Couldn't have said it better myself

I digress from my usual focus on Mexico and the drug war to salute a fellow war correspondent for his bravery in the line of duty. Muntather Zaidi, an Iraqi correspondent for Al-Baghdadiya, a satellite TV channel that broadcasts from Cairo, hurled both of his shoes at President Bush during a recent visit to Iraq. "This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog," he reportedly yelled as he threw his shoes. "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

I'd also like to dedicate Mr. Zaidi's shoes to the journalists George W. Bush has put in danger during his painfully long time in office. Just to name a few instances:

• On July 2, 2008, two agents who participated in the rescue of FARC hostage Ingrid Betancourt posed as journalists. But not just any journalists--they posed as TeleSUR correspondents. TeleSUR is Venezuela's government-sponsored TV station, and one of the very few Venezuelan media outlets that isn't owned by the right wing and wasn't an accomplice in the coup against President Chavez. Government agents posing as journalists put real journalists at risk, because armed or violent organizations might think we're government operatives, too. Just look at Daniel Pearl.
• On April 8, 2003, the US military bombed Hotel Palestine in Iraq, killing Spanish journalist Jose Couso and Reuters cameraman Taras Protsyuk. The US military knew journalists were staying in that hotel. How did they know? Well, they were illegally spying on the journalists there prior to the bombing, that's how.

So President Bush, if you ever come to Mexico I'll throw my shoes at you, too. I used to play softball, so mine might actually hit you.

Here they are, in all their glory: Mr. Zaidi's shoes barely missing President Bush's head: