Here Mr Bush, A shoe!

aparantly throwing shoes is a major insult. verry scary that people with that much hate for americans can be in america and so close to our government.

yw. I didnt realize that this happened in iraq either.

Thank you for pointing out the "after event" information. I find it rather shocking that a charity, would provoke, and/or encourage that type of behavior!

Nobody I’m sure is ‘amused’ by the incident, some feel vindicated, some are aghast and appalled. I am all the three…in reverse order. Nothing personal here and I am not even an American, but I don’t remember the Iraqis actually begging America ever to release them from the clutches of Saddam. Rather they are a fiercely proud, if impoverished nation, who would rather be tortured and die at the hands of their own than being ‘freed and then occupied’ by a foreigner. Like most of us, they too value their independence and I am in agreement with those who think that Bush has carried on this occupation (which shouldn’t have started in the first place) for rather too long

Also, a president may not necessarily be the country he represents…rather he has his own opinion and that of his party which takes precedence. A nation’s flag represents the nation as because presidents, like all people, do come and go.

Wow! I have a little debate on my hands....AND I LIKE IT! I honestly am torn to as to whom gets the best response out of this, but I WILL give you both a positive grades for fully participating in the debate! Wow, didn't know that throwing a shoe (specifically) was the biggest insult in the Arab world, I would assume throwing anything with loathing would still be an insult, but a shoe being the biggest. I don't quite understand that one since their ancestors PRIDED on their far journeys, all the way back to biblical times, so much that it was an honor to wash someones feet after a long journey even. But good point to the matter. But I do have to point out that some of them WERE OK with their way of living, some of course weren't, and as you said, "living in fear" would be the exact reason why some weren't fighting back. Because it would have been a bigger threat to stand up, and risk your family, than just going along with life, trying to live quietly so they wouldn't notice you. Actually, I quite agree with sudiptacallingu (gosh, I hope I spelled that right) VERY strong point! I agree with you 100 hundred percent, well argued! I also agree with your point of Mr Bush not representing of how the whole country thinks (because that is certainly NOT the case with the current president, but I do hope so with the new president, since Mr Obama has PLENTY of good ideas) but he does represent of his own values and encourage his party to also see his point of view, which is very easy to do when you are president. I am glad, however, of the stand of some people in his party, when they didn't agree with him. I will admit though....I was amused when I was flipping through the channels, cause I mean, Hello? How often are you going to see something so NOT what you were expecting? Like...and I know this is a bad example, but seeing a lion lick a bear cub? You'd flip back to that to make sure you weren't seeing things right?

Actually, it was a news conference in Afghanistan..

I too am glad it didn't go any further. What else can you do but laugh it off to keep relations good.

Bush took it well . I am not sure I would have responded that it was funny! I am glad no one was hurt. You never know these days what to expect , do you?

Hrm, well known, yes, respected, not quite by experience, but more by his title, unfortunately. I mean if you ARE referring to Mr Bush. And thank you for telling me the size, I shall write that down! He he. But I think it's awesome that the other journalists stood up to make it known that they do NOT associate with dude with the shoe. I think it's awesome though that Mr Bush thanked them for apologizing. I bet he probably looked taken aback when he heard them apologizing as well.

Haha, I know eh? It actually reminds me of when my ex called be a "stupid chick", and all I could think of was, "That's the best you can come up with? Really? My goodness you're a child!" lol. And yes, I have also heard about the rallying for him, but I will have to stop at agreeing saying they are all immature. Most of them are not, some of those protesters are most likely family, and friends, trying to calm it down, and saying it's ridiculous to keep him in jail over throwing a shoe, and it IS, BUT, he did technically attack a president, and that is a serious charge, and so he has to take serious consequences. But also stated in an above comment, throwing shoes in their country is also a serious offense, which I think is weird, I also commented on the weirdness above as well ha ha. But I do accept your witty sarcasm and share a chuckle with you! *tips hat*

Honestly, I don't think he has to choice with that reaction, plus he'll have damage control to deal with as well. Because honestly, picture him as an actor, if any of them "flip out" they have to answer for it, look bad in the limelight, get bad publicity, so what else could he POSSIBLY do except act "calm, cool and collective"? He will most likely deal with this at a later date after he has a little meeting with his co-workers, advisers, and I wouldn't be surprised if he did, but with his wife as well, about how to broach this subject with the general public. I know, it's been publicized already, BUT, we still didn't get what he actually felt. Yes, he most likely make a LOT of people mad with his "not being serious with the situation", but he also most likely made the countries government breathe a sigh of relief when they saw that he doesn't take great insult at the action of ONE person, whom doesn't whatsoever represents the country. Public Relations.

Yes, that gave me a sigh of relief as well, not being shot, because that would be horrifying for Mr Obama when he goes to get sworn in as president. How many assassination attempts have been on HIM already? At least 2 that I heard of.

Haha, that would be TOO funny if they did have to check their shoes. Hrm, I should make a note to watch the news during the hearing....

So....you mean he blames Mr Bush? Or just picking a random important person?