Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Iraqi Hurls Shoes at Bush

Shoe-throwing a signal of intense contempt in Arab world

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 14, 2008 2:40 PM CST

(Newser) – President Bush never quite got the book thrown at him for invading Iraq, but the next closest thing happened today, CBS News reports. A correspondent for a Cairo-based Iraqi TV station hurled a pair of shoes at the outgoing president during a press conference in Baghdad, shouting, “This is a farewell kiss, dog,” Bloomberg reports.

Bush escaped the footwear attack unscathed, later quipping, “All I can report is that it is a size 10.” The assault puts Bush in questionable company; throwing shoes at someone is an Arab sign of deep disrespect, and Iraqis threw their footwear at a toppled statue of Saddam Hussein following the 2003 invasion. “It doesn’t bother me,” Bush said. “So what if he threw a shoe at me.”

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

An Iraqi man throws a shoe at President George W. Bush during a new conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President George W. Bush, right, walks with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

On an Iraq trip shrouded in secrecy and marred by dissent, President George W. Bush got a size-10 reminder of his unpopularity. (AP Photo)

The shoe-thrower, identified as an Iraqi journalist, was wrestled down and removed from the press conference. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

A man throws his shoes at President Bush in Baghdad. (MSNBC)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

35 Brutally Honest Reasons Men Say No to Sex (The Stir)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Help! I'm Having an Incestuous Relationship With My Twin (Slate)

Which Celeb Dedicated Song to Her Famous Husband Despite Divorce Rumors? (NewsOne)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 3 of 10 comments

Guest

Feb 1, 2009 3:15 AM CST

This was great.

wwwonderer

Dec 16, 2008 12:38 AM CST

I'm sure the SS MADE SURE he had no um, 'weapons'. They didn't consider his shoe. Secondly, he never makes a move TOWARD Bush. Once he started to do that I'm sure you would have seen more urgent reaction. And I'm sure Bush still doesn't understand how he is viewed locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. CLUELESS, that always a good trait in puppets.

Guest

Dec 15, 2008 3:02 AM CST

Where are the Service bodyguards diving in front of the President? I think that reporter knew their lunch-break schedule a little TOO well.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

E-Cigarette Explodes in Man's Mouth

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds Major Cash Inside

CBS News (Source Grid »)
Bloomberg (Source Grid »)

Why shoe-throwing is so offensive
Wikipedia

Bush's last Iraq tour
New York Times

Prosecutors meet Blackwater victims
Reuters

US • Politics • World

Iraq • Baghdad • shoes • Bush legacy • Arab • Iraq war • George W. Bush

More Newser Stories

Arab World Head-Over-Heels About Return of 'Hero' Shoe-Tosser

Zaidi hailed as Goliath-battling David

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist who hurled both his shoes at George Bush during a speech in Baghdad last year will be released early from prison next week to a hero's welcome, a free house and offers of money, a wife, and a gold-saddled horse, reports the Guardian. Muntadar al-Zaidi "is a David and Goliath figure," whose "shoes were his slingshot," said one Iraqi fan. "When the history books are written, they will look back on this episode with great acclaim." More»

Shoe-Thrower Is Instant Hit on Arab Street

Demonstrators want journalist who took aim at Bush set free

(NEWSER) - Thousands marched across Iraq today to demand the release of Muntazer al-Zaidi, the little-known Shiite journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush yesterday. Though Bush spent last night making shoe puns—I have my assailant’s “sole,” he quipped—Iraq’s government was less amused, charging al-Zaidi with insulting a visiting head of state, which carries a minimum 2-year sentence, the Times reports. More»

Iraqi Shoe Thrower Has to Dodge One Himself

Another man fires footwear of his own at Bush critic

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist who famously chucked his shoes at George Bush got a taste of what it's like to be on the receiving end today. During a press conference in Paris to push his campaign for "victims of the US occupation," Muntadhar al-Zeidi had to duck when a critic stood up, yelled, "Here's another shoe for you," and let it fly. Like Bush, al-Zeidi managed to dodge successfully, reports AFP . More»

Shoe-Tosser Released, Says 'I Was Tortured'

Reporter al-Zeidi leaves prison after tossing shoe at Bush last year

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi reporter who was locked up for throwing his shoes at George W. Bush says he was tortured in prison, the BBC reports. He was released today after nine months in a Baghdad jail, Reuters notes, and says he plans to identify those officials who tortured him. Relatives say he’s still scared for his life. “Today I am free again but my home is still a prison,” Muntadar al-Zaidi told reporters. More»

Shoe Hurler Gets 3 Years in Prison

Zaidi convicted of assaulting a foreign head of state

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush during a Baghdad press conference has been sentenced to three years in prison, the Guardian reports. Muntadar al-Zaidi had pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting a foreign head of state, saying his actions were "a natural response to the occupation." His family erupted in anger at the decision, delivered in a Green Zone court normally used for terrorism cases. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Iraqi Hurls Shoes at Bush