"Shoes Fly, Don't Bother Me" soundtrack to Bush's (R) latest visit to Iraq

BigV · 12-14-2008, 12:07 PM

Watch this space.

Shoe tossing a gesture of great contempt.

Quote:

In the Arab world, shoe flinging is a gesture of extreme disrespect. A notable occurrence of this gesture happened in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003. When U.S. forces pulled down a giant statue of Saddam Hussein during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, many Iraqi detractors of Hussein threw their shoes at the fallen statue.

This may be an ancient gesture from the Middle East; Psalms 60:10, speaking of some of the traditional enemies of Judah, says that "Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe...." (KJV)

The shoe represents the lowest part of the body (the foot) and displaying or throwing a shoe at someone or something in Arab cultures denotes that the person or thing is "beneath them." Showing the bottom of one's feet or shoes (for example, putting one's feet up on a table or desk) in Arab cultures is considered an extreme insult. Examples include Iraqi citizens smacking torn-down posters of Saddam Hussein with their shoes, and the depiction of President of the United States George H. W. Bush on a tile mosaic of the floor of the Al-Rashid Hotel's lobby, forcing all visitors entering the hotel to walk on Bush's face to enter the hotel.

BigV · 12-14-2008, 12:10 PM

Man throws shoes at Bush in Iraq

By JENNIFER LOVEN – 31 minutes ago

Quote:

BAGHDAD (AP) — A man threw his shoes at President George W. Bush and was dragged away by security officials during the president's farewell trip to Iraq.

The incident occurred as Bush was appearing Sunday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Bush ducked and wasn't hit by either shoe. Bush joked, saying that all he can report was that it was a size 10 shoe. then calmly took questions.

Sundae · 12-14-2008, 01:39 PM

We've just seen this on the news while eating our tea.
Really made us laugh.

Shame on the thrower though, he really should have adjusted his aim after Bush ducked the first one.

elSicomoro · 12-14-2008, 02:39 PM

I would have preferred a pie in the face myself, but given how serious shoe flinging is in the Arab world, it's quite enjoyable.

Aliantha · 12-14-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

"The greatest regret of my presidency was the lack of intelligence in Iraq" - George W. Bush.

"The greatest regret of my presidency was the lack of intelligence"

Fixed if for you Mr Bush.

classicman · 12-14-2008, 03:42 PM

What? No mobs of hatred? No gatherings or mass protests? Guess they killed all of "those Iraqis."

BigV · 12-14-2008, 04:17 PM

Interesting.

"This is a farewell kiss, you dog."

TheMercenary · 12-14-2008, 05:28 PM

So if someone throws a pie or a pipe bomb at Obama you guys would be ok with that? Now that would be funny.

How about a noose? would that be funny? Disrespect is disrespect, no matter where it happens.

footfootfoot · 12-14-2008, 06:54 PM

I have to agree with Merc here. Depsite the contempt and disrespect Bush has shown to pretty much everyone in the world but his cronies, showing disrespect back to him only reduces you to his level.

ZenGum · 12-14-2008, 07:33 PM

Was it a shoe of mass destruction?

(I'm serious. My shoes could qualify as both chemical and biological weapons!)

Maybe the guy should have just poked out his tongue...

classicman · 12-14-2008, 07:44 PM

Good thing he threw it at Bush. Had it been any other leader in that area the guy would have been beheaded and then disposed of in a mass grave with a bunch of other murdered people.
Ahh, the beginning of a new era.

piercehawkeye45 · 12-14-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

So if someone throws a pie or a pipe bomb at Obama you guys would be ok with that? Now that would be funny.

How about a noose? would that be funny? Disrespect is disrespect, no matter where it happens.

I would laugh at a pie. I would think the person who did it was an idiot, but it would be entertaining. Pipe bombs and noose's are on a different level though. Throwing of shoes might be the "ultimate" form of disrespect in Arabic culture but it isn't a, or hint of an assassination attempt.

Aliantha · 12-14-2008, 11:36 PM

Yeah...i've got to agree with pierce. I don't think bombs etc are on the same level as shoes.

Aliantha · 12-14-2008, 11:37 PM

You know, I've been thinking that if you're the sort of person that gets offended a lot in Iraq, you'd spend a fair bit on shoes.

Or do you get your shoes returned after you've thrown them? If so, it doesn't really seem right. A bit like being an indian giver. You know...giving something then expecting it back later...

Aliantha · 12-14-2008, 11:42 PM

Or do they have special discount 'throwing shoe' shops in those cultures? Now that'd be a good business to be in!

12-14-2008, 03:42 PM	#6
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	What? No mobs of hatred? No gatherings or mass protests? Guess they killed all of "those Iraqis." __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

12-14-2008, 04:17 PM	#7
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Interesting. "This is a farewell kiss, you dog." __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

12-14-2008, 05:28 PM	#8
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	So if someone throws a pie or a pipe bomb at Obama you guys would be ok with that? Now that would be funny. How about a noose? would that be funny? Disrespect is disrespect, no matter where it happens. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

12-14-2008, 06:54 PM	#9
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	I have to agree with Merc here. Depsite the contempt and disrespect Bush has shown to pretty much everyone in the world but his cronies, showing disrespect back to him only reduces you to his level. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

12-14-2008, 07:33 PM	#10
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Was it a shoe of mass destruction? (I'm serious. My shoes could qualify as both chemical and biological weapons!) Maybe the guy should have just poked out his tongue... __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

12-14-2008, 01:39 PM	#3
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	We've just seen this on the news while eating our tea. Really made us laugh. Shame on the thrower though, he really should have adjusted his aim after Bush ducked the first one.

12-14-2008, 02:39 PM	#4
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I would have preferred a pie in the face myself, but given how serious shoe flinging is in the Arab world, it's quite enjoyable.

12-14-2008, 07:44 PM	#11
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Good thing he threw it at Bush. Had it been any other leader in that area the guy would have been beheaded and then disposed of in a mass grave with a bunch of other murdered people. Ahh, the beginning of a new era. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

12-14-2008, 11:36 PM	#13
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Yeah...i've got to agree with pierce. I don't think bombs etc are on the same level as shoes. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-14-2008, 11:37 PM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	You know, I've been thinking that if you're the sort of person that gets offended a lot in Iraq, you'd spend a fair bit on shoes. Or do you get your shoes returned after you've thrown them? If so, it doesn't really seem right. A bit like being an indian giver. You know...giving something then expecting it back later... __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-14-2008, 11:42 PM	#15
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Or do they have special discount 'throwing shoe' shops in those cultures? Now that'd be a good business to be in! __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

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