Throwing Shoes

[30ashopper]

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at then-President George W. Bush was convicted Thursday of assaulting a foreign leader and sentenced to three years in prison, lawyers said.

Court spokesman Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar said al-Zeidi received the minimum sentence for the assault charge but could appeal the conviction. He could have received up to 15 years in prison for hurling his shoes at Bush during a Dec. 14 news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Defense lawyers said the judge showed leniency because of al-Zeidi's age and clean record. But they had hoped for an even lighter sentence, arguing the journalist's actions constituted an insult rather than an assault.

Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush jailed for 3 years

I imagine a similar story would be written if the person throwing the shoe were American and the target our current president. It seems the Iraqi justice system we modeled after our own is working.

 

[traderx]

Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush jailed for 3 years

I imagine a similar story would be written if the person throwing the shoe were American and the target our current president. It seems the Iraqi justice system we modeled after our own is working.

Could you share the needle position on your sarcasm meter?

 

[Lynnie]

Well, the Iraqi Judicial system was modeled after democracy.

But, they do have their own laws; 'attempted assault by shoe' in the US would not have warranted a three year prison term, most likely......of course, if the person was an habitual shoe thrower, might get a stiffer sentence here, but out in three mos. on good behaviour!

 

[scooterbug44]

Since he wasn't dragged from the room, tortured, and killed, but instead was tried in a court of law and received a much less severe sentence than the law spelled out, I'd say they're doing pretty well.

The charge was "assaulting a foreign leader" and he could have gotten 15 years, but it was reduced due to his age and lack of prior offenses.

And they are also going to appeal.

 

[Lynnie]

Since he wasn't dragged from the room, tortured, and killed, but instead was tried in a court of law and received a much less severe sentence than the law spelled out, I'd say they're doing pretty well.

Curious - what did their law state should be the sentence?

 

[scooterbug44]

5 to 15 years for assaulting a foreign leader

 

[Lynnie]

5 to 15 years for assaulting a foreign leader

Thanks!

Anyone know what ours is?

 

[scooterbug44]

As far as I can tell, US law dictates a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years for assaulting the president or VP (or the elect Pres or VP), and a fine and/or year for their staff.

US CODE: Title 18,1751. Presidential and Presidential staff assassination, kidnapping, and assault; penalties

 

[Lynnie]

Foreign Leader?

 

[Andy A]

I had let this transpire as I was in Houston at the time it was posted but since this thread has been re-opened I feel a response is in order.

First of all, I asked if you ever served your country in any capacity? This was meant to include but not be limited to, Peace Corps, Vista or any other worthwhile cause. I was not disrespecting you for not serving in the military.

Which brings me to my next point. I will never "hide behind my service" in my attempt at anything. I am extremely proud of my service and the ideals and principles it instilled in me. There was no attempt in my mind to shame you, discredit you or berate you for not serving. I was asking, and would ask not only you but anybody, what have you personally contributed to your country?

My next point. If you have not ascertained my ideals, principles and desires for the forward progression of our country by now, you haven't been reading and analyzing my posts. I will not reiterate them here but suffice it to say the direction our country is now heading is not the direction I visioned when I was putting myself and others in harm's way.

You already have the answer to what is a "twain".

There is no doubt you are a respectable and thoughtful individual. We will probably never agree on our desires for our country and I am OK with that as I hope you are. I gave a good portion of my life to protecting what I thought was the proper path. If it was wrong, so be it, but I don't think that is the case and it literally grieves me to see some of the proposals being supposedly made for the betterment of our nation.