Iraqi shoe thrower Muntazer al-Zaidi inundated with offers and gifts

[sabra]

Source: Guardian UK

As his size 10s spun through the air towards George W Bush, Muntazer al-Zaidi – the man the world now knows as the shoe-thrower – was bracing for an American bullet.

"He thought the secret service was going to shoot him," says Zaidi's younger brother, Maitham. "He expected that, and he was not afraid to die."

...

Next Monday, when the journalist walks out of prison, his 10 raging seconds, which came to define his country's last six miserable years, are set to take on a new life even more dramatic than the opening act.

Across Iraq and in every corner of the Arab world, Zaidi is being feted. The 20 words or so he spat at Bush – "This is your farewell kiss, you dog. This is for the widows and orphans of Iraq" – have been immortalised, and in many cases memorised.

...

A new four-bedroom home has been built by his former boss. A new car – and the promise of many more – awaits.

Pledges of harems, money and healthcare are pouring in to his employers, the al-Baghdadia television channel.

"One Iraqi who lived in Morocco called to offer to send his daughter to be Muntazer's wife," said editor Abdul Hamid al-Saij.

"Another called from Saudi offering $10m for his shoes, and another called from Morocco offering a gold-saddled horse.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/09/bush-shoe-thrower-release-iraq

[Spazito]

1. I love this....

I am glad he is being recognized for the courageous person he is. If I were him I would take the 10 million offer for the shoes versus the gold-saddled horse IF he can't get both, lol.

[monmouth]

2. I wonder if any Americans are or will be honoring him in any way...LOL...n/t

[Chulanowa]

3. Just in case anyone's forgotten... Or wants a sig...

All the 'raqis say I'm pretty spry (for an old guy!)

[sabrina 1]

4. "This is for the widows and orphans of Iraq"

http://web.mit.edu/humancostiraq/

Conventional wisdom in American politics focuses only on American costs in the war in Iraq: the casualties to U.S. soldiers, the financial costs, and sometimes the strategic costs. But the human cost to the Iraqis themselves are nearly ignored in political discourse, the news media, and intellectual circles.

It's hard to imagine his despair and grief over the plight of his own people. As a reporter he probably saw unimaginable horrors inflicted on his fellow citizens, men, women and children.

I've seen people say he should have respected the President. I wonder how much respect they would have for someone who led a similar invasion into this country. He has no obligation to respect the leader of an invasion into his country that drove over 2 million of his fellow citizens into refugee camps, displaced another 2 million within their own country and killed over one million leaving widows and orphans to fend for themselves. Then there was the torture and the theft of Iraq's resources, the bringing in of murderous mercenaries and the handing out of jobs formerly done by Iraqis to foreign invaders, leaving those who did survive, without any means of feeding their families. An issue that sparked the killing of the four Us 'contractors' and led to. the Faluja massacre. People demonstrating against their jobs being lost. They thought democracy had come to Iraq.

This man should never have gone to prison. Imo, he showed incredible restraint considering what he has seen peronally happening to his country.

[KansDem]

5. I think we've just added a new word to the language...

muntazer (n)-1. One who calls out bullshit on fraudulent public figures.
2. A person who has had enough of lying politicians and reacts accordingly.
That guy was a real muntazer at Sen. Session's townhall...

muntazering (v)-to react with ultimate disgust after being pushed too far by lying politicians
Man! He started muntazering big time after Rep. Bachmann repeated the 'death panels' lie for a fifth time...!

muntazer (adv.)
He went all muntazer when the Senator pushed for a "trigger" option...

muntazer (adj.)
The muntazer crowd went after the right-wing disruptors after they laughed at the woman in a wheelchair..."

[David__77]

6. Now if they can make Arab revolution and get some leaders of his caliber.

Then things would be much better.

[zazen]

7. "pledges of harems?" would a guy who risked all for real freedom want a cartload of slaves?

'Cuz that's what they effectively are, since young sexually attractive girls and women can't freely leave these harems without fear of retribution. What a weird world--thanks for the guts to risk life and limb to stand up to an imperialist mass murderer, and oh by the way, here are some slaves to help you celebrate. Well, the Greeks had "democracy" and slaves, too, I s'pose.

Doubt a guy of his courage and calibre would accept such a gift.