Shoe Statue Unveiled in Iraq

The shoe-ing that former President Bush received during a trip to Iraq has inspired an Iraqi artist to create a large "sofa-sized" copper and fiberglass shoe statue. The shoe also seems to double as a planter, given the greenery inside it. The Post reports, "Baghdad-based artist Laith al-Amari described [it] as a homage to the pride of the Iraqi people. The statue also has inscribed a poem honoring Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his footwear at Bush." The statue was unveiled in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit. al-Zeidi is reportedly seeking asylum in Switzerland and is interested in becoming a journalist for the United Nations.

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By Jen Chung in News on January 29, 2009 1:00 PM

Comments [rss]

ANGRYGOD11

I'm sure the Swiss dream of another unemployable Muslim hothead resident who doesn't speak any of their languages. Who wouldn't?

The Edge

Or the British.

NannyState

*tearing up* It's...beautiful!

Felix Hoenikker

They have the freedom to build this.

The guy who threw the shoe, and his family are still alive.

Progress, no? At least a little? C'mon, throw the guy a bone...he's so sad!

http://craphound.com/images/reuters.12c.jpg

Trilby16

May Bush have a shoe thrown at his head every single time he dares to appear in public, from now until the day he dies (and goes to hell).

longacre

Where the frig did Iraqis get that much copper?

ed_Extinct

We have achieved democracy in Iraq!

Jen S

Now this is public art I support.

Future Taliban

The Iraqis need to stuff that giant shoe with C4, slap a couple of wings on it and then fly it up GW Bush's azzhole.

I'd like to see him duck THAT.

CR

I'm glad the different sects can join hands in agreement of one thing: how much they hated Bush.

Just what the Arab world needs - more hatred. Sure, Bush sucked, but how about a statue of a child (preferably a girl) learning in school?

And I like the way al-Zeidi is seeking asylum elsewhere. "Now that I've got some chachet - get me the f*ck outta here!"

Ronnie Dobbs

That picture really struck me. It is the first time I can remember seeing a picture of a man or woman in muslim headdress smiling and laughling. In every other picture they are frowning, or setting an American flag on fire.

fakenewyorker

it's nice that there's a place for a shrubbery (a bush?).

Felix Hoenikker

Ni! Ni! Ni!

chopp3r

Appease us!

breaknight

Awesome. I love how conservatives get their panties in a bunch over this guy. Chill out.

The man does not deserve any jail time. A shoe is the least that should be thrown at Bush. How about an indictment for war crimes, perjury and treason?

A shoe is nothing.

jchez

A "reporter" whose bias is explicit, who becomes his own story and who then asks people to feels sorry for him? Should be writing for the NY Times.

BTW, if he's a hero in Iraq, why is he asking for political asylum elsewhere? He should be a man, serve his two years and STFU. At least he won't be going into a wood chipper feet first, slowly. But he knew that before throwing the shoes.

Clarice City

"‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way.” Toby Keith, you just had your ass handed to you.

KiljoyWasHere

I thought the shoe was more of a boot and less of a sneaker.

NYRefugee

Maybe we can win this war through an "Hearts and Soles" strategy!! LOL!!

zodak

thank you for throwing your shoe

Guest

Best news item today!

sirbaltimore

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children she didn't know what to do!

Peter

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.

She had so many children she didn't know what to do!

Quite appropriate for Iraq, whose birthrate is almost double America's.