Posted on 09/10/2009 12:28:09 PM PDT by Steelfish
Welcome Awaits Iraq Shoe Thrower
Dargham al-Zaidi is helping to prepare the family home for his brother's party The Iraqi journalist jailed for hurling his shoes at former US President George W Bush is to be freed on Monday - to an uncertain future.
Muntadar al-Zaidi's release after nine months in prison will be celebrated by many across the Arab world to whom he has become a hero.
He is reported to have been offered money, lucrative jobs, marriages and even a career in politics.
His brother says an official boycott may stop Zaidi's return to journalism.
Zaidi, a reporter for al-Baghdadiya TV, shot to fame on 14 December 2008 when he hurled his footwear at Mr Bush during a televised news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
He called Mr Bush "a dog" and threw his shoes as a "farewell kiss" from Iraqis killed, orphaned or widowed since the US-led invasion.
Zaidi was jailed for three years for assault, but the sentence was reduced on appeal.
Outpouring of support
Although the incident embarrassed the Iraqi government, there was an outpouring of support for Zaidi - and his act of defiance - across many Arab countries.
Zaidi's brother, Dargham, says the attention lavished on the reporter has been amazing.
"We have had pledges of money, the Emir of Qatar promised a golden horse, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi (of Libya) said he would award him Libya's highest honour, other people said they would buy him a sports car," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Bet his release will be celebrated on DUh too and Barack Obama will not call them out for "acting stupidly".
He will be hired by BBC to drive them around to the gay bars.
At least he didn’t tell Bush “you lie”, because that would be beyond the pale.
Not to rain on anybody’s parade, but did Mr. al-Zaidi ever stop to think what his fate would have been had he treated the former President of Iraq in the same manner?
Does it not strike him as ironic that the man he threw his shoes at was also responsible for his ability to throw shoes at a world leader and not lose his life and his family’s lives?
I didn’t think so.
nation-building with people like this is beyond folly
It’s numbing, is it not! Good post.
Guess he preferred Saddam, with his goon squads, his torture chambers, and his plastic chipper. Clearly, he’s yet another member of Irrational Citizens of Planet Earth, the organization the membership of which runs into the hundreds of millions.
My bet is he will get a job as a newsreader for al-jerkzeera.
Excellent point!
Bump!
“...but did Mr. al-Zaidi ever stop to think what his fate would have been had he treated the former President of Iraq in the same manner?”
.
Mr. Al-Zaidi knew damn well that the consequences of throwing a shoe at Bush were nothing compared to what his fate would be had he thrown that shoe at Hussein.
It is just like the muslim idiots who parade those threatening signs in the UK and elsewhere. It would be fun to watch these a-holes trying to do the same on Tianamen Square as the Chinese Army use them for bayonet practice.
Had he thrown a shoe at saddam - before the hanging - he’d never have been seen again.
Zero will make him “czar” of something ...
The Clown shoe czar position hasn't been filled yet. Oh wait, Sunstein was confirmed just this afternoon ... never mind.
All of the Iraqis I know are embarrassed by this jerk.
The media pumps him up and the sheeple fall for it.
This guy is no more than a Marxist media-pimp.
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