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Angry Iraqi Throws Shoes at Bush in Baghdad

Discussion in 'Alley of Lingering Sighs' started by Taluntain, Dec 15, 2008.

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  1. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Remove all ads!
    Story Highlights

    • Shoe-thrower yelled in Arabic: "This is a farewell ... you dog!"
    • Man is dragged away; Bush makes light of incident
    • "That's what happens in free societies," president says
    • Visit meant to mark the conclusion of the security pact with Iraq
    Watch Bush duck the shoes! (good reflexes!)

    Aside from the amusement, I found this small act of defiance conveniently symbolic. :shake:

    Full story here.
     
    Taluntain, Dec 15, 2008
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  2. ChickenIsGood Gems: 23/31
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    My favorite part is was Bush's grin after he dodged the first shoe. Kind of like "What the heck, you really think you can do that?"
     
    ChickenIsGood, Dec 15, 2008
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  3. AMaster Gems: 26/31
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    Strikes me as more of a nervous reaction. "OMFG he's going to try to kill--er. Shoes. Huh. That's weird.'
     
    AMaster, Dec 15, 2008
    #3
  4. nunsbane

    nunsbane

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    Wow, Bush does have good reflexes and the protester obviously took some proficiency points in shoes as missile weapons as he would have nailed Bush with both of his attacks had the president not ducked.

    The worst part of the video was the tab at the bottom of the frame that says: 'more videos like this'. Imagine my dissapointment when I clicked the tab and found that there were no other videos of anyone throwing objects at George's head.
     
    nunsbane, Dec 15, 2008
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  5. The Shaman Gems: 28/31
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    I need to see this when I get back home. BTW I think it was mentioned somewhere that showing someone the sole of your shoe or hitting him with one is quite the insult among Arabs.

    I didn't know this journalist had previously been detained though. It helps explain his, er, animosity. I wonder what will happen to him now.
     
    The Shaman, Dec 15, 2008
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  6. Montresor

    Montresor Mostly Harmless Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    I wouldn't advice people to throw shoes at the president at a press conference in the US. :D

    Does anyone know how I can send the man a new pair of shoes? ;)
     
    Montresor, Dec 15, 2008
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  7. coineineagh

    coineineagh I wish for a horde to overrun my enemies Resourceful Adored Veteran

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    [​IMG] Yeah, showing/throwing the shoe sole is a big insult, it ranks up there with:
    - Desecrating a flag in a nationalist country (say Turkey, Turks will kill for that)
    - Insulting someone's mother (depends on attitude)
    - Sleeping with their sister (depends on culture, honour killings possible)
    In this case I'd consider the insult a long time coming, and entirely deserved. It seems utterly pointless, but in a place where all that people have left, is their emotions, who knows what kind of a morale boost such an act could be. He should spend more proficiencies in Missile (Shoe):p, and better luck next time. I wanna see some shoedirt on GWB's face! Then he won't only be full of it, but covered in it as well.:lol:
     
    coineineagh, Dec 15, 2008
    #7
  8. joacqin

    joacqin Confused Jerk Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I must say, and I have had this creeping feeling for a while. That if you don't think about the mans political views and abilities Bush Jr seems like a nice and fun guy. I guess that is part of why he got elected twice, he really seems like a guy you could hang out with and have fun with.
     
    joacqin, Dec 15, 2008
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  9. The Great Snook Gems: 31/31
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    This is one instance in which I'm happy that Obama won the election. There is no way that McCain has the agility to avoid any future shoe attacks.

    I was kind of hoping that Bush would catch the second shoe, do a spin move and send it flying back. That would have been spectactular.
     
    The Great Snook, Dec 15, 2008
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  10. ChickenIsGood Gems: 23/31
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    That's exactly what I told my friend the other day. I decided that if Bush never was president he'd make an awesome grandpa... to go with Johnny Cash :p
     
    ChickenIsGood, Dec 15, 2008
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  11. Chandos the Red

    Chandos the Red This Wheel's on Fire

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    It's a fitting "farewell" tribute for GWB.

    We knew that to be true about him while he was our governor in Texas. His personality always made him popular. But he has a very stubborn, arrogant streak in him as well. That's a common fault that many people have, but in politics it's greatly magnified.
     
    Chandos the Red, Dec 15, 2008
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  12. Ofelix

    Ofelix The world changes, we do not, what irony!

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    Isn't showing shoes in public somewhat vulgar in Arabic culture anyway? I wonder what happened to the Iraqi journalist after that, uh.

    Funny thing is, this morning I got up from Bed, turn on the TV and the first thing I saw was some guy throwing a shoe at Bush. I mean, without context or anything it was really a " Wtf " moment. It made me smile :p

    edit: Hadn't noticed that coineineagh had already commented on the insult thing, meh! I thought I'd show off my " exceptional trivial knowledge " to the world.
     
    Ofelix, Dec 15, 2008
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  13. Merlanni

    Merlanni Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    I think the shoe is better meant for the people around him. He is a puppet.
     
    Merlanni, Dec 15, 2008
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  14. The Magpie

    The Magpie Balance, in all things Veteran

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    It's somewhat ironic, considering the iconic image of the "end" of the war in Iraq was of a toppled statue of Saddam Hussein being beaten by a man with ... a shoe. Guess it's on the other foot now, Georgie? :shake:
     
    The Magpie, Dec 15, 2008
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  15. Nataraja Gems: 12/31
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    Nataraja, Dec 16, 2008
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  16. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    That's what I find so funny with stuff like this. Bush wasn't insulted because in his culture it's not an insult (well, any more than throwing anything at someone is an insult). Neither is calling him a dog; in fact it could be a compliment :) .

    But aside from that, what do you expect him to do? Throw a tantrum in public? IMO, the best thing to do with an insult thrown ( ;) ) at you is to act like it wasn't an insult. If someone is hurling ( ;) ) insults, it's because they want a reaction; if you don't give it to them they don't get what they're after.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Dec 16, 2008
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  17. Dengo Gems: 8/31
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    Either journalist didn't have a proficiency point in shoes or GWB's Armor Class is very low... Anyway I learned something new: Sometimes a shoe can be much more effective than a bullet.
     
    Dengo, Dec 16, 2008
    #17
  18. 8people

    8people 8 is just another way of looking at infinite ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    [​IMG] And much easier to conceal! :p
     
    8people, Dec 17, 2008
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  19. martaug Gems: 23/31
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    I think he had at least 2 points in "Throw Shoe" as he was pretty accurate but Bush apparently has improved evasion & a high Dexterity.
     
    martaug, Dec 17, 2008
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  20. Rawgrim Gems: 21/31
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    Bush has the evasion feat. Should prove that he is a rogue.
     
    Rawgrim, Dec 17, 2008
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