Bush speaking gig kicks off

Bush's speechifying tour got off to a shoe flying start.

Three Canadians were arrested and others threw shoes in protest against George W. Bush on Tuesday when he gave his first post-presidential speech in western Canada's oil patch. The footwear was tossed at an effigy of the 43rd US president outside a Calgary conference center where Bush was to speak to some 1,500 people at a luncheon, said Colette Lemieux of the Canadian Peace Alliance.

Some 200 protestors from across the country had gathered for the demonstration against Bush's invasion of Iraq and rendition of terror suspects, she said in a telephone interview with AFP.

Word has it that people from all over the country sent shoes for the event. Otherwise the lunch time $400 a plate "conversation with George W. Bush" went well. Our former Chief Incompetent packed in 1,500 to hear him "share his thoughts on his eight momentous years in the Oval Office." No confirmation on whether he planned to read My Pet Goat to the crowd.

Ironically, at the time the kickoff gig of this speaking tour was announced, the pundits were thinking Calgary was a safe bet.

"He's probably accomplishing the first thimbleful of money back into the old coffers, as he said he was looking forward to doing, but he's careful not to go too far before an audience where shoes might be thrown," said SMU political science professor Cal Jillson. "It does sound like he's not going to play without a net for some time."

Clearly, Professor Jillian misunderestimated the power of teh footwear. It appears shoe throwing is the new black arm band.

Originally the itinerary was supposed to include the U.S., Europe and Asia. I can't wait to see what kind of welcome he'll get across the pond. If you'll excuse the pun, I have a feeling they will baring a lot of soles.

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