Results tagged “shoethrowing”

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.

First Lady Laura Bush spoke to Fox News's Chris Wallace and she wasn't very happy with the shoe-y reception her husband got on his surprise trip to Iraq two weeks ago. Wallace said though many Americans thought it was a joke, the First Lady didn't, which she confirmed, "Of course I wasn't amused. It was an assault. And that's what it is. And it would be an assault to anyone for -- if anybody had been there. And the president laughed it off. He wasn't hurt. He's very quick. As you know, he's a natural athlete. And that's it. But on the other hand, it is an assault, and I think it should be treated that way." She said whatever happens to the Iraqi reporter who threw the shoes is up to the Iraqis, "But I know that if Saddam Hussein had been there, the man wouldn't have been released. And he probably wouldn't -- you know, would have been executed. So it is -- as bad as the incident is, in my view, it is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves."

Naturally the double shoe-throwing attack that put President Bush under siege during a press conference in Iraq is a gold mine for the tabloids. The Daily News explains that when Muntather al-Zaidi threw the first shoe, he yelled, "This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog!" And, casting the second shoe, Zaidi said, "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

    

In the twilight of his presidency, President Bush made a surprise trip to Iraq today--and he had to deal with a journalist who threw shoes at him. Seriously. During a press conference of Iraqi Prime Minister Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Al Baghadadia reporter Muntadar al-Zaidi, seated 12 feet away, threw both his shoes--one right after the other--at President Bush while yelling "This is the end!" See the video: