Shoe on the other foot: 'Shoe monument' in Iraq taken down one day after it was unveiled

By GottaLaff

Remember this uplifting story? So much for the new, "democratic", free-speech-oriented Iraq:

The monument commemorating the journalist who hurled his shoes at President Bush was taken down a day after it was erected, local officials in Tikrit told CNN. [...]

But officials from Salaheddin province told CNN that the monument was removed after a request from the central government, which has charges pending against al-Zaidi [Bush's shoe-thrower]— now in an Iraqi jail.

After the request was made, Iraqi police visited the location to make sure that the shoe monument was removed.

"We will not allow anyone to use the government facilities and buildings for political motives," said Abdullah Jabara, Salaheddin deputy governor.

Al-Zaidi's angry gesture touched a defiant nerve throughout the Arab and Muslim world. He is regarded by many people as a hero and demonstrators last month took to the streets in the Arab world and called for his release. [...]

The orphans helped al-Amiri build the $5,000 structure in 15 days, said Faten Abdulqader al-Naseri, the orphanage director.

"Those orphans who helped the sculptor in building this monument were the victims of Bush's war," Al-Naseri said. "The shoe monument is a gift to the next generation to remember the heroic action by the journalist." [...]

One of his brothers told CNN he "in good health and is being treated well." [...]

By tradition, throwing a shoe, is the most insulting act in the Arab world.

I'd like to correct what I wrote at the top of the post. Iraq is, indeed, a democracy: A Bush democracy. Let's hope that President Obama will have a more positive influence.