Some reactions to the shoe thrower's act of extreme bravery. One wonders how bad his writing is if he had to resort to hurling shoes to be heard. Evidently in 2005 the shoe thrower was kidnapped, held for three days and released without ransom. He attributed it to al Qaeda. Then last year he was mistakenly arrested by US forces and then released after an apology. Hard to believe it was a spontaneous expression of freedom.
According to CNN's JOMANA KARADSHEH, Dhirgham al-Zaidi, the brother of the shoe thrower said U.S. security stopped Iraqis from hitting the reporter, but then alleged he was beaten once he was taken into custody and sustained a broken arm and ribs. His brother made the allegations without seeing or talking to his brother. CNN said they cannot "independently confirm the allegations or determine if the alleged injuries came as a result of the initial scuffle or while al-Zaidi was later in custody."
The brother said he was "shocked" when he saw his brother hurling his shoes at President Bush but that he is "proud" of his brother whose act, while rash, was a statement of behalf of "millions" of other Iraqis.
And that his brother's actions were "spontaneous" and represented millions of Iraqis who want to "humiliate the tyrant."
That the shoe throwing was "Iraq's reaction" to the war and years of U.S. sanctions against Iraq before the conflict began and not motivated for personal reasons, or because he has "anything against the American people".
He described his brothers hatred for the "material American occupation" and the "moral Iranian occupation".
Wonder what he's done to insult the Iranian leaders? And what would have happened if he had?
Shoe thrower's employer, Egypt-based Al-Baghdadia TV:
al-Zaidi should be freed "in accordance with democracy and freedom of expression Iraqis were promised by the new era and American authorities."
He wrote a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki asking to be pardoned.
Muntadhar al-Zeidi:
It is too late to now regret the big and ugly act that I perpetrated. So I ask for your pardon.
Interesting way to ask for a pardon - no regret. It's not clear what, if anything, he will be charged. Pardons can be granted by Iraq's president if recommended by al-Maliki.
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Shoe thrower the toast of the Arab world!
Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati proclaimed at Friday prayers at Tehran University:
The shoe intifada in Iraq should not be overlooked easily. Well done to the Iraqi journalist for throwing the shoes at the U.S. president.
The shoe hurling by the Iraqi journalist had many messages which the world received and the Iraqi people, too, held demonstrations afterwards. People should support the Iraqi journalist.
He then said the shoes are "more valuable than crowns, medals and signs" and believes they should be place in an Iraqi museum.
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According to New York Times' TIMOTHY WILLIAMS & ABEER MOHAMMED, shoe thrower's brother said it was a spontaneous act, but co-worker Saif al-Deen, 25, said al-Zeidi had been planning some sort of protest against Bush for nearly a year.
DEEN: 'I remember at the end of 2007, 'he told me, 'You will see how I will take revenge on the criminal Bush in my personal way about the crimes that he has committed against innocent Iraqi people.'
Wonder what has been done to Deen and how quickly he realized he was mistaken.
In Lebanon, reactions varied by political affiliation, but curiosity about the episode was universal.
In Saudi Arabia, a newspaper reported that a man had offered $10 million to buy just one of what has almost certainly become the world's most famous pair of black dress shoes.
A daughter of the Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi reportedly awarded the shoe thrower, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, a 28-year-old journalist, a medal of courage.
In Syria, al-Zeidi's picture was shown all day long on the state television network, with Syrians calling in to share their admiration for his gesture and his bravery. In central Damascus, a huge banner hung over a street, reading: ''Oh, heroic journalist, thank you so much for what you have done.''
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Here's my favorite story. From Reuters: MOHAMED ABDELLAH & JONATHAN WRIGHT. Egyptian Saad Gumaa called the shoe thrower's brother and offered his 20 y/o daughter for marriage.
GUMAA: I find nothing more valuable than my daughter to offer to him, and I am prepared to provide her with everything needed for marriage.
Ain't that swell. Twelve camels and an assortment of figs and dates? It gets weirder. The daughter, who is a university student, liked the idea. One has to wonder how a daughter so anxious to be auctioned off got to 20 without being so.
AMAL SAAD GUMAA: This is something that would honor me. I would like to live in Iraq, especially if I were attached to this hero.
Attached? As in conjugal visits? At least his daughter was of legal age and able to make a fully informed decision to wed.
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President Bush attacked by shoethrower
Malaysian foreign minister praises shoethrower
Shoe party in the streets
Update: shoe thrower
First Lady Laura Bush reacts
Shoe thrower sentenced to 3 years
Indonesians welcome Madame Secretary of State with lame shoe toss
Shoethrower’s monument lasted less than 48 hrs
Shoe thrower's sentenced reduced from 3 to 1 year
