BUSH SHOE-THROWER GETS TASTE OF OWN MEDICINE

IRAQ SHOE-THROWING JOURNALIST
SUFFERS SIMILAR FATE: A SHOE ATTACK

PARIS (News Europe) - Muntader al-Zaidi's footwear assault on US President George W. Bush last December became a symbol of Iraqi anger against "the occupier". But al-Zaidi got a taste of his own medicine this week as a press event he was hosting was interrupted by an angry Iraqi, a protester who presented himself as an Iraqi journalist in exile who tossed a shoe at the shoe-tosser. During Mr Zaidi's press conference yesterday to promote his campaign for the "victims of the US occupation in Iraq", a fellow Iraqi critic turned the tables on him, shouting: "Here's another shoe for you".

Mr Zaidi's brother grappled with and slapped the man, whom witnesses later described as an asylum-seeker they know only as "Khayat", before staff and bystanders separated them and the aggressor was escorted out of the room. Before throwing the shoe, the man made a brief speech in Arabic, defending US policy and accusing Mr Zaidi of "working for dictatorship in Iraq". His aim was spot on but Mr Zaidi proved to be as fast on his feet as Mr Bush: he dodged the projectile, which bounced harmlessly off a curtain. "When I used this method, it was against the occupation. I did not use it against a compatriot," Mr Zaidi complained. "I always knew the occupier and his lackeys would stop at nothing to get to me." Al-Zeidi later quipped: "He stole my technique." He then fielded questions on his famous assault on Mr Bush on December 14 last year, which was shown around the world and made him a hero in the Arab world. He was jailed for nine months and then flown out of Iraq by his employers shortly after his release.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

While it is true that we may not be aware of our past that appears as our present suffering, human life gives us the opportunity to become aware of the dynamics of this karmic reality. Scripture speaks to human society. If in human life we choose to ignore scripture, we suffer as a consequence of pursuing ignorance over knowledge. Even without the help of scripture, it should be apparent to any thoughtful person that there are consequences from our actions. … The law of karma does not directly involve God. He is not responsible for its response to our thoughts and actions. … This is simply the nature of the world, one activated by ourselves since time immemorial.

Śrīla Bhakti Vedanta Tripurari Maharaja :

"Preaching: Less Dogma, More Change" - Sangas Vol. III, No. 5
Sri Caitanya Sanga - http://www.swami.org/