Iraq's Parliament Speaker Says He's Quitting Over Shoe-Tosser

[tekisui]

Source: AP

BAGHDAD – Iraq's parliament speaker says he's resigning after legislators argued about the journalist who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush.

Iraq's parliament erupted into chaos on Wednesday as lawmakers argued over whether the journalist should be freed from jail.

An official in the speaker's office says he is unsure about the seriousness of Mahmoud al-Mashhadani's announcement, but says it may have made because he was nervous. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The speaker's announcement comes as the reporter, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, saw a judge Wednesday in his jail cell, his brother says, alleging he may have been too seriously injured to appear in a courtroom.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081217/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_shoe_tosser

[shadowknows69]

1. I hate to say it but this guy might well die in that cell

Which Bush is of course joyfully allowing by his indifference to the situation. I think it's what he's hoping for, because it will instantly make a martyr of him and thus inflame things to the point that President Obama will be stuck with an even bigger mess.

[tekisui]

2. Chimpy could have stepped up early and acted on his words.

He said it wasn't a big deal, and he holds no hard feelings. He could have asked for his release or recommended a fine or short jail sentence.

Now, we face the prospect of another botched high profile trial in Iraq. The American puppets in Iraqi Parliament want a harsh penalty, the Iraqi people want their newest folk hero freed. God, if s guard gets to him and kills him in his cell, all hell will break loose, again.

[tekisui]

3. This report says he was so badly beaten, his appearance in court

could have triggered anger:


Dargham told the Associated Press he believed the private visit might have been arranged as his brother had been beaten up "and they fear that his appearance could trigger anger at the court".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/17/george-bush-shoe-throw