Iraqi Reporter who threw shoes receives 3 Years!

By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer Hamza Hendawi, Associated Press Writer – Thu Mar 12, 5:27 pm ET
BAGHDAD – A court convicted an Iraqi journalist of assault Thursday for hurling his shoes at George W. Bush and sentenced him to three years in prison, prompting an outburst from his family and calls for his release from Iraqis who consider him an icon for a nation decimated by war.







Muntadhar al-Zeidi, 30, defiantly shouted, "Long Live Iraq!" when the sentence was imposed, according to defense lawyers. Some of his relatives collapsed and had to be helped out of the courthouse. Others were forcibly removed by guards after shouting "Down with Bush!"

This story ran on the Internet tonight and earlier on CNN and I just had to run a clip of it on my site.Can you believe he was facing up to 15 years? .. for something along the lines of assault against a foreign leader! In his country it is considered a nasty insult to throw shoes at someone. Not to make too light of the situation,but wouldnt you think many people here in this country would love to throw shoes at him? I am not saying the man didnt deserve punishment.But the way the U.S. media played the scene over and over again, it was quite comical!