Shoe Intifada heads to court

The trial of Muntazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former U.S. president George W. Bush last December, resumes on Thursday after adjourning last month.

The shoe hurler is charged with assault and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The trial was postponed in February so the panel of three judges could determine if Bush's visit to Iraq was really an official state visit, which could affect the severity of al-Zaidi's punishment.

Mr. al-Zaidi remains unapologetic, which of course maintains his immense popularity, evidenced by the throngs who turn out just to see him go in and out of the courthouse in Baghdad.

[UPDATE MARCH 12: al-Zaidi was sentenced to 3 years in prison]

Meanwhile...

THE SHOE INTIFADA SPREADS AROUND THE WORLD
Hilary Clinton--or at least her mug--got a shoe in the face at a protest in Indonesia, as the new U.S. Secretary of State was making an official visit.

3 protesters tossed shoes at a former Israeli Defense Force (IDF) officer after he gave a lecture at an Amsterdam Hotel. A witness noted that they threw only left shoes (how deliciously appropriate!).

A judge dropped the case against a man who threatened a New York City transit official with a shoe after becoming enraged at a fare hike. [See earlier Tuque Souq post]

Brazil's president joked to reporters that he would not abide any shoe-throwing from the press.

Latvians protested their country's economic crisis by hurling shoes at photos of government officials and parliament.

Taiwanese commemorators of the infamous 228 Massacre planned to throw shoes as part of their memorial service.

The Chicago Tribune advocated the unlacing of shoes to protest the fallen pride of the Illinois state government.

The UK's Secretary for Scotland Jim Murphy faced a shoe-throwing protest from Scottish nationalists.

As always, keep up with all the coverage of the Shoe Intifada right here at the Tuque Souq.