Size 10’s

“No one should read anything more into it than what it was, which was an individual throwing a shoe.”

This is what Eric Zahren, a Secret Service spokesman said about a recent incident in which an Iraqui journalist threw both of his shoes at President Bush during a press conference.  There’s a video of it up online.  I have to admit, it’s pretty awesome to see Bush totally dodging both shoes like a cat.  I could imagine Bush thinking, “Alright, when the hell are they gonna stop this guy?”

The President made light of the situation with a joke about the size of the shoes thrown- size 10’s.  They are leaving this guys punishment in the hands of the Iraqi’s.  He’s probably just going to get a fine.  Small price to pay, especially when he’s being heralded as a national hero.

Now, imagine if an American had thrown their shoes at the President.  There would be no fines, no jail time, no paper trail.  In all probability, that person would cease to exist and no one would ever see or hear from them again.

Imagine if an American went over to any middle eastern country and threw their shoes at their leader.  What would happen?

All I’m saying is, you don’t do anything hostile toward another country’s leader, and if you do do it you should get more then a fine.  I don’t know how anyone could think that’s a good idea.  If you’re gonna throw a shoe at Bush you might as well shit in a bag and light it on fire on the White House steps.  What we have here is a culture problem.  In their country, it’s an insult to have shoes thrown at you.  In our country, if you throw your shoes at someone they just think you’re crazy.  In the end, this guy didn’t have any impact on anything what-so-ever except to show that the Secret Service obviously wasn’t paying attention and as far as I know, that’s not something that should happen.  If someone is throwing their shoes at the President during a press conference, at least stop him before he gets to the second shoe.

In the wake of this really screwed up story we are only left to wonder what would have happened if that man had a gun.  Judging by how promptly the Secret Service reacted, Dick Cheney would be the President of the United States.