defend the baghdad shoe-thrower!

Iraqi reporter Muntader al Zaidi (numerous transliterations of his name exist) has become an international hero overnight for throwing his shoes at President Bush on Bush's "farewell" visit to Iraq.

Could there be a more perfect image to close out the last disastrous eight years of Bush? Remember, back before 9/11, when Bush was just a global embarrassment instead of responsible for two barbaric wars? I couldn't have imagined any better way of encapsulating the Bush administration--Bush coming face to face with the global anger over his crimes, and looking like an idiot while doing it.

But while much of the world reacted, appropriately, with glee to the shoe-throwing incident, things are not currently so funny for Muntader. After being hastily arrested and possibly beaten by Iraqi security forces, Muntader remains in detention. At least three separate petitions are currently circulating for his release.

Perhaps some of his anger at Bush came from the recent US bombing of Sadr City, which he covered for al-Baghdadia television. Whatever the genesis of the shoe-throwing plot, Muntader has inspired a global movement. As one commenter wrote on the Facebook group supporting Muntader (which has rapidly accumulated over 10,000 members): "This guy will go down in history as a hero. Someday when I'm 80, I'll go to the Middle East and say to another 80-year-old, 'Do you remember the guy who threw his shoes at Bush?' and we'll both laugh until we cry."

After taking a moment to do your part to protect our brave shoe-throwing hero, be sure to take some additional joy at some of the things his actions have wrought in just a few short days. I particularly like this (from a British version of The Onion) and this.