Getting the boot

President George W. Bush has become great at dodging things. I doubt he thought he'd ever have to dodge a pair of shoes. Muntazer al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist based out of Cairo, hurled not one, but two shoes at President Bush's head while shouting in Arabic, "This is your farewell kiss, you dog!" during a press conference in Iraq. Throwing shoes is almost an unforgivable sign of disrespect in the Arab world, and images were seen of Iraqi's throwing their shoes at Saddam statues after being liberated from his tyranny. Iraqi officials condemned his act, and asked his employer, al Baghdadiya television, for his resignation. Those close the reporter has stated he has "always hated President Bush" and has made several disparaging comments about the U.S. President Bush referred to the incident as a 'bizarre moment' and said he 'is not insulted'. Even while coming up from the first-shoe-ducking, he had his cowboy smile on his face.

My take: When I first saw it, I laughed. It was too preposterous to be true! A shoe? Really? Then after watching it being replayed on every news station, I found it very sad. A few thoughts occurred to me. First, although it is most likely the reporter used his shoe to display an Arabic tradition of shame, I also think there is a possibility there was a little less to it. All the reporters must have gone through security, and could not bring any questionable items. Not that I think he would bring a weapon in, but I think he would be limited to what he was wearing for items to throw. And his jacket or tie wouldn't make it to the podium. Shoes seem the logical choice for aerodynamics and speed. I doubt that was his main reason, but who knows.

Secondly, and most importantly, the really important story is being missed here! What was Bush doing over there in the first place? To visit the troops one last time before leaving office, and to sign the US-Iraq security agreement which Bush's National Security Adviser, Stephen Hadley has described as "a unique [pact] in the Arab world because it was publicly debated, discussed and adopted by an elected parliament." He continued, "the trip proved that the U.S.-Iraq relationship was changing with Iraqis rightfully exercising greater sovereignty and the U.S. in an increasingly subordinate role." According to the A.P., "the bilateral agreement calls for all American troops to be withdrawn by the end of 2011, in two stages. The first stage begins next year, when U.S. troops pull back from Baghdad and other Iraqi cities by the end of June." I see this as a huge step, not just for the U.S. but also for Iraq. Why is this not the lead story? I could see it now... "Bush signing a 'time-table for withdrawal'". The "Shoe Incident" might be today's headlines, but the reason behind President Bush's trip is much more significant and should be more recognized.