The shoe as an expression of disdain

Or is it a weapon?  Today an Iraqi reporter,  in a quickly scheduled press event in Iraq for President Bush,  took off and hurled his shoes at the President.   Bush did an excellent dodgeball move and wasn't hit.   Showing someone the bottom of your shoe is the deepest sign of disrespect in this part of the Islamic world.  Recall that when the statue of Saddam was pulled down in Baghdad years back,  young men threw their shoes at the wreckage.   And so,  here we are...some years on and the treatment afforded Saddam is no worse than the treatement afforded the Liberator,  Bush.  So many questions loom.  Will reporters be required to turn in their shoes to be allowed into future Bush press conferences?  Oh, that's not so much of an issue anymore.   Will shoes be considered to be weapons?  More significantly,  will we be able to get back to a place where the American president is not seen as the target for such political statements.   Sad....incredibly sad.