I was stunned by yesterday's news report about an Iraqi journalist throwing his shoes at President Bush, during his press conference in Baghdad. I was chatting with an Iraqi friend online last night and asked for his thoughts. Here's his viewpoint...
Me: Did you hear about the shoe-throwing incident at Bush? What do you think?
Iraqi friend: Very shameful! All decent people are ashamed of it. You should read the Iraqi press and the internet
Me: Well, the demonstrations on the street in support of the shoe-thrower are getting a ton of press, too..
Iraqi friend: The few Sadris? (supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr) Come on...
Me: What's the Iraqi press saying about it?
Iraqi friend: Read the comments from thousands of people on the internet. They are very embarassed and ashamed that a guest has been treated like this. Look at sites like SotalIraq and elaph.com
Me: Why are decent people embarassed? Because it wasn't appropriate? Aren't a lot of Iraqis mad at Bush?
Iraqi friend: Many people are calling Bush a liberator and it was his work and the freedom he brought that allowed this guy to do what he did. Plus, he was a guest of the people of Iraq. Many people are saying that they hated Bush until the incident and now they are embarrassed because this was simply bad manners towards a guest.
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