Non-embedded Media Welcome Bush to Iraq

 

During his farewell tour of Iraq, US President George Bush was given an unusual welcome at a press conference with Iraqi Puppet Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Muntazer al-Zaidi, an Iraqi reporter for  Al-Baghdadia television, hurled both his shoes at Bush, declaring to the US leader: “It is the farewell kiss, you dog.“

Throwing shoes at someone is considered a high insult in Iraq and other Arab nations.  However, Bush remained unfazed and casually remarked, “If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw” and “That’s what people do in a free society, draw attention to themselves.”

Al-Zaidi has been detained by Iraqi authorities but has been hailed by some as a hero.