Thank You, Mr. Muntadhar Al-zaidi, for Throwing Your Shoe at President Bush

I’m sure I’m not the only person in the world who found this story hilarious and had a good moment of laughter.  Shoe thrown at Bush?  Smiles all around.  So I wanted to say thank you to the brave man who started this epidemic of laughter, even though if you look at the video, noone who was actually there saw the comical merits of this situation.  Iraq must really be a dangerous place if shoes being thrown at Bush is not immediately met with laughter.  The people there must have been too worried they were under attack to acknowledge the occasion with even a smile.  A snicker?  Come on Maliki, you didn’t think that was funny at all?

Also, I am absolutely shocked at the president’s reaction.  I must reevaluate my opinion of him.  He has finally done something for which I can praise him without reserve.  That man has some good reflexes.  Better than mine for if it was me up there, Mr. al-Zaidi would not have had to take that second shot.  I truly am in awe and alost speechless at how quick he was able to dodge those shoes.

But, I am dissappointed with the secret service.  al-Zaidi should not have been able to take that second shot.  The fact that he could makes me worry for Obama.  Or perhaps, the secret service, knowing Bush better than we do, decided he deserved it and wanted to give the hurler another opportunity before brandishing their muscle.  Even so, the image I expected was a cadre of suited men hurling themselves in front of the president as the first shoe hung in the air.  Aren’t they supposed to risk their lives for his?   What if the shoe was housing a grenade?

Not that I’m not thankful for the insult, I just think we need to evaluate this situation in light of the fact that he will be leaving soon and we do not want such insults hurled at our future president.  Shoe at bush, funny.   Shoe at Obama, offensive. 

I can only imagine how most iraqis feel at this moment, joy and elation mixed with a sense of justice denied?  After all, the shoes didn’t even graze him.  Shoes thrown at Bush, funny.  Shoes hit Bush, you know that feeling you get when you’re being tickled and you’ve reached a seeming point of no return?  And I totally agree with them, this Iraqi hero should be released immediately!  Statues should be erected in his honor.  A Baghdad street should be named after him.  Does he have a Myspace account?  Is he on Facebook?   Bet he will receive a million friend requests now.   Too bad he is currently being tortured and we can only guess at how long a sentence he will receive for this brave act.

I googled his full name today December 15th at 11:56 and got back 1300 results, at 12:22 it was 1350.   I bet by the end of this week, it’ll number in the millions.  I’ve already seen websites trying to capitalize on his notoriety with T-shirts.  I am tempted to purchase one with his picture and the words “My hero”.

I must also note that no, I am not at all offended by this Iraqi reaction to an American president.  He deserved it and has done a million times worse.  We should also thank al-Zaidi for educating us about Muslims opinions of dogs.  Goodness, what must they think of us when they see Paris Hilton?  I have a feeling Mr. Bush is going to continue to play it off as if he was not at all insulted, yet in the background, authorize the deportation of al-Zaidi to Guantanamo where he can insult him the American way.

So good luck Mr. al-Zaidi.  The things that are going to happen to you are the precise reason why so many of us are too cowardly to have done the same though we have considered it from time to time.  I would contribute to your legal defense fund but I’m chicken.  Maybe after Obama takes office.  Good luck world hero.