Life
The Shoe Heard Around the World
| By now who has not seen images of Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al Zaidi pelting shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush at a press conference to mark his victory lap in Iraq. Perhaps no iconic image could better symbolize the end to a disastrous presidency, which has brought America to the brink of a depression.
Al Zaidi screamed, “This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog!” as he flung the first shoe and, “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!” as he pitched the second one. Bush managed to duck both shoes.
Al Zaidi faces up to seven years in prison for committing an act of aggression against a foreign head of state. But across the Arab world he has become a folk hero. Tens of thousands took to the streets in Baghdad to demand his release and spontaneous celebrations broke out in several Arab countries. Al-Baghdadiya, the TV network that employs him, suspended its normal programming to relay messages of support from all over the Arab world and Syrian television repeatedly broadcast his image throughout the day. Almost 1,000 lawyers have volunteered to represent him for free, including the lead lawyer for Saddam Hussein. An anonymous Saudi Arabian has bid $10 million for just one of the shoes and a Libyan charity group has awarded him a medal for courage. Wikipedia features a page on him and numerous Facebook groups dedicated to him are gleefully celebrating his exploits. As for Al Zaidi, Iraqi prosecutors have not produced him in public since his arrest and his family alleges he was severely beaten in custody. In fact, his piercing screams could be heard from an adjoining room during Bush’s press conference, as he was beaten. However, Bush, whose administration is accused of torturing terror suspects, seemed unfazed by the screams.
As the whole world rocks with the high point that the lowliest insult in Iraqi culture seems to have reached, the shoe is coming to symbolize a new form of political protest. In New York City, one protestor was overpowered and charged with “public annoyance” after threatening the head of the transit agency, “This shoe is for you.” |
