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TechnoratiGeorge Bush Shoe-Thrower 'Too Severely Beaten' for Court Appearance
Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US president was not taken to court because it could 'trigger anger', alleges brother
Dargham al-Zaidi said he was told a judge had been to see his younger brother, Muntazer, at the jail where he has been held since throwing his shoes at the US president during a press conference in Baghdad on Sunday. The television reporter – whose actions have made him a star in the Arab world – called Bush a "dog" and said he was angry at the US occupation of his country.
![[Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who hurled shoes at US President George W. Bush. The journalist who has since become a star in the Arab world appeared before a judge on Wednesday, his brother said. (AFP/File)]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/shoe-1217.jpg "shoe-1217.jpg")
The family went to Baghdad's central criminal court expecting a hearing, Dhargham said, but were told the investigative judge had been to the prison and they should return in eight days. "That means my brother was severely beaten and they fear that his appearance could trigger anger at the court," he said.
Iraqi officials have denied that Muntazar, a 29-year-old reporter for the private Al-Baghdadia TV station, has been injured. Under Iraq's legal system a judge investigates an allegation before recommending whether to order a trial. Initial hearings are often conducted informally rather than in court.
According to Dargham, his brother suffered a broken arm and ribs, as well as injuries to an eye and a leg after being beaten by security officials, and was treated at the Ibn Sina hospital, in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. Dargham said he did not know whether the injuries happened when Muntazer was being overpowered at the press conference or later.
The journalist faces possible trial under a clause in the Iraqi penal code outlawing "aggression against a president". If convicted, he could be imprisoned for seven to 15 years. Dargham said he was told by the investigating judge that his brother "had co-operated well", but had no other details.
During a press conference marking Bush's farewell visit to Iraq as US president, Muntazer jumped up and shouted: "It is the farewell kiss, you dog". He threw both his shoes at the US leader – a severe insult in the Arab world.
Iraq's parliament erupted into chaos today as MPs debated Muntazer's continued detention. An official in the office of the speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, said he had resigned after the row, although it was not clear why this had happened.
The US state department said yesterday it would condemn "unnecessary force" used against Muntazer, but it did not know whether any had occurred.
Bush's press secretary, Dana Perino – who was sporting a bruise under her eye after being struck by a microphone stand during the melee – said the president held "no hard feelings" about the incident and accepted it was up to Iraq to decide on any punishment.
58 Comments so far
Show Allmetal - excellent post.
"Bush's press secretary, Dana Perino – who was sporting a bruise under her eye after being struck by a microphone stand during the melee"
Dana Pinochio...the bruising was from her 1027th nose job
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
Can't really call his father a prick because a prick is effective. irritating, but effective. And Let's not toss out the voting process. Once that shrub wasn't running, no one altered the real vote.
We need consequences for his actions, which were pretty much 100% detrimental to the USA, and consequences for the the actions that he should have taken and did not. He pretty much emptied the bank in giving all contracts to his cronies. declared war on endangered species, as well as the middle east and has left us with hundreds of military forces with disabilities so severe that we will be paying for their care for the next 60 years (many of them had volunteered for National Guard so they could access loans for education.) The evil that has been created by this vile person will cost all of us as long as we live, and that is not factoring in the damage to the USA in the eyes of every other country. This was no war on terrorism, it was a recruitment for terrorism. Good Job George.
Shoes leave dna...I'm cutting out every picture of a shoe that I can find: magazines, newspapers...send envelopes full of images of shoes. If we all did it, the people responsible for opening the mail will talk and it will eventually leak to the press....white house swamped with shoes. As for Dubya Stupid and his evil following, they appear to have been able to prove they were sociopaths in order to join the worst power grabbers ever.
I also celebrate the actions of Muntazer al-Zaidi. One thing that might "talk" better than anything would be thousands of Americans sending him dollars...one or two or three or even more....whatever anyone wants. If anyone has an address that is likely to reach him, could you please post it here so others can act. I'm guessing that his brother's contact info would work.
Cicero: "Freedom is participation in power."
The thing that was most offensive to me about this incident was the adolescent expression of near glee on Bush's face. To him it was all just another game--just like his invasions and their (to him) remote human aftermath that can never be real to such a sheltered aristocratic shitass. The most damning comment on America during his epoch is that so many of the Baby Boomers and their children are so similarly spoiled and class-insulated from the real world that they personally, strongly IDENTIFIED with Duhhbya as someone they preferred as president. Twice. The loathsome bulk of the corporate press is infested with the same sheltered Boomer/Gen X mentality. They couldn't understand the scale and true nature of the suffering Duhhbya's policies have led to enough to effectively communicate it even if they wanted to. As a class these people are too into themselves and their lifestyle. They snort the propaganda they manufacture like a drug until they believe it themselves because of their continual need for that extra layer of insulation. Life is too good for them and theirs to worry their "precious beautiful minds" about things like that.
To David G regarding his comment on worrying about America "liberating" one's country in a similar fashion Duhhbya's other "liberations": Amurka will shortly be incapable of freeing itself from itself. All of the prodigal chickens created by Amurka's Boomers and late pre-Boomers (too young to have fought in WWII but too old to be a Boomer--including some of the worst elitist scumbags in the U.S.) are now coming home to roost all at once. The Amurkan Empire is drowning in its own corruption and the only piddling middle-class job growth is in military contracts, the prison-industrial complex and "law enforcement." In less than two years the present bungling bloated war machine will be rendered unaffordable. That's the good news for the world. The bad news is that Obama will probably still be bogged down by his inept appointees while the problems pile up exponentially and he looks to non-solutions from the DLC past. He is rapidly making Nancy Pelosi look more progressive than he is.
I've been watching the corporate press to see any post-election glimmer of new access for progressives to what passes for the Amurkan manufactured debate and I see the same old right-wing dinosaurs, American Enterprise Institute failures and blithering pro-Rubin DLC gits all over the media landscape. The process of evolution neither saves nor spares: Those who continually refuse to adapt to present realities are doomed. America is suffocating from its 30-plus year inability to effect significant change regarding its fossil fool, corporatist de-regulatory, enrichment of the richest (at the expense of the planet) paradigm.
Amurkan progressives have become part of this problem because they will not organize on a scale sufficient to drive real coherent political change. Even FDR told progressives of his era, "You've got some good ideas there, now it's up to you to go out and make me have to implement them." He meant that a strong, active and vital progressive movement was crucial to overcoming objections he, as president, must face from Congress and all its powerful vested interests. Organized progressivism gives Center-Left reformers social, and media, and political cover to effect positive meaningful change--and stay in office long enough to accomplish it. Sitting back disorganized like a million scattered nits bitching about the U.S. going rapidly downhill and taking the rest of the planet with it (which it very well might) is pointless. Obama may not be what we hoped for, but he may be the best opportunity we are likely to have any time soon. He definitely needs to be pressured from the Left but there has to be a coherent Left to pressure him. I urge you all to create a list of prominent progressive leaders of all types--Greens, Nader supporters, Cindy Sheehan supporters, United for Peace and Justice, etc., and start writing them encouraging them to put aside their differences and unite under the banner of one Progressive Party. Suggest to them that they convene a national summit of their leaders for the purposes of achieving effective unification. I have already started sending out my letters and I want you to send out yours. Not just for the country's sake, but for the sake of the entire world. Time is short and historical opportunities like this to build a dynamic and EFFECTIVE Progressive Party only come along two or three times in a century.
Throw something at a Lizard and You will see why bush has
fast reflexes. He is reptilian. That in turn explain the performances
of the brain. Not much room for empathy and compassion there.
May all Beings be blessed. Specifically the weak and ill minded.
So George has no hard feelings? What a truly generous, magnanimous, forgiving human being.
Take me, you fucks!
I know courage in the face of insurmountable odds when I see it. Take me, and let the hero go!
got two shoes runnin' in the face of the law
two shoes runnin, in the face of the law
got more support than, that face ever saw.
I too noted Bush's preternaturally fast duck & cover instinct.
The shoe thrower actually drew an exact beade both times, launching straight at a point in space where Bush's head had been just micro seconds before.
This incident gives credence to the rumor that George was born with a special force field around his skull; one that auto-repels anything resembling truth from getting near his cortex.
Oh, the woeful talents Nature dispenses to so many US presidents....
Amnesty International has expressed concern, described here. However, there should be a massive writing campaign asking that al-Zaidi not be mistreated and that the charges be dropped.
After all, al-Zaidi was the one who got hurt, not Bush.
Bush is war criminal who should be arrested by any government, worldwide.
-TIA
Despite the severity of the consequences for Muntazer Al-Zaidi,
I would like to convey to You the funniest/coolest game based on
the event.
You will roll on the floor!
Fresh imported from Friends in Germany:
'Triff Den Bush' (Hit The Bush)
http://play.sockandawe.com/
May all Beings be blessed. Specifically the weak and ill minded.
Exellent Serena,
This video is perhaps THE BEST gift I personally could have received as a going away memory in the "presence" of and from GWB.
The nickname "ducker" more than fits this man who has not taken responsibility for much in his life, EVER. EVERYthing he has caused in his life has been WITH excuse making and misrepresentation of the actual facts which he probably would not recognize or accept no matter who provided them.
"Ducker" has a perfect application and rhyme to it that fits so appropriately that the implication does not even have to be repeated to get the full meaning.
Muntathar al Zaidi has replaced Stephen Colbert as my hero of the times. Sorry Stephen, you were not available to comment on this one, unfortunately.
No one could have brought more truth to the surface without actually physically harming GWB. Nothing would be gained by physically hurting Bush and I am glad he was not. Besides only promoting sympathy for Bush and greater harm to Zaidi, it is the wrong message.
I am particularly pleased that no harm resulted because of the possible loss of what is so obvious in the video of Bush's automatic tendency to DUCK when adversity approaches or presents itself. Just think of all the possible responses OUR PRESIDENT could have made to this threat rather than his instinctive crouch in fear.
He clearly saw that someone was throwing A SHOE at him and rather than simply block it with his hand or even catch it and calmly toss it back asking "what is your question?" his entire head almost disappears inside the collar of his jacket. He AVOIDS it rather than face it as did the man next to him. The Prime Minister continued looking at the "attacker" eye to eye, watched closely what he was doing and when the next shoe came, watched it and stuck out his hand to block the flying object, because he saw clearly it was nothing but a shoe OR he actually had no fear and was willing to block it, even if it were a weapon of some sort. George DUCKS BOTH TIMES.
The ducker waves off the Secret Service person who approaches (after the second shoe, incidentally) as if he somehow would brave this episode through and had everything under control BECAUSE HIS EXPERIENCE OF DUCKING WAS SO INGRAINED AND HE HAS BECOME SO GOOD AT IT THAT HE WAS NOT HURT, physically. He just had no idea how much he revealed in those split seconds and how gravely he was wounded by his own action.
Looking at OUR PRESIDENT cower as he did from a well aimed shoe, speaks volumes about where his true self presides and the character of this "brave" ducker. The whole world now has clear evidence of his true view of his responsibilities as a leader of the free world. The evidence is overwhelmingly on tape of one who can think only of himself and when it comes to proving himself a leader, he comes up with something as weak as AVOIDANCE and "that's what happens in a free society when someone wants to make a name for himself" NOT REALIZING the "divider and loser of the free world" had just demonstrated and even spoke that same truth about himself.
I truly hope this video will be examined and explored for all its implications.
All this talk about bringing shoes to the White House made me wonder what my CodePink sisters up in the hood were up to. Went to their website http://www.codepink4peace.org, and sure enough, they held a solidarity action at the White House this morning.
December 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Peace Activists Take Shoes to White House in Solidarity with Shoe-Throwing Iraqi Journalist. Call for his release and tribute to Iraqis who have suffered under US occupation
WHAT: Peace activists gather with shoes in solidarity to Iraqi journalist
WHEN: 11 a.m., Weds. Dec. 17
WHERE: In front of the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Leaving shoes at the White House or sending them would be good. I would like to send money to help defend the journalist. How about that? Any ideas along those lines? HIs aim and sentiments were so good. Makes you want to hug the man who had the courage to fling that shoe and now is paying a helluva price. If all the people here who would like to fling a shoe did so there would be one gigantic pile of shoes around Bush.
This reminds me of the time when Zinedine Zidane hit an Italian defense player with his head during the 2006 World Cup final match. It was a heartfelt, now-or-never act of dire consequences to the perpetrator. Except, in this case, the Iraqui journalist was expressing the feelings of most people in the world and therefore his action is a global symbol and whatever suffering he has endured as a consequence has also been in our name.
One of Richard Reid's shoes would have done the trick.
THE POINT IS!
This is the justice we brought Iraq!
No different than when Saddam was in power!
Hatred and beatings/killings and torture will continue for years to come because the regime we installed has to keep order... just like Saddam did for the U.S. in the 80s. PRETTY SAD!
A sanctimonious poster at "The Daily Beast" used the incident to signify the great freedom of expression we had brought about in Iraq.
Quote: Shoe-thrower suffers broken arm ribs.
"Don't Muntazer me, bro."
The shoe said it all!
Please, I live in Texas, boot him somewhere else!
I drive a Chevy Blazer and have a pair of hiking boots hanging from my tailgate.
Lets all have a tailgate party and "kiss the dog goodby.
It's wonderful, isn't it, the new Government that America brought to Iraq! I mean, to see democracy and human rights finally in place in Iraq really warms your heart, doesn't it?
The Iraqi Government is a perfect mirror of the country that supposedly brought it 'freedom'. It is corrupt. It is violent. It is immoral. It is a joke.
Each morning, just hope that America doesn't decide to 'liberate' your country!
www.dangerouscreation.com
Mailing shoes to the White House is a wonderful idea for those who can not participate in a closer to home sole-ful statement. Though it is likely that the mail will never reach the front office, nor will the number of posted pumps be covered by the media.
As an act of solidarity with the intense feelings expressed by Muntadhar al-Zeidi, anyone passing by the White House, either individually or collectively, between now and the inauguration, could place a shoe at the gate or along the wall, or across the street in the park. They could be deposited anywhere near the White House close enough that the symbolism would not be missed.
If leaving a shoe too close to the White House would be considered a threat to national security, then the line of demarcation could be moved a little further back until the edifice of our national shame is encircled by footwear: boots, sandals, pumps, loafers, baby shoes, old and new.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, those who will be attending the inauguration could make a point of leaving their shoes in piles along Pennsylvania Avenue or along the Mall, cairns of footwear to mark the path, both away for Mr. Bush and toward clarity for Mr. Obama.
Then the rest of the world might understand that we too hold the outgoing president with the deepest disrespect and are more than ready to boot him back to Texas. And we will hold the incoming to a higher road than we did his predecessor.
maybe we could send one to Bush and one to Conyers or Kucinich, or someone who might actually deliver them...
The shoe said it all!
Please, I live in Texas, boot him somewhere else!
I drive a Chevy Blazer and have a pair of hiking boots hanging from my tailgate.
Lets all have a tailgate party and "kiss the dog goodby.
Ahh, well. At least he wasn't fed feet first into a wood chipper, which is what would have happened if he did this when the great liberator Saddam was president....
"So HIS president--past or present has NOTHING to do with the situation."
Serena,
You are absolutely correct. Saddam had nothing to do with this. It was, and is, all about the Chief representative of the Government of the United States of America (The President) and his murderous policies executed in the name of the people.
Good Answer Serena
Perhaps, or maybe not. Perhaps under Saddam there would have been fewer widows and orphans.
Scott Ritter seems to think so...
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/12/17-3
Samski ,
I agree with Ritter. No doubt in my mind.
I like the idea of mailing stinky old shoes to Bush before he leaves the White House. Wouldn't it be grand if thousands upon thousands of old shoes began arriving with the note "Here's another kiss, you dog". The Iraqi journalist gets beaten for insulting a president? What does Bush get for destroying a country and its people? NOTHING!! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR HIS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MURDER OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE, POISONING THE COUNTRY OF IRAQ WITH ITS WMD FALLOUT, PRODUCING MILLIONS OF REFUGEES, AND IGNORING INTERNATIONAL LAW!! Shame on those Iraqi officials responsible for physically harming this brave journalist who is so justifiably angry over what has happened to his country and its people. Talk about hubris!!
He said, for the widows and orphans. Which many "news" organizations don't mention.
where were you when he threw them shoes?
g.w's legacy will be a pair of size tens bought by the American taxpayer for$900 BILLION. Not to mention the human cost on all sides.nice going george
Bush: I represent all those who destroyed your country, killed your people, garrisoned your region and inflamed hate against brown-people.
You threw a shoe at me.
"No hard feelings."
(PS. I think the insult is diminished if the shoe connected...)
Bush got a warm reception at the War College where he spoke today. Learning war is one thing, loving war is another. That's reserved for young jingoistic thrill seekers who have never been in war and for homicidal maniacs.
I guess that Iraqi journalist that threw his shoes at der Bush is locked away forever. Such a pity his aim was so bad. FreePress is starting a letter writing campaign to free him (from durance for exposing the vile?)
How can a person who has such a developed soul throw his soles at one who is such a heel.?
Well - He must be instep with the feelings of all Iraqi's, to kick out these foot soldiers of fascism, so they can walk the path
toe freedom !
here is your opportunity to participate in that great shoe incident,
http://www.addictinggames.com/sockandawe.html
SET HIM FREE...............HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING.
Everyone around the world should send an old pair of shoes to the White house:
Little Caligula (your pet name)
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Great idea! The stinkiest pair you have!
free2bee
As I wrote previously. "It took someone from out of our country to express their disgust for our incompetent President." We, including myself, are gutless. Are we so brain-washed that it is considered "SIN" to critize? When will we wake up???
My thoughts exactly. I am so sickened by all the supposedly progressive Americans who've been saying that Zaidi's shoe-throwing was "inappropriate" and "stooping to Bush's level", etc, that I've stopped paying attention to Americans. And that's to say nothing of the right-wing Americans screaming for Zaidi's blood (and unfortunately getting it, under the fists and truncheons of the US puppet Iraqi government). No wonder Americans let an unelected, mass-murdering president remain in office for eight years and still allow him to walk the streets unmolested.
Boy, have you got our number! I've lost count of the times Bush has "walked the streets" in front of my house without his security detail, just daring me to "molest" him. One time I even picked up a shoe to throw at him, but I lost my nerve at the last moment. Because, deep down, all of us 'Murkans just love us some G.W.
I have to say that if you really did stop paying attention to us, it would gravely injure my feeling (being an American, I only have the one).
I have a pair of shoes hanging from my bumper in support of the Iraqi journalist. I`m just sorry he missed.
I was thinking the same thing myself. It would have been just too dam cool if he had nailed him both times like a snowball smacking someone upside the head.
Muntazer al-Zaidi beaten so badly that he could not be in court. Perino, " Bush held no hard feelings about the incident ". OH REALLY! One word from Bush and this brave reporter would not have been beaten this badly. But you have to love it folks, as this will be Bush's legacy.This shoe throwing incident will always be with him, just like when many years ago Kruschev pounded his shoe on the table at the U.N. It is the farewell kiss to Bush that will live in infamy.
The best statement of the bush legacy would be no statement at all.
Infamy, surely not? Perhaps you meant notoriety
I still like infamy. Websters Dictionary: infamy; total loss of reputation; public disgrace. Notoriety is too good for Bush!
The state department I am sure"condemned" any "unnecessary force"----he was not beheaded in the city square with video cameras rolling.
Well it appears that the Iraqis have "taken to heart" the "American style" of "Democracy", and "respect freedom of expresssion."
So it must have been worth, thousands of lives, trillions of dollars, to bring "Democracy" to the Iraqi people.
All of this was to "replace" another who would have done the same.
Dana, Please tell Bush that we, the American people do have hard feelings for what Bush and Co. have done to the World in our name. Worst Person Ever!!!
How right you are! As that great genius Bill O'Reilly showed us, one comment posted on a website necessarily defines the entire website.
You are also correct that it is hypocritical for any American to dislike Bush, especially those of us who consistently voted against him and derided him at every opportunity. How dare we! Logic dictates that every citizen of a country is personally responsible for the actions of its government, elected or not.
I also salute your bravery in calling Bush "cross-eyed" and "retarded." It takes a special kind of courage and intelligence to equate this loathsome war criminal with people who have eye problems and developmental disabilities. Good for you!
I do have one point of contention, however: unlike pixies and fairies, duendes are very real. I hope you will all join me in calling for the creation of a North American Anti-Duende Task Force.
The norte americanos are still asleep in their priviledged beds I'm afraid.
Serena has an excellent point. If people do not wish to be associated with their governments, they should be taking to the streets in great numbers. Unfortunately, the few who dissent are silenced by the MSM and the political machinations of the americanos del norte's rightist administrations, whether the US or Canada, so that our dissenting (A.K.A. liberal or worse - socialist) voices become non existent or become objects of abusive treatment by the slime machine.
The "Shoe Thrower" is a hero far beyond the Middle East! May he live long and FREE!
OK serena, we the people have not been able to tar and feather Bush yet, haven't even thrown shoes at the Bushes in America yet.
But with all your venom at all us folks who voted against him, I want to know what great country do you live in?
Sounds like you are living in some utopia of freedom and Justice... so could you be so kind if possible, and let us know from where you are watching us so we can learn how to be politically correct like you?
I hope you are not afraid to tell us what great country you live in.
OK, so we're collectively to blame for failing to get rid of the slimeball, whether he's as retarded as you insist or not. But please, fetal alcohol syndrome assumes Bar was not only a barbarian but a drunk, for which there's no allegation besides yours and no evidence. He became a drunk all on his own, probably as a result of living with that raving harpy of a mother and that prick of a father.
Marching and protesting, in the millions, have done nothing to remove him or even get him impeached. Maybe you haven't heard, but we have what's called a Congress here, and it is their job to impeach when a president behaves as this one has. (After that, a federal judiciary could try him for any number of crimes, convict and sentence him. Dream on.) Thousands of petitions with millions of signatures haven't moved them to even consider something so mild as impeachment for 8 years. They don't care what the people think any more than Bush does. This isn't a democracy. "Of, by and for the people" is just an empty slogan now. It once had some currency, but that's been absent for decades. It's "of, by and for the corporations" now.
We probably should have mobbed the White House and Washington physically, in the millions, surged thru the gates and taken our losses, many of us getting killed in the process, dragging Bush and the rest of his junta out and delivering mob justice on Pennsylvania Ave. But not enough people have felt that desperate, so it didn't happen, and couldn't really. We'd have to be facing an extreme Depression-level economy, 30% unemployment and more internal repression and loss of rights than are now the case. Maybe then we'd satisfy your demands.
I admire Muntazer al-Zaidi and I hope he recovers from that beating. He should be a hero among his people. But if either or both of his shoes had hit the target, the smirk might have been erased for a few minutes, maybe a bloodied face that would receive immediate medical attention, and he'd be as good as new in a day, ready to attack another country. Nobody can get near this bastard with anything that might really harm him. Security around him is more than most countries have for their entire populations. We on the left who have used nothing but words against him and his gang haven't been able to get rid of any of them. Violence is the alternative, but it wouldn't work either. Voting is almost completely meaningless. We're stymied. Get up here, serena, wherever you are, and lead us all in a revolution. Nobody else is doing it.