Throwing shoes

Iraqi shoe-throwing reporter becomes the talk of Iraq | U.S. | Reuters: "Throwing shoes at someone is the worst possible insult in the Arab world."
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Makes me wonder how they can say that. What if he had thrown... feces? Wouldn't that be more insulting? Is throwing shoes really more insulting than spitting on someone? How about throwing some old, nasty, freshly farted-in underwear? Even in the "Arab world" there has to be things they consider more insulting than throwing your shoes at someone. And what if that person takes the shoe... then you have to buy another pair. Maybe the real insult is on the person throwing the shoe?

That said, he did ok in the throwing part. He didn't throw all goofy, neither of the shoes went wildly off course. And Bush, was even better in that he easily dodged the shoes that were coming at him at a high clip. That guy was putting the heat on those shoes and Bush not only ducked the first one, but he didn't let it keep him down. He stood right back up and dodged the 2nd.

And what is up with the security, that guy should have been tackled and with a bloody nose before the second shoe took flight. Taser anyone? Something... they just looked really slow to get the guy. "Oh, it's just the President of the USA, let's take our time and handle the attacker with care."

Come on, you're in Iraq, you're securing the President, it's a prime opportunity that for once in your security career, you may get to put the hurt on someone for attacking the president.

There should have been a secret service guy "taking the shoe" for the President, flying out from seemingly nowhere as the shoe was thrown.

But no, there was none of that. WHY NOT?! I don't care if he's the most unpopular President, he's still the PRESIDENT! Protect our F-ing President no matter how "popular" he is. Put the hurt on those who try to attack him... what the hell are they teaching the secret service these days? They looked like they were more concerned about the lighting for photos that protecting the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Get your priorities straight. Here's the top 2:
1. Protect the President
2. Kick the ass(es) while incapacitating those that attack the president with a shoe or any other object no matter harmless it may seem at the time.

If you have to dive through people, knock some other people on their asses to get to the attacker, so be it. Don't be all, "Pardon me, can I get by" to people in the way, run over their asses!

Anyway, there was a serious lack of intensity by the security. That doesn't bode well for our image. The intensity and effectiveness of how we secure our President is a reflection of how well we secure our country. To the rest of the world, I bet we look pretty vulnerable.