Yesterday, as I was watching my beloved but decimated New York Giants choke on national television, I took the time to peruse some right-wing blogs to see how they were reacting to Size 10 ShoeGate. Their response was remarkably muted. The most consistent reaction was to laud the merits of the surge that Barack Obama did not have the courage or wisdom to support. Second behind that, was to berate the Iraqis for their lack of appreciation for being liberated. Needless to say, I was not surprised by the general detachment from reality. I wonder how they will react to this:
BAGHDAD — Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets Monday to demand the release of a reporter who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush, as Arabs across many parts of the Middle East hailed the journalist as a hero and praised his insult as a proper send-off to the unpopular U.S. president.
The protests came as suicide bombers and gunmen targeted Iraqi police, U.S.-allied Sunni guards and civilians in a series of attacks Monday that killed at least 17 people and wounded more than a dozen others, officials said.
Journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who was kidnapped by militants last year, was being held by Iraqi security Monday and interrogated about whether anybody paid him to throw his shoes at Bush during a press conference the previous day in Baghdad, said an Iraqi official.
I can see the conversation, now.
Militant: Hey, Muntadhar, I’ll tell you what. You’re a journalist, right?
Al-Zeidi: Yes, yes I am.
Militant: You think you could get into one of those press conferences the Prime Minister has?
Al-Zeidi: Certainly, I have the credentials from Al-Baghdadia.
Militant: Alright. Here’s the deal. We’ll release you on the following condition.
Al-Zeidi: (excited) Yes, yes, what is it?
Militant: President Bush is certain to make one more appearance in Iraq before he leaves office. If we release you, we want you to go to the press conference and we want you to take off your shoes and throw them at Bush.
Al-Zeidi: (confused) Throw my shoes at Bush?
Militant: Yes. When you take off the first shoe, yell, “This is a farewell kiss, you dog,” and then throw the shoe. When you take off the second shoe, yell, “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.” Then throw the second shoe. Do you agree to do this?
Al-Zeidi: My friend, that is an excellent proposal and I would gladly do it on my own initiative.
Militant: Excellent. Be sure you do, or we will kill your whole family.
Okay, enough fantasizing about what goes on in a wingnut’s head.
[Al-Zeidi] was also being tested for alcohol and drugs, and his shoes were being held as evidence, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
It’s a joke to think that someone must either be coerced or paid by militants or drunk and stoned to want to throw their shoes at Bush when he makes an appearance to talk about the great things he has done for Iraq. The reality is much plainer.
The Arab response was ecstatic.
“Al-Zeidi is the man,” said 42-year-old Jordanian businessman Samer Tabalat. “He did what Arab leaders failed to do.”
That’s all you need to understand.
