News Items Today

Youtube of President Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at
the signing of the Status of Forces agreement in Iraq -

Latest From Iraq - Reporter Who Threw Shoes at President Bush
Hailed a National Hero

The actions of an reporter’s display of retaliation against the U.S. military occupation and presence in war torn Iraq, has left him some kind of National Hero in the eyes of the Iraqi people.

In an act of frustration against the US, 28 year old reporter, Shiite, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, showed his anger at President Bush yesterday by hurling his shoes directly at the President’s head. They narrowly missed their target and Bush, looking a little dazed by it all, quipped, “Looked like size 10’s to me”, taking the heat out of the situation somewhat.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi was pinned to the ground by security guards and then quickly ushered away from the scene. This wasn’t the first time that al-Zeidi had felt the strong arm of the law. In the past he was kidnapped by militants and on a separate occasion, was also detained by the U.S. military.

The Iraqi people have found themselves in a bit of a ‘Catch 22’ situation. They want the US army out of their country, but at the same time are unsure and scared that Iran will take charge in that event. It is a difficult time for the Iraqi people and the uncertainty of the situation is taking its toll.

On the arrest of reporter, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, thousands of people lined the streets of Baghdad and other cities, and demonstrated to demand al-Zeidi’s release. It seemed that every corner of the Arab World was talking with great excitement about what al-Zeidi had done to the President.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi is being hailed a hero for his actions of contempt against the US and he was awarded a medal of courage by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s daughter. There is now mounting pressure for the Iraqi government to free him.

This situation of shoe throwing has escalated into one of monumental importance and teachers are showing the video across schools in Iraq. One teacher is reported as saying to her pupils, “All Iraqis should be proud of this Iraqi brave man, Muntadhar. History will remember him forever,” she said.

The actions of al-Zeidi at the news conference in BAGHDAD yesterday at the signing of the Status of Forces agreement have caused great unrest. When he showed the sole of his shoes, as he propelled them towards the President’s head, this action triggered years of pent up feelings of anger from the Iraqi people, at their countries occupation.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi’s actions demonstrated not only his contempt but it also seemed to serve as Iraq’s contempt also. He shouted at the President ”This is a farewell Kiss, you dog”.

This public sign of huge disapproval as upheld in Arab Culture , seems to have brought to the fore the strong held beliefs of the Iraqi people, that they hold President Bush personally responsible for ripping their country apart. -

Trackback URI | Comments RSS