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[Odd] Iraqi journalist throws shoes at Bush during press conference

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by Smokey, Dec 14, 2008.

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  1. Smokey

    Smokey Member

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    Iraqi journalist hurls shoes at 'dog' Bush

    BAGHDAD (AFP) – An Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes and an insult at George W. Bush, without hitting him, as the US president was shaking hands with the Iraqi premier at his Baghdad office on Sunday.

    As the two leaders met in Nuri al-Maliki's private office, a journalist sitting in the third row jumped up, shouting: "It is the farewell kiss, you dog," and threw his shoes one after the other towards Bush.

    Maliki made a protective gesture towards the US president, who ducked and was not hit.

    The journalist, Muntazer al-Zaidi from Al-Baghdadia channel which broadcasts from Cairo, was frogmarched from the room by security staff, an AFP journalist said.

    Soles of shoes are considered the ultimate insult in Arab culture. After Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled in Baghdad in April 2003, many onlookers beat the statue's face with their soles.

    Some Iraqi journalists stood up to apologise.

    The White House said Bush ducked to avoid the first shoe, while the second narrowly missed the president.

    Bush said: "Thanks for apologising on behalf of the Iraqi people. It doesn't bother me. If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw".

    Playing down the incident, the president later added: "I don't know what the guy's cause is... I didn't feel the least bit threatened by it."

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081214/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqbushdiplomacyshoes_081214183648

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Smokey, Dec 14, 2008
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2008
  2. DaFingerWag

    DaFingerWag Member

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    <iframe height="339" width="425" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/28223089#28223089" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
     
    #2 DaFingerWag, Dec 14, 2008
  3. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    That is funny.

    Isn't there some significance with shoes in their culture?

    DD
     
    #3 DaDakota, Dec 14, 2008
  4. cdastros

    cdastros Member

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    Bush is very quick in dodging those shoes, and he does it with a smile. :)
     
    #4 cdastros, Dec 14, 2008
  5. BrieflySpeaking

    BrieflySpeaking Member

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    Bush showing his good reflex reaction there. :D
     
    #5 BrieflySpeaking, Dec 14, 2008
  6. Joshfast

    Joshfast "We're all gonna die" - Billy Sole
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    Ummm, one shoe ok. Two shoes?? Come on Secret Service - what's the deal?

    Embarrassing.
     
    #6 Joshfast, Dec 14, 2008
  7. moestavern19

    moestavern19 Member

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    Good idea to let the shoe go out of bounds, but Barack would have caught it, make a drop step and finished with authority.
     
    #7 moestavern19, Dec 14, 2008
  8. ryan_98

    ryan_98 Contributing Member
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    according to a reporter in the vid, "the sole of the shoe is considered an insult."
     
    #8 ryan_98, Dec 14, 2008
  9. King of 40 Acres

    King of 40 Acres Member

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    Absolutely insane... I cannot believe that our President was disrespected in such a manner.
     
    #9 King of 40 Acres, Dec 14, 2008
  10. v3.0

    v3.0 Member

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    So that stench in that room wasn't Bush's politics?
     
    #10 v3.0, Dec 14, 2008
  11. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #11 Carl Herrera, Dec 14, 2008
  12. Smokey

    Smokey Member

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    Yeah, there is no time for shock. And what up with Perino going after the guy and getting a black eye in the process?

    I wonder how many shoes stomped on the journalist.
     
    #12 Smokey, Dec 14, 2008
  13. rocket3forlife2

    rocket3forlife2 Member

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    I think bush is an incompetent president, but then again he is OUR incompetent president...I think that dudes who though the shoe should be taken outside and shot.
     
    #13 rocket3forlife2, Dec 14, 2008
  14. orbb

    orbb Member

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    My what quick reflexes.... all is forgiven
     
    #14 orbb, Dec 14, 2008
  15. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    I think the situation in Iraq is pretty good if the insurgency has resorted to throwing shoes. lol

    Bush showed a nice bob and weave
     
    #15 bigtexxx, Dec 14, 2008
  16. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Member

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    I was thinking the exact same thing. After the first shoe they Secret Service should've had Bush on the ground instead the guy through another shoe and then it took other reporters to take the guy down without the Secret Service even then hustling Bush out. What if it was chunks of glass or a ceramic knife instead of shoes.

    This is embarrassing for the President but disgraceful for Secret Service.
     
    #16 rocketsjudoka, Dec 14, 2008
  17. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Member

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    You don't think its a serious matter that someone who meant physical harm to the President got that close to him and managed to throw at least two objects at him?
     
    #17 rocketsjudoka, Dec 14, 2008
  18. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    Did you see the video? It was pretty quick
     
    #18 bigtexxx, Dec 14, 2008
  19. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    You're trying hard to make something out of nothing. Do you suggest all barefoot press conferences from now on?
     
    #19 bigtexxx, Dec 14, 2008
  20. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Member

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    So if he had hit Bush and knocked him out you would think that was funny?

    I'm not a Bush supporter at all but I think a physical threat on a US President should be considered seriously. If Bush wasn't in very good shape for his age a shoe thrown hard could've done a lot of damage. For instance if this was Cheney getting hit like that could've given him a concussion or possibly caused a heart attack.

    As far as how fast it was it only takes a moment to kill someone. This was a disgrace for the Secret Service to allow him to throw the second shoe without forming a protective huddle around the President.
     
    #20 rocketsjudoka, Dec 14, 2008
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