Bush Shoe Thrower to Get Out Early, For Good Behavior

Remember Muntadar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw both of his shoes at then U.S. President George W. Bush during a press conference in Iraq in December of 2008? He was sentenced to one year, 6 months for each shoe, but it now appears he will get out early.

The sole of the shoe is considered a severe insult in Arab cultures.

Originally, al-Zaidi had been sentenced to three years, but the sentence was reduced to 12 months because he had no prior record. According to his lawyer, Karim al-Shujairi, al-Zeidi will now be released on Sept. 14, three months early.

Apparently the early release is for good behavior. al-Shujairi said, "We have been informed officially about the court decision. His release will be a victory for the free and honorable Iraqi media."

al-Zaidi's act of defiance made him a national hero to many Iraqis. The Iraqi administration, of course, demonized him, but many Iraqis emulated his act in nationwide protests, and sales of the so-called "Bush Shoe" (the Ducati Model 271), skyrocketed.

Neither Bush, nor Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was standing next to him, was injured, but Bush was forced to duck, and al-Maliki was embarrassed publicly. As he threw the shoes, al-Zaidi shouted in Arabic: "This is your farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

Watch the video below.