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

[LeeCalif]

Right.

It was a WMD shoe.

[LaurenMarie984]

Somebody had to do it. and the demonstrations by the Iraqi people in support of this shoe throwing, agree.

[Desdemondo]

The shoes-thrower should get some time based solely on the fact that his aim was so poor.

What a greeting and Aufwiedersehen.

[whit4brains]

I won't believe anything that I read about this guy from the western press.

[PoliticalAmazon]

ITA. Go to the regional publications and read 2 or 3 at least.

[loper2008]

sounds like a smear campaign

[alguien]

agreed.

[sean6886]

Totally agree!

[GeorgeP922]

Wow, I think I am seeing why Malaki now wants to lock this man in jail for 20 years.

He is SUNNI, Malaki is intentionally fanning the flames.

He wants the Sunnis to rebel one more time, guaranteeing we stay there, or with us gone the shiite can finally exterminate the Sunni.

It sounds over the top, but in a world where there is always an active genocide, I doubt we will stop the next one in Iraq.

[berryessence]

YOU SOUNDS ANGRY

[GeorgeP922]

Yea I would say so.

My country that I love so much has been given a permanent stain that 100 Obama's will never vindicate.

MY country Killed and Tortured strictly for a DOMESTIC political agenda.

Am I angry, hell yea.

[McChimp]

Surprise surprise... anyone who disagrees with President C himp is a Saddam loyalist t errorist loving com mie s ocialist b astard... what else is new?

[GeorgeP922]

So what, I don't blame any members of the dead Bathist party for cursing Bush and insulting him with their shoes for the deaths of over 100 THOUSAND Iraqis.

I dare you to read what he really said, the American press dare not repeat it.

This spin won't work, the man is a hero, not just to Americans and Arabs but to the history books.

Set up a fund for him and see how much gets raised.

[ebbtide]

Wel, indeed he did make a statement, and made Bush a lauging stock here in the USofA. Most people I know, are cheering this action, instead of trying to make this guy and his protest against Bush's murderous act, leaving widows and orphans in the most despicable, lying action ever committed by a president of this great country, who can, under Bush, invade and do what it wants and grab what it wants, leaving a trail of blood and death---all done in our name. Be proud of him. Those activists who are leaving their smelly dirty shoes in front of the White House are at the least expressing their knowlegable disapproval of this slaughter in Iraq, while we have our leaders, so called, in the congress, taking impeachment "off the table". Heh

[JZ735]

I have seen some pretty pathetic coverage of this man...from calling him a drunk or on drugs to being disgruntled and angry...maybe he is just expressing the general view of many Iraqis, as shown by the crowds supporting him in not only Baghdad and other Iraqi cities but in the whole Arab world.

Whatever the case, even to this late day, the press are kissing Bush's tired behind...beyond irrational.

[NextYearLions]

Just like Iraq had WMD's. It's all relative in Bush's empty head.