Shoes hurled at bush

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at President Bush and called him a dog became a huge celebrity in the Arab world and beyond on Monday, with many supporters exalting him for what they called a courageous act in the face of American...

arrogance about the war. - NY Times

Opinions?

Is it really surprising that Iraqis are upset? Polls have been showing for the past 3 years that about 80% of iraqis want us to leave. When he threw the shoes, the reporter yelled at bush: This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog, And when he threw the second shoe, he said: This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.

Anyone who thinks this war was ever worth it has absolutely no conception of what this war has doen to this country. Far worse than if Saddam had remained in power.

It appears he prefers less freedom and being pro mass-murder, Saddam style - I've seen real courage and throwing shoes isn't it.

amblessed, this is a truly disgusting comment, and clearly shows how out of touch you are with what is going on there. Because he is against a foriegn occupation of his HIS country, he is pro mass-murder, Saddam style. Do you have any idea what this was has done to these people? How dare you! And you have the balls to call yourself a christian. Christ would be ashamed of you.

amblessed, do you really think Iraqis are better off than now than they were before the war? And don't duck the question as usual.

I have just watched the video on youtube and bush is so lucky , the shoes missed him bu inches , it was wrong but I want the shoes to hit him . because he deserves it

He dodged them. With ease.

Good fight.

Bush can move with a quickness, that's for sure. He's obviously trained for this moment!

Anyway, the above post by jimahl is on the money. Many Iraqis have come to believe the source of violence in the country is the coalition's occupation force. Many Iraqis hate the fact that foreign al-Qaeda fighters are flocking to their country, and murdering their people. Some have even formed vigilante militia groups that target foreign al-Qaeda fighters. It is widely believed that much of this violence will come to an end if US and allied forces leave the country. Certainly, the motivation of the Mahdi army and Muqtada al-Sadr to continue fighting will be hampered if the US leaves.

This was a man frustrated by the situation, and opposed to the US occupation. He expressed that frustration in a fairly non-violent way. No harm was done, let's not make the guy something he was not.

amblessed, this is a truly disgusting comment, and clearly shows how out of touch you are with what is going on there

I agree amblessed has missed the crux of the issue (that is, Iraqi dissatisfaction), however I dont find it truly disgusting...I dont think it was right to hurl shoes at Bush, just as it wouldnt be right for you to injure anybody, regardless what he/she has done to you

To hurl a shoe in Iraq, as well as other countries, is the ultimate put down. The soles of your shoes are on the dirt...
And I find amblessed's statement disgusting as well. To oppose U.S. occupation of his country means that he is pro mass murder, Saddem style?

He now has the freedom to express his disgust with our occupation and to pubically mourn the deaths it brought.

So, amblessed, you want the Iraqis to be a democracy but you don't want them to enjoy the freedom of public protest?
Wow, so now the U.S. gets to decide what freedoms the Iraqi citizens are allowed to participate in. Sounds more like a dictatorship than a democracy.

Utopia is right, this was not a an attempt to physically injure Bush. Even if he had hit him, it would not have hurt him. It was a political protest.

amblessed.u hate ANY Muslim who does even the slightest thing to arouse your anger.Get a life.That was fury and anger displayed at Bush.Americans have trashed Iraq and killed millions and thousands of people-widows(yes),orphans(yes) and so many more.Can you blame the guy for hitting the guy with two shoes from anger?Atleast he didnt shooot him.mAYB your GORNMENT OUGHT TO BACK OUT FROM THE WAR bfore a furious group of people who hate seeing their country being torn apart by americans end up burning down the white house or smthin??