While we may not be in attendance at affairs of state attended by our president, through the use of technology we have an opportunity to see around the globe supported by YouTube videos that have not been altered.
Ben Smith’s blog includes a three and a half minute video of the recent G-20 gathering of world leaders in London. One minute into that video we can see president Obama bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
Following is the blog report and video that speaks volumes about our president’s bad judgment in his role as leader of our country. He is not a subject of Saudi Arabia. We have been told by Barack Obama that “I won” making him the leader of the United States of America for the next four years. As such he should not bow to anyone in authority representing another nation.
April 08, 2009
White House: No bow to Saudi
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.
Gilbert note. While the commentator is speaking in Spanish you can still view the video for yourself at the following link:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/White_House_No_bow_to_Saudi.html
Firstly, the White House was stupid to deny that that was a bow. They really should spend a lot more time not caring about getting their feelings hurt by those on the right.
Secondly, so what if he bowed? You ever heard of being polite? To call this making a mountain out of a molehill would be the understatement of the century.
I know you righties don’t want to acknowledge the global village that we are now a part of. I know the fact that we can’t make the rest of the world bow to our will like we used to frightens you. But c’mon, you’re gonna give yourself an ulcer living in fear.
anon,
I think you are missing the point.
#1 Why would they deny it if it was no big deal and he was just being polite?
#2 A subjet Bows to a king, not the leader of the free world.
#3 Bush was crucified when he held the hand of this same man, by the “Liberal Media”, and you give BO a pass.
#4 I thought BO and his team are the smartest people in the world who refined and schooled in protocol? He was not suppoed to be some “Cowboy”.
Dude, is an Idiot, and he was the ONLY Guy to BOW to him, and then his people are so dumb they deny it??? Have they never heard of you tube?
anon. Being polite does not include bowing to another world leader.
PS: Did you watch the video or are you simply shooting from the hip.
Holy crap! What a non-issue.
Larry,
So, how long before he is Bowing to Kim Jong Ill, Fidel Castro, and Mahmud akmadontknowtospelljihad? Boy did we ever show them we mean Business!
David.
Would you please tell that to Bill O’Reilly over at FOX. He just covered this issue with Dennis Miller
Bigmarkod,
Re; #1; As I suggested, they would deny it because they’re scared shitless about what loons on the right are going to make of it.
Re; #1; A person can bow to any damn person they want to. Period. On top of that, King Abdullah IS a king. Hello!
Re; #3; There’s just one glaring difference to the comparison. And to learn about that difference, I’d suggest you read “House of Bush, House of Saud” by Craig Unger.
Re; #4; Who said they’re the smartest people in the world? Thanks for that straw dog argument. As I originally stated, it was dumb to deny that he bowed. There’s absolutely no reason in the world for them to rationalize to people like you.
Larry,
I did watch the video. And you’re still making a mountain out of a molehill.
“Would you please tell that to Bill O’Reilly over at FOX. He just covered this issue with Dennis Miller”
I am SHOCKED!! LOL!!
larry,
I wonder if holding the King of Saudi Arabia’s hand is less or more respectful? Isnt that what GW Bush did when the king visited his at the white house?
Folks. Candidate Obama promised us “change” and he is keeping that promise.
KFI just dealt with this (bow)issue this morning.
My question. did our president bow to the Queen of England or is he selective in whom to pay that courtesy?
“Would you please tell that to Bill O’Reilly over at FOX. He just covered this issue with Dennis Miller”
Aw, c’mon Larry. This is the kind of chickenshit they’re still peddling over at Red County. All the mock outrage just isn’t going to sell. This is part of a continuing strategy by the GOP to paint Obama as an un-American, Muslim masquerader, etc. It didn’t work in Novermber and now it’s even more desperate. Sowing these seeds is going to result is a really meager harvest.
As an American, I felt offended and morally hurt for the gesture of bowing Mr. OB gave to the king. Very well he may feel the need to do it so. But let me remind his supporters that he did it during an Official trip. He used AF #1 and our taxes to go to all these Nations. I’m not going to say he can’t do it.
However, the minimum he could do is behave with dignity. He can do and say anything he wants behind doors …. but in public, he doesn’t need bowing or go badmouthing his predecessor(s).
Paul and David.
You are each avoiding my question. Did president Obama bow to the Queen of England when meeting her in her home country?
If you feel this was simply a friendly gesture why is he selective in deciding which foreign ruler to bow before?
I am a liberal Democrat and I unfortunately agree that Obama should not have bowed. At first I thought it was just a sign of respect to another leader. That being said, he should have bowed just as big to the Queen Of England as he did to the King of Saudi Arabia. However, with Obama being the leader of our nation, I do believe he showed our country disrepect by lowering his head to royalty. We fought a war to escape royalty even if we may be allies with them now. They should all be on equal footing since they are all leaders and NOBODY should bow. By Obama being the only one to bow, he showed the world weakness.
Well you guys wanted “Change”.
LOL