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

Zaidi hailed as Goliath-battling David

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2009 3:12 AM CDT
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(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."

Zaidi was certain he would be shot by the US Secret Service when he hurled his shoes, but "he was not afraid to die," according to his brother. "This is your farewell kiss, you dog," Zaidi said as he managed to fire both shoes at Bush, who ducked out of harm's way. "This is for the widows and orphans of Iraq." Zaidi plans to quit journalism for good and hopes to open an orphanage for Iraqi children, said his brother.

A Jordanian man waves a pair of shoes with the word Bush written on the soles during a demonstration last year in support of shoe tosser Muntadar al-Zaidi.
A Jordanian man waves a pair of shoes with the word Bush written on the soles during a demonstration last year in support of shoe tosser Muntadar al-Zaidi.   (AP Photo/Nadeer Daoud)
Jordanian protesters supporting Muntadar al-Zaidi hold a banner showing former president Bush dodging a flying shoe.
Jordanian protesters supporting Muntadar al-Zaidi hold a banner showing former president Bush dodging a flying shoe.   (AP Photo/Nadeer Daoud)
Shoes with the names of Iraqis lost in the war are lined up on the sidewalk outside the Iraqi Consulate in Washington last year.
Shoes with the names of Iraqis lost in the war are lined up on the sidewalk outside the Iraqi Consulate in Washington last year.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
A poster of Iraqi journalist Muntadar Al-Zaidi and a pile of children's shoes are on display outside the Iraqi Consulate to the US last year.
A poster of Iraqi journalist Muntadar Al-Zaidi and a pile of children's shoes are on display outside the Iraqi Consulate to the US last year.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
bahari@bellsouth.net
Sep 9, 2009 11:01 AM CDT
Were his shoes bronzed? I am still confused as how he managed to throw BOTH shoes at Bush and the Secret Service was there. He had to TAKE them off one at a time. Also, to his countrymen he IS a hero with a good arm. This is how they will tell him that they love and respect him. Now they can help him open up a business with this love.
riffran
Sep 9, 2009 10:36 AM CDT
but the dipshit missed...lol...Go ahead and put Bush on trial, and you might as well put the rest of both parties on for the same thing...ALL of them who didn't activly vote NO are culpable...even that asshat Kerry.."I voted for the war before I voted against the war"...to funny
Snarfeh
Sep 9, 2009 10:06 AM CDT
I don't recall them asking for our help. I recall Busch ramming our "help" down their throats based on lies about WMD. No one gave a damn about how evil Saddam was other than the extreme left until the lies about the WMD came out...then it was, "Oh, well, we needed to get Saddam out to save the Iraqis from him." Bullshit. It was never about that.

 
Iraq • Baghdad • shoes • protests • Arabs • Arab • George W. Bush • Muntadhar al-Zeidi

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