Hey, you gotta admit, dude's got quick reflexes.

Somewhere, there is a Secret Service agent bowed in shame that he didn't take a shoe for the team.

There's something so Shakespearian about a journalist shouting "This is the farewell kiss, you dog!"

Hey, you gotta admit, dude's got quick reflexes.

Totally! I've always wanted a president with quick reflexes and absolutely nothing else to offer.

That man is a hero.

I was surprised nobody jumped in betwen him and the shoe faster.

This is a donut from the Dunkin Donuts' "Time to make the donuts" guy; this is an old-fashioned, you morning commuter.

I was surprised nobody jumped in betwen him and the shoe faster.

My take on that was that the Secret Service guys were going, "Oh shit, it's finally happening. No way I'm going down for this mofo now. Hey wait, he's just throwing shoes? And they're not exploding? Ah, okay, might as well mosey over there and look busy."

Holy cow. Here's the video. I agree with TPS; this was definitely a Secret Service failure - that they didn't catch the odd, fast movements in the audience, and it is pretty shameful that the guy had a chance to throw two shoes before the rush of security makes it out of the back room.

I just read a blog entry taking on the stereotype that 'in Arab culture, throwing shoes is considered a grave insult.' The blogger pointed out that it's a pretty grave insult to throw shoes at somebody's face in Western culture, too. Or just about any culture, for that matter. Most likely, shoes end up playing their unique role in politics because they are simply the most solid, heavy item most of us have on us at any given time.

Bush's reflexes are pretty fast. He slithered right under that first shoe like someone with a lifetime's practice at the art of avoidance. Whatever you may say about him, never say he can't duck.

On posting: pup has it.

30+ years from now John Malkovich will torment the secret service agent that didn't take that shoe.

I see you, Frank. I see you standing over the grave of another shoed president.

Leary: Do you have what it takes to take a shoe, or is life too precious?
Frank: Well I'll be thinkin' about that when I'm pissin' on your grave.

I cannot think of any better way to summarize the entirety of Shrub's presidency.

≡ Click to see image ≡

Bush looks amused by the whole thing. He visibly smiles after the first shoe. Or is that just his perma-smirk?

Where's the TSA when you need 'em? They wouldn't have let anybody in with shoes.

This is a [desperate attempt at humor] from [a tired woman with a headache]. This is [really cheesey], you [something]!

The nytimes has it from another angle. I like the way Bush pops right back up, yeah, almost smirking.

You know, ever since he became a lame duck, I've been enjoying watching him. He's been pretty even-handed/non-partisan with respect to the economic crisis and the transition to Obama.

At this point I don't think he takes himself any more seriously than most left-wing bloggers do. I get the impression he thinks it's been a helluva ride but OMG is it time to get off!

This is a mission accomplished from the wretches who must live in this shell of a nation. This is the final fuck you, you fucking flight suited chimp. P.S. You're no Bonzo or Lancelot Link (Reagan and Bush I reference).

This is a Royale with cheese from the Gimp, baby, this is striking down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, you filthy animal!

He's been pretty even-handed/non-partisan

He's mentally checked out and doing his level best to make any more dents is what is now a lock on the worst American presidency in history. It's not even-handedness, it's damage control. Mission accomplished indeed - his friends are all are a lot better off, which was always the real aim of his presidency - so there's nothing further to do other than not further tarnish the family name, or Jeb's future chances.

Getting hit in the face with one of those shoes would have been so much better, coming home with a big red welt on his forehead. George is quick and slippery.

Yes, Miko, I agree with your assessment.

In my mind he's made the transition from being the Republican Jimmy Carter to Jimmy's brother Billy.