We sure did shoe Bush
To The Editor:
Re “Last chance to shoe Bush doesn’t get any traction” (photo caption, Jan. 23 – 29):
As someone who has worked in the advertising industry, I tend to agree with the adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity. So I was pleased to see that you published a photograph of The Indypendent’s “Throw a Shoe at Bush” event.
As a journalist and editor of The Indypendent, I do want to correct the record regarding the statement that the shoe throwing did not “get any traction.”
Indypendent volunteers and supporters were present in Union Square on Inauguration Day, Tues., Jan. 20, with the portrait and a bag of shoes. Despite the cold and a trickle of pedestrians, dozens of passersby did join in gleefully, hurling plenty of shoes and vitriol at the excellent portrait (by artist Rebecca Migdal) of a smirking Bush.
Perhaps if we had had one of those 60-degree January days that became commonplace during the global-warming-denying Bush presidency, we would have encountered eager throngs ready to hurl like a frat boy on spring break. However, with foot traffic limited by the bitter cold, we only stayed in Union Square from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., instead of until the 2 p.m. finish time indicated in the press release.
Apparently, your photographer, Jefferson Siegel, arrived right after we had cleaned up and deposited Bush in the dustbin. But it was a successful and, judging by responses, cathartic event for many.
Arun Gupta
Palin a target
To The Editor:
It seems many reporters can’s resist taking a dig at Sarah Palin, and some don’t even hesitate to misquote her. Readers of the UnderCover item about the Governors Island ferry came away thinking that Palin lied about selling a jet on eBay (UnderCover, Jan. 30 – Feb. 5, “Titanic II”). She actually said she “put it on eBay.” The line was delivered with perfect comedic timing and made a point about saving taxpayers money. And yes, eventually the jet was sold through a broker.
Alberto Mora
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