George Bush surprised the Iraqis by paying them a farewell visit over the weekend. One Iraqi, at least, responded to Bush's sudden proximity by throwing their shoes at him, rather than showering Bush with the flowers that Bush had so furtively hoped for.

In an act of civil disobedience worthy of Thoreau, Rosa Parks, Steve Biko and so many famous and anonymous others, journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi (Arabic: منتظر الزيدي‎) interrupted Bush's press conference – and encomium on the "success of the surge" – and threw his shoes at the "dog" Bush, in the name of the Iraqi women and children who are widows and orphans because of Bush's preemptive war.

Al-Zaidi said and did what many have wanted to.

"This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog", Muntadhar al-Zaidi (منتظر الزيدي) yelled as he threw his first shoe.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

"This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq", Muntadhar al-Zaidi (منتظر الزيدي) yelled as he threw his second shoe.