That guy who threw a shoe at former president Bush has been sentenced to three years in jail.

How is it that we've managed to turn the cradle of civilization into America's running gag?

There is the best line from the article:

Zaidi became a folk hero of sorts in the Arab world after hurling both shoes at Bush, with considerable speed and accuracy, during a news conference Dec. 14. Bush, a nimble athlete with great reflexes, successfully ducked

There's also this:

Zaidi's siblings were angrier, as the crowd and police pushed and shoved each other. "Maliki is ready to give his wife to Bush just to keep him happy," one sister said.