Iraqi shoe thrower Muntazer al-Zaidi innundated with offers and gifts

[Solly Mack]

As his size 10s spun through the air towards George W Bush, Muntazer al-Zaidi – the man the world now knows as the shoe-thrower – was bracing for an American bullet.

"He thought the secret service was going to shoot him," says Zaidi's younger brother, Maitham. "He expected that, and he was not afraid to die."

Zaidi's actions during the former US president's swansong visit to Iraq last December have not stopped reverberating in the nine months since. Next Monday, when the journalist walks out of prison, his 10 raging seconds, which came to define his country's last six miserable years, are set to take on a new life even more dramatic than the opening act.

Across Iraq and in every corner of the Arab world, Zaidi is being feted. The 20 words or so he spat at Bush – "This is your farewell kiss, you dog. This is for the widows and orphans of Iraq" – have been immortalised, and in many cases memorised. Pictures of the president ducking have been etched onto walls across Baghdad, made into T-shirts in Egypt, and appeared in children's games in Turkey.

[Skittles]

1. brave man

I wish him well

[Solly Mack]

2. He is

and me too

[Wilms]

3. .

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. THIS is Bush jr.'s legacy

.
.
.

Unfortunately,

it reflects on the USA as a nation.

What we see and read here is probably pretty mild compared to what is being said and read in the ME.

USA LOST this one.

Big time . .

[armyowalgreens]

5. I'd buy him a beer.

[Kaleko]

6. Ah, the irony, it hurts.

The man who threw his shoes at Bush has won the hearts and minds of people around the world.

[Solly Mack]

7. !!!!!

Love it!

[lunatica]

8. It's best that he missed because the gesture is a good one

Very symbolic of the entire Iraq war and what a mess the people in charge make of lives. I admire the man for doing what he did, especially since he felt he was going to be shot any minute, but for his sake I'm glad he missed. He wouldn't be free today if he hadn't.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. A brave man. I wish him a wonderful life after his release.