Where is the Iraqi Shoe-thrower, Muntadar Al Iraqi (formerly Al Zaidi)?

After calling President Bush a dog and throwing both shoes at him, Muntadar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who works for Baghdadiya News, may have gone missing. I hope he's ok.

In an article yesterday on the BBC website, Muntadar's bureau chief stated, "I
am trying to reach Muntadar since the incident, but in vain. His phone is
switched off" (Read the article dated 01:02 GMT, Monday, 15 December 2008).

The Iraqi power structure is often democratic in name only and they view his actions as an embarrassment. Even though the people in power opposed Saddam they were also raised in his world and tend to operate the same way he did. Yet Muntadar's actions brought a smile to many a face here and abroad ... and prompted a chortling email from my family members who got a kick out of seeing our President come face to face (face to shoe anyway) with someone who had the courage to speak honestly about a death and destruction of the war in Iraq. This is, afterall, a topic that Bush never fails to ignore, but for which he must be held accountable. If for nothing else then pure and simple hubris.

Here is another article on the current status of Muntadar.