Shoe message ..
In this week we had lots of homework and exams, as we started to take 8 classes a day instead of 7, I go to school at 7:15 and reach home at 2:30 feeling so tired, then have a nap and study till bed time.
The same routine day after day, but this week something happened and changed my daily routine , became everyone's talk, in school, work, house, streets, markets, hospitals, wherever you go you hear people talking about the same subject!
On 14/12 (Sunday), I was studying biology at night, and mama told me "do you know that an Iraqi journalist hit Bush with his shoe?" I thought she was joking, and finished my homework..
Next day I went to school and found everyone talking about this event, and my friend showed me a video in her mobile, I kept laughing, just then I realized my mom was serious!
Muntathar al Zaidi, is 28 years old Iraqi living in Baghdad, he is the brave journalist who throw his shoes with his heart set on fire and said "this is the good bye kiss this is the revenge of all Iraqis"
Muntathar became a national hero, he didn't fear to speak up his mind, he expressed not only his anger but the anger and frustrated feeling for all of all Iraqis.
I pray he'll be released, and no one will hurt him anymore..
I don't find what he did strange thing after all horrible events he witnessed as a journalist, after seeing the injured and killed innocents in streets, or after he met the Iraqis who lost their houses or families and other tragic stories ..
When Bush said "it represent his only opinion, but I am sure it don't represent all Iraqis' feelings" all Iraqis proved the opposite by gathering in the streets carrying big signs, saying poems, and supporting Muntathar in every way they can ..
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Today my mom told me that we may leave our house, and rent another one until the situation gets better, because life in my neighborhood is so hard, it looks like ghost's neighborhood.
We haven't decide yet where to go or when, we may have to leave our house for few weeks, few months, a year or maybe two, we don't know ..
We'll have to take the necessary things only, and leave our big, lovely house behind..
I can't imagine myself living in another house, but if it is safer for myself and my family members, I'll do it anyway, even If I have to leave my room, internet, and stuff, it will be hard not to study in my own room or sleeping in my own bed.
I was hoping that this Academic year will be calm and I'll concentrate in studying, but it seems impossible to do that in Iraq!!
If we'll leave our house, terrorists may occupy it or steal it!! It is such a hard decision to make..
Even if we'll leave our house, I'll take my laptop with me and write my diary there, and publish it whenever I can..
Keep praying for us please
Sunshine
posted by Sunshine @ 4:34 PM
30 Comments:
Sunshine,
Glad to hear you're moving. When the neighborhood becomes abandoned it gets even more dangerous.
George Bush was probably happy that the shoe thrower threw his shoes. It means that Iraqis are beginning to be free which is what he wanted all along.
My mother used to say to me that my father would never respect me until I stood up to him.
I think the show thrower earned Bush's respect.
Hi,
i think that the decision of moving to another place is right,its for your own good.
may god protect you.
study hard and try to make impossible possible,you are a very determined.
i'll keen on praying for you,best wishes
B.D
I called the White House several times this week to tell them that I agreed with the shoe message... but they kept hanging up on me. Today I just called and told them that I thought bush was a very vile person, and they wished me Merry Christmas.
The people who work for bush, and bush himself, do not care who they hurt or who they destroy. They are totally amoral and oblivious...... even when a shoe goes flying past.
My friends and I will be mailing pictures of the bottoms of our shoes to the White House, along with the Iraqi journalists message.
all Iraqis? Hardly. Bush came to sign a treaty with a democratically elected government in Iraq. He did. Iraq is now a member of the world. But, the eternally backward Iraqi chooses to celebrate a crude futile gesture because so much suffering (almost totally due to the eternally backward Iraqi which begged to be managed by their conqueror, but were forced to do some of the work themselves) came with the chance they claimed was their fondest wish. The 'journalist' is an employee of the Baathist sponsored news outlet and may very well have been part of the discovered coup. It would not surprise me to learn that he revealed some information that led to the arrest of those planning to overthrow the government.
wishing you all the best.
lots of love from baghdad.
touta.
I only wish every Iraqi in the room had taken off his shoe and tossed it at the war criminal. He is so stupid he didn't even know what an insult it was.
Only one month left of the Bush administration. Americans need to prosecute members of that administration for war crimes and crimes against the American Constitution. Only if they do this casn they once gain regain their reputation as a country based on the "rule of law".
It sucks that you guys would even have to consider leaving your own home for security reasons, but I hope you guys do find a safer place until things settle down in your area.
As for the whole shoe thing. Yeah that was pretty funny. I've had a shoe thrown at me once. I knew the meaning behind it, but all I could do was laugh about it. I mean it was like 130 Degrees F. and he had to finish his pilgrimage barefooted on a paved road.
Well stay safe Sunshine. I will pray for you as always.
thankyouforthrowingyourshoe.com
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Your family's safety is the top priority. I wish you well in search of it.
I hope everything would go smoothly with you and hope this moving would not affect your study.
You are hardworker and very determined and Inshallah you will get what you deserve.
Wish you all the best.
Dear Sunshine,
I am so sorry that you might have to move from your home. I am so very sorry. I hope that you will move, though, if that is what is needed, because I can't stand the thought of you or one of your sisters possibly being hurt.
May God keep you safe.
The journalist did great damage to the image of Iraqi in the minds of the rest of the world. When will Arabs understand that "self-government" means, first, "government of yourself". It means self-control.
I mean, when Fidel Castro or Yassir Arafat would come to America for a speech, did we see Cuban-American or Jewish-American journalists throwing shoes at them?
Anyway, I know the journalist -- who is a supporter of Sadr -- has written a letter of apology. I think he should be punished, but the greatest damage he did was to the image and reputation of Iraqis.
Tossing pebbles in the stream you do not have sense enough to be posting such statements on thios young lady's blog. You should know that the president can not send troops into battle without the approval of members of both houses of congress. They are the ones who advised him and approved the commitment.
If you want proof just read Mr. president Sadam has weapons of mass destructions
When I was young I had to move many times. I always hated to move but after a short time at my new place I came to like it. I made new and interesting friends. I'm sure you will also. Home is where you are at. Now that I am older I actually like to move to a new place.
Oh! Your Iraqi Journalist just was speaking his mind and is a hero to many around the world. Lets hope he is set free soon.
Sunshine,
Merry Christmas.
Hopefully your upcoming book will
become so popular, Hollywood will
take an option out on it, and Mama, Pops, M & Y, and you all move to Beverly Hills...
I Endorse Muntazer al-Zaidi As The Next Iraqi Prime Minister
Not sure why you think it is okay to physically assault and insult a democratically elected leader of a foreign country. Is that what you think democracy means?! That you can just attack anyone you disagree with?! I thought you were smarter and better than that..
Or should we in America just start attacking any Arab we see on the streets?
Hello Sunshine! Sorry to hear you are having to move, but I really hope that it means you are safer and can devote more time to your studies and less to trying to survive. My Christmas wish is that you, your family, and all of Iraq will have a safe and prosperous 2009 and will begin to be able to celebrate your new freedoms in peace.
As for the shoe thrower, perhaps I can give you something to think about. As an American, I am accustomed to having the freedom to espouse any opinion that I choose about my government, my leaders, and pretty much anybody else I want to say something about. Having grown up with that freedom and knowing that it will always be there for me, I have learned that there is a time and a place to express your opinion and that the way in which you express it is often very important in how others receive it. Picking an ill-advised time or place to rant about something that I don't like is rude and disresepctful to others. For instance, I wouldn't go to a movie theater, and in the middle of the movie stand up and start screaming about how I dislike the actor in the movie. Do I have the right to do it? sure. Will others in the theater possibly agree with me? Sure. But it is still disrespectful and rude to the others who are there to disrupt the show to express my personal opinion. Besides, it would have more impact if I were to stand outside with a sign expressing my view or to go online and write a negative review of the movie after I have seen it, so that others will know my opinion.
Iraqis on the other hand mostly grew up under the harsh regime of Saddam Hussein, and expressing the wrong opinion of the government could get you beaten, tortured, or even killed, even if it was expressed in private. So it is entirely understandable that if the journalist now has a freedom to speak his mind without fear of reprisal, that he might not understand that there are times when restraint in a better choice. So this journalist obviously felt free enough to express his opinion, but in my opinion, he chose a very bad time and place in which to do it. Attacking a visiting foreign leader, even one you disagree with, is something that will cause an international incident, and will reflect badly on Iraq's treatment of guests.
I will be the first to say that the journalist has the right to hate Bush if he wants, and thousands of American and Iraqi soldiers and police have fought and died to defend his right to say what he wants. But the pen truly is mightier than the sword, and in the end, what did his attack really accomplish?
He is in jail accused of a crime. Those who didn't like Bush before still don't like him...those who like Bush and who used to like Iraqis may now question the character of Iraqis in general and wonder if all the people are crude and rude to foreign visitors as the reporter was to Bush. The journalist could have expressed his opinion in a well written article discussing Bush's visit and describing why he disagrees with Bush and sent the article out to be read around the world. But instead, he threw his shoes, and while some of the people of Iraq celebrate a relatively minor and meaningless insult, the rest of the world sees Iraq as filled with crude uncultured people who aren't able to respect the norms of diplomacy.
I know that isn't true of all Iraqi people, but that is the message the journalist sent to the world. By celebrating it, Iraqis give credence to the message. I may disagree with the average Iraqi over whether you should hate Bush or not, but I think celebrating the actions of the journalist is a mistake. Some may question why Bush didn't react with anger or rage at "such a great insult", but what Bush did is take the high road. He didn't lower himself to the level of the journalist by responding. We have a saying in America (and I assume other parts of the world) that is taught to kids when they are young. It is "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me". We teach it to kids so that they know that if somebody is calling them names, it isn't important to react and fight with them...because the words cannot hurt them. Bush did not react, because to react would have given the insult more meaning than it deserved. He treated it as if it meant nothing, and end the end wound up looking restrained and respectful of where he was and who he was with, while the journalist looked immature and crude for disrupting an important moment in Iraqi history.
Merry Christmas Sunshine and I hope Santa brings you peace and quiet for a present.
What the Iraqi journalist did was insulting to himself and to the Iraqi people. Yet the response by your family and many Iraqis show the world how debased Iraqis are. And you now wonder why much of the rest of the world doesn't want Iraqi's to come to thier contries.
Iraq is a very divided society because of the various antagonistic parties (Sunni, Shiia, Wahabbi, Kurds, Christian). And because there is much hatrid between most of these segments of Iraqs society, much worse violence such as bombings and shootings have occurred for many many years than shoe throwing.
Anger and hatrid has been the norm for Iraqis, a million died warring against their neighbors Iran and Kuwait. Saddam even tried to have Bush's father assasinated years ago after Kuwait.
With the support of the American President young men and women just a little older than you came to fight and die for your freedom. However Iraq's response is more redicule and hatrid (how surprising) instead of appreachiation and support and cooperation.
As a result you will have to move. Something your family must do because as American troops and troops of 27 other nations that came to help your country become a free people leave your country, terrorists will take over completely. Especially in Mosul where they are strongest in all of Iraq.
Hello Sunshine! :)
URL for note to tossing pebbles did not work. It shoild have read:
Sadam has WMD
Dearest Sunshine,
Via your email request I will respond publicly about the shoe throwing.
Our President Bush has about a 20% approval rating in his own country. I am guessing it is worse around the world. With the last election finally the country woke up and said enough. The sad thing is all the damage that has been done here and around the world while he was in office.
What amazes me is the people who still support Bush seem to think they know (just like Bush) what Iraqi's think, feel and want. It is horrifying to me that they do not realize how disrespectful that is.
I am so proud of you for speaking about how Iraqis feel! Your voice is heard here.
Bush is the worst president the United States has had and 80% of us rejoiced when the shoe was thrown as well! Bush's lack of compassion and remorse for what he has done is the same as a serial killer. It is unforgivable!
Our press is reluctant to speak out against the president but believe me when that shoe was thrown it was heard around the world.
We are hoping and there is a movement to punish these war criminals we have in power. They have destroyed America, also many believe that they are responsible for the 9/11 attacks to bring us to our knees so they could go to war in the middle east to get control of your oil.
There is hope with Obama, he was against the invasion and occupation of your country from the beginning. We can't wait until he is in power. He has an incredible mess to clean up. We are hoping to put Bush and his buddies in jail for their war crimes. This is already in the works in our legal system. Torture and holding people in prison with out due process is illegal in this country. Bush has changed laws to give himself more and more power to do as he pleases but these 2 issues he can not run from.
We are so sorry for the damage and heart break. This wrong is so horrendous it can never be made right but we will make steps to repair the damage! Evil cannot win against love!
Please please do not hate Americans or our solders.
I send you love and hope this hero journalist will be freed.
Dearest Sunshine,
Via your email request I will respond publicly about the shoe throwing.
Our President Bush has about a 20% approval rating in his own country. I am guessing it is worse around the world. With the last election finally the country woke up and said enough. The sad thing is all the damage that has been done here and around the world while he was in office.
What amazes me is the people who still support Bush seem to think they know (just like Bush) what Iraqi's think, feel and want. It is horrifying to me that they do not realize how disrespectful that is.
I am so proud of you for speaking about how Iraqis feel! Your voice is heard here.
Bush is the worst president the United States has had and 80% of us rejoiced when the shoe was thrown as well! Bush's lack of compassion and remorse for what he has done is the same as a serial killer. It is unforgivable!
Our press is reluctant to speak out against the president but believe me when that shoe was thrown it was heard around the world.
We are hoping and there is a movement to punish these war criminals we have in power. They have destroyed America, also many believe that they are responsible for the 9/11 attacks to bring us to our knees so they could go to war in the middle east to get control of your oil.
There is hope with Obama, he was against the invasion and occupation of your country from the beginning. We can't wait until he is in power. He has an incredible mess to clean up. We are hoping to put Bush and his buddies in jail for their war crimes. This is already in the works in our legal system. Torture and holding people in prison with out due process is illegal in this country. Bush has changed laws to give himself more and more power to do as he pleases but these 2 issues he can not run from.
We are so sorry for the damage and heart break. This wrong is so horrendous it can never be made right but we will make steps to repair the damage! Evil cannot win against love!
Please please do not hate Americans or our solders.
I send you love and hope this hero journalist will be freed.
Hi Sweetie Sunshine,
I am so proud of you for speaking about how Iraqis feel! Your voice is heard here.
Bush is the worst president the United States has had and we rejoiced when the she was thrown as well! His lack of compassion and remorse for what he has done is the same as a serial killer.
Our press is reluctant to speak out against the president but believe me when that shoe was thrown it was heard around the world.
We are hoping and there is a movement to punish these war criminals we have in power. They have destroyed America also many believe that they are responsible for the 9/11 attacks to bring us to our knees so they could go to war in the middle east to get control of your oil.
There is hope with Obama he was against the invasion and occupation of your country from the beginning. We can’t wait until he is in power. We are hoping to put Bush and his buddies in jail for their war crimes.
We are so sorry for the damage and heart break. This wrong is so horrendous it can never be made right but we will make steps to repair the damage! Evil cannot win against love!
I send you love and hope this hero journalist will be freed.
All you losers who actually had the gall to post about how 'debased' or 'backwards' the Iraqis are for supporting the shoe-thrower make me lose hope in the future of humanity.
It's quite lovely that you can actually come to this girl's blog, read her first-hand accounts of what, for most people, is the worst nightmare they could possibly imagine, let alone live through, and still not understand why they're happy that someone threw a shoe at the money hungry, mentally retarded idiot who's responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people.
Yeah, sure, the shoe throwing accomplished nothing in the grand scheme of things. But did you think that maybe it reflects the overall helplessness of the average Iraqi citizen who has to watch, year after year, the destruction of their country,families and loved ones?
That, um, writing a 'well written article discussing Bush's visit' is more pointless, because no one will actually read that article, and even if they did, every goddamn retard such as yourselves would probably manage to get their panties in a twist about it too.
Oh, and this gem :"Is that what you think democracy means?!That you can just attack anyone you disagree with?!"
Isn't that basically what ole Uncle Georgie did? I thought you were being sarcastic when I first read it. Sadly, not so much.
Sunshine, I am so sorry you have to listen to these guys. I'd love to tell you most Westerners aren't like this, but if they can get elected into office, if some people still support W., and if they post this idiocy on your blog after reading your posts, well then, we're all pretty much screwed.
I want to correct Lieutenant Fishman. GEORGE W BUSH was NOT democratically elected; he stole votes and never should have been elected.
Do not agree with shoe throwing.. even though we all hate Bush but there must be a certain respect for authority!
I want to correct Lieutenant Fishman. GEORGE W BUSH was NOT democratically elected; he stole votes and never should have been elected.
7:24 AM
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much like barrack h. obama, al frankin and most other poloticians.
how many dhemicrates are under investigation for fraud?
It is only too bad that it wasn't two shoes instead of one.
i love the big statue the iraqi artist made of the shoe! go iraqis!
one iraqi man had more courage than any american, none of which threw their shoe and if he had would probably have been shot by the secret service. ok, maybe not that.
i loved the free expression of this man, the spontaneous reactions of solidarity in iraq and around the globe speaks volumes about how people truly feel! no blog post or letter to the editor could make that kind of effect.
don't worry about people who criticize this action, they are sore losers.
Sunshine,
What Muntathat Al-Zaidi did was a threat to the future of Iraq. After the incident, I think its very likely that there is an Al-Qaeda leader sitting in a cafe with a dozen young Arab men and women around him, telling them about how glorious "resistance" is--as in resistance to the occupation. What the AQ leader's curious followers will not be told is that instead of resisting "occupation", they will attack innocent people, like most suicide bombers and insurgents have done.
Maybe Muntathar should toss a shoe where it belongs...at the Saudi Ambassador, should Iraq ever take one in.
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