CNN

I would release the guy but only after a couple of weeks in a "learn to pitch" camp and apologizing to the Press Secretary.

I wonder what the reaction of a foreign government (or peoples) would have been if one of our citizens had thrown a show at President Ahmadinejab when he visited New York last year. I did not vote for Mr. Bush, I do not approve of Mr. Bush, but he is still the duly elected President of the United States, he deserves that respect and our support wherever he goes.

To all of those highly elevated mensa liberal Bush haters ; maybe you can enlighten the rest of us as to what qualifies you to judge Bush ! Just pushing a mouse on a pad and living on your parents dole all of your free and easy lives doesn't count! Ever really worked and put out any thing for this country?

Somebody, give this guy a medal!!!

Although I myself think Bush committed war crimes, the journalist who threw the shoe knew there would be reprocussions to his actions. It is never okay to demonstrate your dislike for someone with aggression. A press secretary for Bush has a black eye as a result of his shoe toss. Part of having a free society is being responsible for your actions. He deserves a resonable amount of punishment. Hopefully the Iraqis know what that entails now!!

The shoe thrower is a hero. Better just to let him go.

Wow! nothing like Americans standing up for another American. Even if you hate Bush, what that reporter did is an insult to himself, his family, and the culture that raised him. Calling us dogs...they've got a lot of nerve....they are the ones that strap bombs on their children and send them off to kill innocent people. The idiots that wrote hateful things about Bush in their responses make me sick.

Their right...things were so much better under Saddam. He was just a sweetie pie.

To bad the Iraqi security didn't get a chance to end this poor excuse for a mans life. Say whatever you want, Bush is still our president. This guy does not deserve to be called a journalist. F'em.

If someone threw a shoe at Obama, Chris Matthews would call for Baghdad to be leveled in retaliation.

Create a special medal for him, and make shoe throwing at politicians an olympic event....Also, shoe-planting in proper areas could be included for some politicians...

Had I been part of Bush's security detail, the piece of crap wouldn't be breathing. These ingrates are nothing but peasants with the mentality of goats.

if some Americans can make a poster boy hero out of a fake plumber, I don't see why the Iraqis can't do the same with this guy!

Who's gonna play obama the pepsi logo president elect on SNL for the next four years?

Dave Chappel would be funny, especially imitaing obamas past drug abuse

Let him go. Like Bush said, we gave them the right to free speech!

That guy had a good arm. That guy threw heat right at his head. Two size 10s within 4 seconds. That is probably the only time I have laughed when Bush was on the newscast. I generally dodge him by changing stations.

THREE CHEERS for the guy that threw the shoes – Imagine if every American who wanted to express their feelings about Bush and his Iraq debacle (just to name one of many) were to do the same – the White House would be buried.

Well, Bush himself said it wasn't a big deal, so they should let him go.

In the civilized world, we don't throw things at people because we don't like them. While he shouldn't stay in jail for a ridiculously long time, this man deserves to spend a little time behind bars thinking about his childish tantrum. By all means, Bush should have been impeached long ago, but throwing your shoes at him? Grow up.

They better let him go! If Iraq wants to be a free society now they need to learn about free speech. The reports coming out right now that he was hit in the head with the butt of a rifle and has a broken arm are distrubing. He had every right to throw his shows...and Bush did an excellent job of ducking them. No harm, no foul.

A true hero in Iraq, he should be celebrated, not jailed.

How insensitve is Bush to not understand what the show throwing means in their culture and acknowledge, that to some (if not most) Iraqies whose lifes have been changed for the worse, he is viewed badly.

I think we need to add a shoe to the painting in the white house.

Look, if anyone else threw shoes at a foreign dignitary what do you think would happen to them, they would be detained. He's not any different and certainly not special. He gets to do time like everyone else. Under Saddam he would have been killed so he should count himself lucky, but of course he won’t. And for you people on here cheering such a juvenile and useless display, you're exactly what makes America weak.

The fact is Bush and Cheney are international TERRORISTS themselves and should be pelted in the head with more than shoes. I pray that the new administration will reinvestigate the events of 9/11 and give the real truth to the 98% of Americans that are BRAINWASHED. You people really trust the government? You should have a shoe thrown at you. Wake up people. You think those 3, (yes THREE) buildings imploded as a result of fire? Controlled demolition no doubt about it, all the devidence points in a direction none of the citizenry want to look. BUSH AND CHENEY = War Criminals

There are too many widows and orphans in Iraq. It doesn't matter who is the cause: bush or Saddam. The war in Iraq was as wrong. Two shoes cannot even tell the pain and suffering inflicted to the people..

I dont know what the big deal is. Bush was throw with eggs on his inaguration day by his own people. The only president in history to not walk to traditional walk down PA avenue. Cut short, due to "bad weather". he was egged, check it out on Youtube.So he should be used to it. The man deserves no rerspect.

I am with alot of you when it comes to charges being bought against our current President. I can not stand what he and his administration has done to our country. However, BUSH IS STILL THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. We should not justify this type of behavior. I am sorry, I just can't agree with most of you on this blog today. How would you feel it was a knife and the guy didn't miss?? Come on, Let's be real. I AM AN AMERICAN AND WE CANNOT JUSTIFY THIS BEHAVIOR FROM ANYONE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE FROM AND NO MATTER WHERE OUR PRESIDENT IS VISITING. If people want to burn his picture and shout obscenities, so be it. When people are becoming physically violent, THEY HAVE CROSSED THE LINE!

You Liberals are out of your minds. This guy is lucky he was not taken out permanently by Secret Service agents who had eveyr right to do that. Why hasn't the mainstream media yet released the fact that this guy worked for a pro-Saddam newspaper? The only reason this guy was free to act like an idiot is because of the freedoms that our soldiers gave this savage. Saddam would have had him tortured and killed if he threw a shoe at him.

Yes let him go. And then when I see Obama and throw my shoe at him for stealing my hard earned money, I'll have a built in excuse, and you can just attribute it to my freedom of speech.

The liberal spew on this site is disgusting. I'm sure my comment will be be moderated out, out of some twisted sense of what is appropriate. You need to be respectul of other authors and commenters, but not of the President of the United States. I guess it's ok to spew your hate at a sitting president, but not at the vile, pond-scum sucking vermin who frequent this site. I love the change we can all believe in.

I do not support this presidents policies, but he is still our President and should be safe where ever he travels. This guy was wrong and should be punished. As an American I was offended by this guy attacking our president. Would Americans, do that to a foreign leader in the press room of the white house? I think not. Reguardless what you think of Bush's policies, he's still our President and should be treated as such at home or abroad.

the shoe thrower should go free, Bush aren't being punished for war crimes

watching the footage on media, I could not help thinking t hat even the Moron didn't think himself worth saving..I mean, look...first shoe is thrown..moron ducks...STANDS UP AGAIN, instead of ducking behind podium, other shoe is thrown...MORON deflects it...I mean..what the hell..and, the fact that media says that Americans were 'offended' by that display of irreverence towards 'our' president..i kind of think that the sentiments of the Iraqi's against this hitleresque Moron who invaded their country, caused the senseless deaths not only of nearly 4210 americans and counting, but also of nearly 100,000 innocent Iraqi's, which, in FACT was the reason for the shoes being thrown. Don't be confused on this event...Journalist who threw that shoe had witnessed the deaths of thousands of his countryman by a foreign power...The question isn't whether he would have thrown the shoe at Saddam, did the Moron's regime not kill him; the question is, if Saddam HAD invaded THIS country as the Moron irrationally feared, I, as an American, would have thrown a SHOE at HIM! Don't skew the facts. As americans, just was in another illegal war nearly 40 years ago, we simply do not understand other cultures and their mores...not to mention that there are few in the Moron's regime who could,even if they tried.

Free the Shoe thrower!

Why should this man be punished for telling the truth and expressing the true feelings Iraqis have for THE BUSH and his cronies.

I think that he should stay in jail. No one has the right to attack our president. He should have enough words to use if he is a good writer. I it were me I would have the scret service

I applaud him, Bush can have my shoes too!

They need to free him, give him a medal and throw a parade in his honor. Bush is a contemptable human being.

I think feces would of been a better jesture.

Oh I guess getting rid of Saddam and his evil sons was a bad thing.

I agree with "Sarge in Florida". Bush doesn't need to be wasting money that we don't have for one final ego flight. It's like the dog going back to take one last look at his "business."

The "Lame DUCK!" incident is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. How do we expect them to treat us after what our country has done to theirs???

The gentleman said, “This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!” They should free him. He did what most of us here in the US would like to do if we were so lucky!

It is Poetic Justice. In 2003, Iraqis took to the streets and tore down statues of Saddam Hussein so that they could hit the face with the bottom of their shoes. And now, another War Criminal, our American President, has a similar honor bestowed upon him.

I really do not like W, but I think he handled this situation extremely well. Why it took eight years to display such diplomacy is beyond me. This would never have happened over here. The Iraqis screwed up or intentionally let this guy do this. You just cant trust these people. We need to get out of there TODAY! Let them kill each other for all I care.

Let him go . He did the right thing the iraq way. It seems like oppression to me jailing a man protesting the war by throwing his shoes at the US president ,while he may have lost relatives and friends in an unjust war started by the same president

HE MISSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

US troops have killed thousands of innocent civilians in his country, destroyed it and MADE it a terrorists haven rather than keeping it safe from terrorism. The guy was also captured and tortured by insurgents because of the US presence in Iraq. ALL BECAUSE WE ARE THERE OVER OIL. I don't blame the guy. Furthermore, there are a lot of Americans who would stand in line to throw something (not necessarily shoes either) at 'Bandar Bush'

It's just too bad it didn't catch Shrub smack in the mouth,at least then he would have had the opportunity to sample some Iraqi"sole food".

In this country he wouldbe arrested and charged with battery at the very least, and would be prosecuted. If the Iraquis believe in the rule of law as well as democracy, they need to understand that popular opinion is not the basis for a defense for a crime.

When they let him go which will happen hopefully before Jan 20th 2009, someone in Iraqi with much better aim and command of throwing a size 10 shoe will show him how to hit the target....

After firing the warning shot, you would think old boy would have hit the target.

Make him pay a fine and let him go. They are talking about putting him away for 7 years. He threw a shoe for goodness sake, not a genade. The man has lost family, been kidnapped, held by American troops. and watched his country be torn to shreds...who wouldn't express anger at the source. We've lost 4,000 American soldiers – which is 4000 too many, but the Iraqi's have lost over 100, 000 citizens...frankly, we are lucky all he threw was a shoe.
Let him go.

I can not understand how anyone throwing a shoe at our President can be tolerated and made light of, especially on your No Biais No Bull show. Is this the example we want to set for our childreen? This show makes no attempt to be unbiased and thats no Bull.

JJ12345,

Your hypothetical makes as much sense as asking what would happen if pigs could fly. Obama has not overthrown the government of a sovereign nation for its oil while killing many of its citizens while having absolutely no clue on how to handle the subsequent occupation which lead to gross mismanagement and the loss of billions of taxpayer dollars to companies given no bid contracts to outright fraud from non-existing oversight. Obama is the polar opposite of Bush, an incurious and simplistic man thoroughly uninterested in the details of governance.

Meanwhile, Obama is revered around the world with his only detractors being white supremacist bigots and far right conservatives who may in fact be the same individuals. in his own country. So your question asking if people would feel differently if it happened to Obama is patently absurd. Just like asking if people would feel differently if pigs could fly. Pigs can't fly, and wondering if they could is an exercise of feeble minded Obama detractors.

Free the guy! Iraq's present situation is far worst now prior to us invading their country. Bush deserved it and I just wish he was hit!

We are free to protest in our democracy that our corrupt admin seems to liken itself to spreading. He didn't use a gun, a knife, or a lead pipe. In their culture, this is a perfectly accepted way to show your disdain.

Seriously, Bush has been behind the civilian deaths of how many Iraqis now? Where is justice in this case??

It was humbling experience for the President, and good for character building. It's called accountability to the people you screwed. Wish our gov't believed in it.

Yeah, its no big deal, this guy just threw his shoes HARD at our president, let him go, give him a medal, blah blah blah more childish liberal dribble. The putz is lucky he pulled this crap on an American leader, because if it had been Saddam, he would have a body part on every corner of Baghdad. You can hate the president and express your anger publicly, but there are much more mature ways of protesting than this; this was a cheap, look-at-me spectacle, equivalent to that brat at Florida who got tasered.

This man feels the same contempt as the United States didwhen 9-11 happened and killed thousands of americans.Do I gree what he did to Bush no I understand last evening it was reported he also lost a family member so he lost just as much in this war as we did and still is...I say let him go free because his covering of any such event is over even if it means if he could continue his profession in journalism

All you fake Americans need to realize that a slap at Bush's face is a slap to all Americans. Bush may not be the best President our country has had but he is still our leader for now! Anyone who thinks if is funny or support the DOG who threw his shoes is a fool and dosen't support America! The Iraqi's have gotten plenty of good things from America, like freedom from Sadam and a country rebuilt at American tax payers expense, even though they have plenty of money now, And let us not forget the price paid in blood by our military! So remember, if you think is was funny or appropriate to insult Bush, it is an insult to all Americans and the men and women who gave their life! You idiots are really laughing at your self!

Mr. Muntadhar al-Zaidi's left shoe was the 'hearts' and his right shoe was the 'minds' of the Iraqi people.

Let him go free!

At least he did something unlike those of you who are all talk and no action.

"So I guess its ok, will the opinion change if someone does it to Obama? My guess is that it will."

If Obama, after 8 years, deserves it like Bush deserved it after 8 years, I imagine we'd all applaud it as well. Obama hasn't screwed up like Bush has screwed up, and Bush is going to walk away from the mess he created and retire in luxury in Dallas. If a shoe to the head was all he got, it wouldn't be enough. If Obama screws up half as bad as Bush, go ahead, chuck a shoe at him.

Considering Bush's poor decisions destroyed thousands of lives and caused much misery and suffering in Iraq, he's lucky a shoe was all they threw at him.

You people need to get a clue. This time it was a shoe. Next time it could be a rifle shot at your beloved Obama. People who act out like that need to be handled not let go. No matter what your feelings are towards President Bush he is still our President. There needs to be respect for the position. Anything else is just plan Un-American.

Who in America wouldn't like to punch the idiot monkey in his smirking face? Nothing worse, just a pow right in the kisser.

Yeah, there may have been other ways for him to make his point, but this way got serious global airtime and nobody but the shoe-thrower was seriously hurt. You ask me, this is a big step up from car bombs and IEDs.

Shoe throwing aside, the most frustrating thing is that this is only time Bush will be held responsible and accountable for his part in the deaths of over 4000 young Americans and countless Iraqis.
He had the bravado to answer say " so what " when asked about the reasons he had for killing all these people.
His temerity and bravado are beyond belief. Let ask all the supporter of the invasion – How Americans were killed or injured by Iraq outside of the First war in 1991?
None , so where was the threat to America?

DO YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND....

DISASTEROUSLY ABHORRENTLY DESTRUCTIVELY BAD POLICY OR NOT......

YOU DO "NOT" GET TO THROW ANYTHING AT "MY" PRESIDENT.

THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT SHOULD BE TOGETHER ON THIS.....

YOU DON'T GET TO THOW STUFF AT MY PRESIDENT.......

If only that podium had not been in the way! Truly a fitting end for Bush. The guy deserves a medal not jail time.

I like my shoes to much to throw them at this Knucklehead.....,

Robin in Florida December 16th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

This guy was only making a political statement he had no intention of harming the President. I say let him go.
______________________________________________________
Would you feel the same if someone did it to Obama if it was just a "political statement." I would guess most here would want them in jail for life.

GUESS ITS BEST TO TREAT ALL PRESIDENTS FAIRLY AND WITH RESPECT NO MATTER WHAT I THINK OF HIM. SHOULD I BUY A PAIR OF LOAFERS OR SNEAKERS FOR HEIR OBAMA. YEA ITS FAIR !!!!! YOU WANT RESPECT IN RETURN FOR THE RESPECT YOU GAVE. RIGHT? I THOUGHT NOT! HYPOCRITES!!!!!

THANKS SARGE, YOU SAID IT BEST !!!
Larry
Houston

to my liberal compatriots... I am the hardest core of those who KNEW bush would ruin this country.

BUT I CAN NOT BE HAPPY A PERSON WAS ALLOWED TO THOW "ANYTHING" OTHER THAN A TANTRUM AT MY PRESIDENT.

PERIOD.

Can't wait for someone to throw a shoe...or banana at Obama. Then see how the libs react.

Hey, I think Bush should pardon the Dixie Chicks. They were right, after all. We are ashamed that he's from the U.S. The talented trio has been justified over and over again...

Free the guy. I think many people even in the US have wanted to do that from time to time.

LET HIM GO, FREE HIM

Sarge in Florida – are you a 5 year old boy? I hate when people try to correct spelling mistakes in posts but I can't even understand what you are trying to say. Can you either get someone to type for you next time or look at the keys as you type?

God bless George Bush and thank you for keeping us safe since 9-11

I think president Bush should call the Iraq president and recommend that he be freed. That would show Bush in a different light and maybe that would decrease their hate towards him.

I kinda wish he would have popped Bush upside the head with at least one of his shoes!

I learn something new about the crazy left every day I read cnn. Apparently, there is a show-throwing phenomenon that I didn't know about sweeping the nation. I wouldn't have believed how many people in this country wanted to throw their shoes until I read these comments.

There's nothing like the respect for the office of the President this board has shown. You people disgust me. I just hope Obama gets a little more respect and support from the right when he is in office.

I wish he would have hit him in the middle of his forehead..

The guy is a hero...period.

But here is something else to think about...if he is not released and is harshly punished things will get out of hand, he will be a martyr , the "democratic" Iraqi goverment will look bad and Bush's reputation will be further tarnished. Just watch and see this blow up.

Better to let him go.

a fitting way for Bush to leave. I can think of a lot of other things to throw at Bush!!

More shoes should be thrown at the War Criminal.

I am republican and am not happy the way President Bush has handled everything, but do you think he acts alone – of course not! So why put all the blame on him. Where were his "so called" advisers? What do they do up there in the White House except spend our hard earned tax dollars! How do you think our soldiers feel over there in Iraq when most of Americans do not support them being there. Most of them do not want to leave until they have finished what they started for your freedom! They are proud to call themselves Americans – are you? No matter who are President is, or what he does, he is not the only sitting up there in that White House. Can you do better?

That man is a HERO! If you arrested him just for throwing his shoes, the arrest Bush and the rest of his thugs for all of their war crimes. Bush is lucky it was "just" a pair of shoes!

EVERYONE, MAIL BUSH YOUR OLD SHOES OR DROP THEM OFF AT THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!

While I'm no fan of Bush...the man (shoe thrower) should be shot on public TV and played over and over! Let his kids watch him being given some of his own medicine!

come on guys, he is still the prisedent of the us ,regardless of your feelings for him , it was very disrespecful,

Bush is a lousy president but there's nothing honorable about throwing your shoe at someone. Plus, this guy would have been dead had Saddam still been in power.

Bravo to the Iraqi shoe thrower...he is the worlds hero. What a perfect ending to a perfectly disasterous presidency. Too bad it was not a brick and too bad the guy missed.

Betty

I am certainly mo fan of George W Bush or of his war of choice. However the sight of our President having to duck from a projectile stirs more anger in me at the thrower than the target.

We have the Iranian president Ahmedinejad come to America to speak against our values and mock our way of life, and we extend the necessary tolerance to hear out his views. We protest in a legal manner, and if someone gets out of hand they are prosecuted accordingly.

The very idea that he is being lionized by the Arab World and the Liberals of this country is an indictment in itself.

While there are calls for his release because he's 'a good man with a family', there are no calls for him to be accountable for his actions.

Accountability is tantamount to a curse-word for the Liberal Left. It destroys all notions of the 'but you don't understand' mentality of the poor little victims of the world.

When Obama's train drives through Delaware in January I'm going to be waving an old shoe at him. He'll get the message like the rest of you already do now.

That's a peaceful protest. No shoe throwing allowed.

The guy disrespected the most powerful guy on the planet, and also disrespected the law, so he should remain in Jail. It is just unacceptable.

I'm sorry, but I've done everything within the law to get my voice heard. I've never partaken in violent protesting, only peaceful marches. But obviously peaceful protesting does not work. If it did, Bush would have been out of office years ago. Let the man go. Besides it's not like Bush was hurt. He's a quick one.

I am a Republican, but I too am not happy with the way Bush has handled his time in office.

That being said, like him, hate him, he still is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. We should not be happy this happened, because it just shows the world how un-united we really are.

I did not vote for Obama, but I would not want a shoe thrown at him, or anything else for that matter.

I don't particularly care for President Bush, his policies and some (well most) of his actions, but he is still my President and I respect him and support him. I believe that Mr. Al-Zaidi should be subject to the appropriate consequences of his actions. Now if Mr. Al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President Elect Obama (of whom I'm a supporter of as well), my opinion wouldn't change a bit. There is a limit to "freedom of speech", and that certainly includes bodily harm.

It's a good start. Maybe his actions will inspire a bit more courage on the local front when dealing with the like of W.
I wouldn't call it proof of 'freedom' in Iraq though, even if he is set free with a slap on the wrist. The day someone throws a shoe at Muqtada al-Sadr and walks away, that'll be proof freedom have taken root in Iraq!

he is a hero....someone needed to remind this current administration how bad their foreign policies are.....it that is not a wake up call, i don't know what is. no no one is invinsible you have treat others will respect.

Dirty Arabs!!!!!!!!!
Dirty Muslims !!

Yes, Yes, Yes, pardon him immediately! He did what none of the rest of us have had guts enough to do! Then.....let's bring him here to the good old USA and put him in the '09 football draft! I can think of at least a half dozen teams in the NFL that would love to have him!

If only much more than a shoe was thrown at Bush....with the glaring exception of the 'Country First Bigots', I think that you'd be hard pressed to find anyone, anywhere who disagrees with the actions that this man took.

Well done Mr. Muntadhar al-Zaidi. Many, many Americans support you and we are proud that you threw your shoes at our War Criminal President.

he is a hero....someone needed to remind this current administration how bad their foreign policies are.....it that is not a wake up call, i don't know what is.

Free this man, Bush got what he deserves and he is a dog. A Lame Duck as a matter of fact, He is the worst president in history next to LBJ. He did what i wanted to do too. FREE, THIS MAN , LET HIM GO I AM AN AMERICAN FREE HIM SO WHAT !

FOR jj12345's consideration

If Obama turns out to be as inept, ignorant and incompetent as Bush, which we can already see is not the case, and someone threw a shoe at his dumb azz then fine. The harm Bush has caused to Americans and the world is unforgivable and the only reason he was not impeached is because we'd then be stuck with Cheney

I'm certainly no fan of Bush, but the guy should be in jail. Shoe or not he still threatened our president and should be punished for it.

To Karol: You stated that this man disrespected Bush...How many people in this country did Bush and Cheney DISRESPECT? Too bad that the guy didn't throw his shoes fast enough and was off target. I pray that Bush/Cheney/Rummy/Rice and all of Lying puppets get their day in jail. Just like the interview that Cheney did this morning he still thinks that Saddam still had WMD when it was proven that it was NOT TRUE..He's just covering his arse so when he goes to trial for WAR CRIMES that will be his defence..I guess keep brain washing the American people to believe his lying mouth that when the jury hears what he has to say that they will believe him. How dare Bush waste tax payer money to go to Iraq for a farewell flight. Do you know how much money and amount of time went in to this FAREWELL? Watch the special about Air Force One on the costs that involved...And congress reamed the top CEO's for taking a trip in their private jet's. It costed about $20 Million to take Bush to Iraq for this FAREWELL trip... I don't know about you but I sure could use about $20 million myself...Oh I forget give it the banks and DON'T ASK/ DON'T TELL on how they spent the $BILLIONS that was given to them to make it easier for them to start lending money to the consumers.HA what a frickin laugh.

Come on, for crying out loud! Let the guy go.

No way don't let him go. He attacked representative and visiting official. Sure you don't like Bush and some wish they had the cajones to do the same. But seriously, what if his shoes had a bomb in them. It is not right to physically attack the president. Attacking him attacks all us americans. Don't you get that? This guy owes his freedom to expression to Americans and this is how he repays us...it's digusting. I never voted for Bush and didn't agree with the war, even when we thought there were wmds. But I don't think it is right to so blatantly disrespect the president or disrespect all americans in such a juvenile way.

After seeing Bush dodge the shoes I think he would be a good fit for my dodge ball team.Too bad the shoe thrower missed him!!!

Let the guy go. Our prez is so ignorant that he dosn't even understand the meaning of what happened. I'm sure that most Americans would LOVE to pelt Bush in the face with their shoes!

It's great that Bush just laughed it off, he a pretty funny guy – and nimble too! Unfortunately for al-Zaidi, I doubt the Iraqi government will be as easy going. He might be a pop hero now, but he's rightly going to jail for a long time – as would any American who attacked a foreign dignitary visiting the US. But seeing so many Americans cheering on someone who attacked our President is just very sad, no matter what you might personally think of Bush.

@ JJ12345.......... what has Obama done to warrant shoes thrown at him?????? You may not have voted for Obama, but you have NO cause to throw anything at him!

Bush on the other hand.......

BANKRUPTED OUR NATION

RUINED OUR ECONOMY

DESTROYED IRAQ...... 100,000 OF IRAQIS HAVE BEEN KILLED.

OUR TROOPS HAVE DIED UNNECESSARILY!

OUT TROOPS HAVE BEEN MAIMED!

BUSH TORTURED

BUSH SPIED ON AMERICANS ILLEGALLY, IGNORING THE CONSTITUTION!

BUSH IS A DISASTER. THAT'S WHY THE SHOES WERE THROWN, AND THE SHOE-THROWER SHOULD GO FREE!

I can't believe all of you. No matter how much you disagree with President Bush, he's still the President, and as a symbol of respect to the OFFICE, not necessarily the MAN, acts like this must be punished. Fressdom of speech does not allow for an attempt to harm our elected leaders, much less the president. The way to express your "freedom" and harm him, is to vote him out of office.
Even if Bush's approval rating was in the single digits, as the president of the US, he deserves our respect, even if not our admiration or approval.

I agree with the others here. He just did what MANY of us wish we could have done. I say let him go. I also think he should be shown these letters of support for what he did, he would see that MANY of here is the USA agree with what he did and support him. NOT everyone was for the war in his country and don't agree about WHY we are there in the first place.

I'll give Bush one thing; he is quick! I bet that would've hit Clinton – bubba didn't start really working out hard until after this time in office. Also, Bush gave a typical lame-brain response. He should've just stuck with what he knows and said "bring 'em on."

I am impressed at how easily and matter-of-fact(ly) Bush bobbed and weaved his way out of getting nailed by the shoe! Very cool. I've been a harsh critic of the man and everyone and everything he stands for, but I have to say it was a smooth move. Must have pissed off the shoe-thrower big time to have his shoe-throwing stunt dismissed so offhandedly (by the president). American reflexes! Woo hoo!

he could do promotional work for Payless Shoes!

Let the guy go free. He have freedom of speech. anyway, Bush is not hurt so let him go. He did what many americans and rest of world want to do.
Did you guys see how Bush was covering by saying this is not majority of Iraqis opinion on him, i felt bad for that guy for 1 sec, because he know in his heart he did blunder which cost many lives. but has to cover because 'we the world leader' image saving.

please let him go and bring him over here so that he can make a stop in Chicago and Alaska(LOL)

In almost 8 years, there has not been a single thing Bush Junior was able to do it correctly, NOT EVEN ONCE, except dodging a flying shoe.... WOW, what a born athlete...

Hold on! You all don't speak for the American people! When it is okay to throw things at ALL country's leaders and everyone else, then it will be okay to throw them at Pres. Bush. Treating people, ALL people, with respect and courtesy is required, not just those you don't agree with.

He should be freed. If Bush were and honest man none of this would have happened. No, I'm not talking about the war again. I'm talking about the spin that he and his farewell staff are putting on his accomplishments. Bush was in Iraq only to make a speech to a group of Iraq and middle east reporters to lay claims to things that only exists in his mind. To attempt to put a false face on history and his role in this dark time in the Middle East and America; the shoe forever ruined that image and I'm pleased, very much so. Had Bush been the kind of man to accept responsibility for the errors of his last 8 years and were about to construct an honest recount of his administration then he would not have been there trying to fabricate a lie. Thus, the shoe would not have been thrown. Again this is all his fault for being a deceiving liar.

Its amazing how many Americans think GW Bush is the enemy. Simply amazing to me. This man frees Millions of Iraqis from a dictator that would have chopped someones head off if they threw a shoe and somehow in your twisted little minds GW Bush Deserves this? You people really need to wake up and to see who the true enemy is and I can give you a clue its not Bush. Bush is a Patriot and I can bet you this in 10-15-20 yrs they will have statues of him in Iraq as the President that brought democracy and piece to this country.

George W Bush is the President of the United States of America. Even though I am no fan of Bush what this man did was totally disrespectful to the President and should be punished. Where was the Secret Sevice?
A lot of people in the US are disappointed and angry with the Bush administration... but we are not going to be throwing shoes at the guy.
The US should have left Iraq under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. I bet this guy would not have thrown any shoes at Saddam. He surely would be executed by now.

no matter how bad bush messed up america, i think the guy should still be judged according to the iraqis law....unacceptable prostest

IF ANYONE SAW CHRIS MATTHEWS ON MSNBC'S HARDBALL YESTERDAY SHOW HIS DISDAIN FOR THE IRAQIS AND THEIR EXPRESSIONS OF FREEDOM, YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT HE DID NOT GET THAT REPORTER'S FEELINGS OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION. THE PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. HAD THE GALL TO COME TO HIS COUNTRY AGAIN, AND PROMOTE THIS SIX YEAR UNNECESSARY WAR THAT HAS NOT ONLY KILLED 4000 PLUS OF OUR CITIZENS AND ALLIES, BUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HIS COUNTRY'S CITIZENS, AND PROBABLY SOME OF HIS OWN FAMILY MEMBERS. I GET IT, AND HOPE THAT MANY OTHERS DO.

The man who threw the shoe SHOULD BE FREE TO DO SO!

IF I could I would throw my shoes at Bush, the man has DESTROYED OUR NATION, OUR ECONOMY AND OUR STANDING IN THE WORLD!

GEORGE BUSH HAS NO FRIENDS ANYWHERE HE GOES . IN AMERICA IT'S NO DIFFERENT. THEN,ASK THE QUESTION WHY? YOUR ANSWER---- HE IS LIKE WASTE MATTER.

Free him! he represented millions of us who are tired of Bush's reign of terror!

Thanks "Everyman" you said it best.......If you say something wrong in the Saddam Regime, they would have cut your fingers off, or they would have got "hanged" .......

Larry
Houston Texas

in their culture showing someone the bottom of your foot or shoe is a specific disrespect/insult, the man verbally called him a criminal and with his action called him trash... he is both. while I do not advocate violence I have always been surprised bush has not been attacked for all the harm he has done, so many have died, been maimed, financial ruined (and not just recently) and otherwise harmed due to his actions and choices, the man is truly evil and deserves to spend the rest of his life hounded by those he has harmed, I do not doubt that this is the first of maaaaany "shoes" to be thrown at him, THAT is his legacy, to be hated by sooo many for the very real harm he has directly caused

This should be the equivalent of a disorderly conduct charge. It;s an offense, and if it's to be dismissed, it should be dismissed by a court of law, but it shouldn't be treated as a major felony. I hear al-Maliki's trying to get the guy put away for 8 years, which is ridiculous.

If BUSH was SMART!

He would LEAD the call to let this guy go free.

"In the name of freedom of expression...blah blah"

Bush has placed himself – his family and the Republicans in danager as the outside world see them as "evil"...

By publically trying to champion this guy's freedom – he would help minimize the risk to him – his family and Republicans...

Be Good!

Oh, for pete's sake – let the guy go ... it's not like he did something millions haven't thought of doing to Dumbya. Actually, tossing a shoe or two was rather kind of the bloke, in my humble opinion.

Where was the secret service detail? Why did the culprit have the time to throw the second shoe?

This guy was only making a political statement he had no intention of harming the President. I say let him go.

Bush should be the big man here.
He should publicly state he would like the man released. Say something along the lines of understanding the man's frustration but that in order to secure freedom for Iraq, some drastic steps needed to be taken.

Yeah, it's a load but at least he can gracefully look like he cares. Considering his first statement was to say he had no idea why the guy would throw the shoe, I am betting Bush is clueless on this one, too.

It's too bad it was only a shoe.

I wonder if would have doene the same to Saddam Hussein...?
Isn't he lucky to be able to express himself freely now?

Let him go !! Iraq is supposed to be a "Free" country, like the U.S. .... So that means, he should bail out of Jail, just like we do in the united states ! That's what you do, when you have "freedoms" you are freed from a dictator, and you won't have your head cut off, for everything from spitting on the sidewalk to a felony....BUSH wanted them to live "Freely" so there you have it......You commit whatever crime you want, like here in the united states, then you get a lawyer to get you out......or bail out......simple....That's why we have so much crime in the united states, we keep letting the bad guys off !!! And we will continue to do that, til the end of time....
Larry C.
Houston Texas

LET HIM GOOD. AS OTHERS ARE SAYING THIS IS WHAT MANY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WOULD LIKE TO DO TO THIS PRESIDENT THE WAR CRMINAL.

Everyone is talking about "just let it go", "that's how freedom works". Hypocrites! If someone ever throws anything at Obama (or even thinks about it), these same bloggers will cry out about racism and conspiracies and evil plots and lack of unity.

We'll see how this "freedom" works when Obama starts getting serious criticism.

I played 8 yrs of baseball and wear and size 12 shoe. And now that it's politically correct to throw shoes when dissenting in public, I can't wait for Obama to come to Georgia!!

As much as I dislike Bush, this man should be prosecuted to the fullest allowed by Iraqi law. This was an attack on a Head of State. In this country it would have been punishable by imprisonment. We have lost too many American lives in Iraq to allow such disrespect to our President, even if he is unpopular around the world. Not punishing acts like this will only allow people to think that they can do these kinds of acts without prosecution.

Let Muntadhar al-Zaidi go free, give him a raise, pin a medal on his chest and declare a national holiday in his name. The only flaw in this episode is that the shoes did not find their intended target. So maybe he should get some pitching lessons from David Cone.

I'm not sure anybody ever threw a shoe at Nixon. Just goes to show you how low G. Bush is.

He's cute!

Let him go and let us get out of that country. As Paul Harvey said about Vietnam,"The whole country is not worth one drop of American blood." Why make the guy into anything more than the pathetic coward he is and further honor him. It was all a scheme to get him attention so as to further his so called career. Let's get out of that hell hole now and bring our trops home and let them throw shoes at each other. Talk about dogs.

Let him go, they already beat the crap outta him. If George had a brain and a set he would have thrown the shoes back

@Mobius: you da man!

I don't like to critize, but I do agree with David Letterman: AS QUICK AS BUSH MOVED TO THE LEFT, HE SHOULD HAVE MOVED QUICKLY FOR THE KATRINA PEOPLE AND THE ECOMONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What he did was totally unacceptable whether you agree or disagree with the Bush policies. Prez Bush was a guest in his country and you alway treat guests with dignity and grace. There are other ways to voice his opinions. If this happened to the Iraqi Prez while he was here in the US, there would have been an international outcry. He should be punished.

It was just a gesture, a demonstration. I hope they let him go, entirely free.

So what if this jerk had used a gun instead of footwear? Would you idiots still want to give him a medal?

This jerk insulted not only his own country, but he insulted the President of the United States...and yes, he is President until January 20, 2009.

Personally, I could give a rats behind about Iraq. If they really don't want us there, lets leave and let them fend for themselves. And while we are at it, lets pull all of our troops out of Germany, Korea, and Japan. We can use them to defend our borders.

My daughter asked me this morning what did the president do that made that guy throw his shoes at him. Let's see, we invaded their country under false pretenses and lies, and destroyed it in the process. Seems to me Bush is lucky that shoes is all that were thrown. The citizens of Iraq have every right to be angry. Hopefully now that Bush is on his way out, the US will no longer attempt to be the "world police" and stick to what should have been done in the first place, which is a real effort to get Bin Laden.

It's because of the US that this douchebag has the freedom to throw his shoes at a President. Wonder what would've happened to him had he thrown his shoes at Hussein? He would've been beheaded by now. Let him rot in jail.

Funny how the American MSM is ignoring the Iraqi journalist in front that partially blocked the second throw. And the two Iraqi journalists that dragged the progressively hatefilled journalist to the ground from the back before security got there.

1 of these 4 Iraqi journalist is an American MSM hero, funny ain't it..

If Russia, under the direction of Alexander Putin, invaded the United States of America because he though, through faulty intel, that our President was a mad man, who suspended our Constitution, set up secret prisons that held people as "Enemies of the State", funneled off billions of tax dollars to crooked war profiteers and claimed that we intended to attack Russia with a new Nuclear Weapon.

In the invasion and occupation process, which Russia called "American Freedom", Russia destroyed Washington DC and much of the surrounding residential areas with a shock and Ah saturation bombing, dismantled our military and occupied out cities, rounding up anyone who they though were anti-Russian, and held them in prisons. While in prison, many of these Americans were tortured and humiliated for their political and religious beliefs.

These same godless invaders and occupiers, laughed at our Bible, and set up a new American government they chose made up of Americans who were loyal to the Russian during the invasion and occupation. However, this new government was unable to provide effective law and order and as a result rampant crime and murder rates, millions of families were driven from their homes and forced to flee for their lives to Canada or Mexico.

Then this occupation by Russian troops continued on for years and years under the premises that without the Russians occupation, there would be no security in America, and that the government made up of people that the Russians help put in place wanted the Russian Troops to remain in America as advisors.

Now tell me, would the Americans have welcomed Putins troops as liberators? Would Americans have welcomed any visit to America by Putin praising what he had done and praising the government officials he help establish as our leaders to free Americans of the "Mad Man President" we had before the Russians liberated America?

What if a reporter from CNN was at Putin's visit speech and after covering years of new stories on all the needless death of American civilians and the destruction to our nation caused by the illegal invasion and subsequent occupation, this reporter threw a brick at Putin to show his distain of such a BS speech? Is the reporter who threw the brick to be considered a disgrace to journalists, or is he a hero to the American people?

Is the man who threw the brick to be considered a criminal or a patriot? Just who do you think is the real criminal in this unbelievable story? Are you really dumb enough to think this is a fictional story?

Quite frankly, I'd like to throw my own shoes, in contempt, at Bush. I think the reporter's actions represent a large sentiment among Iraqis and Bush is too dim witted to see it, or just plain doesn't care. Yes, by all means, give him a slap on the wrist, but free the reporter. He just did what a large percentage of the world would like to do. I salute him!

Let him go. He was expressing his freedom of speech, which one of the things soldiers over have died to give them. Bush wasn't hurt, so no harm, no foul.

There've been many times I've thrown things at Bush myself - if only his image on the tv.

I think when it comes to kissing a Dog, the Iraqi men should pucker up. They engage in ethnic cleanzing, tribal war, and in general criminal behavure. Yet they say we Americans should carry their sorry butts more. No, I did not support the Iraqi War, but I do support our Troops 110%, they have done more than they have and are asked to do. Let the Iraqi's decide, do they want a nation of their own or a new master in Terhan. Arabs don't fight like men, the use IED's and metally handicapped people to blowup their own people and ours. They are WORTHLESS, AND A DRAIN ON THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS.

To Joe (on today's Cheney ticker):

"I love how the intelligence of the current administration has been attacked incessantly for the past 8 years…"
I love how the rightwing true-believers continue to support this moronic administration despite its consistent track record of undisputed failure in almost every aspect of national policy.

"I love how the sheep following Obama love to tell those that don't agree with themselves to "think for yourselves"…"
I love how those neo-tards that follow Bush/Cheney to this day try to demean others who want to implement the change that is so clearly needed away from the disaster that [R]s have inflicted on this county. Who are the real sheep here?.....Only sheep would be so docile while they were herded, this time by McCain, for the slaughter.....I heard an awful lot of vacuous bleating at the [R] convention.

"I love how Obama thought that 10,000 people died in the Greensburg, KS tornado…(it was "
I love how dimwit fans of Rush believe everything he has to say.

"I love how Obama thinks that we have 58 states…"
I love how an obvious verbal glitch from a clearly intelligent [D] somehow deserves more rebuke than the obvious lack of knowledge from an obvious twit-of-a-[R] who thinks Africa is a country.

"I love how the "wise" constantly make themselves look foolish…"
I love how the foolish have no problem making themselves look even more foolish; how a lack of information is a cultural goal and a lack of cogent analysis is worn like a badge of honor

"I love how "change" looks a lot like the same…"
I love how those that attempt to demean the current "change" by saying it looks a lot like "the same" are so scared of "the same", when that's exactly what they voted for. See above re: "cogent analysis"

"I fear that America has begun an irrevocable descent from greatness toward mediocrity and irrelevance…"
I KNOW that for the past 8 years America has been in a steep descent from greatness towards a glorified stupidity and an irrelevancy enforced by other countries of the world.

Joe, I think you like to have your uber-partisan pontification like Rush, and like Rush and his followers, you somehow think that it substitutes for a reasoned commentary and political dialog. You might want to chew on my responses, if you can take time away from memorizing Hitler's speeches.

Ok, I dislike Bush as much as the next sane person, but this is not acceptable. Regardless of his record as President, he is still just that, our President. That being the case, Bush should still command a level of respect. If an American threw a shoe at Bush in a press conference, they would be in jail as well.
And what is this talk about giving him a medal? For what? A temper tantrum? A totally inconsequential display of contempt for someone deserving? Possibly, but it makes no difference. I equate this guy with Joe the douche bag, oh, I mean plumber. In that they are completely out of the realm of significance.

He should be jailed for just 10 years.

He's my hero!

Too bad it wasn't a size 16 shoe...it may have connected... He refuses to acknowledge the pain and suffering inflicted through his "Pre-Emptive" war on Iraqis and Americans....
Such arrogance... spit in his eye and he thinks it is raining!

HE IS A HERO TO THE ENTIRE WORLD! WHERE CAN WE DONATE TO HIS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND?

Look, I HATE Bush, but you can't let him get away completely unpunished. Give him a slap on the wrist, but you can't let people with journalist clearance get away with that. We helped their country get blown apart but they have to get back to being run by the rule of law.

I AM NO FAN OF GEORGE BUSH, BUT THROWING SHOES

OR ANYTHING AT OUR PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN

THE SHOE THROWER SHOT. THAT KIND OF THINKING GOT

THEM IN THEIR CURRENT PREDICAMENT & GUARANTEED

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO KILL EACH OTHER WHEN OUR

NEW PRESIDENT OBAMA BRINGS OUR TROOPS HOME. AND

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO SO.

At least he can throw shoes now. Under Sadam he would have been killed for doing such a thing. He should be treated just like protesters are in our country; put in jail, fined and let go. After all, there was no real bodily threat other than maybe pounding some sense into Bush's head.

It was a gutsy thing to do but at the same time highly disrespectful towards President Bush.

I hope he doesn't serve time in prison for it.

early situation for this Iraqi gov. lets hope they make the right decision. Sure some punishment for public protest of this nature, as would happen in US, but lets see how deep, will this delicate new gov. allow such deep criticism to be tolerated as a standard for themselves. . . lets see what they do. . . Democracy in Iraq ; Aggressive Civil Protest; take one. . . and . . . ACTION!

The progressive MSM is clearly cheering him on. Not that there's anything wrong with making the news..

C'on let him go....

What ever happened to FREE SPEECH??

They broke his bones, he's bleeding internally, what else... This is shameful...

i wonder if he ever thew a shoe at saddam or his barbaric family?
I am sure he would be better off today if we would have stayed out of his country. ungrateful idiot!

Somebody should invent a new type of shoe, one that comes back to you when you throw it!

How would you feel if it were President Obama?

Bush was lucky they weren't high heels. Yet if he can get a laugh out of it, then why not let the guy go.

think we could get him to throw his shoes at Palin and Joe the Plumber??

Ungrateful as this journalist is, this is due in part to American journalism which encourages disrespect for the US Presidency. This is just the beginning. Obama will face the same thing in a few months.

He wasn't arrested for throwing his shoes at Bush.
He was arrested because the shoes almost hit Malaki!
Either way, I think that what he did was uncalled for.

But I have to admit, it was funny as hell !!!! And notice that Bush ducked them like it was nothing. Maybe he's been getting his training from Laura?

NO JJ the opinion will not change if the shoe gets thrown at Obama. But he won't be a blood-thirsty war criminal...so it's not likely to happen.

Popular opinion should not determine the manner in which the law is applied.

While I disagreed with the entire war in Iraq and dislike Bush, the war happened. This gentleman had the "freedom" to be able to throw a shoe at the President of the US. He will get what will likely be a slap on the wrist (after his broken arm and ribs heal) for this act he commited, but he does deserve punishment. Had he thrown his shoe at Saddam, he would likely be dead by now along with his entire family.
Now it is very obvious that we are not wanted there so we should be leaving!

I hope they let him go, maybe restrict him in media circuses when enemies of the state, like Bush, show up. I would also like to throw something at Bush, not a shoe but something softer.

We would be encouraged to throw shoes at Hitler, right? W is Hitler to the Iraqis – he invaded their country for no good reason.

Sure, Hussein was a tyrant, but many of our allies are also run by tyrants.

Where was the Secret Service???

The shoes could have easily been a knife or a bomb.

GWB needs to have the kitchen sink thrown at him but the President of the United States deserves to be protected, even if he is a scum-bag.

So much for graditude from a bunch of bigots and ethnic clenzers, back stabbers and cowards. Though not all of the above mentioned vein, most are just gutless men that beat their woman and strap bombes to mentally handicaped. I'm am not a fan of this Iraqi War nor George Bushwacker. But this is a demonstration of Iraqi's graditude, Arabs are character flawed by nature so says Mohammid, thats why their Relgious Laws are so brutal. Next time, we should just Nuke the Pukes and the world will be one less danger zone. Death to Bin Laden and his puke faced friends.

He should be freed. I believe that many years ago Americans participated in a symbolic gesture against Tyranny. The dumped their teas in the ocean to protest unfair taxation of King George. al-Zeidi protested with a shoe against the Tyranny of a ridiculous war caused by Pres George that has killed nearly one Million Iraqi citizens. WE TREAT THOSE AMERICANS AS HEROS, who can deny he is a hero to his people? (my her too!)

Is it too late to award him the Nobel Peace Prize?

Bush is the one who should be in jail.

I'm sure many Americans would LOVE to throw something at President Bush. This Iraqi just did what we don't have the courage to. Granted, Bush is the PRESIDENT, but he threw a SHOE at him! 2 years in prison is a little harsh.

To all those calling this guy a hero, don't you realize that by attacking our President he is insulting all Americans? Whether you like Bush or not, he's still President of the United States. The office DEMANDS respect. Are you Americans first, and political partisans second; or the other way around?

I have read that if this had happened when SH was in power, a shoe thrown at him, that person would have been killed already. Proof that Iraq is a better place. On the other hand, pull the troops, get our brave soldiers back home safely, and let happen, what will happen, in Iraq.

This is an act of war. Oh wait a min. We are already at war with them. Would people be upset if this happend an Hussain of our own? Well yes, but that is because he did not destroy a nation that did not attack us. Facts matter JJ12345.

Let the man go...freedom of speech!!!

Go ahead and imprison him. It makes him a martyr and elevates his actions to hero status. More hearts and minds are swayed away from what Bush and the USA stand for. And all we'll have to show for it is our empty smug satisfaction that some guy in Iraq is in jail. Seems like a terrible tradeoff.

Bush made a mistake here. He should have told the Secret Service agents to release him, and then heard him out. That would have deflated the blow up of this story. The benefit would have been, Bush would have learned something.

Bring him to Boston. The Red Sox need a right-hander to match the Yankees' new acquisitions. See "Yankees Sign Iraqi Hurler"–funny!

I find it sad and pathetic that people find this amusing. If you look at it, this shoe guy was a founding member of a newspaper in 2005. Do you think they had free speech and newspapers under Saddam? I don't think so, other than regulated news. Its disrespectful, its outrageous, and I hope he is tried like you and I would be tried in America. President Bush has made a lot of mistakes, but he did provide Iraqi's with freedom. Does this guy have a voice under Saddam? No. Does this man sit in front of two Presidents if it weren't for GWB? No. You can hate the President all you want, but he did give the Iraqi's freedom of speech. And for that, he gets a shoe thrown at him.

I smiled and smiled big...
Freedom has arrived in Iraq... victory for our military and mission accomplished. I feel better now about leaving when the time comes. This is huge... no where in the middle east could this have happend without dire result to the person. Under Saddam he wouldn't have dared do this... and would have been killed, his family stripped of all wealth and jailed or killed as well. As it is... the man was able to publicly protest without loss of life... on a world stage.

The best thing President Bush could have said after would have been "Sir, you are very welcome"!

Great day for Iraq and America... Freedom is alive...

To JJ12345:

If President obama lies us into a war of aggression and ruins our economy (or what's left of it) then you can feel free to throw shoes at him.

Gee,I thought they loved us and would only throw flowers.

They should free this guy. He was just expressing himself. Besides we got the better end of the deel. We killed his family, all he got was 2 missed tosses at a bobbel head. Give the guy a break, besides, Bush thought the whole thing was funny.

Here we are back to Sadam era tactics. Dissent? get tortured and go to jail. All that time money and lives and nothing has changed just the people in charge.

I think any one in this country would do the same thing if they saw all the innocent killing that was done due to this war, and to have the person who was the catalyst in front of you basically flip it off like it was nothing. He should be happy a shoe is the only thing that was thrown at him.

Folks remember this is the President that sat in front of Couric and said "SO" when asked about the loss of innocent lives in Iraq!!!

I'm only sorry he missed.

A press photo of al-Zaidi's shoe connecting with Bush's head, would have been a priceless one for the ages. It wouldn't scratch a scratch of the surface of how stupefyingly dark and evil the Bush admin is, but it would make people feel better.

A fitting exeunt to a tyranical war criminal. al-Zaidi's a folk hero in my book.

I recommend that GWB do a whole lot more public appearances in Iraq. With the flood of expected shoes, someone's bound to score.

The words FREEDOM, FREE-MARKET, DEMOCRACY are highly over-rated in the western world. These words cannot justify any need to occupy some other country...

This has confirmed my belief that this Iraqi is coward. Would he have done this during Sadaam's rule, this guy would have been shot immediately. This is freedom

@ Michelle in Seattle

Sorry, but physical violence is and should be a restricted form of "speech" in any culture (if it even still remains "speech" other than being an unacceptable form of expression). You can only push the PC acceptance of "cultural differences" so far before it gets silly. There's still a baseline we should all be seeking.

That being said, I still wish one of the shoes landed.

Like you gutless cowards suffering from BDS this guy doesn't get it.

Imagine if he did this to Saddam, whaddya think, feet first into the wood chipper, NOPE, he would have went HEAD first.

Bush is a dolt, but he did more to protect us than his predecessor who was ahem, "busy" with interns.

Under Billyboy we had multiple US installations bombed and he did bleep about it, Bush could have taken the same tact but chose to attack instead of being the attackee ANYMORE.

I could bore you with a FULL PAGE of EXACT quotes from your beloved Lemocrats, the UN and other countries that ALL said and thought what Bush thought so SAVE the BDS that he lied.

NO fan of Bush at this address, but the facts are the facts and this puke has the ability to throw a shoe at OUR President, because this PRESIDENT made the harsh decison to do something besides get a little love under the desk.

too bad he didn't hit Bush right in his smug puss.

I am willing to sign a petition to free this man. This is what happens when we push our democratic ideas on other countries. The shoe thrower has done what many of us would like to do to President Bush and Cheney. In President Bush's final days in office, he would pardon this gentlemen as a act of kindness and perhaps his Presidential ratings would sore to 30%. Please forward the shoe throwers location so we can send him a new pair of shoes.

Obama should say something, as an American and a Christian. He is proud of his Christian faith, and record of regular church attendance, as well as the teaching of the Bible. This nation/constitution is built on the Biblical truth/foundation. If he were a Muslim, probably he could not be elected. Stand up, American people, and be proud of every signle true 100% American citizen, in the tradition of Washington, Abraham Licoln and Ronald Reagan!

THE IRAQ WAR IS A SHAME AND A DISGRACE, BUT THROWING SHOES IS NO ANSWER.

I'm loving it! Wish I could get close enough to throw a shoe at the worst Prez in U.S. history, but I now remember. You can't get close enough since Bush created so-called "Free Speech Zones" – out of sight from ordinary citizens who protested his eight years of shameful leadership. I salute al-Zaidi and the thousands of Iraqis who want our troops out of their homeland – a place we never should have been in the first place!

Free the man! He was just doing what most people have been wanting to do anyway. He did us a favor.

I like the idea (from Mobius) of NIKE hiring him for a super bowl ad this coming season, that would be great!!! Then Bush can offer him a pardon! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

YES! Free him! Bush cannot wipe the blood of his hands of several thousand Americans (not to mention 10s of thousands of wounded), THOUSANDS of Iraquis. Destroying the economy, illegal wire taps of American citizens, torture, now trying to destroy the animal ecology, thousands of Americans out of work and thousands more to come, throwing the Consititution in the fire..............the list just goes on forever.

I'm just sorry he did not hit him square in the mouth, so he had to wear a fat lip during the rest of his REICH. Not an American, not even a Communist or Fascist, GEE what does that leave besides a Republican and a ..............?

And I do not need over paid little mamby pamby reporters from CNN or MSN telling me I should be offended by this. I am not offended! The shoe thrower was right. The reporters need to quit being Fruit Loops and start reporting on how America really feels!

Am I PO'ed. YOU BETCHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and when or if this happens to Obama?

this guy would be a racist............

but yeah......why did this never happen to Saddam? Short minded fools. who helped in giving them this freedom?...they sure did not have the sack to do it themselves.....did they?

Shoe throwing is also a tradition among guests on the Jerry Springer show. Last time I checked, none of them deserved any praise or respect, either.

Seriously, people, why is it that we excuse primitive behavior when it happens to be directed at someone we dislike? We talk about civil society and then respond with glee when somebody behaves like they just climbed down out of the tree branches.

Interesting.

If he had thrown that shoe at Saddam;

1) He would have been executed.
2) His wife would have been killed.
3) His children would have been killed.
4) His parents, brothers and sisters and other relatives would have been killed.
5) Everyone in is home town probably would have been killed.

After all this has all happened before under Saddam.

Amazing what Bush did to give him that FREEDOM and he doesn't even realize it.

All of you Bush haters don't know how good you've got it.

Just let the guy be. For crying out loud, he did what the majority of americans and the majority of the world has wanted to do for the past 8 years. If anything, this guy deserves a medal!!!!

All this proves to me is that the Iraqis are a great people and this man desperately needs more shoes.

If only humans had three legs, he might have hit him....
... stupid evolution.

He only did what most of us wish we could have done...let the man go.

Release him and have a party for him....I say they invite Bush & Cheney and boot the crap out of them...lol......Bush's dog didn't get put to sleep for biting the reporter. He didn't have to go to court for it. Let that brave man go......

It would not have been funny if it were any of our past sitting Presidents but b/c it was Bush it was the most funniest thing I have ever seen. Bush deserves what ever is thrown at him. Over 4000 troops dead including my cousin who was killed on 11/25/08 and left 2 children ages 7 & 12. For a war that should have never happened, there were no WMD's and Bush knew it. He just wanted to compete with his father. So forgive me for getting a little satisfaction from seeing a shoe being thrown at him. He deserved a drive by shoeing and if I were there I would have given him my high heel to throw to.

Another name for President Bush's out-the-door pardon list.

This guy took "give him the boot" literally.

We the American citizens asked that the Iraqi government free the shoe thrower and give him a verbal tongue lashing only. As many of us here in the US wish we could throw our shoe at President Bush and impeach him at the same time for running our country in the ground.

He should remain in jail. i am not a fan of President Bush, but he is the president of the USA, and what he did was disrespecful, and if he is not punished other will try the same, may be at another President they don't like....

The Iraqis government might purposely infiltrated him to the press conference to show to the world that they can insult a US sitting president, by whom they were freed and are able to do such kind of thing now. Were they brave enough to do that to Saddam Hussein?

They are freed but yet they are not grateful. Could you imagine what happen if an American insults one of Arab's leaders? That man will be killed then they will demand apology and money from us.

Such primitive and coward nations will never become big.

So I guess its ok, will the opinion change if someone does it to Obama? My guess is that it will.

He is a hero. Let him go and give him a medal of honor.

we are over there fighting so they can have freedom of speech...in their culture that is freedom of speech...let him go

Let him go. He just did what a bunch of us would love to do.

President Bush moved pretty fast

Quietly release the guy... A minor incident, a tiny footnote in history. And an action that (I'd be willing to bet) many US citizens would love to take themselves.

Bush should offer him a pardon. No, really.

I say let him serve 2 years for attacking an official. His behavior was totally unacceptable. To me, an attack is an attack whether it's with a hurled shoe or a clinched fist in the face. What he did could have actually injured the president had the shoe made contact with the president's head.

As for the guy's broken arm and other injuries, he should have thought about the potential consequences before he undertook his actions. No sympathy here.

Let him go. At least 70% of U.S. citizens would like to throw shoes at the incompetent pres.

Will we ever be rid of Bush/Cheney, etc. persecutions? Please. No more war!

Let him go - he simply did what many of us wish we could have had the freedom to do. What Mr. al-Zaidi did was a shot in the arm for protesters the world over.

I believe that this man has committed an act that many of us Americans would love to do ourselves! Shoe throwing can't even begin to compare with the atrocities that Bush has put the Iraq's through. Release him at once, and give him a medal!

Good for them. They're learning to taste FREEDOM.

Let him free!!!

I think the Illiniois governor could use a good shoe throwin.

What would have happened to al-Zaidi if he had thrown shoes at Sadam ? -He wouldn't have left the room alive!

This is the kind of CRAP a free society must endure. This shows the degree that Iraq has evolved into a free society. They throw shoes and PETA throws fake blood.

Welcome to FREEDOM!

He insulted his own government when he offended a visiting dignitary. His protest should have been made in another way, and he is certainly no hero regardless of your viewpoint.

I just read that this guy suffered a broken arm and head injury as a result of the boot toss. He is currently in the hospital and possibly may serve up to 2 yrs in prison for attacking an official.

NIKE should hire him. It would make a great Super Bowl Ad.

Just Do It.

Just let him go. Bring him to the US. I can think of a couple of folks that could use a good booting.