Shoe- throwing has become an unambiguous, easily understood and visible expression of political contempt, dissent and outrage coupled to a helplessness against the “establishment”. I have posted earlier about the spread of this behaviour mainly against political figures in the Middle East and Asia.
Now John Howard joins the ranks of George Bush, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao in having a shoe thrown in their direction. The Sydney Morning Herald reports
A man who threw a shoe at John Howard on last night’s Q&A program on ABC TV said the former prime minister “deserves a lot worse” than having shoes thrown at him.
Hunter Valley man Peter Gray was unapologetic about his actions this morning, telling Newcastle ABC Radio he was angry about Australia’s involvement in the Iraq War and he “found the right type of protest” to get his point across.
“That is for Iraqi dead,” Mr Gray shouted as the shoes missed their target.
Peter Gray tosses his second shoe in the direction of John Howard: Courtesy ABC
Mr Gray confirmed that ABC staff refused to return his shoes.
Mr Gray explained that it was a very difficult to stand up and conduct such a protest, especially because such action was against his nature. “Quite a few people said I throw like a girl.”
Tags: behaviour, John Howard, protest, shoe throwing
The k2p blog 
October 26, 2010 at 4:03 pm
“Obviously Mr. Grey doesn’t play cricket:
can’t toss a straight ball.”