Iraqi shoe-hurling journalist visits brother

[sabra]

Source: USA Today/AP

BAGHDAD (AP) — The Iraqi journalist detained after throwing his shoes at President George W. Bush is in good shape and was allowed to meet with his brother on Friday, although he has been denied access to his lawyer, his family said.

...

His brother said information about the support had been kept from the journalist.

"Some officers told him that half of the Iraqis were against him. But he was very happy when he heard that all the Iraqis support him. He even cried when he heard that there were even demonstrations on his behalf in the United States," Dhargham al-Zeidi said.

...

Al-Zeidi stood by his action against Bush. He stressed that he meant no offense to the Iraqi prime minister but didn't want to miss his chance to send a message to Bush, the brother said.

"He said he could not wait until al-Maliki left the room to throw his shoes because then Bush would also leave and that historic opportunity would be lost," he said.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi actually feared he would be killed by guards after throwing his shoes and read his last prayers before going to the news conference, his brother said.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2009-01-16-shoe...

[jeff30997]

1. Now that the Chimp is leaving...

Maybe they can leave him alone,dammit!

[Peregrine Took]

2. Poor SOB. I'll be forever in his debt. n//t

[roguevalley]

6. this is true courage, not the bottled kind that bush uses. god bless him and his family

[Doremus]

13. Very well said and also very true. n/t

[Political_Junkie]

3. I love this man.

"Muntadhar al-Zeidi actually feared he would be killed by guards after throwing his shoes and read his last prayers before going to the news conference, his brother said."

[lunatica]

4. I'm glad he knows what a hero he is to the world

And I'm sorry he's had to pay such a price

[disndat]

5. Obama should invite him

to his inaugural. They are of like minds. Too bad he can't be at the planned Shoe-Throwing demonstration near the WH on inaugural day.

[Schema Thing]

7. *We* should invite him to America

give him an all expenses paid tour and the keys to every city.

[file83]

11. Heck, I say give him an honorary law degree, hire him as US Attorney and...

...let him lead the myriad of investigations into Bush's war crimes.

We know he's motivated enough and fearless enough to do it! The man has grande huevos!

[vanamonde]

8. ...he has been denied access to his lawyer

Good to see that freedom is reigning (sic) all over in Iraq.

[okiru109]

9. He even cried when he heard that there were even demonstrations on his behalf in the United States

"Some officers told him that half of the Iraqis were against him. But he was very happy when he heard that all the Iraqis support him. He even cried when he heard that there were even demonstrations on his behalf in the United States," Dhargham al-Zeidi said.

we salute you Al-Zeidi

[JohnyCanuck]

10. A video musical goodbye to GWB that also features the shoe thrower.

At the 2:11 mark. (Warning contains swearing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=026FoR-zsH4

[Cha]

12. We were just talking about this Iraqi Hero at

work today! David Rees wrote a wonderful tribute to him in Rolling Stone in his GYWO(Get Your War On).

<snip>

"It's like the bush administration has been staying up late, working towards those shoes every single god damn day since 9/11. The towering piles of money,blood,torture, and bullshit--all so that when some random Iraqi throws not ONE but TWO of his grimy ass loafers at bush, everyone on Earth basically gives him a standing Ovation."

Rolling Stone..last GYWO in the January 22, 2009 issue.

At least he got to see his bro but they need to get him a lawyer.

[Ichingcarpenter]

14. Iraqi Guards Said to Throw Party for Shoe-Thrower

Source: ABC news

The Iraqi journalist jailed since throwing his shoes at President George W. Bush got a visit from his brother Friday and a birthday party from his guards as he turned 30.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who has gained cult status for his bizarre protest, is in good shape but has been denied access to his lawyer, relatives said after his brother Maitham visited him for two hours in his detention cell in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

But concern was raised about his welfare after allegations that he had been severely beaten and tortured in detention.

The case's investigating judge has said the journalist was struck about the face and eyes, apparently by security agents who wrestled him to the floor after he hurled his shoes, forcing Bush to duck for cover.

Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=66...

[my2sense]

15. Is this the democracy that Bush speaks of

[liberalmuse]

16. Tell me when it is...

and I'll celebrate too. This hero has given me many pleasant dreams of Bush being pummeled by shoes. I can't thank him enough.

[Left Coast2020]

18. START THROWING!!!!!!!

http://play.sockandawe.com /

[awoke_in_2003]

21. Tell me, too...

my feet do not react well to all leather shoes- read that as very malodorous. I have a pair of tennis shoes just ready for the occasion.

[Warpy]

17. I think he'll be very quietly let go next Wednesday

with an admonition to stay out of sight for a while.

Hell, I'd like to bake his birthday cake.

[Idealism]

19. I love the people who told me the shoe-thrower wouldn't be held in jail

"No way, he will be released"

He will be lucky to only get 4 years.

[defendandprotect]

20. Any reporter asking if Bush will PARDON the "shoe thrower" . . .????

My thoughts are with this brave man -- and I hope that enthusiasm for his

release will make it true soon.

And, I have no doubt that he has been tortured.

[trusty elf]

22. Happy Birthday Muntadhar!

Thank you for your courageous act of defiance! May you be released soon!

[Sultana]

23. That pic is a classic

Happy B-Day Mr. Shoe-thrower.

[SpiralHawk]

24. If Commander AWOL can pardon torturers

And the republicon Senate can give a Standing O to a republicon who has been having diaper sex with a hooker and VIOLATING his family-value marriage vows...

...they then can pardon a freaking shoe flipper.

[Ian David]

25. He blew-out the candles on the cake with his shoe, n/t

[Wizard777]

26. That was very nice of them to do that for him.

There are a lot of people over here that want to throw him a party too. Instead of pin the tail on the donkey. We'll play pin the war crime on the elephant. Have a big pinata of Dick Cheney made. When you bust it open billions of dollars fall out. It'll be fun.

[RedSock]

27. why is it "bizarre"?

nothing like some editorializing in what should be a strict news report.