# Man Thows Shoes at W: Can He Sink Lower? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 14, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137 "2008-12-14T18:21:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/21 "2008-12-14T19:12:47Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > [Not exactly.](http://www.alternet.org/story/112437/bush_ditches_his_ranch_for_ritzier_digs_in_dallas/) Crawford was entirely a media creation. ---
**Author:** ![Henrichek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5daacb/32.png) [@Henrichek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henrichek)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/22 "2008-12-14T19:33:57Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Where was Bush’s security detail? > > I just saw the NBC tape and the guy managed to throw one shoe, bend down and then throw the other shoe. While Bush did duck both times, there was more than enough time for someone with a weapon to do far more harm than throwing a shoe. > > Irrespective of the dislike many of us have for Bush, his security detail really failed here. I don’t think so. All people in the room were probably screened before entering, guaranteed to have no weapons other than their fists and clothing. I don’t think Bush’s life could have been in danger from a couple flying shoes. ---
**Author:** ![MizTina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MizTina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizTina)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/23 "2008-12-14T19:35:24Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > Not sure what forum this belongs in. Can Bush’s life and legacy sink any lower? Certainly it could, should he decide to visit the National Zoo, a chimp could fling poo at him. That would be lower and smellier. Chimps might have better aim than Iragi journalists. With any luck. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/24 "2008-12-14T19:51:22Z")
[Throwing shoes](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2934011.stm) or showing someone the soles of your shoes is a huge insult in the Middle East–diplomats are trained not to cross their legs by resting one ankle on the other knee such that a shoe sole might point at someone. Throwing poo might have been a lesser insult, in fact. ETA: [Oooh, the dude called him a dog, too](http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/15/worldupdates/2008-12-15T005314Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-370255-6&sec=Worldupdates). Can’t get any meaner than this in the Middle East… ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/25 "2008-12-14T19:53:36Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > [Throwing shoes](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2934011.stm) or showing someone the soles of your shoes is a huge insult in the Middle East–diplomats are trained not to cross their legs by resting one ankle on the other knee such that a shoe sole might point at someone. Throwing poo might have been a lesser insult, in fact. What if the shoe was thrown by a monkey? ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/26 "2008-12-14T19:54:53Z")
Where’s the debate? Anyways, I thought it was hilarious that the caption at the bottom of the video news report was: “All I can report is it is a size 10.” ---
**Author:** ![kitemaker\_chuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a88e4f/32.png) [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/27 "2008-12-14T19:57:53Z")
Bush was lucky that the shoe thrower wasn’t still wearing them! I guess like many people he was voting with his feet! Bush’s approval rating is so low he can’t even get arch support. If the shoes were any heavier, Bush would be getting the boot! ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/28 "2008-12-14T19:58:18Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > I think we could learn from the Iraqis. Lefty is nae, righty is yea. Just throw it at whoever’s speaking when you’ve heard enough. That should cut down on filibusters. you win the thread 🙂 But, after all fun and smirking about Bush getting what he deserves, may I point out something? We are laughing about the fact that an Iraqi citizen has the freedom of expression to act rudely and insult a politician. How many people threw shoes at Saddam Hussein… and lived? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/29 "2008-12-14T19:58:56Z")
> [@Henrichek](#): > > I don’t think so. All people in the room were probably screened before entering, guaranteed to have no weapons other than their fists and clothing. I don’t think Bush’s life could have been in danger from a couple flying shoes. If you threw it hard enough, and aimed well, you could break his nose and jam it into his brain. Right? Or did Orson Scott Card lie to me? ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/30 "2008-12-14T19:59:57Z")
The debate is on whether or not footwear should be left at the door for future Bush meetings in the ME. p.s. Oh, and will the Dutch give up their clogs? ---
**Author:** ![kitemaker\_chuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a88e4f/32.png) [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/31 "2008-12-14T20:20:29Z")
> [@kitemaker\_chuck](#): > > Bush was lucky that the shoe thrower wasn’t still wearing them! > > I guess like many people he was voting with his feet! > > Bush’s approval rating is so low he can’t even get arch support. > > If the shoes were any heavier, Bush would be getting the boot! I hear Bush’s least favourite dessert is cobbler! ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/32 "2008-12-14T20:26:03Z")
That’s just the funniest damn thing. I loved the thread title, too. Re: the Saddam reference, you might have a point **chappachula** , but I don’t know that I can get on that bandwagon. Haven’t something like 100,000 Iraqis died since we came in and fixed everything? ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/33 "2008-12-14T20:27:42Z")
What, throwing shoes at someone _isn’t_ an insult in the United States? If it were _me_, _I’d_ take it as an insult. Next Bush appearance, nobody will be allowed in with shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/34 "2008-12-14T20:27:47Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > [Throwing shoes](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2934011.stm) or showing someone the soles of your shoes is a huge insult in the Middle East–diplomats are trained not to cross their legs by resting one ankle on the other knee such that a shoe sole might point at someone. Throwing poo might have been a lesser insult, in fact. When Saddam’s statue was taken down and dragged through the streets, people ran alongside and beat it with their shoes. It was a very striking demonstration of contempt. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/35 "2008-12-14T20:37:06Z")
What struck me is that a few years ago W probably thougt he’d be going to Iraq to be in a parade and showered with praise as a liberator. Instead he is leaving office in disgrace and having shoes thrown at him. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/36 "2008-12-14T20:39:19Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Where was Bush’s security detail? **Not** making sure everybody was attending the event barefoot. I mean, would **you** have thought of that?! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/37 "2008-12-14T20:40:07Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > you win the thread 🙂 > > But, after all fun and smirking about Bush getting what he deserves, may I point out something? > We are laughing about the fact that an Iraqi citizen has the freedom of expression to act rudely and insult a politician. A politician who is massively despised there. Expressing support for Bush would’ve been far more dangerous. And in a lot of ways, people are LESS free than they were under Saddam. Especially women. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/38 "2008-12-14T20:43:07Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > We need to get Austine Powers on this. Who’s that? A braless she-spy from the '60s with unmowed pits and bush you hide a howitzer in? ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/39 "2008-12-14T20:43:08Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > A politician who is massively despised there. Expressing support for Bush would’ve been far more dangerous. > > And in a lot of ways, people are LESS free than they were under Saddam. Especially women. I think they only wear flip-flops! I doubt they’d be considered a danger. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137/40 "2008-12-14T20:48:16Z")
The cultural significance of shoe-throwing in the MENA answers the question that occurred to me: Is the food situation in Iraq **that** bad, that nobody can find rotten eggs or tomatoes?! I guess they don’t throw slippers after the newlyweds’ car, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-thows-shoes-at-w-can-he-sink-lower/477137.md?page=3)