A politician with a sole
Local Green Party co-chair John Barry has come to the defence of Muntadar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who flung his shoes at President Bush during a recent Baghdad news conference. Dr Barry reckons the outgoing US President should ask the Iraqi authorities to grant his assailant a pardon "in recognition of the fact that Mr. al-Zaidi merely engaged in a traditional method of communicating a political message" and it would be absurd and vindictive if the journalist's gesture was to land him in prison.
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Perhaps John Barry would approve a lesser punishment such as a whipping instead of imprisonment for Muntadar al-Zaidi since the rising politicization of religion and culture has led other countries to adopt and increase the use of whipping as a punishment, most notably the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan.
With the old rule and convention "While in Rome...." Muntadar al-Zaidi can hardly have it both ways ...or can he John?
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Surely we don't want to encourage anyone to engage in traditional methods of communicating a political message. Thats what we are trying to move away from in this country.
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Muntadar al-Zaidi is one of the world's greatest entertainers.
The secret service guys that were too busy standing around to get in the line of fire were a great source of amusement to me as well.
Redflyfisher, I think a whipping is exactly what he did get, as well as a beating, a kicking and probably some fairly imaginative form of torture.
I am also glad to hear a TUV man speak out against the politicization of religion and culture. Jim won't be too happy with you though.
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Mark:
I am in complete agreement with the Local Green Party co-chair John Barry; about having the journalist be pardon for throwing his shoes against George Bush [Current President of the United States]....
But, in reality: That is not going to happen...
~Dennis Junior~
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_____________-RJ-_______________
Muntadar al-Zaidi's activity has clearly touched one of your spinal cord reflexes, resulting in predictable low level responses.
No doubt you picked up a pair of his shoes in the January sales in homage to attention-seeking, violence using, anti-establishment and rule of law (except their own) crackpots.
In your haste to make a point on those speaking out against the politicization of religion and culture and in a poor attempt to undermine opponents, you seem to confuse the Education Minister and her party with a Unionist unwilling to concede to bullying, hectoring and belligerence in conceding grammar schools and academic selection.
Perhaps you should beat and bare your chest and expose your sole with a Muntadar al-Zaidi-like gesture next time Caitriona gives a prize day speech.
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If I ever encounter Catriona Ruane or Jim Allister, I promise to throw my shoes at them.
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