White House: No bow to Saudi King

[GaryC 7]

Im sure someone will come along and say that its no big deal ...

Didn't take long did it?

[AlHayatZween 2]

If Obama was a white Republican, he wouldn't be bowing to a Saudi King.

:lol:

[AlHayatZween 2]

ok, i admit it...

i watched it... and i don't care that he bowed.

[Peikko 1,575]

Gary, you are a sensible person, don't tell me that you take this seriously? Say it isn't so

[GaryC 7]

Gary, you are a sensible person, don't tell me that you take this seriously? Say it isn't so

Sorry, Obama is the leader of this country. He is equal with any other leader. To bow like this is disgraceful IMO. This isn't Obama bashing for me. If Bush would have done it I would be equally upset.

Edited April 9, 2009 by GaryC

[Peikko 1,575]

Do you think it matters what the intent was with the alleged bow? Or is any symbolic gesture that implies subservience in your opinion enough to declare a person weak, or whatever it is you are suggesting by the 'it can't be done, oh no!' sentiment?

[Ban Hammer 13,651]

Im sure someone will come along and say that its no big deal ...

Didn't take long did it?

ssdd, eh?

[Niels Bohr 72]

Do you think it matters what the intent was with the alleged bow? Or is any symbolic gesture that implies subservience in your opinion enough to declare a person weak, or whatever it is you are suggesting by the 'it can't be done, oh no!' sentiment?

I was thinking that anything in real-time it makes it hard to pre-meditate. Like, in any event or party, when a person who you don't like and just appeared suddenly or you felt the urge to make sure everybody would like you, you would then shake their hand without thought.

I think that is what happened.

[Peikko 1,575]

I think it's a total over reaction to something that whatever it was, was definitely was not Obama subtly trying to convey the message that the US is ready to kowtow down to Saudi Arabia, or any other country for that matter. It is most likely that it was gauche, although it may merit 'gaffe' status, but some kind of presidential no no? Totally OTT.

Edited April 9, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[GaryC 7]

Do you think it matters what the intent was with the alleged bow? Or is any symbolic gesture that implies subservience in your opinion enough to declare a person weak, or whatever it is you are suggesting by the 'it can't be done, oh no!' sentiment?

Obama is our president. He represents everyone in our country. He is on equal footing with every other leader. I have no problem with signals of respect like the head bob for the queen or even kissing the ring of the pope. But the full on bow he did is a sign of subservence and was totaly wrong. It was if the USA was bowing with him. If the king would have returned the bow then it wouldn't have been a problem but that wasn't the case.

It was a gaff but it was a really big one so I will let it drop now.

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't mean to badger you Gary, but you are a reasonable person, and I am curious about this because I just don't understand why anyone would feel slighted by this. What makes you so, I don't know, upset about it? Do you think, honestly, that somehow Obama wishes to convey a message of American weakness toward Saudi America?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Do you think it matters what the intent was with the alleged bow? Or is any symbolic gesture that implies subservience in your opinion enough to declare a person weak, or whatever it is you are suggesting by the 'it can't be done, oh no!' sentiment?

I was thinking that anything in real-time it makes it hard to pre-meditate. Like, in any event or party, when a person who you don't like and just appeared suddenly or you felt the urge to make sure everybody would like you, you would then shake their hand without thought.

I think that is what happened.

I think you're right. Had he improperly greeted the King in a disrespectful way, it would have caused a firestorm. It looks like he improvised - like he saw the King extend his hand out and was trying interpret what to do. I thought maybe Obama kissed his ring (which is what you do with the Pope). He just got caught off guard - not knowing what to do. His staff needs to do a better job of preparing him on things like this.

Edited April 9, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[GaryC 7]

I don't mean to badger you Gary, but you are a reasonable person, and I am curious about this because I just don't understand why anyone would feel slighted by this. What makes you so, I don't know, upset about it? Do you think, honestly, that somehow Obama wishes to convey a message of American weakness toward Saudi America?

I have no idea what was in Obama's mind at the time. I wouldn't presume. I only know what it looked like to me. Mr Obama is our president and shouldn't be bowing to anyone. Lets just say I didn't like it at all.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Of course it could have been a mocking "#### you" bow.

In the video someone walks in front of the camera at the same time the alleged bow takes place.

If this were a sporting event we'd need a different camera angle before changing the final score.

Edited April 9, 2009 by Private Pike

[Peikko 1,575]

Of course, everyone has a right to feel however they feel. It comes across to me though, as if this outcry about how 'terrible' this is, this display of servitude by a president (which I do not for one moment believe he felt as it happens) is made 1000 times worse by the people who rush to criticize it in public. At the very least, I would have thought that toward the outside world, a display of absolute confidence and solidarity with one's leader would be the way to go. Mind you, who I am to say? I don't have any of these feelings to have them slighted in the first place so I guess I simply don't understand the machinations you people go through over meaningless body language.