Heckler puts boot into Howard

ABC November 4, 2009, 9:41 am

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Like his friend former US President George W Bush, John Howard has become the target of an angry shoe-thrower.

The incident happened last Friday during a speech at Cambridge University in England, where the former Australian prime minister was speaking on the topic of leadership in the new century.

Jonathan Laurence, who organised the event as the president-elect of the Cambridge Union, said he found the incident quite surprising because shoe-thrower made his move at the start of the talk.

He described the man as a "long-haired Australian" who shouted at Mr Howard, telling him to go home and accusing him of being a racist.

"John Howard said I am not racist and I'm going home on Tuesday," Mr Laurence said.

"There was a pause, and then he got up and tried to throw a shoe but it was the weakest throw in the world."

"I mean it shows why you lot lost the Ashes, if you don't mind me saying."

Speaking to ABC Radio's Red Symonds, Mr Laurence said Mr Howard had not said anything to prompt the outburst and he continued the speech with "good grace".

"The best part of the story is that the person who threw the shoe then later got one of his friends to ask for it back. You know, he couldn't even walk home with one shoe," he said.

"He just left immediately afterwards."

Mr Laurence said it was a bizarre act because the man had a chance to speak directly to Mr Howard in the question and answer session after the speech.

"If he had a beef with Mr Howard he could have asked him about it and had John Howard answer," he said.

"So you know, I think it was a completely pointless act actually."

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Bakchos 01:46pm Thursday 05th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Anne I totally support your comments. To be fair (ha, ha) as a ‘half-caste’ Wiradjuri I can honestly say that the only place I have experienced racism, first hand, was in the public service in Canberra, which incidentally is the only place in Australia with a Bill of Rights which protects everyo ...
Anne 07:44am Thursday 05th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Many half-caste Aborigines who appear white still identify as black and suffer discrimination as a result. They could chose to simply assimilate into the white population, but why should they do that? Why should they lose their heritage and culture?
Anne 07:43am Thursday 05th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Big Willy, what do you consider "white"? Did you know that the genetic factor that makes an Aborigine white is actually a recessive gene? Hence, Aborigines become white in about 3 generations of intermingling with whites.
p 08:19pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
I can sympathise with Australians who feel that they are being unfairly attacked with claims of racism. I am an Australian myself and when I first heard of the reports I dismissed them as exaggerated. I have been in China for the last 3 years and earlier I was in Europe. But when I return to Austral ...
youngfrog64 08:14pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
lol, i stcking up for our nation, i am tired of same damm thing, so tired i wanna scream but who listens, why dont you read the posts, all post and get understanding of what u raving boul neil, , knocking greatest nation on earth???who u
youngfrog64 08:08pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
because it is the only place we get heard, can say what we want, because the story takes twists an turns, it grows into something else, people talk with eachother, exchange their views, because mr Howard is borring
Neil A 08:07pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
I'm sick & tired of misguided white morons & blacks with a chip on their shoulder bagging Australia out as a racist country. You honestly wouldn't know what ya talking about. Todays boat people are paying big dollars to fly to Indonesia & play the scam of poor ...
youngfrog64 08:03pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
last post,Edward, you have a soul good, you feel bad about being well off, suffer m8, ya parents wanted the good life for you, if you feel so bad about your life, help your fellow AUSTRALIANS, the ones living in street, scavenging through garbage cans, not these others, worry bout them later
ALLAN J 07:59pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Why do all you so called commentators lose track of the article because some idiot pulls a red herring across your path. the story is about a pathetic shoe thrower, and you all are on about racists. No wonder this country is going down the toilet if you cannot follow a simple story with out distract ...
youngfrog64 07:57pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
humanity, yep, tie grenades around a childs waist, tel him ask that soldier across street for a lolly, then boom no more soldier, no more kid, Humanity, Religion, it all sucks the big one, an u want to open the door to people like that