At least Bush will have time to read it in a month. He's going back to his old job...watching MTV videos with his best friend Beavis.

watching MTV videos

Could we take up a collection for pretzels?

Et shoe, Beavis?

This apparantly isn't the first instance in history of a political statement by means of throwing a shoe, though in the earlier instance, it ended somewhat differently for the shoe thrower. In 359, Roman Emperor Constantius II met with a group of Sarmatians (a barbarian group of the time). Referring to the work of the Roman historian Ammianus, "When the emperor was seen on the high tribunal and was preparing to deliver a most mild address, intending to speak to [the Sarmatians] as future obedient subjects, one of their number struck with savage madness, hurling his shoe at the tribunal, shouted 'Marha, marha' (which is their warcry), and the rude crowd following him suddenly raised a barbarian banner and with savage howls rushed the emperor himself." In this particular instance, (unlike the case last weekend when Bush ducked a couple of times and the shoe thrower became something of a hero to the Arab world), in the earlier case, the Roman forces on the scene killed all the barbarians. (Peter Heather, The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians). I don't think there are any direct lessons to draw from the two incidents, but I thought the shoe connection was interesting. Bob W

"...the earlier instance, it ended somewhat differently for the shoe thrower. In 359 (A.D) ..."

Izzat so?

Shoe thrower 'beaten in custody,' BBC, 16 December 2008.

Muntadar al-Zaidi has allegedly suffered a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding, his older brother, Dargham, told the BBC.

Earlier, Dargham al-Zaidi told the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Baghdad he believed his brother had been taken to a US military hospital in the Iraqi capital.

Hero figure

A second day of rallies in support of Mr Zaidi were held across Iraq, calling for his release.

Meanwhile, offers to buy the shoes he threw are being made around the Arab world, reports say.

According to unconfirmed newspaper reports, the former coach of the Iraqi national football team, Adnan Hamad, has offered $100,000 (£65,000) for the shoes, while a Saudi citizen has apparently offered $10m (£6.5m).

Mr Zaidi said his actions were for Iraqi widows and orphans

Wow, I truly hope the above noted physical abuse is untrue. iraq, the us *not to mention mr zaidi* really doesn't need this type of thing going down. What type of person (soldier) thinks it is ok to beat someone because of public, albeit brash, humiliation? For fun? Patriotism? Retribution? Some things i dont understand

Before the two of you embarrass yourselves further (well, for Tenskwawho, that is really not possible) you might wait to see if there is any truth to the alleged beatings and broken bones (arm, ribs). I have heard that the claims are false, and easily disproved. Time will tell, don't jump to conclusions just yet.

Shoe-Thrower Appears In Court, Sky News, Yesterday, 10:06 am.

The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at George Bush has appeared in court, his television station says.

Iraq's interior ministry has denied reports that the journalist suffered a severe beating after being arrested.

One of the reporter's brothers claimed he had a broken leg, cracked ribs and injuries under his eye.

An investigative judge will review the evidence in the case and decide whether Muntadhar al Zeidi should stand trial.

----

Beyond 'funny' somewhere, there is 'animated' ...

Iraq Shoe Tosser Guy: The Animated Gifs, Posted by Xeni Jardin, December 15, 2008 -- starring Curly and Moe