Wow, those flying shoes kind of surprised Bush. But I still respect and give him two thumb up because even with that kind of insult, he can joke and show a sense of humor with the comment about its size.
His face still shows that kind of friendly smile in return for such an insult and profane language. At least that's probably the kind of guy who is elected through democracy so who has that kind of power but still has a human heart.
Best wishes to all The Jakarta Post's readers. Happy holiday. BENTO
Jakarta
A shoe auction is seeking a prominent promoter to collect money to save Al Zeidi from jail. Who is going to participate? ZAL DJAMAL
Jakarta
The journalist should be escorted straight to Guant*namo (Gitmo). DAVID RYAN
Jakarta
Send Bush to the Human Rights Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity. ANDRE S.
Jakarta
You can think of Bush what you want. Compared to SBY at least Bush has a backbone and an opinion for himself. So please SBY, release the guys that were put in jail for 21, 20 and 17 years just for waving a flag.
Sure you don't want to be remembered as the President that did that. Please do it before you leave the stage. Otherwise you will always be remembered as the Indonesian President that supported such a cruel sentence for no important violation.
And for others who think SBY will be reelected next year: If that happens it won't be because of democratic voting. The voting is democratic enough in Indonesia. It's because the democratic counting is still way behind (look at recent elections in East Java).
Nothing has really changed in Indonesia, besides a couple of corrupt people behind bars and some money retrieved by the KPK. It's a joke. That doesn't help the people at all at short notice. Send the KPK to find the fertilizer mafia, inspect immigration officers that are corrupt, police corruption. It's all a big show, that's what it is. EKYAH
Jakarta
Journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi became famous overnight after his shoe-throwing stint which is being broadcasted over and over again by many TV stations worldwide. Even a computer game "Sock and Awe" where everybody can knock Bush out is selling like hotcakes.
Zeidi's emotional outburst is being copied by many disillusioned Iraqis who are now also throwing their shoes at the U.S. occupiers.
Durgham Zeidi's act is the only way to reduce his frustrations. He and the majority of Iraqis want foreign soldiers to go, they feel they are being colonized. It is absolutely ridiculous that Zeidi is now facing trial.
Bush's reflexes are certainly to be admired although his secretary ended up with a black eye.
Dana Perino openly forgave Zeidi, she also said she understood his act of protest; this was aired by CNN so why can't the Iraqi authorities forgive him?
Since Bush was not hurt at all, I urge the Iraqi authorities to let Zeidi go.
LYNNA VAN DER ZEE-OEHMKE
Bogor, West Java
It was an embarrassing incident to the U.S. President during a press conference in Iraq.
A reporter threw his shoes which nearly hit the president's head, in front of many people including Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Surprisingly, the president's guards did not respond quickly to this incident. After throwing the first shoe, the reporter still had a chance to throw the second shoe and yell at the president.
The visit will be Bush's last because Obama will replace him next year.
The U.S. invasion of Iraq has left so much misery, pain and chaos. The country is now in worse condition. At least 4,000 U.S. troops and 1,000,000 citizens have died since the invasion. Did they deserve this because of a few terrorists' brutal actions?
Since a reporter showed his anger by throwing his shoes at Bush -- throwing shoes in Iraqi culture is a big humiliation -- Bush may have to learn (although maybe it is too late) how to respect other countries.
ARUM
Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara
