[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/WORLD/meast/12/15/shoe.reporter.profile/art.shoe.suspect.bgdtv.jpg caption="TV reporter Muntadhar al-Zaidi, in a file photo, was jailed after throwing his shoes at President Bush."]Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
It was a strange weekend for Pres. Bush. By now, I'm betting you saw the video of Mr. Bush ducking as two shoes were thrown at him during a news conference in Iraq. If not, click here to see the drama. We're impressed with Pres. Bush's quick reflexes. And, gosh, it was nice of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki tried to reach out and stop the second shoe.
The man who tossed his size 10 shoes is Iraqi journalist Muntather Zaidi. He's a correspondent for Baghdadiya, a satellite TV channel that's out of Cairo, Egypt.
"This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog," Zaidi said, according to a pool translation.
Zaidi is being hailed as a hero to many in the Arab world and beyond.
What do you think of the incident?
Should Zaidi face jail time for what he did?
We'll have all the angles on this story. We're also following tonight's other headlines, including the possibility of another Senator Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy would love to have Sen. Hillary Clinton's job when she moves over to the State Dept. But some people say Ms. Kennedy is not fit for the job.
Join us for all that and more at 10pm ET.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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Hmmm...as disrespectful it may be to the US...I believe that that specific country should decide to prosecute or not! Come on it was just a shoe!
His country was invaded and you gave him the right of freedom of speech and to demonstrate.. You can't complain now that he
takes advantage of this freedom.
The shoe throwing is a muslim tradition. He did't like George Bush. Apparently he thinks he will be a hero in the Arab world. He is lucky they sort of have freedom of speech. If he threw that shoe at Saddam Hussein, he would be dead.
I don't like president Bush – but I don't like shoes being thrown at The President of the United States either. This reporter did no favors to the progress of the middle east – yes let him sulk in jail for a month.
i think if the journalist does any jail time for throwing his shoes at the President, it should be for attempted assault. i definitely dont think it should be that stiff of a punishment, no harm no foul.
If Obama is fit to be President with his small amount of experience then Caroline Kennedy shouldn't have any problem being a Senator. She grew up in a highly political family; she has a law degree from an ivy league college like Obama; she has lived in New York for most of her life and has been active in issues involving conservation, education, privacy, and the arts plus she has been very active in Obama's campaign and was on the vetting committee to select his running mate.
On the shoes – the country where the incident happened should make the decision whether to prosecute the man or not. For the US to push for a jail sentence for someone throwing shoes would really reinforce our image of the big bad bully.