Bush Shoe Thrower: Press Asserts al-Zaidi Had Saddam, Baathist Connections

It seems to be emerging as an accepted fact that Muntather al-Zaidi, the reporter who threw both his shoes at President George W. Bush this weekend, had specific ideological connections to Saddam Hussein and/or the Ba'ath Party, a pleasing conceit that seems intended to isolate al-Zaidi from an Iraqi populace who have, by and large, soured on the U.S. occupation. The most commonly cited source would appear to be this blog post from the New York Times "Baghdad Bureau," which notes that al-Zaidi -- in addition to having a rather commonplace "long-building anger towards the United States military presence in Iraq" -- also had "ties to Saddam Hussein's Baath Party," and was "head of the student union under Saddam Hussein."

Absent from this account is any indication that al-Zaidi pursued either his fealty to Saddam or the Ba'ath Party with any particular zeal. While several people are quoted in the article describing al-Zaidi's politics and positions -- and not always in a positive light -- none attest to any particular love for Saddam Hussein or his ruling party. In a thoughtful piece from the Washington Independent, Spencer Ackerman explains that this is an example of the press jumping to an untenable conclusion:

First of all, Iraqis under Saddam did whatever they had to do to survive given the reality of a totalitarian regime. Baghdad metal band Acrassicauda wrote a song praising Saddam so they could get some funding for equipment. Did al-Zaidi head his student union because he wanted to head a student union or because he believes deeply in the glory of Saddam Hussein? I don't know and you don't either.

And it's completely irrelevant. al-Zaidi has become a symbol in Iraq and the Middle East because the occupation of Iraq is an unwelcome intrusion. Calling al-Zaidi a Baathist is a particularly pathetic way to put one's head in the sand instead of confronting this simple reality. (You know who were also Baathists? Thousands of the so-called Sons of Iraq.)

The Times has abundant evidence that al-Zaidi detested President Bush, took the occupation personally, and had planned to make a symbolic, attention-seeking statement to that effect. But nowhere is it conclusively proven that he was motivated by anything having to do with Saddam Hussein or the Ba'ath Party. Indeed, based upon the extent to which al-Zaidi has been exalted in Iraq, I'd say it's fair to note that al-Zaidi was expressing a very mainstream dissatisfaction.

Comments

[Yermammy]

THIS MAN IS A HERO. That's a plain as I can make it. If we had HALF the guts of this Patriot, Jr. and Dicky would be in prison right now.

[AliMB]

I find it ironic that Mr. Al-Zaidi is being praised for committing an act facilitated by the toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime. In a press conference held by the previous regime, Mr. Al-Zaidi would likely never have had access, and if he did and had he committed the same act, the consequence would probably have been his execution. If anything, this act highlights one of the objective successes of the Bush-led conflict in Iraq i.e. freedom of the press. The concept that Mr. Al-Zaidi is a “hero” does not resonate with an extraordinary definition of the word, chiefly an individual who exhibits courage or bravery. By “extraordinary” I mean that he has to do something exhibit such bravery so as to merit praise at a national, regional, or international level. Mr. Al-Zaidi’s physical self was never at risk and his act was by no means conducive to producing any tangible result. I could argue that it would have been more “heroic” for Mr. Al-Zaidi to take up arms against US Marines, heroic in a purely impassive sense meaning exhibiting physical and mental courage. Of course, doing so might entail costs that Mr. Al-Zaidi wasn’t prepared to face.

[Ginger5]

And how many iraqi women and children had to die for this pseudo-liberation.

[Yermammy]

I don't quite know what to say to you. Except you know nothing of bravery. This man is being tortured as we speak. He knew full well he would. He could have just as well been drilled by the Secret Service as by Iraqi Security. He faces years in prison and knew full well he would. And yet he did it. I fought a war on lies a long time ago and never knew the hatred I possess for the President and Vice President we do at present. Draft dodgers and AWOL experts each and every one of them. Most of my comrades were killed over there and the ones that did make it died long slow deaths from AO. That's pretty brave, but nothing what this man did. You do not know what bravery is, compadre. Not if it hit you with a shoe.

[brooklyncitizen]

Yes and I guess you've experienced kidnapping and torture twice in one year for being a journalist?

Didn't think so.

[Balzac]

Coward.

[Ethics101]

You have been a member for one day and have posted over 50 comments
on just a couple headlines. All in defense of Bush.
Go away tR0LL.

[UrbanPork]

Give Bush the boot. Send your old shoes to the White House.

[AliMB]

Bush is already leaving office, i don't know exactly how won could boot him (except in the literal sense, but i would advise against because you would be arrested by the secret service and likely face jail time).

[Geoffreys]

It kills me that in a country where the vast majority no longer buy into this invasion and occupation, much of the press and the government still gets away with pretending that not support Bush or the invasion is a fringie opinion.

By far the vast majority of the planet does not support this occupation. No where but here are the press still pretending that the neocons in office are still powerful and that pretending they are doing the same thing will get people to go along.

You can fool some of the the people some of the time ....

[TR12]

Symbol and martyrs can give courage to the weakest at the scariest of times

[AliMB]

you could also argue that Bush's reaction to the incident, and his later conciliatory comments, is also a symbol that gives courage to individuals who find themselves defending an unpopular position. I'm not sure how MR. Al-Zaidi's actions make him a matyr... he's not dead, and a martyr is a person who suffers bodily harm as a result of his personal beliefs, not a person who is thrown in jail by for one an act of protest

[atruewolf]

too bad he missed, that would had been the best AFV and winner of $100,000.00

[Bitsko]

Hmm, let's see... "detested Bush, took the occupation personally, and had planned to make a symbolic, attention-seeking statement to that effect." Sounds like everybody who was at the anti-war demonstration here in Manhattan last weekend.

[AliMB]

i wasn't at that particular protest, but from experience being at other similar protests, i would disagree (if i can make some assumptions).... must protestors can't take the "occupation" personally because they have no personal connection minus what they see on tv... . must people wouln't be willing to do what Mr. Al-zalidi did because most american protestors would be detered from the fact that they would having to spend time in jail.

[Yermammy]

I wish I could have made that demonstration. Bravery is contagious.

[SoCalAmerican]

Nike, Reebok, Kenneth Cole, etc. need to hunt for this guy to sponsor their gear. Sales would skyrocket.

[AliMB]

i doubt average americans would race to embrace Mr. Al-Zalidi just because he threw shoes at the President... also, Mr. Al-Zalidi seems to be virulently anti-american and not just anti-bush, so that would not make him a poor marketing tactic

[greyseal in tampa]

Baathist? Nah...he's a shoe-ite.

[Tom Joad]

nice one!!

[hialoha]

Too funny!

[learnsomething]

greyseal....LOL

[hialoha]

Shi ite I wish I'd thought of that. Excellent.

[brooklyncitizen]

Except that he isn't a Shiite. He is a Sunni.

[1201SLD]

Don't you mean he's a shoe-ni?

[rasit]

I wonder what would have happened to al-Zaidi, if the person on the other end of the shoe had been Saddam Hussain?

[AliMB]

he would have been summarily executed if he was lucky, tortued then killed in all probabilty, and in worst case scenario tortured, killed along with the rest of his family. Also, some part of Mr. Al-Zalidi (or a personal item) would be mailed to the American Embassy with a note from the Foreign Ministry apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people.

[cobobs]

He was in danger of losing his life on the spot in any country on earth, including those deemed free. He understood that risk.

[vgirl1]

The press can spin it any way they want to. The fact remains this insult was meant for Bush and apparently had strong support among many Iraqi national s.

While not all may not agree with the action, it remains a sobering reminder of the hatred Bush has sown against Americans for oil and revenge in the name of democracy.

[wutheflip]

Who said we don't agree with it? I've always heard it said that what comes around goes around. Is this not the fitting example? He prances in there as the self-proclaimed liberator, and he gets his comeuppance. Cosmic justice served.

[AliMB]

it is likely that the insult was meant only at bush, but it could also be possible that it was meant for all america. i have read many articles that highlight some strong anti-american feelings within Mr. Al-Zaidi. i disagree wutheflip that this cosmic justice. if Bush is in fact responsible for killing scores of innocent iraqis, than how does throwing a shoe at him equal justice? not even in the most lenient court in the world would that be justice.

[Mack20]

The hatred against GWB started with Al Gore and his selfish refusal to concede defeat in the 2000 election. He sowed the seeds along with the MSM, the Democratic politicians and the crazy far left fringe. Sadly, the rest of the globe picked up on this. You know the old Nazi propaganda strategy? Tell a lie often enough and it becomes the truth. I would love to know what the shoe-throwing reporter's occupation was when Saddam was in power. Was he a supporter of the evil regime, dutifully writing articles supporting his tyrant? Or a closet rebel, afraid to express his true feelings in fear for his life while praying for the day he could freely and safely express himself?

Unfortunately, freedom of speech in this country has turned into physical assaults with pies, paint, loud heckling and open disrespectful hatred. We as a free and open society have set a poor example to the world. If you people on the left despise opposition this much, now is your time to eliminate it once and for all. And history repeats itself.

[hialoha]

Not to mention 70% of American nationals.

[swe123]

right....and he made it past security to a press conference where he was 15 feet from the President...tell me another one

[Grousefeather]

Bush had a shoe thrown at him and the thrower missed, too bad! Bush deserves a punch in the mouth!

[ErnestineBass]

Thank you, Jason, for citing the Washington Independent. As far as this old newshound is concerned, WI and McClatchey are the last two U.S. based outlets providing OBJECTIVE news concerning developments in Iraq and/or the Mid East. Kudos!

[furryone]

please give me a LARGE flunking break!!!!!

the MSM can lick my gonads

[ErnestineBass]

They seem to have developed a real talent for it over the last eight years...heh!

[ACanadianPerspective]

As other bloggers have pointed out on other Huffington stories, the headline doesn't fit the details in the story! The man was an outraged Iraqi who is sickened by the hardships, death and destruction done to a country due to an incompetent administration's handling of conditions after Saddam's fall.

Remember the reception all over the Middle East and Europe that PE Obama received in his tour this summer.....only 35 more days!!