George W. Bush must be getting pretty depressed. I mean, if my legacy were a burned-over wasteland painted with tears, I’d be bummed too.
But amidst disastrous foreign wars and economic collapse, perhaps there is a little solace from an unlikely source: the guy who whipped his shoes at the soon-to-be ex-President.
Muntadar al-Zeidi has had a pretty crummy time since his shoe-nanigans. He’s been arrested, beaten, and forced to apologize for his stunt, and now faces the prospect of a lengthy jail term. I suppose he should have thought about that before hurling his footwear. And, I’m no fan of journalists exploiting their access to make personal political points. But still, in the grand order of human misdeeds, weaponized Nikes are fairly light weight.
In the wake of the felonious shoe assault, Bush said some pretty laid-back, insightful things, basically that the occassional flying wingtip was a small price to pay for a free society. In that spirit, Bush should intervene on Al-Zeidi’s behalf. Surely, the President of the United States has the clout to bust a lone shoeman out of jail.
Think of it: at the close of an ignominous term, Bush can take the high road. He can say, “Yes, this man threw his shoes at me. But in the interest of democracy and freedom, let him go.” Not only will this make Bush appear magnaminous and actually committed to the liberty-related rhetoric he is fond of quoting in speeches, but it may even win a few points in the Muslim world. Al-Zeidi is a hero for throwing his shoes. If Bush frees him, he may win a little grudging respect.
Let Al-Zeidi go, Mr. Bush. Let’s be honest: it may be the only good thing you get remembered for.
…. and, at the very least and from an entirely self-serving perspective, avoid creating a political prisoner/martyr.
For the first time in my life I am going to have to side with the president. If someone threw a shoe at me I would want them beaten. The apology would not be necessary, but two years in an Iraqi jail would make me feel better, and isn’t that what is important.
Unfortunately, the person that robbed my house, was not beaten by the police and he only got one year in jail.
I suppose the legal maxim – I demand justice. Or, if there must be injustice, let it be in my favour – applies (it sounds better in latin).
Asking Bush to ‘let him go’ is a nice sentiment, but it would be absurd for him to exert overt pressure on the Iraqi government to release him. I think it’s pretty obvious why this would be a totally inappropriate situation for him to assume any political jurisdiction.
Miles, you actually think being beaten and thrown in prison for two years is justice for throwing two shoes?? Wow, I truly hope your post was tongue in cheek. If not, while it sucks that your house got robbed, it seems the most valuable thing that that person stole was your sense of perspective.
I suppose sarcasm is not alway apparent in written form.
Though in fairness my sense of perspective was lost long before my house was robbed.
While I agree with your post, I’d much rather read one called “Be the bigger bush man.” Or even “Be the bigger bush, man.” Or more cryptically, “Be the bigger, bush man.”
And now I’ll stop.