[ZULU]

Bush once again demonstrates his ignorance of foreign affairs and foreigners in general.

Throwing shoes at somebody here in America would merely sound like the actions of a lunatic. But in the Middle East, throwing one’s shoes at a person is the deepest of personal insults. It goes well beyond the one fingered salute in our society.

By throwing his shoes at Bush he was not just insulting Bush, he was, by extension insutling all of America and everything we have done there for these people.

But failing to comprehend the ramifications of losing face in a part of the world where losing face is deadly is nothing new to Mr. Bush. Long ago when some American contrators were killed and their bodies hung up to be insulted in public display, this man did NOTHING to recup the insult to our national honor and the result was the series of kidnappings and murders of foreigners and service personnel.

I voted for Bush twice. But I would NEVER vote for this man or any one with the name of Bush ever again.

The main reason we lost in 2008 was due to this man and his continuing flawed and defective actions. He will be remembered as among the worst presidents in modern history.

[ponygirl]

I hate to say it, but I have to agree with you. By deflecting this incident as no-big-deal (watch the President's response to the BBC reporter's question), he looks like he doesn't understand what an insult this is. This is not some hippie college student throwing a pie at an Ann Coulter. This is the President of the United States faced with a journalist who was invited to this press briefing. It is absolutely unacceptable and should be treated as such. President Bush acts like it's no big deal ("That's what happens in free democracies"), but it is a huge deal in the eyes of the Iraqi people that the guy got away with this action.

As far as the SS goes, what gives? Did they pull all the "quality" agents and put them on Obama's post? The guy had time to throw four shoes before anyone even reacted.

[bboop]

I thot he handled it graciously, beautifully. What, he should sputter and throw one back? His ‘people’ can take care of it.

[death2tyrants]

“Bush once again demonstrates his ignorance of foreign affairs and foreigners in general.”

Exactly, he should have started crying and thrown a big temper tantrum.

“he was, by extension insutling all of America and everything we have done there for these people.”

That’s right. Despite vast majorities of the Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds rejecting al-Qaeda and joining the Americans and other coalition members, creating competent and effective security forces, and routing al-Qaeda and their Iranian allies, this shoe thowing incedent undermines everything and the war is now officially lost.

” this man did NOTHING to recup “

Other than having General Petreaus implement the brilliant counter-insurgency surge which led to the routing of the al-Qaeda and Iranina backed militias, Bush did nothing at all.

“I voted for Bush twice.”

No you didn’t. You wrote in Ron Paul both times and became so infuriated that when Paul lost, you screamed at the top of your lungs and started thowing your shoes at your fellow Americans.

“He will be remembered as among the worst presidents in modern history.”

Actually, this statement is accurate. I took a scientific poll, and 10 out of 10 code pink memebers agreed with your statement.