Stephen A. Millies, an Amtrak worker, stood up at the MTA's public hearing on forthcoming service cuts and fare hikes, and demanded that MTA exec Elliot Sander identify himself.

Saying “this shoe is for you,” Mr. Millies bent over to take off his shoe — apparently in an effort to take off the shoe and, presumably, throw it at Mr. Sander.

But the cops stopped him before he got the Red Wing 10 1/2 off. Millies was given a summons for disorderly conduct. Unfortunately his lack of planning for foresight will prevent him from becoming a folk hero. If you're going to throw a shoe at a public official, try something easy and fast to remove, like a loafer, and don't announce your intention before you've hurled the first one.

"The Baghdad reporter who hurled his shoes at President Bush was warned yesterday he could be charged with attempted murder - and face up to 15 years in jail."

Tough but fair. The Iraqi authorities also say the "rumors" that al-Zaidi was beaten all to hell are "baseless." They then went back inside to beat him with rubber hoses, which leave no marks. [NYP; pic via]

CNN's Candy Crowley wisely tries to coax some emotion out of Bush by posing as a staunch, outraged patriot:

CROWLEY: Was there ever a part of you that, in reflection, went, wait a second, we have poured billions of dollars, not to mention U.S. blood and treasure into this country, how dare this guy, even if he is a single guy?

BUSH: No, I — look, first of all, I didn't much time to reflect on anything. I was ducking and dodging. And I — first of all, it has got to be one of the most weird moments of my presidency. Here I am getting ready to answer questions from a free press in a democratic Iraq , and a guy stands up and throws a shoe.
And it was bizarre. And it was an interesting way for a person to express himself. I was asked about it immediately after the incident and I said, here's a person that obviously was longing for notoriety and he achieved it. But I don’t feel this is – I’m not angry with the system, I believe that a free society is emerging and a free society is necessary for our own security and piece [sic].

He was ducking, dodging, weaving, bobbing—next thing you know some guy throws a shoe! Whoa, hey! Still, he graciously bestows his mercy upon the footwear jihadist:

CROWLEY: You think they’re going to let them out of custody?

BUSH: I don’t know what they’re going to do – he’s – I’m not even sure what his status is. They shouldn’t overreact.

Several broken bones and seven years in prison should be sufficient. [CNN]

Apparently, "Perino suffered an eye injury when she was hit in the face with a microphone during the melee" as Iraqi security goons wrestled Muntader al-Zaidi to the ground , reports the AP.