Throwing Shoes

[CJ]

I heard on the radio last night that the Iraqi who threw his shoe at President Bush is still in jail. I feel like this is a huge opportunity for the US to show we stand by our core Constitutional principals by insisting he be freed. Granted throwing things at world leaders can be dangerous and a suitable punishment should be given but 2 months in jail and facing 15 years in prison is in my view excessive.

As a testament to our belief in the 1st amendment the US government should urge the courts to free him and if the government will not, we, the citizens of the US should.
Does anyone know of a US campaign to get this poor frustrated guy out of jail?
Do you want to start one?

 

[dgsevier]

Does anyone know of a US campaign to get this poor frustrated guy out of jail?
Do you want to start one?

Maybe Foot Locker or Payless would sponsor it?

 

[traderx]

I heard on the radio last night that the Iraqi who threw his shoe at President Bush is still in jail. I feel like this is a huge opportunity for the US to show we stand by our core Constitutional principals by insisting he be freed. Granted throwing things at world leaders can be dangerous and a suitable punishment should be given but 2 months in jail and facing 15 years in prison is in my view excessive.

As a testament to our belief in the 1st amendment the US government should urge the courts to free him and if the government will not, we, the citizens of the US should.
Does anyone know of a US campaign to get this poor frustrated guy out of jail?
Do you want to start one?

Throwing shoes at a world leader is covered by the First Amendment?

I don't think so. I say let the idiot rot in jail.

 

[scooterbug44]

Unlike many other jailed because of Bush, this guy broke the law and will have a trial w/ lawyers and evidence.

I don't think he should get the maximum sentence, but don't feel the need to organize a protest on his behalf. :roll:

 

[Winnie]

I heard on the radio last night that the Iraqi who threw his shoe at President Bush is still in jail. I feel like this is a huge opportunity for the US to show we stand by our core Constitutional principals by insisting he be freed. Granted throwing things at world leaders can be dangerous and a suitable punishment should be given but 2 months in jail and facing 15 years in prison is in my view excessive.

As a testament to our belief in the 1st amendment the US government should urge the courts to free him and if the government will not, we, the citizens of the US should.
Does anyone know of a US campaign to get this poor frustrated guy out of jail?
Do you want to start one?

What is appropriate for this offense?

I ran across this article today, "Flew man's shoe

A PROTESTER threw a SHOE at Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on his final day in Britain yesterday.
The trainer landed a few feet from Mr Wen as he gave a speech at Cambridge University.
It was an echo of the protest against ex-US President George Bush, who ducked a shoe in Iraq in December. "

The rest of the article here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2198913.ece


I think it is awful that this type of behavior is being emulated.

 

[30ashopper]

I heard on the radio last night that the Iraqi who threw his shoe at President Bush is still in jail. I feel like this is a huge opportunity for the US to show we stand by our core Constitutional principals by insisting he be freed. Granted throwing things at world leaders can be dangerous and a suitable punishment should be given but 2 months in jail and facing 15 years in prison is in my view excessive.

As a testament to our belief in the 1st amendment the US government should urge the courts to free him and if the government will not, we, the citizens of the US should.
Does anyone know of a US campaign to get this poor frustrated guy out of jail?
Do you want to start one?

Throwing hard objects at people's heads is not covered by the First Amendment. Whoever was on the radio clearly doesn't have an solid understanding of the Constitution. I would suggest you change channels.

 

[CJ]

Throwing hard objects at people's heads is not covered by the First Amendment. Whoever was on the radio clearly doesn't have an solid understanding of the Constitution. I would suggest you change channels.

Granted in our culture throwing shoes is not really expression but in Iraqi culture it is a recognized insult...something like flipping the bird and considering the kind of stress that the Iraqi people are under, I liken it to the Guy who said "F@#& you Mr Cheney" after Huricane Katrina.

Do we lack any empathy at all ? Regardless of what you think about whether the war was a good idea, you have to recognize it is stressfull to live in a war torn country and maybe in that state of mind you might make poor choices and direct your frustration in a non productive way.

 

[Winnie]

Granted in our culture throwing shoes is not really expression but in Iraqi culture it is a recognized insult...something like flipping the bird and considering the kind of stress that the Iraqi people are under, I liken it to the Guy who said "F@#& you Mr Cheney" after Huricane Katrina.

Do we lack any empathy at all ? Regardless of what you think about whether the war was a good idea, you have to recognize it is stressfull to live in a war torn country and maybe in that state of mind you might make poor choices and direct your frustration in a non productive way.

And you might face consequences for it.

 

[dgsevier]

Granted in our culture throwing shoes is not really expression but in Iraqi culture it is a recognized insult...

An insult that could leave a bruise :roll:

Under American law this would be called an "assault."

I'm no fan of W, but throwing shoes at people is whacky behavior regardless of cultural significance.

 

[Matt J]

As much as I dislike W, the guy wouldn't be treated much better in the US. Even utter a threat against the President and you're most likely looking at prison time.