Posted by Jack
AP – “Al-Zeidi’s act of defiance Sunday transformed an obscure reporter from a minor TV station into a national hero to many Iraqis fed up with the nearly six-year U.S. presence here, but also fearful that their country will fall under Iran’s influence once the Americans leave.
Several thousand people demonstrated in Baghdad and other cities to demand al-Zeidi’s release. The attack was the talk of the town in coffee shops, business offices and even schools and a subject across much of the Arab world. A charity run by the daughter of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi bestowed a medal of courage on al-Zeidi, calling on the Iraqi government to free him. ”
How could our security not have had a clue Al-Zeidi might pull something like this? His views on Bush and the American occupation were apparently widely known. Now this blunder has made a folk hero, not only in Iraq, but with many lefties in America who hate Bush almost as much as Al-Zeidi. Well, that’s just great; this really puts a capper on Bush’s final visit to Iraq. If anything will sum up what Bush has done over there, it’s probably going to be this shoe throwing event. It will live for all time as a supreme act of defiance…the guy is a hero and that’s it. We’ll probably be able to buy tee shirts with his picture on it at the Obama coronation.
“Al-Zeidi was held Monday in Iraqi custody for investigation and could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi prime minister, who was standing next to Bush. Conviction carries a sentence of up to two years in prison or a small fine although it’s unlikely he would face the maximum penalty given his newfound cult status in the Arab world. ”
