CNN

NOT the US image, but the Presidents image. From what I have heard and read from Americans going overseas, especially our Military. The other nations do not dislike Americans. They Hate our Politicians, and our President.

Humm? That Bush is hated everyway he goes.
Thank God is wasn't bullets flying. He's very lucky.

it means we should elect people with a little more integrity. bush was a disaster all the way around. How he managed to be a 2 term president is beyond me. But hopefully we have learned from our mistakes.

It says more about Bush than US image. The whole thing will change planet-wide when Obama becomes the President. We are all tired of cowboys and truthfully, Bush gave them a bad name.

It says exactly what we know our image has become. It will be a blessing for our country, and maybe even the whole world, when Bush leaves office.

Jack: If the shoes fit-wear them. Foreign reporters are throwing shoes at the President, while the government keeps throwing money to the failing financial institutions-the image-the US is an oxymoron.

It means Bush is so loved around the globe.

it means Bush is a "shoe in" for the WORST President in American history.

It signifies that the Secret Service agents are going to have to 'duct' tape to the ankles, all foreign and domestic reporter's shoes, before any other press conferences. That reporter is lucky he didn't get a load of lead between the eyes.

Nothing.
President Bush does not represent this country he represents Greed, Stupidity, and arrogance. He represents military oppression, global degradation, and corporate elite's.

He does not represent the actual citizens of America.
He still jetsets around the planet instead of resigning in shame.
There is nobody more ignorant and arrogant on this planet.

The picture that Bush tried to paint over the last 5+ years aren't as rosy has he claims. And, just think.....we were supposed to be seen as "liberators." I guess it depends on the what the definition of "liberator" is in Bush's dictionary. However, I loved seeing it. It made my day.

It tells us we have lost respect not only in Iraq but worldwide.
It tells us we are no longer considered an honorable nation.
These last eight years have not only almost destroyed us financially but destroyed our image as a great country.
If I were an Iraqi I most certainly would not admire or have good feelings towards a country that has been the cause of so many
lives lost (will we ever know the true number?), destrustion of
my country and a power trying to shove contrary beliefs down
our throats.

Frankly, it says more about Bush's reputation than it does about us as a country. Now we know he is held in little regard both at home and abroad.

In the arab culture, the shoe is the ultimate insult, if you remember they were hitting Saddam's statue with shoes. I think that reporter summed up the world's feelings in one act. Let's hope we can get back to a time, when others did not feel the need to throw things at our leaders or of frustration.

Bush, after the shoe, said he sees it as nothing more than a political statement. He views it in the same light as showing displeasure with a politician by using the less than 5 fingers sign. Well in Bellevue, WA, his lackey Dave Reichart got a bus driver fired for showing the less than 5 finger sign at a Bush motorcade. Guess Dave will have to go to Iraq and get the Iraqi reporter fired. Bush does not have a clue as to what shoe throwing is in Arab culture.

Only in as much as people identify Bush with America does that sort of outrage hurt us. Educated people like journalists know the difference between in- name-only- Americans and practicing Americans like Obama who we have chosen to the whole world's delight.

Before the Iraqi journalist gave George the shoes, we gave him and his policies the boot. The way I see it, we are all on the same page.

It says that when a common person gets the opportunity to have some face to face time with one of the Elite of the planet they do what a lot of us would do: Anything they can to hurt them.

It shows just how badly we have handled this war. We removed a ruthless dictator and made the lives of the average Iraqi worse in the process. It will take a lot of work to get our reputation back to where it was before we started nation building in Iraq.

Allen
Mountain Home, ID

The shoes were symbolic and although only 1 person threw them, millions were represented. It's very sad what George W. Bush has done to this country's reputation around the world. Even sadder are the unnecessary deaths of American and Iraqi citizens. How do the loved ones of our lost soldiers feel when the person who instigated a war or choice is pelted with footwear and the American flag is burned?

It says we have lost respect around the world.
This government has treated other countries like their opinion about world affairs doesn't matter and the U.S will do what it dam well please.
People can see that the end is near for the Bush administration and their callous policies. Maybe now, they feel more brazen and are likely to speak out (act out too).

In the past 3 years I have been to Ireland and Thailand. People in these countries have told me their dislike of President Bush. They would also mention how they loved Clinton. They don't understand why Americans voted for Bush.

I could not believe my eyes! But we have to put ourselves in their position. This administration has devastated their country for no reason and who knows but what he has lost people close to him in all of this.

Hopefully we will soon have a new face on America and regain our standing in the world.

Knoxville, TN

It says that's it's time for Bush to leave office now and let Obama move in early. Bush's smug response to the incident shows that he really doesn't care what the world thinks of us anymore. Frankly, I'm ready for change...

Jack: This is an absolute insult to the office of the President. It is not George Bush. We may not like the Iraqi War Policy but we do salute the Flag and stand for the Pesident. So it says that our image is really bad yet the Iraqiis are ill mannered undemocratic hot heads.
It was no excuse that President Bush was speaking about the good job he did and how much more we are going to do for the Iraqiis.
Jon in Calif.

jack i wish the reporter had better aim. he acomplished what 50% of americans wish they could it is the least we can do for a man who devided our country

It tells us two things: One we knew, that there are lots of people around the world who would love the opportunity to throw something at George Bush's head. The other, that our President seems to have great reflexes.

Where were those lightning quick reaction times when the Economy Collapsed? A quick and effective response from Bush's administration sure would have been useful then!

I think the more important questions is: What does it say about the state of affairs in this country when a foreign reporter throws his shoes at President Bush and Americans laugh?

Today's my birthday, and I couldn't have asked for a better present. Well, maybe if he hadn't ducked in time...

-Christina
North Syracuse, NY

Well Jack..You know what everybody says. If the shoe fits, wear it! Bush deserves to get the boot. Looks like he at least gets a shoe.

I think it says President Obama has a lot of fences to mend. It was hardly an expression of thanks for all President Bush has done to Iraq. Of course on one hand, if Bush hadn’t bought pseudo-democracy to Iraq, the reporter wouldn’t have dared to throw his shoes, but on the other hand, but the way he bought that pseudo-democracy to Iraq, he probably wouldn’t have even thought to do it.

It says the foreign reporter probably tossed out a more accurate reflection of both world, and certainly local opinion, of Bush and his policies than he did throwing the shoe on target. However, the behavior of the reporter was truly reprehensible and very disrespectful, and an embarrassment to both Iraq and the U.S. But then again, Bush's Iraq policies does invite international outrage. On a positive note, he was lucky it was only a shoe and not a goat.

I think after President Bushes job performace over the last 8 years I think many americans also wouldn't mind throwing thier shoes either.
I'm just too much a Christian to do such a act to a elected official.

At least 4 million Iraqis out of a population of 25 million are now refugees since the invasion. To put that in perspective, that would be the equivalent of 40-45 million Americans. Who wouldn't want to throw something at the person responsible for bungling this so called "freedom" expedition?

America's image has been damaged severely in the past eight years. We can arrogantly pretend we liberated the Iraqi people, or we can finally admit that tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians were killed in the name of "collateral damage." We know which mindset our outgoing President will embrace.

to bad the guy wasn't throwing something bigger and to bad he did not have a better aim.

Jack,
I don't think they like us very much. Do you? This is an insult not just to President Bush but to our whole country. What the heck are we doing in that country anyhow? Helping people who dislike us and want us out of there seems foolish. It is time to cut our lossses and bring our troops home and as our troops leave the troops should throw their shoes at the ones who have disrespect for us.
Judie
St. Augustine, Fl

Don't say much.I just lmao when I seen it.

he sould have thrown his shoes back at him and went on with the press

perry jones
council bluffs iowa

Not a pretty picture Jack. It is the ultimate insult in there culture. What it says about our image would be a little more clear to the american people if you guy`s didn`t sound bite the reporter, and let them hear all that was said. We have killed inocent women and children and distroyed people`s lives forever. Bush is a worse than a dog, and being he is our leader, so are we in the eyes of the people in that region.

It shows alot when a shoe gets trown at a setting President of The United States.First off were is the Secret Service to dive in front off the shoe to save him from potential danger...Funny I guess they don't like him anymore than the 10% of America that still think he's super cool....

Bush deserves far worse than what he got!

Say what you will.... Bush is still the president of the U.S., and such an insult, being literally thrown at Bush, is being thrown at the people of the U.S. as well. As much as I dislike Bush, this has gone too far. After all the fancy rhetoric, this is exactly how the Arab world regards the American people.

Harry
Ky.

The reporter probably couldn't lift the kitchen sink Bush deserves to have thrown at him.

My husband said to me last night, "I kept wondering how long it was going to take before somebody threw something at Bush." I guess a shoe is better than nothing. Personally, I wish Bush had been thrown out of office on his keester a long time ago. One can only hope.

I'm surprised that this type of incident has not happen before. I do not condone this type of behavior but world is and has been disgusted with Bush, his administration, and their lousy foreign policy from day one of his failed Presidency! President Bush (if you can call him that) is the reason why the U.S. is viewed so negatively around the world.

January 20th can not get here fast enough!

RW

It shows alot when a shoe gets trown at a setting President of The United States.First off were is the Secret Service to dive in front off the shoe to save him from potential danger…Funny I guess they don’t like him anymore than the 10% of America that still think he’s super cool….

Chez
Colorado Springs CO

It just reiterates what those who have traveled outside of the US already know...the rest of the world thinks we are bullies and know-it-alls. Bush did so much damage to our image that many overseas are laughing their heads off at this man's actions. I think Bush's attempt at trying to use a "surprise trip" as propaganda to show how "right" he was in proceeding with the war and that he would be hailed as the "hero" in Iraq backfired....BIG TIME!!

well, look how far we have sunk– Image, what Image Jack– Bush has destroyed everything he has touched– what a Failed pathetic soul Bush has become.

Remember Liberators with flowers– well I guess flowers are made out of rawhide or pleader, coming at our heads like it was hurled by major league pitcher.

Bush Made the shoe thrower a hero in Iraq, and Our soldiers who he sent in harms way to Iraq, for a reason we the American People still do not know are scorned, This is the worst US President ever.

Jan 20th 09 where are you? please hurry!

It tells us that the US should stop trying to be the world's babysitter and mind our own interests. The US is never thanked for anything good we try to do anyway. Let the rest of the world take care of themselves for a change.

Jack it means: shoo! shoo!

Pat
Elkmont, Alabama

this shows how we cant say that we are always correct just because we are America and we see are self as a great country. if we want other nations to respect us as a peaceful and democratic nation we must think about what other nations will think before we make a huge foreign policy decision such as the Iraq war.

Obama was greeted by massive crowds waving U.S. flags in Berlin and Bush has a shoe thrown at him. That has far more to do with President Bush's image than America's image.

We have become the dead fish in the room. Time to pack up and go away. The region is sick of the war tension. We will leave and it will go right back to the way it was before we invaded. All for naught when it comes to the loss of the many soldiers who did their jobs and the ones who will never be right with brain wounds and body wounds and the poor Iraqi people who had to indure the mess created by a few Washington elites.

This is one of the worst insults according to Iraqi mores and customs. Literally, it means that the Iraqi people consider us "dogs."There is no affection for the US here. It says that President -elect Obama needs to mount a global PR campaign for the re-establishment of our country's reputation around the world.

It means our image is negatively reflected by our current President. We're not seen as the fairest in the land, nor are we respected, trusted, or favored. We've got a lot of work to do to regain what has been lost in the past eight years. Let's hope the towel hasn't been thrown in too.

Ralph- Corpus Christi, Texas

Says we're deep in it man, Obama has his job cut out for him.

Because we Americans didn't do the right thing and give President Bush the boot, the Iraqis took it in their own hands and gave him the shoe. Impeachment would have been a much better alternative than the continued international humiliation of our country.

The throwing shoes at Bush incident shows how much respect we now have in the war-torn country of Iraq that W. has created. The U.S. image is obviously tattered & torn.

It says that we are not alone with our frustrations.

However, we cannot blame Bush alone, all of us could and should have acted years ago. Remember, he is OUR president.

I thought that was very embarrassing and uncalled for by a reporter! Not even Bush deserves that kind of reception. If they don't want us over there than let's get the heck out and let whatever will be will be!

It says that he had more guts than many Americans including me who would love to do the same thing. And if Bush would let us throw shoes at him for $100 per shoe, he could pay off the national debt.

One Iraqi journalist stood up to bush in opposition to his premptive war for oil and contracts.
Too bad the shoe missed, it might've knocked some sense into president photo op.
Did the journalist waste a good pair of shoes on W?

It just means that Bush is a "shoe-in" for the worst president in history, Jack.

Jack, It says that we Americans really don't understand the damage that BUSH has done to other countries. We feel it here, in the USA, but abroad, I don't think we will ever recover our good standings with other countires. It's a rap, we are hated. Bush can laugh it off all he wants, but he is hated he declared war on a country because of greed and power, and too many innocent people were killed. He deserved a trillion shoes thrown at him, ONE TRILLION

Naomi from Huntsville, Al

Howdy Jack.

I may not be very smart but I reckon it may just say more about the shoe-throwing reporter than it does about the U.S. or President Bush who sent our troops to Iraq to help them. Thats greatitude for ya!

Forget the shoes, Jack. What does is it say about Bushes image when
the Secret Service even took their time responding?

how fast did the "ss" step in to surround him....watch it again!

Jack my wife and I respect the office of the President of the United States, but when you see our leader cringe when a shoe is thrown at him, while the Iraqi leader standing next to him put his had up to catch the shoe, there is where the problem lies. Our leader stated "BRING IT ON", posing as a tough cowboy, while our troops were dodging bullets and roadside bombs, but he won' t attempt to block a shoe thrown at him. The rest of the world saw what I saw and are laughing. The change is not coming soon enough. The Clarks Norco, Ca.

The Iraqis feel the same way Americans do–we both can't stand Bush.

Bush is lucky that he only had shoes thrown at him.

It means an Iraqi journalist is willing to commit shoe-i-cide.

That the Iraqis hate bush for what he has done to their country,join the club.

as they say.............if the shoe fits..............

susi
tucson

it's to bad they missed him. He still doesn't get why people all over the world hate him.

Dear Jack,

Sometimes I find it hard to believe how incredibly narcissistic our president is. The reporter threw the shoe at him as an insult; and, as your question confirms, that is the issue -- why did that reporter wish to insult the president? George's response? "I wan't insulted". As if that fixed it then. How completely out of touch can one be?

Dan NY

The guy had a pretty good delivery system; rapid fire and dead on target. I'm surprised Bush had the sense to duck.
Our image is tarnished forever because of the Bush / Cheney approach to deplomacy.
It is one of the biggest crimes committed by his administration.

It means people all around the world are fed up with the Bush Regime, 36 days until this clown is out of office

It means that reporter had lousy aim!

It shows just how little respect the world has after 8 years of a fool running his own country into the ground and placing the entire world at greater risk from terrorists.

As most have said, it say's more about Bush than the United States, however, they must all be a little bewildered as to why we gave him one term let alone two. Have to say though that the Presidents reflex on the first throw was impressive, however, lets all look to the future as we have a new President from the 20th January 2009. Amen to that.

do we have a image left in the world after eight years of Bush? Bush was luck that it was only a shoe but what does that say about security? If you had your country destroyed and many people killed with the words of freedom but it was for oil would you not want to throw your shoe at the person who caused it?

George was pretty good dodging those flying loafers. I wonder if he's had a lot of practice with the White House china.

I means the reporter couldn't sneak in a water baloon.

I just wish the reporter had a better fast ball...er...shoe.

This not only reflects how far too many Iraqis feel about him but I'll bet if George got in a State Fair dunk-tank right here in the States, we could pay off our National Debt in no time.

Gives the term lame 'duck' a new meaning..........

It shows that just because you want to throw something at President Bush does not mean you should because you wait long enough and someone will do it for you. Whats even better they will do it on live TV!!!

Pamela
Show Low, AZ

wish the guy had ten feet

I think it's full circle. In the Islamic religion, using a shoe is the 'King' of all insults. I only wish it were four pairs of shoes to symbolize eight years of lies, greed and inexcusable irresponsibility from a man that has NEVER been competent in his position.

I am so ashamed and embarrassed of having Bush for a president that nothing concerning him can even phase me any longer. Where can we send shoes?

The world blames President Bush for all the economic woes prevalent now and the middle east crisis in Iraq. It was a very angry reporter who threw his shoes at the President. It was a dastardly act but it reflects how far down the President has fallen

First, It means the Iraqi reporter has real bad aim, and Second, it gave Bush the opportunity to make meaningless stupid remarks, which he did. Kind of makes you wish the reporter did hit him, then we wouldn't have had to listen to him.

Considering it is the worst possible insult you can make in an Islamic country, I think we can assume that our continued presence there, and Bush's little whistle stop there, didn't meet with general approval.

Hey Jack, I heard that the Yankees were offering that guy 8 years and 200 million. He missed by inches.

It shows that Bush has very little respect in that "neck of the woods"!
And what can we expect next, until Bush steps down?

A country's reputation usually lies in the behavior of its leaders. This may have been aimed at Bush, but the USA has lost its credibility in the world community because of him.

I think Pres Bush should get to keep the shoes. Can you imagine how much they would fetch on ebay?

2 Balls and No Strikes!

It shows that most of the negative feelings against the US in the world are directed at people in positions of power, and not at our citizens. President Bush appears to be humming Pat Benatar's "Hit me with your best shot". He has not changed at all.

It means, most reporters can't hit a Lame Duck.
Bush should stick to Dodge Ball, that seems to be his best game.
Bill
Florida

The bottom of the shoe is the lowest form. Many parts of the world think that we are their biggest problem and Bush is our leader. I hope that our opinion will grow with the next President. I have to say though, President Bush can move pretty fast for his age!!!

It means from now on, no SHOES allow in press conferences.

If the Shoe was on the other foot, would we as Americans have done the same thing that the reporter did if Saddam had come into our country, and did what Bush had done in Iraq?

It means their image of the US is the same as ours.

It says less about America than it does about Bush and how the Iraqis feel about him.

It's a shame the United States as a nation is looked down on because of our leadership. Hopefuly in the next four years all that will change with President Barack Obama.

There is nothing lower than a shoe on the foot. Ergo, there is nothing lower that the view of the US President by the Middle Eastern world. President-Elect Obama has a lot of damage repair ahead of him.

This means that from now on, reporters will have to check their shoes in before they meet with the President.

It shows that people all over the world know that Bush is a lying, fraudulent, self-serving criminal who is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people and must be punished appropriately for his crimes. I for one wish it had been bullets rather than shoes.

Even though I disagree with Bush's policies it's apparent Iraqis now have freedom to express themselves which they didn't have under their previous dictator.

Maybe after mr. Bush leaves office he will go back into the baseball business & hire the reporter as a pitcher

and to think, half of the people in this country voted for him twice.

What does it say when none of the Secret Service agents stepped in front of the President to catch those pedestrian missles? They wouldn't even catch a shoe for the President, never mind a bullet.
George Bush killed a million Iraqis, destroyed their infrustructure and stole their oil. Throwing a couple of shoes is a small but clear expression of contempt for the presence of the US in Iraq...and well deserved.

It is a reminder of how far we've come, and how far we have yet to go.

The fact that he could dodge a fast shoe, not once by twice in a row means he should have stayed with baseball rather than pretend he was presidential.

that guy just spoke what others in his country and the region are afraid to say or to expose their feeling about what this president and our country did to the region. may god have mercy on his soul and life after he leaves office

The shoes should be retrieved for display in the Smithsonian, as an
icon of the Bush Presidency.

Jack:

I'm not sure what it says about our image, but I think the reporter's action (which I do not condone, by the way) was a statement: "Here, try these on for size and walk a mile in my shoes!"

Francisco
Buffalo, NY

It has nothing to do with the image of the U.S. It has everything to do with the image of the current President. With him in charge our image is terrible. He is hated by many in and out of the U.S. There are many who believe he should be tried for War Crimes and that is just in the U.S. It is perfectly logical to expect a citizen of Iraq to hate him.

Lame duck president. Duck Season !!!

This was more a demonstration of frustration against George Bush than against the US. I gather the shoe-throwing reporter is a well-respected member of his profession in Iraq who has suffered from personal family losses and extreme conditions. It is not surprising that he felt incensed by the complacent, always smirking George Bush, who is blamed by most Iraquis, rightly or wrongly, for the sad plight of their country. Thank goodness a diplomat will soon be President.

I don't know what it says about the US image, but President Bush dodged a shoe, not bullets and they just as well could have been. Where the hell was the Secret Service? Is this the kind of Security we have for our president? What if that was Obama? Image? What does it say when we can't even keep our president safe from a flying shoe.

It means we have a better respect for footwear! I don't care how awful the President is ... I'd never throw my Ferragamo's at him!
He must have been wearing Crocs!

The reporter was sending a message to the world that Mr. Bush is a 'heel and lacks a soul' & that his 'shoemanship' was not welcome in Iraq.

It tells the world we are soft on crime. Reporters don't throw shoes at war criminals who are locked up where they belong.

It shows that not everyone in Iraq is grateful for Bush's "liberation" of their country. I do think President Bush did an admirable job of dodging the shoes.
Brownwood, Texas

If the reporter's feelings are representative of most Iraqis'-and I think they are-it is time to get our troops home.

I think it is more of a statement about Bush that we find it so funny. I know more people that was laughing out loud about the incident. The man is a disgrace of a president, shame the person didn't have better aim. At least Saturday Night Live will be good this week!

shoes are cheap. bullets cost money. sandles would have sailed better. they still need our help anyways. gotta say bush can still DUCK well. lame that is.

bob spore baltimore md

Before the war, this person would have been killed for showing that kind of disrespect to a leader. The fact the man is only in jail right now shows how far Iraq has come.

It says the reporter wasn't getting a kick out of Bush's address.

It means the world is on common ground with their ill feelings towards Bush. We know that reporter didn't have cold feet when he expressed himself...well, technically, his feet were cold, but not his hot-blooded temper.

I'm not a Bush supporter but he is our President and that was a terrible lack of respect.

Too bad it was just a shoe. When I travel overseas, I pretend to be Canadian and people leave me alone. I think that says it all.

How interesting that a 21-gun salute should turn to a "two-shoe" farewell.

To Marieth from Chicago who writes on "liberators" , may I add that in 22 conflicts the USA has been involved in worldwide since WW2, no democracy has ever emerged. Not a single one. So when Bush & Co declared war on Saddam with the intent to change Iraq to a democracy, you can imagine what a laugh I got out of this one.

And as much as I hate saying so, I'm afraid this reporter was throwing a shoe at the US. Just so happened Bush was at the receiving end in this particular case. So one must not assume that with Bush gone, the world will forget.

What does it say? It's just the Iraqi version of Heel to the Chief.

to bad that repoter was not a better shot. duck you lame duck, duck

Jack, could you please give us the E-mail address of the gentleman that threw the shoes? I would like to thank him.

Jack – If that were Reagan as the target of those shoes, he would have quipped "I'm glad he had only two feet." Bush on the other hand was predictably pedantic.

Many foreigners like America and its promise of opportunity and freedoms. There are also many Iraqi people who are angry over the lack of promised improvements being delivered. Many Iraqis are happy that Saddam is gone, but upset at the slow pace of infrastructure progress. The reporter has a right to be upset, but not a right to attempt to assault the IZ or US President.

I am not bothered that a shoe was tossed at the President, as he deserves a boot, my concern is that a second volley of footwear was allowed. Where was the Secret Service? I hope they are watching President Elect Obama with closer eyes. Someone needs to put the shoe to the Secret Service and wake them up. God forbid something happen to Bush before Jan 20, I can't imagine what damage Cheaney could do in 30 days.

We should take the lead from the Iraqis, and all send the congress our old shoes to show them how thier doing!

He did what our Senate and Congress should have done, give him the boot. If they were holding up the constitution of the United States, as they should have been. Jerry Iowa

Let's face it , that reporter was just trying to show Bush his deepest appreciation from the bottom of his sole (soul).

He needs to attend pitching school. No hitter

I was impressed with the accuracy of the throws. George really had to duck. If I'd been throwing shoes at a president in order to make a statement, I would probably have been embarrassingly off the mark.

Image? What image? The US is hated all over the world. You have idiots running the country. The reporter has poor follow through and should have compensated for the breeze from the air conditioner.