By now, most of us have seen this video of an Iraqi journalist hurling his shoes at President Bush, but as a refresher, here it is again…

Parts of the Arab world have turned the shoe-flinger into a folk hero, while American writers have responded with everything from concern to giddy parody.

For me, the video provokes incredible sadness, and here’s why…

When he tossed his shoes at the president, journalist Muntader al-Zaidi was behaving like a folk hero. I mean, consider how many stories hinge on lowly citizens taking aim at figureheads. The shoe toss is just a redux of David and Goliath, Jack and the Beanstalk, Bilbo and Smaug. It wouldn’t take much to make al-Zaidi the hero of an illustrated children’s book, flinging his boot at a greedy king as the king rolls by in a chariot of gold.

And how sad that the United States has become Goliath. I’m reading David McCullough’s biography of John Adams, and I’m inspired by his descriptions of the scrappy Revolutionary spirit that was marshalled in the face of oppressive British might. That’s the narrative role I want for my country today. Or if we’re not the underdog, I at least want to feel we’re on the side of what’s right.

In the narrative of George W. Bush and the Middle East, however, I often see America as the tall-tall-terrible giant stomping blindly through the land. I know the moral isn’t as simple as a fairy tale’s and that every country involved has done both honorable and despicable things, but I hate that someone’s disrespectful actions toward my nation’s leader can make even the slightest bit of sense to me.  I hate that the last eight years have made me so uncertain about my country’s moral standing.

Now, I’m not saying al-Zaidi should have thrown his shoes at the president. Quite the opposite, in fact. I don’t support any violent political act, even if it’s no more severe than hurling a loafer. But I wish al-Zaidi’s frustration seemed more unfounded.

Obama’s inauguration could obviously have similar symbolic power, announcing to the world that America wants to change its position in the global story… to once again be seen as a just and honest freedom fighter. I hope his presidency will ease the tension that al-Zaidi expressed.

But as President Bush leaves office, the image of that angry journalist captures the helpless rage that so many people have felt since November 2000. I hope none of us ever have to feel that way again about an American president.