The Iraqi journalist hurling shoes at a dignitary is a theme that is not new to Iraqis, as, in 3,000 BC, Gilgamesh the hero of The Epic of Gilgamesh, killed the Heavenly Bull, son of the goddess Ishtar, dined and wined over it, then, in defiance, out of spite and teasingly, he hurled at Ishtar one of the bull's shins