All along, President Bush said his main goal was to spread American democracy in the Middle East. By democracy, most people understood, he meant capitalism.

Well, he can now claim success, as the shoes thrown at Bush by that Iraqi journalist have suddenly become a big hit. A Turkish shoemaker recognized his work, ordered tens of thousands of new ones, and now 5000  advertising posters  for the shoes proclaim in English, Turkish and Arabic:

 Goodbye Bush, Welcome Democracy

"Bush served some good purpose before he left," said a manager with the shoe firm.

Meanwhile, the journalist, Muntader al-Zaidi, was still in custody, as 400 protesters gathered near the Green Zone, chanting: “Bush, Bush listen carefully! We bid you farewell with two shoes.”  

Now that's democracy.