Don't you think it would be a magnanimous gesture, and very good PR, for Bush to request that reporter who threw the shoe not receive any prison time? That we put our money where our mouth is in terms of freedom of speech? Granted, this probably crossed the line from speech into attempted assault. But I think it would look very good for Bush to do that. Which probably means he'll request he get the death penalty.
BTW, where was the Secret Service?!?!?!
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I share your questions about the Secret Service, Elizabeth. Perhaps their guard was down because the room had been screened for weapons.
ReplyDeleteGotta hand it to Bush, though. He has a pretty good reaction time. (Ann Coulter had similar skills when someone threw a pie at her.) Must be all the sleep he gets.
Sadly, I don't see Bush taking your suggestion. I don't think he's known for his clemency.
There's also the interesting question of sovereignty. On one hand, Bush had the shoe thrown at him and is the aggrieved party -- so politically and legally, having him put his foot in (sorry) to ask for clemency would be good PR.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if it looks like the Americans continuing to undermine the judicial system in Iraq... Oh, who am I kidding? As if anyone in Iraq believes we've allowed them an independent judiciary yet (and this in the land that had the first written legal codes in human history).
I agree with you, Dan -- great reaction time and a total lack of panic. There was no impression that he was bothered or concerned. Actually, I find that kinda strange that he didn't show any panic. Gives the impression maybe he does think he's the second coming of Christ.