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Shoeing or shooing Bush?

Dec 17, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot finds it extremely difficult not to write about a video that has taken the world by storm, no pun intended, given the unusually high intensity rainfall here and devastating weather patterns other parts of the world are experiencing. While we lament the related inconvenience, any conversation pertaining to the video in question seems a worthy distraction.
Like millions across the world, I can see the funny side of that video that will forever be etched in the annals of the history of the United States; a video of an Iraqi journalist hurling his shoes at President Bush at the weekend.
The incident occurred during what has been the US president’s last official visit to that country; a country where he does not enjoy the benefits of being popular. Serious injuries could have been inflicted if the shoes had “connected”. This, of course, I do not wish upon him and I am sure, that in this regard, I echo the sentiments of the American people.
Being unpopular is not a reason for someone to resort to what was seen in that now infamous video. Of course the journalist and some of the Iraqi people have an opposing view. The owner of the shoes is being revered as a “hero” by many in parts of that oil-rich gulf state. Thankfully the President was unhurt.
Immediately after the story broke, some reports indicted that the journalist may need to be psychoanalysed to determine his state of mind, with the hope of understanding what drove him to “dispense” with what has been described as a heavy pair of shoes. After viewing the video numerous times (some just for fun, given that I mentioned there is now a funny side to it), I can state that President Bush is an extremely alert and fit individual. It was if he “knew” that some sort of projectile would have been launched at him. He seemed to have enough time to duck. Maliki seemed motionless as the first shoe touched down. He tried to stop the second, but President Bush was on the ball; he moved even before his security detail could have.
Given the President’s approval rating in Iraq, or lack thereof, one would expect him to be that alert. Looking at the video, I can’t say the same for his security. Looking at the journalist, hereinafter referred to as the “hurler”, I am convinced that, while he has the ability to release a projectile at top speed, his aim leaves much to be desired. I hope he doesn’t feel bad since he can find comfort with a prominent group – West Indies fast bowlers. My major finding about the “hurler” is that he is obviously suffering from “current awareness deficiency”; he is in a time warp, stuck in the past.
The American Presidential election is over since November 4 last. He seems not aware of this fact. A journalist he is? The Republicans were “booted” by the Democrats six weeks ago; the Presidency is in transition. Why “boot” George now when he was automatically “booted” by the term limit in the US constitution?
Maybe the guy, the “hurler” that is, needs to be properly psychoanalysed. He totally “wasted” his “boots”; George is on his way out, the “boots” may have expedited his exit from Iraq. The question is: was the “hurler” trying to shoe or shoo the President? Now “bootless”, he awaits his fate.
Would George be magnanimous and request of Maliki to spare him? That may find favour with the Iraqis who are “glorifying” the “hurler” and can help to improve George’s approval there. A long shot? Maybe, but “relief fodder” from the current storms. Squawk! Squawk!

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