Leaders need to earn our respect

Asked about the Bush shoe incident, Liu Jianchao, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said that all leaders deserve respect.  I’m sure that leaders would like to believe that, but actually, just like anyone else, they need to earn our respect.  They don’t have any inherent claim on it.

Bush has not earned our respect, but rather our derision.

Muntazer al-Zaidi may be charged with attempted murder of a foreign president, and could face fifteen years in prison.  While it is reasonable to charge a person who throws shoes at another with some minor crime (e.g., misdemeanor assault or the equivalent), surely no one in their right mind would claim that it is attempted murder.  Mr. Zaidi was hospitalized after having been struck in the head with the butt of a rifle and having his arm broken, which surely is a more than sufficient penalty.

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2 Responses to Leaders need to earn our respect

  1. Marcel says:

    Mr. al-Zaidi should be released. Freedom has to include freedom to throw a shoe (in that culture, subject to disorderly conduct, etc.)

  2. dudeguy says:

    It’s ok to have a comment.

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