Bush Shoe Throwing "Somehow Appropriate": Newsweek Reporter

On "The Young Turks" radio show, Newsweek reporter Michael Hirsh said it was "somehow appropriate" that an Iraqi threw a shoe at President Bush during his recent visit to the country. "They have reason to be upset with the author of this," Hirsh elaborated, "and a shoe aimed at Bush's head I think is not such a terrible expression of some of that frustration."

Cenk Uygur: We're talking to Michael Hirsh of Newsweek. Michael, I want to move on to George W. Bush and the...

Michael Hirsh: Shoe throwing!

Cenk Uygur: The shoe throwing. You know, I don't...I've already said my piece on the shoe throwing. Obviously it's not the constructive way to go. But, um...

Michael Hirsh: I think it was somehow appropriate.

Cenk Uygur: You do?

Michael Hirsh: Oh I think the guy, the journalist who did, is now a hero and a good part of the Arab World.

Cenk Uygur: There's no question about that. He's already gotten a courage award in Libya, and there's thousands of people protesting for his release already. But do you think it was an appropriate wake-up call for Bush? And if so...

Michael Hirsh: I think Bush is going to need a lot more than that for a wake-up call. But I think there are a lot of Iraqis, obviously Arabs, particularly Iraqis, who are quite angry with the devastation of their country. I mean, look at this report from Stuart Bowen's office, the Iraq special inspector, late last week was concluded that despite all the money we put in there, all we achieved in doing was basically bring the country approximately back to where it was when Saddam was, you know, in rule. And at the cost, obviously, of thousands and thousands of Iraqi's lives...and limbs...and, you know. They have reason to be upset with the author of this, and a shoe aimed at Bush's head I think is not such a terrible expression of some of that frustration.

Comments

[Norak]

Check out sockandawe.com.

[The Lorax]

I found that earleir today. My highest score is 6 so far.

[Vitesselt]

American women speak with their stilettos!!! See it here: http://www.newglyphics.com/Stilettos.htm

[flhu]

A little too late for a wake-up call for a guy who has been hitting the snooze button all day long.

[jpmdevildog]

Even more bizarrely, Bush was again on defense after an alien reporter chucked seven moon boots at an intergalactic press junket.

http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/alien-alert/president-dodges-alien-shoes/

[PatA]

My oldest daughter emailed me and said "too bad they didn't stick it up his *** where it belongs". I agree.

[democynic]

The reporter was attempting to put the shoe on the other foot. It really isn't his fault that Bush's foot has been safely lodged in his mouth for the past 8 years...

Inauguration Day 2009 cannot come swiftly enough.

[Independentjunkie]

You may not respect the President but you must respect the Presidency...

today its the other sides President , tomorrow it will be yours in office.

[magnolialiberal]

Gee, wasn't it Nixon who first said that?

[Independentjunkie]

and the larger point misses your pea brain by a mile...

[rosal]

Bush and Co. had all figured it out. Go to Iraq on false pretenses, take the oil fields, and we will live happily ever after. No oil, costly little adventure, and now shoes thrown at him! Worst president ever.

[Chip W]

It struck me that Bush is likely delusional when, in one of the debates with John Kerry (I think), Bush said God had told him to go to Afghanistan and to Iraq. And I was surprised this didn't raise a stir.

[naeldwyck]

It did raise an almighty stir outside of the US, I can tell you: I can't say we were surprised, but we were definitely struck by the fact that he speaks the same language as bin Laden et al.

[Chip W]

In case you check back.
That's good to hear. The rest of the world probably has a perspective on the US that we would do well to listen to. Another example is Obama. Yes, we elected him, but the choice was much clearer elsewhere.
Bush & bin Laden. There's something about religious fervor. Different flavors, but they're both ice cream. Not quite related, but there are those who want to legislate morality. That's the same road the Taliban walks.

[realpolitic]

I thank you Michael Hirsh for a refreshing bit of honesty!

[SouthPrairie]

From a fellow (kindred spirit) Blogger:

Send your shoes to the White House!!

I think this is an awesome idea---inundate the White House with
shoes!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

Let's get this around the whole world! Lies lead us to war!

Tell George what you think of his presidency!

Contact #s.
http://www.whitehou se.gov/contact/

Mailing Address

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

SPREAD THIS FAR AND WIDE!!!!!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:36 PM on 12/16/2008
- SouthPrairie See Profile I'm a Fan of SouthPrairie permalink
This is such an awesome idea. What a message, symbolic in the Iraqi tradition, at once a denunciation of the amoral Corruptlican administration, while at the same time supporting the culture of those we helplessly watched our tax dollars plunge into despotisim. Liberate Iraq my arse! Their intent was to fleece--not only the lraqis, but the hard working American tax payer as well.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:01 AM on 12/17/2008
- GingerB See Profile I'm a Fan of GingerB permalink
You can get free Priority Mail shoe boxes through the US Postal Service.

http://www.usps.com

[wordvarc]

"Ouch."

The thrown shoes and Perino's black eye are especially painful to all of us in the US as a symbol of our Iraq failure. The WH, Perino, especially w and his family must be deeply hurt.

But many suffered our President's actions immeasurably more than an simple insult or bruise.

[GoodGuysandBadGuys]

"Somehow" Appropriate?

it was totally appropriate.

[Eriq]

Right!!

[JROY]

Shoes has been thrown at war criminal. Not a big deal.

[speckdog]

Shoe resistance! A tribute: http://bad.eserver.org/editors/2008/shoeresistance.html

[barackobama4prez]

i agree with bush. he says there is nothing wrong with the reporter throwing the shoes since Iraq is now a democracy. I applaud the reporter. it gave me satisfaction to watch those shoes being thrown again and again and again and...wait , let me rewind....PLAY IT AGAIN! serves that son of a bush right.

[mspink]

Is it really a Democracy?

[barackobama4prez]

i don't know. i was being sarcastic. i don't believe anything bush says.