problems we are experiencing today had she been the President.

Its so much fun to hate. But I’m moving on. I hate our new Pres already! GRRRRHH!!
Hate Hate Hate Hate!

Bush wasn’t elected twice Jake D., he was appointed in 2000 by his brother’s administration in Florida and by republicans on the Supreme Court bench. He was elected the second time as a “war time” president involved in a stupid war he created. The American people hadn’t yet seen through his incompetence.

Foo, they have water and electricity part of each day. They have no sewage control, no security and their economy is devastated. What do you want for them, complete genocide. How many women and children should we kill to satisfy you, 50 million?

Saw a lot more shoes thrown at Saddam’s statue.

I am upset by it because it happend to the President of our United States – whether I like Bush or NOT! I love America and for that I am saddened and ashamed that he got a shoe thrown at him.
I pray that President Obama can restore our reputation around the world.
I feel sorry for Iraq and I feel sad for President Bush. His policies hurt a LOT of people, but he is not a horrible man.

John Fish says “I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Bush for keeping this country safe for more than seven years. He felt is was his first priority to keep Americans safe and he did his job superbly. Great job Mr Bush.”********************John dear, Bush didn’t protect us against 9/11, did he? Yet it has been reported that he was in office and receiving intelligence that Bin Laden wished to attack inside the United States, well ahead of 9/11. Sadly, Mr. Bush, declared the most vacationing president in history, didn’t have the focus or attention that he needed to do his job well.

i still dont know Y is bush going there hiding, is this the safe Iraq that he is talking about, bush says size 10 shoes in case you wanted to know WOW 8 years of shame, He is not stupid he entered history books with its widest doors THE MAN WHO CAN BRING THE WORLD TO SHAME. not a happy moment when he became my president.

Marine Sgt. I know that you probably feel that you’re fighting this war for your country and I can sympathize with you. I thought the same thing when i was sent to Viet Nam. But after more than 58000 young American lives lost, i came to realize that it was not a war for the American people. It was a war for a few foolish American politicians. We lost that war because there was never anything for the American troops to win. Here we go making the same foolish mistake again in Iraq. You’re fighting a war that you cannot win because there is really nothing to win..

Gosh, so many cowardly people with short memories on the net today…no wonder the country is in trouble,, Bush and company has been the ONLY political leaders to have a huevo’s to deal with the terriosts in the last 15 years… All the other were either stealing the White House silverware or having services performed by the public on their knees and now that same group is in the White House AGAIN yes you folks are real SMART…you put them there Duh!
Congratulations I bet ya went to Harvard!! Or Berkley….
Six years ago if this guy threw a shoe at Saddam he would have been shot on the site, what a change,, He is now Free has the right now to show his ignorance in public!
And just as soon in this Country going by the recent Obama interviews, where Reportes have to disguise themselves,, he will be shot on site here as well…..Yup that is the CHANGE you wanted… Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

johnnylee…
I understand where your coming from. Im just not ready to lose hope. No matter what I will be home in a few months to be with my family again. Im proud to serve this nation even though it has SOO many flaws.

Our country has reached such a comical state, it’s not surprising that supposedly intelligent and civilized people can’t have a debate without insults and name calling. There are so few facts and so many grammatical and spelling errors, it is hard to take any of what has been said here seriously. Regardless of your party affiliation, your religious preference, your sexual tendencies, or your understanding of the Middle East, there are several indisputable facts.
1. Our U.S. intelligence services provided flawed, amateurish, and inaccurate information to GWB.
2. Many well placed, experienced military and intelligence advisors were highly skeptical of the WMD argument.
3. GWB and his close knit circle, namely Cheney and Rumsfeld, were already hell-bent on going to war, and effectively disregarded the advice of these experts.
4. Colin Powell was sent before the U.N., personally unconvinced, to make the case for war, while George Tenet sat behind him knowing the argument was flawed.
5. For 7+ years, GWB and his colleagues have lied to the American people.
6. Since 2002, the United States of America has engaged in torture and crimes against humanity with total disregard for the U.S. Constitution and The Geneva Conventions, of which we were one of the original signatories. While many of us would find it unimaginable that our country could engage in these activities, the practices were authorized at the highest level of government and the facts are well documented and indisputable.
We need to get our collective heads out of the sand, wake up to the abuses perpetrated on humanity by our government, and start understanding the facts without feeling that asking questions is disrespectful to the President. The office belongs to the people, not the elected. As we prepare for a new administration and our economy failing with epic proportions, we should recognize that our vulnerability to attack, at home and abroad, has never been more possible. To be strong militarily you must be strong economically. Wake up and learn the facts!

And if this guy had the nerve to try and throw his filthy shoes at Saddam, what would’ve happened?

What is it? Be-nice-to-Bush week? I’d have thrown the table and chairs.

You morons voted for Bush.
Twice.
Now you are all so smart because you know better.

The insults you left-wingers are saying are really despicable. He’s the president of the United States of America. I don’t care who it is, he deserves the utmost respect. I really hope you realize that it’s not gonna be sunshine and daisies for Obama. A lot of people will give him the same respect you give Bush.

I suppose White House Security will want all reporters to leave their shoes outside the brifing room from now on.

Hehehe, I don’t why that Iraqi thought he could actually it Pres. Bush. You would think the world would realize by now he is the best Dodgeball player out there, all seriousness aside, did you see his moves? Pretty damn impressive.

I thought that video of the shoe throw was the funniest thing yet. But all the silly comments that follow were disgusting. Can’t we see something better on the internet than a bunch of nitwit comments?

Well..Look Back US history…
During Viet Nam War. In America was same situation as like now. There is nothing differences at all.
As time goes by, Our country will get over with it. Please Don’t be so much negative comments as like now.
Please look ahead and the future of our country will be bright and shine.
The only one thing, all American people must give all hands to our nation.
As like JFK said ” What can you do for the country? Not A Country can you do for you “.
Of Courses, there is a punch of fruits.
There must be a good and bad fruits in there. Well we must give hands for our country to sort them out.
Now it is a time, we must lay hands together. So we will make our country stronger and stronger and we together will growth and growth.
Don’t Be so much Negative. …That’s our country needs.
Good luck you all…!
Thanks..

I can’t believe you Americans are not outraged at someone throwing a shoe at your president. That was wrong and grossly disrespectful. Despite what anyone thinks he is not a dog and respect is due as long as he is prsident. I think the entire country of Iraq shouls make a fromal aplogy to the US president and the people of the US.

Bush is a great man hat made terrible mistakes. he does not belong in hell. He kept his integrity in check and never let outside pressure manipulate his decisions. He made mistakes but he did try hard and he has protected this country from the terrorist better then any other in the past. When Obama fails to protect American soil you will think back and realize Bush did some awesome things for the protection of our nation. We should all say thank you for not allowing any more attacks like 911 in this country.

Yeah, I’m not a bit surprised that someone threw a shoe at the “W” nut. He must really think he’s all that and a bag of Cheetos for something like that to not bother him.
Worst President of the United States ever..let’s bring on the next man. I’m frankly pi$$ed at what some..personal associates of mine think about Obama. But, whatever. Hate does nothing but destroy.

Bush will go down in history as a man indebted to an image he could never live up to. But I blame the country for putting him in there to begin with.

Fairwell to one of the finest presidents we’ve had in a long time. Thanks for keeping us safe the last 7 years.

How pathetic, assuming that I am Iraqi!
Typical “I’m an ignorant american” pseudo-conservative BS. Any time the truth is thrown in the face of the uneducated non-inteligent, it has to be lies, insults and stupidity.
Hopefully, now we have someone INTELLIGENT about to move into the White House, some of these morons will shut up when their betters speak.
LMAO

Shoes thrown at Bush? I feel sorry for the shoes.

Hey Michael. You wouldn’t by chance be in the AF and stationed in Germany? You talk just like my misguided godchild. I don’t know where you were during the two elections that resulted in Bush winning, but one of those was decided by the Surpreme Court. I did my best by voting aginst Bush on both occasions. I don’t know what gives you the liberty to put the blame on “all” the voters. While Bush is slow on his feet when it comes to making the most important decisions, I have to say he is quick when it comes to ducking flying size 10s. I love it!!!! Too bad it took an Iraqi to do it. I’ll download that vid and play it whenever I need a good laugh. After 8 years of Bush/Cheney, I’m entitled to at least that much. I wish he would have taken it square on the face and come home with a black eye, one he sorely deserved ever since he claimed to be the Uniter and Mission Accomplished. Is it any wonder why this country is despised and the international butt of jokes? You included.

“Pres. Bush only tried to restore democracy in an Islamic country. See how they respond to it.”
Posted by: saurav
Restore? There wasn’t any to start with. Daddy Bush and Uncle Cheney were busy supporting Saddam in the ’80s while he was fighting Iran and gassing Kurds. Only when the three amigos fell out did two depose the other one – first by falsely claiming WMDs, then by falsely claiming humanitarian intervention. And only the stupidest people believed, and still apparently believe, either whopper.

Best laugh of the last 8 years. At least I will have something to remember Bush by that doesn’t involve thousands of needless deaths and wasted billions that would have been better spend at home. Bush’s snickering at the end reveals his true character and intelligent. While the shoe was thrown at him physically, it was meant for the US, especially those that voted for Bush twice.

Doesn’t anyone see the irony here? This journalist is only allowed to exercise his right to criticize the ruling authority in his country BECAUSE of President Bush. Had this journalist thrown a shoe at Saddam he would have had his arms cut off.

Americans feel the same way, the World feels the same way. The Iraq Reporter threw shoes, cause he didn’t have stones and rocks. Maybe the seceret serverice figured Bush deserved it too.

Bush ! Worst president ever.
Because of him, all hate Americans. He lied to our people and set a false war. Bring our troops back home.

This recent democracy belonging citizen is just exercising his freedom of speech, thats all. He should have packed BOTH shoes with highly damaging (yet fresh) limburger cheese and tossed ‘em for a noggin shot.
Better aim next time, bro.

Everyone who voted for him should be happy we have the truth and evidence now just because of a shoe being thrown from a reporter.
It’s all over the world this news. Even in France. All over.
Bush is te 1st president to be thrown at by a shoe.
Poor fellow who threw it. I wished it hit both George and the prime minister.
Hes a hipocrite too.
Now you republicans should regret of who you voted. you know the truth

JR. Thanks for proving my IQ of a snail point. If you don’t like things leave or work to make practical changes. Idiotic ranting is cheap, especially in the Islamic Middle East where bombs are considered intellect. I know the multi-syllable words may be difficult JR, but just r-e-a-d s-l-o-w-l-y.

Achmed, though you are Iraqi, you are closer to a true American than any of the gutless, brain-dead neo-cons that started this war. Our presidency was hijacked in 2000 by a bunch of thugs who poisoned our freedoms and murdered your family. If most Americans had one-tenth the courage you had in confronting Bush, he and his henchmen would have been arrested as traitors several years ago. Thank you for expressing what true patriotic Americans feel about this contemptible coward.

Poor mike, you must have been taught math in the liberal-run public school system. Many of us still support the policies of Bush and voted to show that support once again by voting for McCain (almost 46% of the popular vote). And we are not going anywhere. We drive next to you, work next to you and live next to you. You will not silence us and will not scare us into accepting your skewed perspectives, inaccurate data, or socialistic views. I am an educated college graduate who has EARNED everything I have and I will continue to pass along my conservative views and push for anything that contradicts a socialist left wing agenda. President Bush you will be sorely missed by soooooo many. Conservatives may not be as obnoxiously brazen as liberals but we still exist in large numbers.

Terrible to read of this throwing of shoes because this was absolutely unacceptable behavior. Could readers imagine how terrible someone could feel having to endure this misdeed. I personally would feel devastated if someone were to treat me like that. Even to speak wrong words as were spoken during this event was horrible and unacceptable. I cannot imagine having to endure such misuse of the language. The only acceptable avenues for self-expression of citizens are those that society has provided for its citizens. Such as voting. Writing letters to the editor. Becoming involved in causes. Etc. But any expressions of citizens that try to unfairly go beyond acceptable modalities of self-expression automatically nullify the value of those expressions to me. And I cannot imagine anyone of any legitimate cause siding with those who would act inappropriately towards others. No cause is worth that.

Wrong, John McNugget:
1/20/09, The beginning of an error!
You won’t be smiling when 2012
rolls around. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Until now Jimmy Carter was
undeniably our worst president!
Obama will make Jimmy No. 2!

Wow! TWO stories here about President Bush getting shoes thrown at him?
How about just ONE on BHO dodging Blagojevich and Rezko?

Oh my goodness! What a clumsy shoes thrower! How could he missed the target?

Shoes thrown at President Bush are shoes thrown at every American. Disgrace!

Ha ha ha ha ,,Happy new years BUSH ,,
is simply expression from Iraq peoples at the LYING BUSH and USA politics , Also that is denotation from Arabic people how much they refuse that stupid PUSH treatment with Iraq and phalstain people, otherwise he close Eyes about what Israel doing her and there,, )
happy new year Bush..
is simply expression from Iraq peoples at the LYING BUSH and USA politics , Also that is denotation from Arabic people how much they refuse that stupid PUSH treatment with Iraq and phalstain people, otherwise he close Eyes about what Israel doing her and there,, )
happy new year Bush..

Posted by: John McNugget | Dec 14, 2008 10:15:26 PM
Terrible to read of this throwing of shoes because this was absolutely unacceptable behavior. Could readers imagine how terrible someone could feel having to endure this misdeed. I personally would feel devastated if someone were to treat me like that. Even to speak wrong words as were spoken during this event was horrible and unacceptable. I cannot imagine having to endure such misuse of the language. The only acceptable avenues for self-expression of citizens are those that society has provided for its citizens. Such as voting. Writing letters to the editor. Becoming involved in causes. Etc. But any expressions of citizens that try to unfairly go beyond acceptable modalities of self-expression automatically nullify the value of those expressions to me. And I cannot imagine anyone of any legitimate cause siding with those who would act inappropriately towards others. No cause is worth that.
=======================================
Absolutely agree!!!

If you aren’t willing to get behind our troops, you are welcome to get in front of them.

An attack on the president is an attack on our country as a whole. We the people, should not tolerate any such action, period.

I’m so happy that Bush was such a horrible President. He really paved the way for President-elect Obama!! He showed the American people just how “not” to make the same mistake again by electing McCain (and I think McCain is a very decent guy. He just works for the wrong Party).

Should have been throwing shoes at Saddam.

let’s all give peace a chance and re-start all over. let by-gone be by-gone. two wrongs, they say, can not make a right. together, we can all make a better tomorrow. let’s stop the wars and leave in peace. The wars have done us more harm than good.

So I take folks can go to the Coronation in January and throw their shoes (if we can afford any by then…thanks, Barney Rubble) at The One?
If this guy threw his shoes at Saddam, he would be dead by now.
One thing’s for sure…Saddam won’t be gassing any more Kurdish women and children. If you Libs want, why don’t you find some of his cells and clone him. Maybe he can take Emanuel’s place while he’s in prison.

If Obama invades Iran, he should have shoes thrown at him too.

To miss at point blank range … he should be put in jail.

Shoe thrower has been beaten in custody
So much for the deomcratic freedom touted by Bush.
I have been interested to read the debate on this thread about how history will treat Bush. My feeling is that Bush will be sidelined and seen a puppet of the powerful and driven men around him: Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove amongst others.
What disturbs me is not the decision to go to war, but the secrecy around it. Was it an honestly mistaken beleif in WMDs? If so then this points to a catastrophic case of negligence, the intel on this came from a single source; ‘curveball’ an Iraqi of dubious motive held by the Germans. Why did no one in power ask for coroberating evidence?
Was is to oust Saddam? If so then at least I can understand the motive, he was undoubtedly a bad man. However why was expert advice from the US State Department, the Pentagon, the British Foriegn office etc… ignored? Everyone who had an imformed knowledge of the country pointed out the serious risk of such a coup.
Was it for oil? Certainly the men directly responsible for this was stood to profit from US control of Iraqi oil fields. There is almost no evidence to suggest that this was the reason, but certainly motive and opportunity were present, once again the opaque nature of the Bush administration gives scope to these claims.
Was it a necessary target on the war on terror? Well if the Bush adminstration did beleive this they have failed to produce any credible evidence. In fact the two biggest funding streams for the Madrasses that train the ‘terrorists’ come from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan two of the US’s allies!
At the end of the day the problem that the Bush adminstration failed to understand is the intangible nature of the enemy in their war on terror. Even Rumsfeld has wondered out loud if the Madrasses in Southern Pakistan (now effectivly controlled by the Taliban) are producing insurgents faster than they can be killed.
So where does the Bush Doctrine take us? Should the US invade cities like Quetta in Pakistan? From a military standpoint the answer must be yes. But in terms of realpolitik it would be a disaster, destablising a nuclear power and potentially sparking an India Pakistan war.
My guess (and it is just that) historians will look on the Bush wars as an attempt to fight a conventional war against guerillas; as such doomed from the outset.
History shows us unequivocally that big armys do not win against motivated insurgent armies:
The US has experience of it with Vietnam. The Soviets learnt this against the Afghans. The English learnt this in America. Napolean learnt this against the Russians. Charlemagne learnt this aginst the moors. The Romans learnt this against the picts.
What historians will say is that the problem with Bush et al is they did not learn from history. Let us hope our future leaders pay more attention.

I am completely apalled by the comments on this blog. How can you, as Americans, think this way? Some communistic ingrate throws a shoe at our PRESIDENT and you say he deserves it? I don’t care if you hate Bush or not, he is the president of OUR COUNTRY and we should demand that he be respected. Some of us don’t like and didn’t vote for Obama, but you wouldn’t see us saying he deserved to be hit with a shoe. He is our new president, and we will stand behind him too.