8 Times People Attacked Politicians

There's more to political disses than simply throwing shade. Aside from expertly dodging questions, some politicians have to do their best to avoid flying objects and insults hurtled their way by angry protesters. On Thursday, Hillary Clinton took a majorly disrespectful gesture in stride after dodging a shoe thrown at her onstage in Las Vegas. After sidestepping the footwear and cracking jokes, Clinton continued her keynote speech, like a boss. The woman who threw the shoe was taken into federal custody.

The former Secretary of State isn't the first politician to experience blatant disrespect. Check out seven other times politicians dodged some ill-intentioned projectiles.

President Obama Gets Called a Liar

Not everyone agrees with the President of the United States, but most people know well enough not to yell at the Commander in Chief. Obama's seen his fair share of hecklers during national and international tours, but rarely is he shut down in front of Congress — by a fellow politician, no less.

GOP Rep. Joe Wilson stunned audience members during the President's 2009 health care address to Congress when he shouted, "You lie!," after Obama spoke about illegal immigrants. Wilson later apologized, saying he let his emotions get the best of him. Uh-huh.

George W. Bush Ducks Flying Shoes in Baghdad

Even if you don't agree with his politics, you've got to give it to former President George W. Bush when it comes to quickness. Bush expertly evaded not one, but two shoes chucked at his head, after an Iraqi journalist threw them during a Baghdad news conference in 2008. The reporter had some harsh words for the president, saying, "This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog."

Being on the receiving end of a shoe-throwing is among the highest insults in the Arab world, where it's rude to even show the sole of your shoe to another person.

Tony Blair Egged During Book Signing

Four men were arrested after they threw eggs and shoes at former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair. Anti-war protesters in Dublin attacked Blair during a book signing for his memoir, A Journey. The leader wasn't hit as he emerged from his car, but protesters shouted that he had "blood on his hands," calling him a "war criminal," and chanting, "Hey hey Tony hey, how many kids have you killed today?"

Demonstrators outside the bookstore were angry over Blair's role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Italy's Prime Minister Bloodied By Souvenir

Italy's former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, suffered two broken teeth, cuts to his lip, and a minor nose fracture after an attacker launched a miniature replica of Milan's cathedral at his face.

Massimo Tartaglia, the 42-year-old responsible for Berlusconi's injuries, was charged with aggravated assault after the incident at the political rally in 2009. He was said to have a history of mental illness.

Guatemala's Vice President Sent to Hospital After Flour Attack

Flour bombs are no fun — just ask Kim Kardashian. But one flour attack took a turn for the worse after Guatemala's vice president was taken away on a stretcher. Two women were arrested after they threw flour on Roxana Baldetti's face during an official government ceremony in January. The vice president had difficulty breathing afterwards and had to be hospitalized.

Prior to her arrest, one of the women said she threw the powder because "I have the right to express myself freely." Officials claimed the suspected attackers were paid by opposition forces for their actions.

Republicans Get Glitter-Bombed

Hey — you oppose gay rights, and you're pretty much asking for it. Gay activists targeted Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrinch, and Rick Santorum by throwing glitter and confetti at the 2012 GOP presidential candidates and urging them to "taste the rainbow."

The "Glitterati," as they're known, have also struck Karl Rove, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, and Congressman Erik Paulsen with what seems like one of the most harmless (and fun!) forms of protest.

Ann Coulter Almost Dodges Pies

Conservative political commentator Ann Coulter has her fair share of haters, but none are quite like "Al Pieda." Phillip Edgar Smith and William Zachary Wolff launched a pastry-filled attack on Coulter during a speech at the University of Arizona in 2004. It seemed like she was stealthy enough to evade the custard cream pies, but a police report obtained by The Smoking Gun detailed that she had some remnants on her face and shoulder. (Some highly investigative work there.)

The two men were arrested, with one of them saying they were "throwing the pies at her ideas not at her."

Sure.