By J. DeVoy
Today, Rupert Murdoch was viciously pied, in the face, in Britain. In 2004, George Soros was attacked with glue.
Am I the only person who sees this trend? Do white materials just show up better on camera?
Non-elites have shoes thrown at them. Though, say what unkind things about GWB you will (and many will be correct), he was pretty agile.
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I’m not sure 2 incidents in 7 years is a “trend”. Do you have any other white-substance assaults?
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=650888n
-A compliment for Ann Coulter, no?
Here’s a historical perspective on pie-ing: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/07/a-cultural-history-of-pie-ing-from-mr-flip-to-rupert-murdoch/242188/#slide5
I’m not sure why you would include GWB in the category of non-elites. He was merely the President of the United States.
I suspect the difference is based on culture rather than on status. In many parts of the world, throwing a shoe is considered a protest or an insult. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoeing. Also I think shoe soles are considered unclean in Islamic practice. (Otherwise why remove them went entering a mosque?) So throwing a shoe would be an insult because it suggests the target is unclean and unworthy.
I have a much more charitable view of GWB than probably anyone else on this blog. He could become elite later in life, with philanthropy. I think he’s far smarter than people give him credit for, but objectively did many horribly wrong things as president. Being POTUS is very impressive, but not elite. (See, e.g., Jimmy Carter.)
Agreed on the cultural divide, though. The middle east needs to lighten up and embrace the simple joys of seeing someone get hit in the face with a pie.
Sorry for the stale reply…
It appears we are using subtly different definitions of “elite.” You seem to be referring to an ineffable quality of elite, sort of like being on a social register. That is, no matter how accomplished or wealthy you are if you cannot trace your ancestry back to some group of long-dead ancestors, you are not admitted to the club.
I have somewhat broader definition based on status, influence, the amount of deference accorded, etc. So even though Carter remains a bumpkin in many persons’ eyes, I would consider him elite because he can still command an audience, etc.
On the other hand I agree about the simple joys of watching a pie-ing.