This has to be the funniest business story of the sad year 2008.

"The shoes thrown last week at U.S. President George W. Bush have provided an unexpected windfall for the shoemaker who made them.

"Sales of the shoes made famous by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi have soared, with requests pouring in to the Turkish shoemaker from across the world, media reports said Monday.

"As a result, Istanbul-based Ramazan Baydan has had to recruit extra staff to meet orders for pairs of the 'Model 271 brogues.'"

That's called kick-starting the economy.