By Melissa Pang
Content Producer
melpang@sph.com.sg

 

'WHO throws a shoe? Honestly!'

Well, one Iraqi reporter did. His target being only the most powerful man in the United States.

When a shoe, Manolos or not, goes flying in the direction of an important figure, you would expect a certain degree of outrage.

Not in this case.

The last time a bizarre attack was launched on a US president - a swimming 'killer rabbit' (yes, huh?) threatened Mr Jimmy Carter - the public was bemused.

The aggression against Mr Bush however, has generated amusement more than anything.

In Ten Reasons the George Bush Shoe Attack Was Completely Awesome, New York Magazine wrote: 'No other world leader could have dealt with that situation with the same humour and quick reflexes.'

Ditto the quick reflexes.

It's hard to believe the Bush that displayed such dexterity, is the same one that choked on pretzels, concussed, and then woke up with a bruise on his cheek.

Kudos to Mr Bush not just for dodging with such agility, but for the remarkable composure and good nature displayed afterwards. He made light of the incident, joking that he saw attacker Muntazer al-Zaidi's sole, and FYI, he wears a size 10.

When a sound was heard aboard the plane during an impromptu press conference aboard Air Force One, he quipped: 'The other shoe just dropped.'

Netizens are finding various avenues to take the joke further.

Can't get enough of the sight of a ducking Bush? Perhaps this gif will help.

Source: IGN.com message boards

Or maybe you think you would've taken a better shot.

Test your pitching skills with flash games - Bush Shoe Throw Game, Can You Throw A Shoe at Bush?, and Sock and Awe - that allow you to, uhm, step into the shoes of Muntazer.

Many wouldn't mind being him, at least for that moment, it seems. More than 1,700 Facebook members have joined the group "I'd Throw A Shoe At G.W. Bush If I Could". It's one of up to 200 groups, some in support of the shoe flinger, that have sprouted thus far.

An event has even been created: the "National Shoe Throwing Party to Send off President Bush!". Confirmed attendees stands at a measly 12 though.

If you don't advocate violence but still want to make a point, "How to mail your shoe to Bush" which claims to be a 'serious project', might just be the group for you.

'This Holiday Season, give your sole to Bush,' and 'give... from the bottom of your SOLE!', reads the group description.

Creator Corey John Scott of Northeastern University calls on members to demonstrate their unhappiness over Mr Bush's foreign wars by 'giving him the boot, shoe, slipper, or stiletto of your choice'. The White House accepts gifts from the general public.

While we're on the topic of gifts, you might also want to cap this historical moment.

What better way, than with an "I Threw My Shoes at George W Bush" t-shirt?