Journalist throws shoes at Bush

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by mickydaniels

Sorry, but the fact that the guy left behind a note saying it's great to die a matyr tells me he could care less about his punishment, only getting out his message.
By the way, this guy could get 15 years in prison, not exactly simple assault. Interesting that you state he was an idiot for using his shoes. Is nonviolent protest the only acceptable form of protest now? Would King George III have received a respectable reception here in the 1770's?

So assualt is acceptable protest? In that case, I'm going to go smash Obama in the head with a brick because of his stimulus plan. After all, its just protest, right?[/sarcasm]

Yes, non-violence is the only form of protest that is acceptable. Anything else is not protest, but revolution. Protest works to CHANGE THE MINDS of those in power by making a statement. Revolution is an attempt by bypass the system all together. You reference of King George only serves to illustrate that fact, as the Colonists petitioned George for YEARS to have a voice and equal rights without success, and the revolution was a war to send them home, not a form of protest.

I'm a little dismayed at you seeming acceptance of violence as a legitimate form of protest. Martin Luther King and Ghandi understood that when you react violently you only serve to alienate those that you disagree with, rather than changing their minds.

In the end Bush came out looking good in all of this, and most people view the shoe thrower as a fool. Bush didn't overreact and even made some memorably funny quotes. So this "protester" did nothing to help his cause, and instead made Bush look better because of his moronic actions.