Video: The obligatory “Iraqi journalist throws shoes at Bush” clip
posted at 2:35 pm on December 14, 2008 by Allahpundit
Christmas comes early for the left. As one of our commenters snarked in Headlines, between this and the fact that the guy’s in media, he’s now qualified for his own show on MSNBC.
Maliki, to his credit, went for the block.
Update: The reporter is Muntazer al-Zaidi of Al-Baghdadia, which is based on Cairo. AFP says other journalists there apologized to Bush.
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Anyone know what news agency he was representing?
bnelson44 on December 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
She says it at 1:08. Al-Bag(something-or-other)
loganthompson on December 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Any report on whether the reporter got the shoe back? Or was it detained for questioning by a cobbler.
Meric1837 on December 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Sorry, closer to 1:02…
loganthompson on December 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
bnelson44 on December 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
The video say he was from Al-Bagdia Television, or something like that.
Disturb the Universe on December 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
He missed him twice. I guess it’s safe to say he won’t be defecting to the U.S. to join a sports team. I guess we will never know if it was worth it.
Cindy Munford on December 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Wasn’t it a grenade last time? Lucky.
Who invited CNN to this?
cabbageheat on December 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
President Bush is so cool. Good reflexes, and quick wit.
I hope Dana Perino is okay.
capitalist piglet on December 14, 2008 at 2:43 PM
CNN
Lehosh on December 14, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Clearly, the guy has had practice throwing shoes. Unless he wasn’t aiming at Bush’s head.
I’m still left with “Well, what was the point of that?”
Count to 10 on December 14, 2008 at 2:44 PM
That would be Al Baghdadia
bnelson44 on December 14, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Which MSNBC reporter is missing shoes?
KBird on December 14, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Al-Hatefreedom
Midnightrain on December 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM
KBird,
THat would be Keith Olbermann.
nagee76 on December 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Considered a big insult in Arab culture.
Considered a big laugh to me. And Bush looks like he’s giggling also.
Kini on December 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Knew it was a journalist,..other wise it would have been a flip-flop!
Idiot reporter!
christene on December 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Wow, this reporter rules. I don’t know his motivation, but I would love to chuck a shoe at Bush’s head right about now, as he is about to bail out the auto industry and has borrowed fully 7,500 dollars in my name to bailout the banks.
muyoso on December 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM
NY Times
Kini on December 14, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Al Baghdadia seems to be associated with CBS (if I understand their website correctly)
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ar&u=http://www.albaghdadia.com/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dal-baghdadia%2Bwikipedia%26hl%3Den
bnelson44 on December 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM
It would have been awesome to see a Secret Service agent mount him like Wanderlei Silva and punch him into submission, 20 punches in about 2 seconds then drag his unconcious body to the back of the room.
Theworldisnotenough on December 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM
That would be witty commenter, please.
I’ll accept the snark, though.
SteveMG on December 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Heh, thanks. I kinda half-assed it (obviously).
Also, has Ann Coulter actually been sequestered to write her book all this time, or has she been secretly teaching Bush the ways of the bob and weave? Hmmmm…
loganthompson on December 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Looks like w has been hunting with cheney.
Duck.
getalife on December 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
a google search shows they lost a reporter in 2007, he may be a friend
bnelson44 on December 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
That shoe tosser didn’t even look like Olberfreak; those tv make-up people are incredible.
Bishop on December 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
You better get ready to get naked,..hussein is going to give it all away!
BTW,…GOOD EYE President Bush!!
christene on December 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Out of work “Rape Room Technician”, still has “Sadam ’04″ bumper sticker on his car, moonlighting as reporter for MSNBC…………….
Seven Percent Solution on December 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
That’s what I’d expect from you muyoso–you’re an asshole.
Few people are more disappointed in Pres. Bush than I am, but I still want him treated with respect. This incident is shameful.
Bugler on December 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Bush barely flinched.After the first shoe he turned directly at the thrower as he threw the second and merely ducked his head a little then he put up his hand to his security detail to stand down.It seemed like he was smirking a little.
NeoKong on December 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM
what an ungrateful little prick
blatantblue on December 14, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Bush… not only rocks this world but would also make an awesome dodge ball partner…
Kaptain Amerika on December 14, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Reporter of Al-Baghdadia TV murdered in Baghdad
Military and Security 9/24/2007 10:52:00 AM
BAGHDAD, Sept 24 (KUNA) — Unknown gunmen shot dead a reporter of Al-Baghdadia satellite TV channel in west Baghdad, said Press Freedom watch here Monday.
Jawad Al-Daami, a program editor of the channel, was murdered Sunday, the watchdog said in a press release.
The gunmen opened fire at Al-Daami, 40 years, from a speeding car at Al-Qadessia district, west Baghdad, while he was heading for Al-Jadria district.
Al-Daami, who worked for several press organizations in Iraq, joined Al-Baghdadia channel a year ago.(end) ahh.gb KUNA 241052 Sep 07NNNN
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1843630&Language=en
bnelson44 on December 14, 2008 at 2:54 PM
+7%
Seven Percent Solution on December 14, 2008 at 2:54 PM
This is an act against the United States of America regardless if you hate the president or not. Send this bastard to jail.
An Era of Hate on December 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Maybe he should go back to horse shoes.
rich801 on December 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM
What the hell is Keith Olbermann doing in Iraq?
amerpundit on December 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM
I suspect that in the final analysis, the reporter will conclude it wasn’t his smartest move ever, when weighing the pain/profit ratio.
a capella on December 14, 2008 at 2:57 PM
The President is looking at this at guy and smiling after deflecting his shoe. What a class act he is.
Where was the Secret Service? That guy should have been shot in the head before he got the first shoe off.
Hening on December 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Stupid reporter needs to take a moment to reflect that he is even able to do something like that and not be dragged out in the street and shot.
GWB gave him the freedom to be a complete asshole.
redshirt on December 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM
muyoso? Yeah, I agree…
loganthompson on December 14, 2008 at 2:59 PM
My first reaction is I’m impressed with Bush’s reflexes and calm. Wonder if he’s used to it.
Dash on December 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Maybe I’m still soured reading about the Secret Service failures during the JFK assassination (talk about incompetence!) but where the hell were they here?
There should’ve been agents off to the side facing/watching the audience.
SteveMG on December 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Can you imagine if he’d tried to throw his shoe at President Kerry?
jimmy the notable on December 14, 2008 at 3:01 PM
did this guy have the guts to do something like this to Saddam?
joey24007 on December 14, 2008 at 3:01 PM
The Sean Avery of HA.
a capella on December 14, 2008 at 3:02 PM
God Bless President Bush, and God Bless America.
long_cat on December 14, 2008 at 3:04 PM
I wonder if that Iraqi journalist realizes the difference between today and six years ago. Back then, had he done that to Saddam, the least painful thing would have been his feet taken off and tossed back at him.
Sergeant Tim on December 14, 2008 at 3:05 PM
And President Obama wouldn’t? Please.
Cindy Munford on December 14, 2008 at 3:07 PM
They are such a child like people, but in a kind of retarded, sh1tty kind of way.
TheSitRep on December 14, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Obviously not one of Bush’s many many Muslim friends.
BL@KBIRD on December 14, 2008 at 3:08 PM
@ christene on December 14, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Yea, but he is a thieving liberal, thats what he is supposed to do. Bush is supposed to be a conservative.
muyoso on December 14, 2008 at 3:08 PM
But he probably wouldn’t have done that to Saddam, because Saddam only spoke to journalists that agreed with him, and were probably hired by him.
Not to mention the fact that Saddam kept one half of society happy while he raped the other side. That’s the reason that some polls come out that say they liked Saddam, because he was being nice to a certain group to remain in power. Its the same thing Hugo Chavez does with Hollywood types. He shows them the few neighborhoods that he’s thrown some money at, and convinces the fools that the whole country is like that.
jimmy the notable on December 14, 2008 at 3:09 PM
I live to dream.
Cindy Munford on December 14, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Haha… Oh, sad day. Elisha Cuthbert or not, nobody wants to be Sean Avery. Not even Sean Avery.
loganthompson on December 14, 2008 at 3:09 PM
It looks like he was subdued by the Iraqi reporters around him.
Count to 10 on December 14, 2008 at 3:09 PM
I hope you’re talking about journalists, not Iraqis.
jimmy the notable on December 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
My first thought was Olbermann is missing his Buster Browns. The ones with an R and L on the toe caps.
viking01 on December 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
He was kidnapped last year by insurgents…
http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/print.asp?parentid=82225
looks like he’s got some misdirected anger.
Vincenzo on December 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Muntazer al-Zaidi?
He was supposedly kidnapped last November:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/RYA672388.htm
bnelson44 on December 14, 2008 at 3:11 PM
@ Cindy Munford on December 14, 2008 at 3:07 PM
First of all, your edit of my quote is wrong, he didnt borrow 750 billion in my name, he borrowed a little over 7500 dollars in each taxpayers name. Second of all, is that the best you have, comparing Bush to possible actions of Obama? Guess it would be fine with you if Bush banned guns too, cause Obama might do it??? Wow conservatives standards have dropped epically over the last 8 years.
muyoso on December 14, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Saw the video on tv. Bush has good reflexes.
juliesa on December 14, 2008 at 3:14 PM
I hate to dash your hopes, but there are sh1t hole countries all over the world. They are not that way because of geography.
They are that way because of the inhabitants collective will.
TheSitRep on December 14, 2008 at 3:14 PM
The little prick was let go free of charge, too. Too bad he’ll get to find out what its really like to be held captive..
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L19159708.htm
Vincenzo on December 14, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Let’s look at the Big Picture here: the fact is that Iraq is now so stable and secure that a pissant journalist is comfortable publicly insulting and assaulting the President of the United States.
(Think anyone in the Georgian press corps would try this crap with Putin?)
Sadly, America measures success by how long it takes for those whom we have helped gain liberty to transform themselves into ingrateful asses.
If this kind of behavior is the norm in Baghdad today it really is time to hoist the “Mission Accomplished” banner.
Bruno Strozek on December 14, 2008 at 3:14 PM
I think they were ugly-a__ Bruno Maglis like OJ’s.
jgapinoy on December 14, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Ok, I agree it was disrespectful to throw the shoe, but do you mean to tell me none of you laughed?
You know this might be a great way to raise campaign funds. Throw a shoe at your Congressman for only $100 – $200 for a Senator – $250 for Governor – maybe $500 for President.
huckleberryfriend on December 14, 2008 at 3:17 PM
LOL, awesome video. Bob and weave baby!
El_Terrible on December 14, 2008 at 3:17 PM
When they give the idiot his stupid shoes back, I hope they nail them to his feet.
NahnCee on December 14, 2008 at 3:19 PM
This makes me sick. If you read the comments on MSM sites that accompany this video you will be disgusted. And by the way, where the hell was the secret service? That shoe throwing turd is lucky he didn’t get a load of lead in the cranium in between throws. God bless President Bush. Visit the troops, thank them and then get home safely.
BrianBoru on December 14, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Ungrateful little bastard.
The Opinionator on December 14, 2008 at 3:21 PM
I started laughing even before I clicked the link. It just had to be funny.
President Bush, even with his sometimes misguided ‘compassion’ in conservatism, really is a class act. He truly brought back dignity to the White House. I pray he knows many of us admire him, otherwise what a lonely job. Still, I don’t think it matters to him, so long as he knows he is doing what he believes is right (even when I disagree with his assessment). I am going to miss that integrity. It is so uncommon in politics.
pannw on December 14, 2008 at 3:22 PM
You mean the collective will that produced the Anbar Awakening? The collective will that produced a people that stood up and joined police forces even when there was an extremely high chance that they would be killed?
You and I will never agree on this. One of my fundamental bases of life is this “People are the same all over.” A screwed up culture might strangle the will of a people, but the same emotions drive all people. That doesn’t mean that all cultures are equal, I’m not for multiculturalism at all. But to suggest that the entire country is filled with “child like people” based on the action of one journalist…that’s screwed up in my book.
jimmy the notable on December 14, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Is it my imagination, or does Bush look utterly unfazed by the shoe-throwing?
Meryl Yourish on December 14, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Uh.. aren’t you supposed to throw knives in that situation? Not sure what his intention was, other than to give Bush some offensive foot odor.
foreverright on December 14, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Wow, Bush has some serious dodging skills.
iamse7en on December 14, 2008 at 3:26 PM
To paraphrase from Patches O’Houlihan: “If you can dodge a shoe, you can dodge a ball!”
p40tiger on December 14, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Well at least this guy is honest about his bias.
Let’s see if any one ever does this to The One.
Iblis on December 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
I am beginning tpo wonder if any member of the Religion of Peace is worth the life of a single American troop.
Sorry if I offend but I am feeling very cynical about the lot of them.
The Opinionator on December 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Dunk tank.
How much would you pay for a shot at sending Barny Frank into a dunk tank?
Major fund raising opportunity going to waste here.
Count to 10 on December 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Sorry for the misunderstanding. How in the world can you lump Second Amendment rights in with the bail out? Don’t forget that Congress voted on the bail out. They are the money folks. Do I like it? Hell no! I wrote all of my representatives multiple times. There are a lot of things President Bush has done that I don’t agree with and I don’t know of any thing that I have in common with Mr. Obama, but I wouldn’t want shoes thrown at him either. You on the other hand applaud those antics. Why is that?
Cindy Munford on December 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
It looked like Bush was laughing, or at least had a big grin, after the first one sailed by.
jgapinoy on December 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Do you ever get angry with Democrats?
capitalist piglet on December 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Not your imagination. He is so cool…I love that guy.
capitalist piglet on December 14, 2008 at 3:29 PM
I guess this counts as “progress”: Iraqi journalistic standards have risen to the level of MSNBC. The shoe-tosser will now be fawned over on all the A-list Arab TV chat shows. Lame.
Travis Bickle on December 14, 2008 at 3:32 PM
I’m not surprised Bush took it in stride. The interceptor pilot training still in him. I’ll never forget the time Fat Albert Gore the bloated orange man creepily sidled up to him during the 2000 debate and all Albert got was a quick head nod.
I would have been sorely tempted to tell the rude shoe thrower to hold on to his shoes because he might have to walk a mile for a camel.
viking01 on December 14, 2008 at 3:33 PM
David Gregory is mad because he never thought of doing this.
Bill Brasky on December 14, 2008 at 3:34 PM
If Sarah Palin were at that podium when this happened, she would have gotten her heels and send them flying like ninchucks at that jerk reporter so he wouldn’t mess with the ‘Cuda.
President Bush has great instincts and timing. Classy guy taking the high road.
If I were President Bush, I seriously would have gone after the guy.
But, you know the reporters would have defended the jerk instead of the president. ’60 Minutes’ would have an expose and paint the Iraqi reporter as a harmless man. Sort of like most of their reports against our president and military.
jencab on December 14, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Well now we know Bush’s reflexes are better than the Secret Service. I can’t believe they let this guy launch two shoes at the President.
Done That on December 14, 2008 at 3:36 PM
He should have caught the second one, looked at it, said, “sorry, not my size, but thanks anyway,” and tossed it back.
p40tiger on December 14, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Cheney would have thrown them back.
vermin on December 14, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Bush should have caught it, and autographed it with the caption:
“Without me, you wouldn’t have shoes to walk in or a camel to travel on.
Word to yer mutha.
George W. Bush.”
….And then thrown it back.
Can you imagine that in the smithsonian?
S….T……U….D.
Handel on December 14, 2008 at 3:39 PM
yeah pretty ungrateful. Under Saddam they would have cut the mans feet off so he wouldnt need shoes any longer. He should be glad he is free enough to be able to even express himself. Its too bad 43 had to clean the messes up Clinton ignored for 8 years.
johnnyU on December 14, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Possibly, but would he have hit was he was aiming at? He could well have hit Maliki or Bush.
MB4 on December 14, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Pretty good reflexes!
It’s funny how he just stood there and stared the guy down. Any Dem president would have been diving for cover.
WisCon on December 14, 2008 at 3:42 PM
I thought the President’s reaction was pretty smooth. His little smirk as if to say ‘is that all you got Ahmed’ was sweet, and I bet Dana Perino was one of the first ones on the little twit.
thomasaur on December 14, 2008 at 3:42 PM
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