Shoe lobber in Iraq vs. Green custard flinger in UK

Muntazer Al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist working for Al-Baghdadiya television and who threw his shoe at George Bush. Bush who had been at a globally-televised media conference with Prime Minister Nuri al-Malikiwhen when he came under fire from the missile seemedamused by the outburst which has resulted in a three year prison sentence. The journalist has also alleged torture whilst in captivity.

Whilst he has already announced that he will be appealing his case, presumably Al-Zaidi is also thanking his lucky stars that he cannot throw for toffee, having missed his target by a fair distance. One can only guess what his punishment would've been had the shoe hit its mark.

In the UK, as a bit of a contrast, an activist who threw green custard in the face of one of our own leading politicians was arrested eventually the other day after her childish antics. It has not been reported yet whether she will face any charges and it is unclear whether the police arrested her just to be seen to be doing something. However, one thing I can guarantee is that she will not be tortured whilst in "custardy" (I'm sorry! but I couldn't resist it). Another thing is that even if any charges are brought, a three year sentence will not be handed down...three hours community service if she's unlucky.

Presumably she is thanking her lucky stars that she did not have execute her stunt in Iraq after all her release did hit target. You have to wonder though when comparing the two, that if we are that much more liberal in the UK than they are in Iraq about things like this, then where is the bloody democracy and human rights thet our troops have died fighting for since they invaded and toppled Sadam? Why has this chap been sentenced for three years for missing (with his shoe) the man who caused the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Iraqis? Why has he alegedly been the victim of torture? If all we have done in Iraq over the last few years is replace one ruthless, torturous and murderous regime with another then we have achieved nothing...and that makes me mad!!!