The Obama "bow"

cscmc1 · #1 04-08-2009, 06:21 PM

I am a bit surprised to see how much of a fuss is being made of President Obama's "bow" to King Abdullah. Yes, it was a mistake in protocol, but I didn't expect to see the likes of Paglia even going after him. That said, the White House is now denying that it was a bow. Seriously? That's not a bow???

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/White_House_No_bow_to_Saudi.html

The White House is denying that the president bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism on the right and praise from some Arab outlets.

"It wasn't a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah," said an Obama aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Washington Times called the alleged bow a "shocking display of fealty to a foreign potentate" and said it violated centuries of American tradition of not deferring to royalty. The Weekly Standard, meanwhile, noted that American protocol apparently rules out bowing, or at least it reportedly did on the occasion of a Clinton "near-bow" to the emperor of Japan.

Interestingly, a columnist in the Saudi-backed Arabic paper Asharq Alawsat also took the gesture as a bow and appreciated the move.

"Obama wished to demonstrate his respect and appreciation of the personality of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, who has made one of the most important calls in the modern era, namely the call for inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue to defuse the hatred, conflict and wars," wrote the columnist, Muhammah Diyab.

The video shows Obama dipping toward the king as G-20 leaders greet one another at the ExCel Centre in London.

tankdriver · #2 04-08-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

I am a bit surprised to see how much of a fuss is being made of President Obama's "bow" to King Abdullah. Yes, it was a mistake in protocol, but I didn't expect to see the likes of Paglia even going after him.

It's that good ol' liberal media bias. Can't escape it.

Quote:

That said, the White House is now denying that it was a bow. Seriously? That's not a bow???

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/White_House_No_bow_to_Saudi.html

The White House is denying that the president bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism on the right and praise from some Arab outlets.

"It wasn't a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah," said an Obama aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

They're have to minimize the gaffe-ness of his gaffe. There are legions of people employed in DC who do this (for anyone in politics).

cscmc1 · #3 04-08-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdriver

They're have to minimize the gaffe-ness of his gaffe. There are legions of people employed in DC who do this (for anyone in politics).

Oh, I'm all too aware of that fact, but why fan the flames with such an outrageous claim? Why not let it blow over? It's a mistake... so move on...

mwood · #4 04-08-2009, 06:52 PM

BFD

tankdriver · #5 04-08-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

Oh, I'm all too aware of that fact, but why fan the flames with such an outrageous claim? Why not let it blow over? It's a mistake... so move on...

Those C- guys have to land somewhere. Usually it's Columbus, but one snuck through the cracks I guess.

aklim · #6 04-08-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

Oh, I'm all too aware of that fact, but why fan the flames with such an outrageous claim? Why not let it blow over? It's a mistake... so move on...

What's a mistake? Trying to give the King a BJ in front of the media or that he exposes where his loyalties lie?

Ara T. · #7 04-08-2009, 07:16 PM

Isn't that the guy Bush kissed on the mouth? lol.

Big deal we have bigger issues to worry about.

aklim · #8 04-08-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

Big deal we have bigger issues to worry about.

I thought bowing to someone is to admit inferiority? Wonder how far he will go to appease the muslim world.

JollyRoger · #9 04-09-2009, 10:02 AM

My, my, what a "gaffe". But we can be grateful for one thing, given Bush's behavior, if it was Bush bowing, one would assume it was because he was about to commence an act of, shall we say, "oral fealty".

E150GT · #10 04-09-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I thought bowing to someone is to admit inferiority? Wonder how far he will go to appease the muslim world.

I dont know about in the Muslim world, but I dont think it means inferiority in the Asian world.

aklim · #11 04-09-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E150GT

I dont know about in the Muslim world, but I dont think it means inferiority in the Asian world.

Depends. If the bow is simultaneous, I would think it is a sign of respect. OTOH, you scumbags will bow to the Emperor or YOU will lose your head, not him (the Emperor)

During the Jap occupation, you will bow to the Jap flag or YOU will lose your head or worse.