This is appalling, that a member of the press, given the privilege of being able to interact and question the US president could act like this and people would find it funny.
Whether you like the man or his politics, he is our president. The office deserves our respect.
It is a slippery slope we climb upon if we find that this is acceptable or laudable behavior.
I'm glad he wasn't hurt, but I had to smile a little when I heard that an Iraqi journalist threw a pair of shoes at President Bush today. What was your reaction? This is what I write about tonight in my post at peoplepowergranny.blogspot.com. Let me know in my poll, too.
I agree that it's disrespectful to the entire country to throw shoes at our President. And that's regardless of who is in office. I am dismayed beyond words that Obama has been elected, but I'd not want to see him pelted with shoes or otherwise dissed as POTUS. Criticizing the POTUS is one thing; base insults are another matter entirely.
Never cared for him as a President, but that behavior is out of bounds. Thankfully, the room had already been secured such that shoes were the only thing able to get thrown.
Well one thing for sure, all of GWB's working out pays off. That dude has lightning fast reaction time - freaking amazing for a 60-ish guy.
I for one am very glad the 8-yr long GWB debacle is almost concluded (and I'm a registered republican... although I will not admit that to my friends...) but you're right --> Gotta stand up for your Prez. Throwing shoes at the US Prez is ucool (and in the middle east, it's almost as low as you can go BTW... it's the human form of being kicked by a camel, which is where it originated as an insult. It's roughly on par with "F U - MoFo" on steroids with twenty middle fingers waving)
It's also amazing to me that the secret service was taken completely by surprise. What are all those dudes there for again? Oh... I thought it was to protect the prez. Guess if there had been a bomb in that shoe.... whatever.
Finally - politically Bush has been a disaster, but personally he is genuinely a decent guy. And his wife is first-class all the way. IOW, they're good people and don't deserve to be kicked by camels.
- Moo Praises be to Allah
Eric Goranson
· 1 year ago
I saw the video and laughed out loud because I was so amazed at what a stud Pres Bush is for ducking so fast and being in such good shape and then him subtly waving off Secret Service who wanted to whisk him away.
Then I got mad. As much as I loathe Obama, I'd be just as mad if someone threw their shoes at him too.
While I strongly dislike what Dubya has done to the nation and how he's handled his office, and I admit to a few snickers about this incident, in all truth I'm not pleased to see a sitting president get anything thrown at him nor to see the Secret Service fail to catch a shoe in the face to protect him.
That said, let's remember that it's a bit much to expect an Iraqi to respect the office of U.S. President. We marched into that nation and we've made a shambles of this situation. Bush isn't THEIR president. He was in Iraq, he hasn't taken the situation seriously enough, and there are a lot of angry Iraqis. I can't blame them for anger, even if I don't want them attacking any of our people, troops, politicians or otherwise.
<abbr>Deacon Blues last blog post..Modern Gods</abbr>
Eric Goranson
· 1 year ago
Deacon Blue - so do you think it's OK to throw things at Arab leaders when they come here? Why is it too much to expect an Iraqi to show a little restraint but we'd expect the same of our own people if their leaders where here.
I can't remember the lat time a U.N. diplomat was mistreated like that on American soil by an American citizen.
Eric...way to take my statment out of context and twist my meaning.
You will note, if you go back, that I said I DON'T want to see that kind of behavior.
But people are saying "respect the president" and they don't just mean the people here in the U.S. laughing at this incident but ALSO the Iraqis. This makes no sense and is not a logical thing to expect.
Imagine someone coming into your nation to "liberate" you and botching the whole job and see how much love you have for the leader of the nation that did it. People coming to visit our nation haven't marched troops and tanks through it, now have they?
I don't condone the action.
But I understand the anger.
Is that clear enough now?
<abbr>Deacon Blues last blog post..Modern Gods</abbr>
SocietyVs
· 1 year ago
"I can’t remember the last time a U.N. diplomat was mistreated like that on American soil by an American citizen." (Eric)
Interesting, I seem to re-call a few American citizens being jailed for the murders of King Jr, Bobby Kennedy, and JFK Jr...on the basis of disagreement with these men...America is not all that clean when it comes to dissension in opinions. As late as 1980 John Lennon was killed by an American citizen - and he was also a British citizen. I wish to God they threw shoes at these people (but that's in the past).
Also the US has a gorrible track record with the UN - they don't throw shoes - they just ignore the advice of the said institution - which is practically belittling the institution - from issues like invading Iraq to treatment of political prisoners. That's way worse than some shoes being thrown at someone.
Also, America - when it has problems with people from other countries disposes of them - screw throwing shoes - lets take them out of power (and if possible jail them). I seem to recall a few leaders this happened to very recently - like Hussein. The fact is - the US of A has very little repute on some areas of the world because of this. So yes, shoes go flying (which is funny).
Plus throwing shoes is a restraint for what that person likely really wanted to do.
I think the majority of us agree that we should rally around our President when behavior like that occurs regardless of party. The simple fact is this man was a member of the press corps and was given the privilege of getting to be at the press conference. It was conduct unbecoming of the press corps. Today his employer is defending his right to "free speech." Free speech does not include attempted assault.
@SocietyVs - we do not treat leaders from other nations that way when they come into our country. Period. Perhaps you'd feel differently if it were your Prime Minister.
SocietyVs
· 1 year ago
"we do not treat leaders from other nations that way when they come into our country. Period. Perhaps you’d feel differently if it were your Prime Minister." (Shane)
Not really - I don't hold that office to some special state of esteem (Prime Minister) - cause its not something special in my view of faith and reality. If someone threw shoes at Stephen Harper it would be a blip on our news casts - and myself - i would not waste a blog on the issue - never mind 2 of them.
All Comments
<abbr>Amandas last blog post..Love and Forgiveness</abbr>
Whether you like the man or his politics, he is our president. The office deserves our respect.
It is a slippery slope we climb upon if we find that this is acceptable or laudable behavior.
<abbr>AndyCs last blog post..Ockham's Razor</abbr>
<abbr>People Power Grannys last blog post..Tomatoes are out of season. Stinky shoes may be a better choice.</abbr>
<abbr>Christinas last blog post..Searchs: A motley assortment</abbr>
<abbr>Ricks last blog post..Asleep in the Light?</abbr>
Dang.
I love Bush.
<abbr>Foxfiers last blog post..Request For Ideas-</abbr>
I for one am very glad the 8-yr long GWB debacle is almost concluded (and I'm a registered republican... although I will not admit that to my friends...) but you're right --> Gotta stand up for your Prez. Throwing shoes at the US Prez is ucool (and in the middle east, it's almost as low as you can go BTW... it's the human form of being kicked by a camel, which is where it originated as an insult. It's roughly on par with "F U - MoFo" on steroids with twenty middle fingers waving)
It's also amazing to me that the secret service was taken completely by surprise. What are all those dudes there for again? Oh... I thought it was to protect the prez. Guess if there had been a bomb in that shoe.... whatever.
Finally - politically Bush has been a disaster, but personally he is genuinely a decent guy. And his wife is first-class all the way. IOW, they're good people and don't deserve to be kicked by camels.
- Moo
Praises be to Allah
Then I got mad. As much as I loathe Obama, I'd be just as mad if someone threw their shoes at him too.
<abbr>Eric Goransons last blog post..Great Video On Puhblik Edukashon</abbr>
That said, let's remember that it's a bit much to expect an Iraqi to respect the office of U.S. President. We marched into that nation and we've made a shambles of this situation. Bush isn't THEIR president. He was in Iraq, he hasn't taken the situation seriously enough, and there are a lot of angry Iraqis. I can't blame them for anger, even if I don't want them attacking any of our people, troops, politicians or otherwise.
<abbr>Deacon Blues last blog post..Modern Gods</abbr>
I can't remember the lat time a U.N. diplomat was mistreated like that on American soil by an American citizen.
<abbr>Eric Goransons last blog post..Great Video On Puhblik Edukashon</abbr>
You will note, if you go back, that I said I DON'T want to see that kind of behavior.
But people are saying "respect the president" and they don't just mean the people here in the U.S. laughing at this incident but ALSO the Iraqis. This makes no sense and is not a logical thing to expect.
Imagine someone coming into your nation to "liberate" you and botching the whole job and see how much love you have for the leader of the nation that did it. People coming to visit our nation haven't marched troops and tanks through it, now have they?
I don't condone the action.
But I understand the anger.
Is that clear enough now?
<abbr>Deacon Blues last blog post..Modern Gods</abbr>
Interesting, I seem to re-call a few American citizens being jailed for the murders of King Jr, Bobby Kennedy, and JFK Jr...on the basis of disagreement with these men...America is not all that clean when it comes to dissension in opinions. As late as 1980 John Lennon was killed by an American citizen - and he was also a British citizen. I wish to God they threw shoes at these people (but that's in the past).
Also the US has a gorrible track record with the UN - they don't throw shoes - they just ignore the advice of the said institution - which is practically belittling the institution - from issues like invading Iraq to treatment of political prisoners. That's way worse than some shoes being thrown at someone.
Also, America - when it has problems with people from other countries disposes of them - screw throwing shoes - lets take them out of power (and if possible jail them). I seem to recall a few leaders this happened to very recently - like Hussein. The fact is - the US of A has very little repute on some areas of the world because of this. So yes, shoes go flying (which is funny).
Plus throwing shoes is a restraint for what that person likely really wanted to do.
<abbr>SocietyVss last blog post..Divorce - What Do You Think?</abbr>
I think the majority of us agree that we should rally around our President when behavior like that occurs regardless of party. The simple fact is this man was a member of the press corps and was given the privilege of getting to be at the press conference. It was conduct unbecoming of the press corps. Today his employer is defending his right to "free speech." Free speech does not include attempted assault.
@SocietyVs - we do not treat leaders from other nations that way when they come into our country. Period. Perhaps you'd feel differently if it were your Prime Minister.
Not really - I don't hold that office to some special state of esteem (Prime Minister) - cause its not something special in my view of faith and reality. If someone threw shoes at Stephen Harper it would be a blip on our news casts - and myself - i would not waste a blog on the issue - never mind 2 of them.
<abbr>SocietyVss last blog post..Divorce - What Do You Think?</abbr>