Thursday 12 March 2009

Iraqi Shoe Thrower Sentenced

GAZA CITY, GAZA - DECEMBER 16:  A Palestinian ...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Iraqi journalist Muntadhar Al Zeidi has been sentenced to three years in prison for throwing his shoes at former US President George W. Bush ('Thickie' to his friends), reports Associated Press.

Al Zeidi pled innocent: "What I did was a natural response to the occupation," he said.

He could have been sentenced to up to 15 years, so some have talked of leniency. Others point out that many of us would pay good money to a) have done it ourselves b) see it done again or c) have a range of other objects thrown at Thickie.

Anyway, Spot On PR is hosting a poll on the affair and so you can goto this link here and vote on whether you think the sentence is barking or not.

Have a lovely weekend!
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9 comments:

Dubai Jazz said...

I don't condone his action and I wouldn't do it myself (not my style). But as far as trials go, I'd probably sentence him for 3 years in jail for missing the target.

Spear The Almighty said...

As much as I dislike Bush we shouldn't be surprised about this. I mean let us be honest, what will happen if you throw one of the UAE Sheikhs with a shoe?

Dave said...

Seems a bit tough, but there are plenty of similar examples in other countries of stiffer sentences for less... Insult the King in Thailand and see what happens....

Unknown said...

3 years. Okay. But 5 years remission for giving the world the best laugh of the Shrub era.

rosh said...

I don't support what he did, however, the pointless sentencing is unfair.

Anonymous said...

The Spear, Dave, your comparisons are wrong. He cleary threw his show at a _foreign_, _visiting_ dignatory.

Em said...

Things like this would normally get a slap on the wrist, especially since he missed. But I suppose letting him off lightly would mean allowing others to start throwing shoes at presidents, so hence being made an example.

Sara said...

It's interesting seeing the range of opinions on this. I understand that throwing a shoe at a high ranking official cannot be condoned at state level. However surely a warning and a pretend 'to do' would have sufficed and then all could have gone along their merry ways. It wouldn't have been the first time a controversial matter was dealt with in this way and it certainly won't be the last.

hut said...

I never was and still am not against the invasion of Iraq. wrong reaons, right cause.

And still, I believe the show missile was just fucking ingenious and hilarious and poignant and totally understandable from the thrower's standpoint.

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