Iraqi journalist throws his shoes at 'dog' George Bush

**Lil Mamma** · 16-12-2008 00:37

Iraqi reporter throws shoes at 'dog' Bush

Posted Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:11am AEDT
Updated Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:04am AEDT

US President George W Bush's surprise visit to Iraq overnight was marred when an Iraqi journalist threw two shoes at him during a press conference.
Mr Bush was paying a surprise visit to Baghdad just a month before he is due to leave office.
After walking the red carpet inspecting Iraqi troops, Mr Bush held talks with the country's President Jalal Talabani.
"The work hasn't been easy, but it's been necessary for American security, Iraqi hope and world peace," he said.
Later Iraqi reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi shouted "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog," in Arabic and threw his shoes at Mr Bush during a news conference in the city.
Iraqi security officers and US secret service agents leapt at Mr Zaidi and dragged him struggling and screaming out of the room where Mr Bush was giving a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
The shoes missed Mr Bush, who ducked the first and then saw the other sail over his head as he stood next to Mr Maliki. Mr Bush smiled uncomfortably and Mr Maliki looked strained.
"It doesn't bother me," Mr Bush said, urging everyone to calm down as a ruckus broke out in the conference room.
"If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw."
When asked about the incident shortly after, Mr Bush made light of it. "I didn't feel the least threatened by it," he said.
Other Iraqi journalists apologised on behalf of their colleague, a television journalist.
Earlier, Mr Bush ventured out in a motorcade through Baghdad streets, the first time he has gone somewhere other than a military base or the heavily protected Green Zone.
Press pool reports said the unmarked motorcade passed through darkened streets that appeared heavily guarded, before arriving at Mr Maliki's residence.
The visit came a day after the US defence secretary Robert Gates told American troops the mission in Iraq was in its end game.
But the American-led reconstruction of Iraq has been blasted in a US federal report published by the New York Times, which says the project was crippled by poor planning, waste and deception.
The US President has also signed a new security pact which stipulates that American troops must pull out of the Iraq by the end of 2011.
President-elect Barack Obama has promised he will bring all US combat troops home from Iraq a little over a year after taking office, as long as commanders agree a withdrawal will not endanger American personnel or Iraq's security.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...?section=world

Man's a hero

**Lil Mamma** · 16-12-2008 00:41

Video - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...23089#28223089

He was soooo close!

**SilverStarfish** · 16-12-2008 01:24

I reckon there's going to be another boot involved soon too - right up the butt of George W's security team! How on earth did that reporter get the chance to get off a second "shot" as it were?

I'm not a George fan by any stretch of the imagination... but he ducked out of the way like he'd been practising for just such an occasion!

**Lil Mamma** · 16-12-2008 01:58

Originally Posted by Faeml

he ducked out of the way like he'd been practising for just such an occasion!

This is exactly what I thought while watching the vid!

He has great reflexes!

**rynosmum** · 16-12-2008 04:51

I'm not a George Bush fan by any stretch of the imagination either however I do believe in common courtesy which that reporter obviously struggled with.

I read this morning that they are planning to give him a 'bravery' award for his actions.

I disagree that he is a hero and I disagree with the decision to reward him - it just seems to be another way of telling people that it is 'ok' to promote aggressiveness and hatred....

Isn't that one of the things that started this whole mess in the first place?

**Mamalicious** · 16-12-2008 05:14

I would have thrown my shoes at him too!

**Sarahmum24** · 16-12-2008 05:15

I'm just peeved he missed.

**bronny-jane** · 16-12-2008 05:43

george does have great reflexes...
ouch, imagine if it hit... i would cry if it got me

**alphafemale2901** · 16-12-2008 05:49

That was one of the funniest things I've seen all year. George ducked those shoes pretty well huh. Apparently he was joking with journos about it later.