Bush gets shoe thrown at him in Iraq

[Amethyst Hunter]

http://www.kroma.no/2008/bushgame/

Over a million thrown in one day.

[BlaqueKatt]

In a "Free Democracy", aren't you supposed to be allowed to protest or voice your displeasure with the government without the fear of being imprisoned, let alone beaten to the point of leaving a blood trail?

protest yes-throwing things at someone's head is not a form of protest. And this happened in a country where there is a law against this very thing "insulting a visiting Head of State"- he was not protesting his government-Bush is president of the US, and a guest of the government there. Imagine if some person called an African ambassador the n-word-would you still be saying "free speech"(they may or may not have freedom to criticize the government in Iraq)if he were arrested? What if the same person posted a burning cross on the white house lawn? Hey it least he didn't throw something with the intent to cause harm, he should be just let go free right?


how would you all feel if this was done to any other world leader-including our president elect?

Sorry I just don't think it right to throw anything at anyone for any reason-it is assault and it could do harm if it connected right-heck a properly aimed paintball can kill you.

[Slytovhand]

how would you all feel if this was done to any other world leader-including our president elect?

Well if it was done at our world leader, I'd be looking at the person who did the throwing, and what the point of it was. In this case, it is one of the never heard few million civilians living in Iraq expressing his opinion at the main person who he ultimately had a grudge against - the person, and the institution (US government).

If he had been killed, or even badly injured, then maybe something should come of it - but if it is a culturally normal way of showing your utmost disrespect - then go for it! The 'N' word (as it is said... funny how even quoting it seems to be a problem!) to Obama wouldn't (in my view) be seen in quite the same light. Because it is an insult to the person being insulted, not from the insulter... (am I making sense??)

I have a problem with that little law that says you're not allowed to insult a visiting Head of State. A few years ago, one of our main politicians got silenced in our parliament for daring to voice his displeasure at the Iraq invasion.... not happy Jan!

On the other hand, this would be assassin should go down for an assassination attempt. After all, it was a legitimate...


shoe-ting... wasn't it??


(again - not sorry )

[Saydrah]

I guess they were trying to give Bush the boot.

[anriana]

Imagine if some person called an African ambassador the n-word-would you still be saying "free speech"(they may or may not have freedom to criticize the government in Iraq)if he were arrested?

Uh, yeah. Free speech is free speech, even when it's used to say horrible things. If the government arrests people for saying naughty words, there is no more free speech.

What if the same person posted a burning cross on the white house lawn?

Trespassing to erect fire hazards is not the same as saying asshole things.

[Evandril]

Uh, yeah. Free speech is free speech, even when it's used to say horrible things. If the government arrests people for saying naughty words, there is no more free speech.

Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences of your speech. Slander is 'surpressing' free speech, otherwise, and you could yell 'fire' in a crowded theater without reprecussion...Or 'bomb' at the airport.

[tropicsgoddess]

No, but it is pretty empty up in there (cocaine and boozin' rots away brain cells, y'know) so damage to soft tissue could have been permanent.

God bless you, Mr. Zaidi. You are a freakin' HERO.

Amen to that!!!

[Evandril]

If he just hated bush, I *might* agree...but since he hates America as a whole? Yeah, notsomuch He might have cause, but I'm not calling someone who hates America a hero for taking action on those beliefs. Admittedly, the *way* he chose to do so I do have respect for (since even if he'd have hit with the shoes, most likely no 'real' harm would have been done), but I'm still not calling him a hero, sorry.

[Rapscallion]

"Book, Achmed - book! I didn't say 'boot'. Throw the book at him, Achmed..."

Rapscallion, in a funny world of his own

[AdminAssistant]

Personally, I thought the whole thing was funny as all hell. But where the hell was the Secret Service?? The fact that it took them so long to respond is a bit concerning.

In my opinion, respect is something that must be earned. President Bush has done NOTHING to earn my respect, especially in these waning days when he is quite obviously trying to make a big of a mess as possible for Obama to clean up. The auto bailout? Trying to sell nuclear material to the UAE? Yeah. I'm counting down the days until the reign of Bush is over.

[Amethyst Hunter]

If he just hated bush, I *might* agree...but since he hates America as a whole? Yeah, notsomuch He might have cause, but I'm not calling someone who hates America a hero for taking action on those beliefs.

Fair enough. But whose fault do you think it is that he (and others like him) hates America as a whole?

For many Middle Easterners, the American government is the face of America, and when that government (which has a long and inglorious history of fucking with things they shouldn't) messes with them, we see the whole "America = Great Satan." And since their government zealots are just as batshit asshole insane as our zealots, they encourage that view so as to distract their people from the corruption of their own at home.

Mind you, however, many more MEers are able to distinguish the people from the government, and Americans as *individuals* are not as likely to garner the same reactions. Iran is an example. The people there aren't exactly fond of our government to say the least, but generally speaking, they like Americans and American culture.

Bush has done untold damage to our international reputation that will take GENERATIONS to repair, IF any of it ever can be. I sincerely hope the son of a bitch burns in the very Hell he and his fuckwit zealot supporters are so fond of bitching about. (And I'm not just saying that because I'm super-pissed right now to learn that those godawful HHS regulations passed)

[AFPheonix]

^^ And to be fair to them, we honestly are guilty of the same thing. How often have we heard mutterings about Iran as a whole from shock jocks and their minions? How often do you think they consider that Iran is not just of one mind, anymore than we are?
Multiply that by any number of countries we've done that to, like France a few years back.

[Evandril]

Fair enough. But whose fault do you think it is that he (and others like him) hates America as a whole?

He was arrested by American troops *twice*, and had a few other fun things happen to him. Like I said, I do not *BLAME* him for his dislike of America, but it means I can't view him as a hero.

Before 9/11, America was looked at like a big overgrown puppy that had *no* clue how big it was...Did lots of damage to the valuables, but was cute and meant well.... Since 9/11, and our reaction to it...We're now seen as bullies, and dangerous ones at that *shrugs* I really hope we regain the respect we used to have...but we'll never get back the 'innocence' we once had.

[Rapscallion]

Oh, I don't know. A planned attack with the direct aim of causing a huge death toll should go without reprisals?

I don't think that.

My only issue is where it was aimed and the number of innocents involved. It was a handy excuse to get back at people the oil barons weren't keen on.

Rapscallion

[Evandril]

Oh, I don't know. A planned attack with the direct aim of causing a huge death toll should go without reprisals?

I don't think that.

My only issue is where it was aimed and the number of innocents involved. It was a handy excuse to get back at people the oil barons weren't keen on.

Rapscallion

Sorry, I wasn't as specific as I should have been....What we did in Afghanistan was justified and an appropriate reaction. Us hitting *other* places...That's what hurt our standing with the rest of the world, IMO, and my experiences overseas.