Iraqi shoe thrower sparks controversy

Iraqi shoe thrower sparks controversy

Some call his act heroic, others shameful. What do you think?

December 16, 2008 6:13 by Dana El Baltaji

Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the now famous Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at the United States President George W. Bush at a press conference with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad, has sparked a controversy. Although his sentiments are shared among millions of Iraqis and Arabs, so call his act shameful and unbecoming of an Arab journalist.

Reports on Monday and Tuesday said the Iraqi public called for the release of al-Zaidi, who they call an “honorable Iraqi.” He is currently being held by the government to determine whether he was intoxicated during the attack, and if he is part of a larger organization. “He has got a broken arm and ribs, and cuts to his eye and arm,” al-Zaidi’s brother, Dhirgham al-Zaidi told AFP. “He is being held by forces under the command of Muaffaq al-Rubaie,” Iraq’s national security adviser.

According to al-Zaidi’s brother, the act was a spontaneous show of pent up frustration he felt since the US invasion. The act is representative of how millions of Iraqis feel toward the “tyrant,” he said.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was once kidnapped once by militants and was taken in for ‘questioning’ by the US military.

We want to know what you think. Do you support what al-Zaidi did, or do you think his act is shameful? Write to us and let us know.

Tags: Iraqi shoe thrower. Iraq, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, US President George W. Bush

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19 Comments

Jasmine on December 17, 2008 6:46 am

I support what al-Zaidi did – I think he did it on behalf of every living being on Planet Earth and he should be commended for saying goodbye to Bush on let’s hope – his last ever visit to Iraq and the Middle East!
Andy on December 17, 2008 7:42 am

It was a befitting farewell gesture to a war criminal.
John Hisher on December 17, 2008 7:43 am

The man is a hero
Hais on December 17, 2008 7:48 am

I heard that a saudi guy offered 10 millions dollars for the shoes?!
Rihan on December 17, 2008 8:48 am

He is an absolute hero. No doubt about it. Well indeed it was a farewell kiss from an iraqi.
SB on December 17, 2008 9:00 am

Of course he is a HERO! The man has guts! That moron deserved it!
Fulan on December 17, 2008 9:14 am

I would love to have both my arms broken just to throw 1 shoe at Bush.
Ghinwa on December 17, 2008 9:15 am

He is a HERO, wish they wont kill him!!!
Arthi on December 17, 2008 9:44 am

Nothing could’ve summed up the feelings towards Bush more than this act. No matter how many protests and anti Bush rallies are staged across the world, this one act of a man singlehandedly has summed up the feelings of those that have constantly opposed US and its intervention policies in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Fawzia Yassmina on December 17, 2008 9:47 am

He just did what every creature on earth feels like doing. that moment Zaidi dropped the mask that we are all holding in the face of criminals just because of their strength or our so called Courtesy!!! He was just a human with real human feelings and human natural reactions.
those who think that throwing the shoes is inappropriate behaviour, what do they thhink with all creatures killed because of george w bush took the decision to fight terrorism. in fact, how many were killed by the so called terrorism acts, and how many were killed ain the ten- year blind war mr. bush has set.
Mohammed on December 17, 2008 10:15 am

Bush – everyone hates you
9vibes on December 17, 2008 10:17 am

Cost of Iraq war USD 3 trillion. Cost of American financial crisis USD 9 trillion. Shoe on bush’s face after the shameful non handshake at G20 summit in Iraq. PRICELESS
Colin on December 17, 2008 11:23 am

The guy is a hero … he was able to do what so many people around the world would love to have done themselves! This incident will be remembered as one of the most notable events in this so-called President’s term in office … roll on January 20th 2009!!!

He should get on to the chat show circuit … !!!
iPaw on December 17, 2008 11:35 am

Al-Zaidi shud be put behind bars for 2 days only because his aim missed the target. Otherwise, He the man amongst cowards !
Jane on December 17, 2008 12:30 pm

He had two chances, and he missed!!!! But still a hero. Those shoes should be sold at an auction and the money to all the innocent Iraqi orphans that Bush had left behind.
Bernard Oculam on December 19, 2008 10:38 pm

I condemn Zaidi’s action against Bush (monkey) .

I am againt animal abuse. !!!!!
Hasnain on January 13, 2009 8:10 am

The act was indeed courageous, a unique parting gift which shook the conscience of all balanced minds. It is very sad to imagine that the trillions spent in the war could have fed millions of hungry people around the world. The war initiated in the last decade has just brought more misery on the nations and there are millions of widows who have lost their bread earner and even a higher count of children who have become orphans. No world court can punish those responsible for this brutal act and we wait for the day of judgement where each of these coward tyrants are going to stand trail in the court of the GOD Almighty.
gkt on January 28, 2009 9:28 am

oh my god you guys are so funny! the shoe throwing was condemned because it’s cruetly to animals! that’s ground breaking humour!

where was the shoe throwing when saddam hussain was in power? where was the freedom of speech that made the shoe throwing possible in the first place? oh that’s right, there was none.
landmark on February 10, 2009 2:30 pm

Ithink that was an unethical act cuz he could have embarased Mr. Bush with his Questions rather than wasting his shoes…