Virginia

You’ll find many petitions to sign on the web and facebook supporting Muntadar al-Zaidi.  I recommend that anyone who is truly concerned for his safety and release to contact U.S. and Iraq embassies and our local government officials at the State and Federal levels; including world governing bodies concerned for human rights. 

Unfortunately, we (U.S.A.) are the occupying power of Iraq and occupying powers have no regard for the indigenous community of the land they are illegally occupying because it threatens the very legitimacy of it being an occupier.

We need to stop blaming the victim for the crimes of the aggressor and be a voice on their behalf.  We need to speak out against the foreign policies of our government (U.S.A.) while the window of freedom still exists.

http://iraq.usembassy.gov/

It is good, Virgina, that we have Americans like MW who have always told us to go back where we came from.  their rasism and anti-Foreigner ideology is complemented by their sexism.  Note that he is going to throw his shoes at you rather than at me.  the boots that I would use on his ass have my feet still in them.

That’s a good idea, Virgina.  The Iraqi power system is largely dominated by the US and serves US interests.  If the Iraqis saw that the American people did not support the brutality and barbarism of the US power system, it would help both the Iraqis and the Americans to distinguish between the two.

the function of law and order is to protect the ruling class from the population.  Under the guise of protecting the population from each other.  How much time in prison would Bush have got if he through his shoe at an Iraqi?  the US power system routinely bombs and shoots iraqis and it is legal, as the violence of US puppets.

I would like to correct my previous post and state that all my references to Mr. Zairar should state Muntadar al-Zaidi.  I do not know how I transposed these two names.

Long live Iraq!  Long live Palestine!

Oceana

Louise, thank you for your most succinct posting! We have no clue what it is to be illegally occupied and ruled with an iron fist by military and private militia (Black Water, now named XE).  Since the start of the illegal invasion of Iraq, I cannot listen to the fireworks on 4th of July without thinking that the sounds I hear Iraqis and Palestinians hear as well, tenfold, with devastating real life consequences.  I am only reminded of the mockery we make of this ‘holiday’ to the rest of the world. 

I recently dealt with having vermin in my apartment – sleeping with one eye open – that noise that wakes you – everything you touch you see their presence in the light of day – your space is invaded - remnants of vile diseases are left behind - you seek to prevent their entry with non-toxic means.  Many years past I wrote a poem about the mouse placed in the viper’s cage for feeding as an analogy to the molester and child living in the same home.  The mouse with heart beating anxiously crouches in the corner of the cage, both staring each other down. The mouse knowing it is no match due to the cage preventing its escape and the viper taunts the mouse knowing it will get its prey as it has no where else to go.  If the mouse courageously rebels and seeks to preserve itself at all costs, the world will oddly blame it for being unruly and ungrateful, while it is actually acting most sanely within a world that has become profoundly insane.

I wonder why my government (U.S.A.) moralizes to the world about democracy while continuously being a dishonest broker.  We build up and enable other governments, legitimate or rogue, to a place of power for our own gain.  We do not like it when they rear its head acting autonomously in the game of world politics.  They quickly become “the enemy - the terrorist” because they can no longer be controlled and manipulated for our own end gain. We become entrapped within our own maze as the game turns itself upon us.

I venture to say that we truly have become one of the most corrupt nations veiled within a false myth.

What will be the cost that the Iraqis will be asked to make in addition to what they have already paid due to our illegal war, invasion and continued occupation?  If they refuse an unjust request they will be falsely blamed. Just as Mr. Zairar is falsely blamed as he cried out against the injustice committed against his people and land through his non-violent act of throwing his shoes at a man who sanctioned death and destruction of his people, culture and land.

True peace will not be found until the illegal aggressor(s) admit their crime as being a crime and the victim’s voice is truly heard by the world at large, by the world governing bodies and is no longer blamed by the world at large for the inhumane acts committed by the illegal aggressors.

Mr. Zairar will always be a hero (in the true sense of its Greek meaning) because he acted and responded most sanely within an insane world.  I do not agree with the sentencing.  He should be set free.  Our former President if he had any decency and moral courage and sense of empathy, he would say, “I do not press any charges.” He could work behind the scenes, as we are the illegal occupier who now rules their land.

I am concerned for those within our country who remain silent when it costs them nothing, but at most a false accusation.  One day when we, as a people, will be prevented from speaking out against unjust acts by a government, our own or another, we can look to those, the many, who have gone before us, such as Mr. Zairar.

Mr. Zairar made a statement through the means of a non-violent act. Let’s remember, there were no pins in the shoes that he forgot to pull.  His act was clearly non-violent.

Milton Mayer, They Thought They Were Free: http://www.amazon.com/They-Thought-Were-Free-Germans/dp/0226511928

Peter Dale Scott’s book: Drugs Oil and War

This is an opportunity to change the way things have been happening for a long time now.  Bush is the perfect target for the new game at fairs across the nation.  Instead of dunking people into water tanks, we can throw our shoes at life size dummies of Bush. 

This could be another untapped market. sort of a main street bail out.  How would the scoring be?  Bulls eye, how about between the Bush eyes.  This could change many things like types of foot wear. 

What kind of shoes or boots would you want to throw?
Am I the only one who sees people practicing in their home across the nation?

I do hope they at least offer the fellow an opportunity to improve his aim.

Just you watch… some bright spark in “Homeland Security” will suggest that all those within throwing distance of the President will, from this day forward, be required to go shoeless.

MW - Have another cup of Kool-Aid…

...the Right-Wing Whacko-flavored Kool-Aid.
(Geez, where DO these people come up with this stuff? Unbelievable, how twisted the facts.)

I keep wondering: Just how toxic WERE Al-Zaidi’s shoes?  Are we talking slightly broken in leather or all-out over-used, un-aired out gym shoes?

The former could be considered the equivalent of hitting President Botch with a custard pie.  The latter might be considered to be the undiscovered and missing….WMDs!!!!!!!

By RickinSF, March 12 at 11:22 am #

“Please refer me to any country where that is not considered a serious offense.”

Please refer me to any civilized country where what Bush has done in the past 8 years would not be a war crime.

Well, we now know what america fundamentally gave to iraq, death and prisons.

Have you ever been invaded?

Oh I don’t mean by an enemy army, we do that vicariously.

I mean by critters or creatures that multiply faster than rabbits. Sneak up on you when you least expect it and make life so unbearable, you hesitate to go to bed at night, and don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. Some times they’re small and furry. Sometimes they’re flat and crunchy, and sometimes they slither. But no matter what size and shape, when they invade ... life can become pure hell!

You crawl about inside and out, trying to find how they get in. You set [and dispose of] traps and more traps. It gets so bad when someone opens the door you scream SHUT THAT DOOR! You putty and pound, tape and stuff, thinking “there, I’ve blocked their entrance,” only to find another one the next day when you move a chair! If someone wants to open a window you scream NO! If someone offers to put your purchase in a box, you scream NO! You get tired of explaining and just let everyone think you are absolutely nuts!

Eventually, after days, weeks, months, you find the source ... spray or bait, block or seal, and wait. How many weeks, months has it been since you had a good nights sleep? How long will it be before you stop crawling along the wall ... looking for evidence? Will the terror ever leave? Will you ever be able to leave your home again without fearing opening the door when you return?

The horror of the invasion is so fixed in your mind, even years later ... you jump if you see something move, hear a sound you cant identify!

And then, with stark clarity you realize ... oh my God! Nothing can compare with living under a bomb!

What must it be like, wondering when and where the next bomb will go off? How many times can you report chaos and death before you crack? How many years will it be before Iraq is once again as beautiful as it once was? How many crushed and wounded children will there be playing in the streets? How long will it take to wash the picture of bloodied pieces of the dead out of your memory? And you marvel.

The restraint and self-control exersized daily on the streets of Baghdad is monumental. How can anyone not understand the boiling up frustration that led to throwing those shoes? If we’re honest with ourselves we have to admit, we all wish the shoes had hit their target. We cheered when we saw the video. The man is a hero and should be treated as such. And I suspect in whatever prison he ends up in ... he will be. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s going, and he shouldn’t be.

“I had the feeling that the blood of innocent people was dropping on my feet during the time that he was smiling and coming to say bye-bye to Iraq with a dinner.”

To a degree, we can identify. How would Bush be greated if he decided to visit us looking for a thank you? In case of that possibility, save your old shoes and start practicing.

Yet, Election-Fraud George who has committed many many many far worse crimes is free. Disgusting.

Muntadar al-Zaidi is a hero!

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!! SO WHAT HE THREW A SHOE AT A THEIF,LIAR,AND A BACK STABBER! THIS SO CALL MAN (BUSH) DID NOTHING BUT PUT OUR COUNTRY IN A TERRIBLE POSITION AND CAUSED OTHER COUNTRIES TO HAVE NOTHING BUT WAR AND MULTITUDES OF DEATHS,HUNGER,AND INSANITY! HE CAUSED OUR MEN AND WOMEN (OUR CHILDREN)TO COME HOME CRIPPLED,DISABLED,MENTALLY UNSTABLED,AND FEELING THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET AWAY FROM WHAT WAS IS TO DRINK OR DO DRUGS,OR DEAD. WE ARE IN A EDUCATIONAL, FINANCIAL,HOUSING,AND HEALTH DILEMA!!! SO WHAT HE THREW A SHOE,AND BUSH DUCKED!LOL!HE DOES NOT DESERVE 3 YEARS,COME ON WHO HAVEN’T THROWN A SHOE? GIVE ME A BREAK!REMEMBER THIS “WHAT YOU DO IN THE DARK WILL SHOW IN TH LIGHT”!

Time served, Let him go….......