You don't know whether to laugh or cry.

by Bradman Thu 12 Mar 2009, 10:22

Shoe-throwing journalist jailed for 3 years
Posted 44 minutes ago
Updated 23 minutes ago

'Natural reaction': Zaidi hurled his shoes at Mr Bush during a press conference in Baghdad on December 14, 2008. (Reuters TV)

Video: Journalist hurls shoes at Bush (ABC News) An Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at former US president George W Bush has been sentenced to three years in prison for assault.

Muntadar al-Zaidi, 30, worked for Al-Baghdadiya television and earned instant worldwide fame when he threw his shoes at Mr Bush at a news conference in December, calling him a dog.

Zaidi had pleaded not guilty at the Iraq Central Criminal Court to assaulting Mr Bush, telling the judge: "My reaction was natural, just like any Iraqi."

The head of Zaidi's defence team, Dhiaa al-Saadi, described the sentenced has "harsh" and "not in harmony with the law".

He indicated that Zaidi would appeal the sentence.

Zaidi's sister Ruqaiya burst into tears, shouting "Down with Maliki, the agent of the Americans", referring to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Zaidi's brother, Uday, said the verdict was politically motivated.

- Reuters

by DJ_Smerk Thu 12 Mar 2009, 10:25

Ban Bradman.

by Bradman Thu 12 Mar 2009, 10:36

Hey I voted for myself. What more can you ask. And that thread title is sort of a bob each way, though I'd give the poor bastard ten points for guts and minus a million for accuracy.

Though Dubya seemed sort of agile.

by Guest Thu 12 Mar 2009, 10:43

****** ridiculous.

by PeterCS Thu 12 Mar 2009, 17:54

Should be President.

by JKLever Thu 12 Mar 2009, 18:29

Harsh!

by Merlin Thu 12 Mar 2009, 19:00

Youd've thought Dubya might have asked for the guy to be let off as a decent last gesture as El Presidente before he buggered off back to Texas and oblivion ...

Seems also that the chick that flung green custard into Mandy's face is also going to be charged ... political shit eh ... they can endorse 400+ deaths in foreign lands but can't take the force of either a shoe or a bowl of custard sent their way.

Qunts

by furriner Thu 12 Mar 2009, 19:17

3 years? F*cking insanity. I'd have given him the keys to the city, not that he'd want them if the cities were in some parts of 'Eyeraq'.

by PeterCS Thu 12 Mar 2009, 19:18

Apparently Bush DID intend a gracious goodbye gesture and suggested, in a form of Sharia Law, that his own shoes be amputated.

His advisors had a word in his ear. So he went for due vengeance instead.

by lardbucket Fri 13 Mar 2009, 08:12

Merlin wrote:Youd've thought Dubya might have asked for the guy to be let off as a decent last gesture as El Presidente before he buggered off back to Texas and oblivion ...

Seems also that the chick that flung green custard into Mandy's face is also going to be charged ... political shit eh ... they can endorse 400+ deaths in foreign lands but can't take the force of either a shoe or a bowl of custard sent their way.

Custard ~~knitters~~ nutters

by skully Fri 13 Mar 2009, 08:17

And in other news, that Wall St qunt of qunts, Bernard Madoff is likely to be sentenced to life for ripping off investment clients to the tune of ... wait for it... $100 Billion. Officials say they don't know where the money went.

FFS.