the iraqi journalist who threw shoes at Bush........

[jserio]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090312/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq

[utgunslinger13]

"I am innocent," he replied.

What a crock, he should have gotten longer.  Doesn't matter what the intent was, he threw a weapon (who cares if it was a shoe, a knife, a grenade, etc) at a person with the intent to embarass or hurt them.  Thats an easy conviction!

[jserio]

so if i throw a shoe at you i should get 3 years in prison? you serious? 

and i do believe the intent of ones actions ARE important.  this person threw a shoe AT someone, it didn't even hit them.  i'm not saying he should be given an award for throwing a shoe at bush, but i do think the sentence is a little harsh.

[utgunslinger13]

If 3 years is the minimum sentence for assualt in the state you throw it at me with intent to hit me then yes, and simply because that is the punishment for assault.  Would I personally press assault charges for a shoe being thrown at me?  No I would not.  But same as a protestor hitting someone with a pie, you can easily be charged with the crime if it fits the definition.

But then you add in the fact that he is throwing it at the leader of a country then you for sure are getting at least the minimum jail time.  I don't agree with all Bush's ideas, or how he ran the country but assualt is assualt and should be punnished accordingly.

Nick

[jserio]

who you throw the shoe at should have no relevance to the crime i feel. he's not anyone special in my eyes. just another man on the planet. if someone had thrown a shoe at me it wouldn't have made the paper. seriously. 3 years for throwing a shoe is harsh. had it been a knife i would feel a bit different about it.

[utgunslinger13]

Unfortunately, the law doesn't classify a knife or better as a weapon.  If you can convince a jury that the shoe is a weapon then he's guilty.  I may not agree with the 3 years but if thats the minimum then he should get it.

I also don't agree with marijuanna laws but that doesn't mean I'd circumvent them and smoke it.  Or taxes, I don't agree with them either, but I still pay them.

[jserio]

a knife isn't a weapon? i'm confused by your post........   

[utgunslinger13]

Sorry I was trying to say that the law just states "weapon", it doesn't list or eliminate anything.  The way its worded doesn't preclude a shoe being a weapon.  It would be simple for the prosecution to bring up prior cases where a shoe was used in a robbery, assault, or even murder and BAM they've classified it as a "weapon" meeting the word of the law.

Actually, assualt charges can be filed even with only a VERBAL threat.  If that threat is carried out then its assault and battery.

Nick

[Majorhavoc]

You understand this guy was convicted under Iraqi law, right?  I'm not sure any of us are qualified to say how Iraqi law defines a weapon, or whether a verbal threat is considered assault. 

The guy got 3 years.  From the news accounts I heard, he could have gotten a lot worse.  On the other hand, those same news accounts indicated that as far as the average Iraqi is concerned, they'd rather have given him some kind of medal. 

Not in any way, shape or form saying I agree with that sentiment, that's just how most Iraqis feel.  This guy is a folk hero over there.

If this guy had been convicted under US law, that would have been threatening and assaulting the President, a serious federal crime.  They would have thrown the, er, book at him.   

[utgunslinger13]

lol you are correct, I was only making a statement of my understanding of US assault laws.  But I still agree with the punishment on the grounds (and only on the grounds) that he was given the punishment that according to their laws fit for the crime he was convicted of in Iraq.

Their laws stipulated the 3 years minimum and since he was found guilty, then 3 years minimum is what he deserved.  And just because public oppinion might have agreed with him for the most part doesn't negate his responsibility to follow the rules and laws established by the governing body of the land!

[The Buddha]

Actually, assualt charges can be filed even with only a VERBAL threat.  If that threat is carried out then its assault and battery.

If I threw a battery at someone, would it qualify as a battery ? Will I then be charged ?
No point really, just stirring up the poop.
Cool.
Buddha.

[utgunslinger13]

Yes, throwing a battery would be battery.

[ohgood]

who you throw the shoe at should have no relevance to the crime i feel. he's not anyone special in my eyes. just another man on the planet. if someone had thrown a shoe at me it wouldn't have made the paper. seriously. 3 years for throwing a shoe is harsh. had it been a knife i would feel a bit different about it.

completely agreed. this whole notion that a we peons are held more accountable than elected officials is terribly wrong.

they should fear us, but yet, they rule us. what a shame.

[scottpA_GS]

 One thing... In Iraq, hitting someone in the face w/ a shoe is the ULTIMATE insult! I dont even think we have a comprable insult other than maybee spitting in someones face?

Its not (in Iraq) intended as assult, thats our american influience telling them how to run their country...Its a statement there. They have done it for 1000's of years Remember when Soldiers/Iraqis tore down the statue of Sadam and took off their shoes and smaked the statues face w/ them 

So, w/o American influence normaly in Iraq throwing a shoe at someone is no different then calling them out or "insulting them" not "assulting them"

I think it was funny... So did Bush, did you see him laugh  What joke...

Now.. who wants to be the first te sell genuine Iraqi throwing shoes w/ a free GW target poster 

[gearman]

  So, w/o American influence normaly in Iraq throwing a shoe at someone is no different then calling them out or "insulting them" not "assulting them"

I believe the equivalent insult in Afghanistan is skinning someone alive.

[scottpA_GS]

  So, w/o American influence normaly in Iraq throwing a shoe at someone is no different then calling them out or "insulting them" not "assulting them"

I believe the equivalent insult in Afghanistan is skinning someone alive.

Now that sounds more like torture/murder

[JHoffy8]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D5oKEVqQJg

[grayghost]

buddha if the battery you threw was charged, then you could be charged. however, if it was dead, then unless it could be charged you could not be charged.

my source is the 1971 Supreme Court case #BR-549, the US Gov. VS. Reddi Kilowatt.

[Jughead]

Actually I think he got by pretty easily.If that was a US Citizen here in the states they probably could have pushed Attempted Murder.