If George W. Bush was any kind of a man,

[TheCowsCameHome]

He would publicly request that Muntadar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist shoe thrower, be released before he is subjected to any more physical abuse while detained by al-Maliki forces.

Just think what a gesture of good-will that would be.

But knowing what a low-life wimp he is, I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. You're right. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. nt

[polichick]

2. Really. Shoe-throwing vs Being responsible for countless unnecessary deaths.

[gravity]

3. Or at least not torture the guy

I could see sending the guy to jail for a short time period could be justified, but torture?

Bush just gave all the justification in the world to be hit by flying shoes.

[el_bryanto]

7. Well Bush has no authority (technically) to do anything

But it is certainly within his rights to request mercy for this guy.

Bryant

[gravity]

9. Maybe I expected that human rights in Iraq would improve somewhat

compared to Saddam Hussein. I guess it was good that he didn't get shot on the spot, but that really isn't showing much.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[malaise]

5. Get real

Bush would like to torture him personally. He humiliated him - no one has done this to him publicly in eight years. Bush can pretend but he knows he was 'PWELTED' into history. Someone finally let him know how most of the world feel about him.

Bush is no man - he's a heartless, incompetent, war criminal.
Listen to this spinner Gerson saying that it's more about his reflexes than his legacy. Fuck that Gerson you hack.

[BOSSHOG]

6. He would have taken that drug test instead of deserting????

[Believing Is Art]

8. If I were Bush . . .

I would have picked up the guy's shoes, told security to get off him, helped him up and handed him back his shoes. And if I were the reporter and Bush did that, I would be madder than hell. I would not doubt if this journalist prefers imprisonment and abuse to receiving any kindness from the Bush admin. Which in no way justifies it, I'm just pissed our leaders can't figure out some very simple things about human nature . . .

[MineralMan]

10. I have no doubt whatever

that the thrower expected some serious punishment. And yet he acted. That, my friends, is civil disobedience in action. It is unlike the creepy freepers who talk a good fight from their mothers' basements, but who would never actually step up and risk anything for their position.

Many here on DU have stood up and faced the authorities to make a point. Some, like myself, are in their 60s now, and aren't doing that much confrontation today, but recognize that statements must be public and subject to punishment to have much weight.

Assaulting a foreign head of state is a serious matter. He did not try to miss Bush. He knew that consequences would follow what he did, and was willing to accept those consequences to make the point he wished to make.

It is the risk you take that gives weight to your actions.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. George W. Bush has always been both a physical and moral coward. Nothing will ever change him.

[ColbertWatcher]

12. Agreed. Although the Sociopath in Chief doesn't care what anyone else thinks. n/t

[faithfulcitizen]

13. It would be a good political move too, but I won't hold my breath either.

[Cleita]

14. You can't make a man out of an empty suit, but you are right,

it would do a lot towards fixing his image. However, neither he nor the people who apologize for him can see what a PR mistake it is not to do so. It's fine with me. Better that the nation sees what a petty and mean kinglet he is.

[Sewsojm]

15. In the first place,

In the first place, Shrub is no man he's a Lying Coward and a total POS, I'd expect he's privately visited al-Zaidi to watch him get tortured and mock the man.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

16. Bush is not a man

and doesn't care that Zaidi's ill treatment is making the US look worse in the eyes of the world. Obama has a lot of fences to mend.