NEWS > BUSINESS > BUSH SHOE THROWER BECOMES TOAST OF FASHION INDUSTRY

BUSH SHOE THROWER BECOMES TOAST OF FASHION INDUSTRY

August 30 2009

Baghdad, Iraq – In recent years the nature of shoes and shoe wearing has changed profoundly. The growth of shoe culture and advances in the science of shoe manufacture through the 20th century has fundamentally changed the nature of
footwear. Anthropologist’s debate as to when footwear started to be used but whether they date from 10,000 years ago or 40,000 years ago the now essential piece of clothing has never enjoyed the kind of success it has seen in recent years. From designer sneakers to high heels, footwear has become an essential part of the human experience.

One of the unforeseen advances in shoe technology has only come about recently with the use of shoes as weapons. The surprising and ultimately fruitless attack against former U.S. President George Bush last year by an Iraqi reporter brought that advance to the world. Though many saw the attempted assault as an aberration for many it revealed a totally new way to view shoes and footwear in general. Now with the early release of Muntadhar al-Zeidi many are anticipating what his next move might be and what new footwear advances he will show the world.

“We have been informed officially about the court decision. His release will be a victory for the free and honourable Iraqi media. This release marks the beginning of a new era not only for Iraqi journalism but also for free and open shoe usage across the world. No longer will people fear using their shoes as footwear or as tools of political protest,” said Defence attorney Karim al-Shujairi. “He will be released on September 14. Prison officials deemed that he was eligible for early release as a result of his good behaviour in prison. I can confirm that during his nine months in prison Mr. al-Zeidi threw no shoes and in fact only removed his footwear for showering and while going to bed. We feel that behaviour will continue while out of prison.”

It is exactly that which international observers are fearing. As the war in Iraq winds down the decrease in the number of visits from international officials has dramatically reduced the threat to foreign dignitaries but the violence continues, though largely with bullets and IEDs.

“Al-Zeidi is at the forefront of a revolution in Iraqi culture. By throwing the shoe at the President he voiced the frustration and the dissent the people felt at the war and the destruction that it caused across the country. In many easy he was speaking for the dead and for the living who have suffered so much in the war but he was also unwittingly changing the nature of shoes and footwear forever,” said Scrape TV Fashion analyst Fiona Dollak. “There have been great shoe revolutionaries in the past. Yes designers have affected footwear but figures such as Imelda Marcos and Michael
Jordan changed the reasons that people wore shoes. Al-Zeidi stands at the forefront of a similar kind of revolution and his actions have forever changed the nature and the meaning of shoes not only for the people of Iraq but for everyone across the world.”

It’s believed the al-Zeidi was the first case of shoe-based imprisonment in the world. Even throughout the Muslim world where shoes have often been used as a tool of protest such arrests are undocumented.

“I’m sure people across the world are going to be applauding his release, not only
people who have opposed the war or the Bush administration but people in the fashion industry who frankly have been resting on their laurels for many years. Much like the grunge movement in the early 1990’s caused an adoption of that counterculture into the mainstream, shoes will likely take on a whole new meaning and al-Zeidi will be at the centre of that revolution,” continued Dollak. “It hasn’t really taken flight yet but I imagine it won’t be long before shoes are being thrown left and right. That could fundamentally change the way we use and the reason behind buying footwear forever.”

Thus far ordinary shoe wearers are continuing to wear their footwear in the standard fashion. Nike is reportedly considering adding handles to some of their new lines.  

William Ashford, Business Correspondent

NEWS > BUSINESS > BUSH SHOE THROWER BECOMES TOAST OF FASHION INDUSTRY

LINK IT! http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Business/pages-3/Bush-shoe-thrower-becomes-toast-of-fashion-industry-Scrape-TV-The-World-on-your-side.html	TWEET IT! http://tinyurl.com/m63fhs	BOOKMARK IT!