Bush Dodges Shoes, Iraqi now a Folk Hero.

December 15, 2008

Article by NYTimes: Shoe-Hurling Iraqi becomes a Folk Hero

The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush while shouting, “This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog!” has folk hero status in much of the Arab world. The extent of his popularity is evident in the fact Libya has bestowed upon him a medal of courage - for whatever it is worth.

“Mr. Zaidi, a correspondent for an independent Iraqi television station, Al-Baghdadia, remained in Iraqi custody on Monday. While he has not been formally charged, Iraqi officials said he faced up to seven years in prison if convicted of committing an act of aggression against a visiting head of state.
Hitting someone with a shoe is a deep insult in the Arab world, signifying that the person being struck is as low as the dirt underneath the sole of a shoe. Compounding the insult were Mr. Zaidi’s words as he hurled his footwear at President Bush: “This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog!” While calling someone a dog is never polite, among Arabs, who traditionally consider dogs unclean, the words were an even stronger slight.
The incident has been a source of embarrassment for the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, who, in a statement on Monday, called the shoe throwing a “a shameful savage act” and demanded a public apology from Al-Baghdadia.”

I say: What else can the Iraqi prime minister do, say nothing? Considering there are probably many Americans who now give this guy folk hero status too, perhaps saying nothing is better?

One has to question this tradition of Iraqi culture, however…

“But praise for Mr. Zaidi was not universal. His action ran counter to deeply held Iraqi traditions of hospitality toward guests, even if they are enemies. Those who have cooperated with or welcomed the American presence in Iraq were more apt to side with the government in their condemnation.
Ahmad Abu Risha, the leader of the Awakening Council in Anbar Province, a group of local tribal leaders that started a wave of popular opposition against Al Qaeda fighters in Iraq, said that he Mr. Zaidi’s actions were inappropriate “because the American president is the guest of all Iraqis. The Iraqi government has to choose good journalists to attend such conferences.””

Is it also Iraqi tradition to show up at ones home unannounced? That is exactly what Bush did by flying in unannounced. You pull this shit at my house I won’t let you in for starters. Then see if I answer the phone next time you call. Fucker. Pick up the damn phone and let me know you are coming over for tea so I can put a pot on or tell you to go to hell. But I guess Bush can’t do that, considering it would be highly likely a shoe would not have been the weapon of choice if the Iraqi had time to prepare a bit longer…