That really did have me laughing out loud.

The statement that's in Ben Smith's blog is the one I was talking about that comes from an un-named aide, which I don't consider a White House statement, per se. She-who-should-not-be-named's site had the same quote as the story that honeychile linked, which I had missed -- I missed a lot of news last week. That clearly is an official response (or, um, non-response.)

And I call truce -- I accept that you're truly bothered by it. ;)

"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.

As quoted from the Politco


Hell, that could have been the janitor saying that.


GIBBS: No, I think he bent over with both, to shake -- with both hands to shake his hand, so I don't--

From The Huff...

wow.

You know what...fuck it...there is really no proof...some of you aren't going to be convinced one way or another...believe whatever the hell you want and move on.

BTW...in some 'real' news...Al Franken won the MN senate seat.

Okay, for all you "open-minded" people. You're being so close-minded right now it's ridiculous, there is no way in hell our Commander-in-Chief should be bowing to anyone. When we go to war with a country, we don't bow, shake hands with them and wish them luck do we? Our job as America should be use diplomacy when its called for, but at the same time we should the fear of God into everyone else and put them in their place. And I agree with Phi Gam, it's ok to blast bush cause he's a "dumb redneck" from Texas. But forbid we do it to the almighty obama. You people need a reality check.

I have to agree somewhat with Nate. Some of you are treating Obama like he is some kind of god.

Then again there were some Bush supporters who treated Bush like that too.

DS...while I don't think this whole thing was a big deal, you, better than anyone, should know how difficult it is sometimes to "move on" when you think a President did something incorrectly (especially when you didn't vote for that specific President).

But, again, personally I don't see the big deal with any of this.

I don't see that at all in this thread - I see people disagreeing about the seriousness of this, or even if he bowed at all, but I haven't seen anyone in this thread treat the President like he's a "god."

The simple fact is, there are some people who were all over Bush who aren't going say a bad word about Obama (no matter what), and people who supported Bush who will be all over Obama (no matter what). That's the political climate, take it or leave it.

no one is doing that. those people are just being realistic on this issue in relation to bigger things.

I should have mentioned that I was speaking in terms of other threads also. It's like an "Obama can do no wrong" mentality. But I know that there are Bush supporters who do the same. That was my point.

Exactly..."When in Rome, do as the Romans do".

I wonder what people will do and say if Obama goes to Japan? Japan definitely does bowing, when two people meet and greet each other.

I think that there is a height differential when bowing amongst your peers...like your status determines how low you should go to acknowledge the other.

Yes, its just like in martial arts. The student bows lower to the ground than the teacher and the student must both initiate the bow and wait for the teacher to finish bowing before standing up again. If Obama went to Japan then him and the emperor should bow to approximately equal levels. In Saudi Arabia, he bowed to the King and the King smiled.

It's sad to see people saying that an American leader shouldn't show respect to leaders of other countries. Perhaps that is why the US is held in such contempt around the world. Perhaps this move by OBama to show some respect is why he has such favor around the world with other leaders.

I think American arrogance is about to be nipped int he bud with this new administration and it is refreshing.

As for Michelle and the Queen...seems like most people conveniently want to ignore the fact that the Queen was the one who initiated the "affectionate moment" when she put her arm around Michelle. Michelle simply responded in kind. Perhaps the real issue in all of this is that there is a group of people who just don't want to accept the fact that the Queen showed this particular First Lady more affection than she has ever really shown any other First Lady or leader. I think it is wonderful, and it is just more proof of how much people really like the Obamas.

I would also like to add that one thing that makes the Obamas so popular is how "real" they are. They know when to stick strictly with protocol and when to add just the right personal touch. Again, this kind of thing is refreshing. Sometimes protocol and tradition should be set aside.

http://www.pledgepark.com/images/smi..._deadhorse.gif

I mean really...can we move on now???

This is like the one thread EVER that's stayed on topic, come one now.

True...but the vultures have circled the carcass for some time now...I say let them eat.

Note to self: Save this image if it kills you.