Iraqi Reporter Throws Shoes at Bush, Calls Him ‘Dog’

December 14, 2008 Bush Era, Impeachment News 5

[Click on headline to view video]

By Reuters

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi reporter called visiting U.S. President George W. Bush a “dog” in Arabic on Sunday and threw his shoes at him during a news conference in Baghdad.

Iraqi security officers and U.S. secret service agents leapt at the man and dragged him struggling and screaming out of the room where Bush was giving a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The shoes missed their target about 15 feet (4.5 metres) away. One sailed over Bush’s head as he stood next to Maliki and smacked into the wall behind him. Bush smiled uncomfortably and Maliki looked strained.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Bush said, urging everyone to calm down as a ruckus broke out in the conference room.

When asked about the incident shortly after, 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.

Bush arrived in Baghdad earlier on Sunday on a farewell visit before he leaves office in January. The U.S.-led invasion in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein triggered years of sectarian bloodshed and insurgency in Iraq, killing tens of thousands.

5 Comments

  1. Mikael Theres slight problem with chubby I was at Police station discuss this insults and personnel attack libel and a attorney,and FBI I also contacted.

    impeachforpeace Bush/Cheney….

  2. us patriot,

    Throwing a shoe is a strong insult in Arab culture and a political statement this specific incident. The show wasn’t used as a real weapon. Using actual weapons would be a much more serious offense worthy of more serious punishment. I played competitive basketball for years and every once in awhile someone would throw the ball at an opponent. They’d get a technical foul and the game would go on.

    Throw a shoe, spend a few nights in jail. Throw a knife and go to prison for a decade or more.

  3. 12.16.2008

    WHY did the reporter not instead use guns and bombs and knives at bush? Would have been better for all!!!!

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