Bush Shoe Toss Goes Viral

Infamous Iraq shoe dodge spawns online games

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 17, 2008 4:29 AM CST

(Newser) – President Bush's shoe-dodging Iraq press conference has the internet's legions of animators kicking up their heels, Wired reports. Dozens of games—including one called "Sock and Awe"—were rapidly created after the incident, allowing players to be a shoe-ducking president, a shoe-chucking journalist, or a shoe-shooting Secret Service man.

Video of the incident has attracted millions of views and spawned countless animated mash-ups, with objects being hurled at a recreated Bush including snowballs, kittens, beach balls—and pies. One Matrix-inspired animation features a black-clad Bush parrying an oncoming cascade of shoes. Meanwhile, members are streaming to a Facebook group in support of the disgruntled Iraqi journalist who started it all.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (2)]

A 'Doom'-inspired shoe toss game. (FlyingRabbitsWow)

Still from a Bush shoe-dodging game. (biodieseler)

"Sock and Awe," one of several games inspired by the shoes hurled at President Bush in Iraq.

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One of the many games created after the shoe-throwing at President Bush's Iraq press conference. (eynetane)

'Matrix'-inspired shoe-dodging animation. (pwnurnoobazz)

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Bush Shoe Toss Goes Viral