'An Iraqi journalist hailed as a hero in the Arab world for throwing his shoes at former US President George W Bush has been jailed for three years.'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7938947.stm
Leaving aside the presumably inadvertant use of the word 'hero' in this sentance, how can such a nothing be worthy of three years in jail? At absolute most, this action should have warranted a stern talking to followed by a ride home in a police car. I find it absolutely incredible that Iraq has a law covering something like this. Whats the name of the statue 'Embarrassing the State of Iraq by throwing shoes Act 2008'? If it doesn't have such a statute, what law did the guy break? 'Conduct unbecoming a journalist'? 'Possessing shoes with the intent to throw'?
At the time, I was amazed at the enormous airtime given to this utterly trivial incident, and now that the guy has been put in jail it takes the whole episode to new heights of impenetrability for me. If someone can explain to me what could possibly justify giving this rude man a three year prison sentance, I'd like to hear from them.
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