Giving the shoe protest some legs

While it's not being universally applauded, many people have been inspired by the shoe throwing journalist and are anxious to seize the moment and the motif to generate their own sole-ful events. As NTodd points out, shoes can make a powerful statement and Code Pink already has a shoe-based peace protest scheduled for tomorrow.

I've also seen a quite a few calls to organize a stinky shoe mail-in to the White House but I have to agree with those who think it won't be that effective. While I love the idea of insulting Bush, it's unlikely to penetrate his bubble anyway and mostly inconvenience peripheral workers. But it does occur to me that someone could organize a shoe drive of decent shoes, in honor of Al-Zaidi, for the economically disadvantaged here to highlight the demo that has grown so dramatically under the Bush regime. That would still make a statement and would be more embarrassing to Bush on some level. It also has the added benefit of doing some good for people who need help.

Meanwhile, word has it that the shoe-tossing journo is suffering mightily for his personal protest. FDL gathers reports that he's being severely beaten to the point of torture and has been "transferred to Camp Cropper prison [the Airport prison, managed by the American forces]." Keeping the story alive with a charitable shoe drive might also serve to prevent any further torment and put some pressure on Bush to take Digby's suggestion that he make a public request for clemency on Al-Zaidi's behalf. I don't see how it could hurt to try.

[More posts daily at The Newshoggers and The Detroit News.]