The Shoe Attack

During a press conference at the Prime Minister's Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush. Throwing shoes is an act of extreme disrespect in Arab and Islamic culture.

"This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog,"

Yelled Al-Zaidi in Arabic as he threw his first shoe towards the U.S. president.

"This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq"

Al-Zaidi shouted as he threw his second shoe. He was then tackled by Prime Minister Maliki's guards, kicked, and rushed out of the room. In the chaos, White House Press Secretary Dana M. Perino was struck in the eye with a microphone stand. President Bush ducked and avoided being hit by al-Zaidi's shoes.

Some Iraqi reporters present at the scene offered apologies to President Bush.

"Thanks for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people. It doesn't bother me,"

Mr. Bush said, and then told a joke that lightened the tense atmosphere in the conference room.

"If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw,"

The President added. When asked about the incident by another reporter, Bush said

"It's a way for people to draw attention. I don't know what the guy's cause was. I didn't feel the least bit threatened by it."

Attack in pictures: http://muntazeral-zaidi.blogspot.com/2008/12/bush-shoe-attack-pictures.html