Obama's bow to the Saudi King - Page 3

DaemonSeid · #1 04-19-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

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.

RU OX Alum · #2 04-13-2009, 06:19 AM

I don't think a bow to the Emperor of Japan would be that out of line.

Don't really feel comfortable with what I saw in that video though.

PM_Mama00 · #3 04-13-2009, 08:52 AM

Has he been treating other leaders with the same "respect" that he treated Saudi's King? I haven't really read anything about it.

DaemonSeid · #4 04-13-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Has he been treating other leaders with the same "respect" that he treated Saudi's King? I haven't really read anything about it.

Either way, It can't be ruled out that now he doesn't have any foreign relations experience...LOL

Munchkin03 · #5 04-13-2009, 09:54 AM

We're still talking about this?

PM_Mama00 · #6 04-13-2009, 03:16 PM

On the morning talk show on our local rock station, they were discussing this. More people were pissed off that the White House lied and said he didn't bow, than the fact that he did.

Some called in with excuses for it. Lol one lady thinks he farted. One thinks that he had bad stomach cramping. Obviously they weren't being serious.

dekeguy · #7 04-13-2009, 03:48 PM

Heads of State do not "kow tow" to each other. A "court bow" (quick inclination of the head but not the shoulders) is the way it should be done. It conveys respect while the deep bow suggests subservience, which is why State Department Protocol advises against it.
The President is our Head of State so it was just an unfortunate faux pas. The intricate nature of diplomatic nuances is confusing enough to professional diplomats. The President is really new to this specific aspect of political life so there is a learning curve to be surmounted. I am confident he did not mean to imply subservience so he just needs better briefers to explain the nuances and not just try to tell him what to do.
Some time back I had the opportunity to meet several members of the British Royal Family on a few occasions when I was stationed in the UK. When I was presented to HM the first time I was in uniform so I came to attention and saluted. She nodded in return and seeing my Cavalry insignia asked if I rode. I replied that unfortunately I was serving with an armored cavalry regiment and there were very few opportunities for proper riding. Very informal yet in a very formal setting.
The second time was at Oxford. I was in civilian clothes so I stood straight, gave a quick nod of my head and waited until she extended her hand. Much to my surprise she asked me if I had found the opportunity to ride a bit since our last conversation. I did not see anyone prompt her and I was amazed that she remembered a brief conversation from several months earlier. Then, to finish me off completely, HRH Prince Philip cut in and suggested that perhaps something could be arranged for me to ride "whilst" at Oxford. He then asked if I had my "kit" with me or should he have his equerry organise something suitable.
Needless to say I was amazed and completely snowed. But then again, they have been at the game for many many years and know just how to stay formal while putting everyone at ease.

OK, bottom line. I didn't like seeing the President bow so low to a foreign head of state, but two things occur to me. First, let's cut him some slack, he has a lot to pick up on while running the country in a time of great challenges. Second, he is the President and while I hope he doesn't do this sort of thing all the time I figure he can set the rules since he IS the President.

PhiGam · #8 04-13-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

I don't think a bow to the Emperor of Japan would be that out of line.

Don't really feel comfortable with what I saw in that video though.

I agree with you 100%. Because of the history and tradition surrounding the Japanese emperor and the fact that Japan is very friendly and open economically with our country I would also be OK with that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

We're still talking about this?

Yes, I know its blasphemous to talk about the all-powerful savior Obama but some of us don't appreciate being lied to or our leader bowing to such a horrible man.

Munchkin03 · #9 04-13-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Yes, I know its blasphemous to talk about the all-powerful savior Obama but some of us don't appreciate being lied to or our leader bowing to such a horrible man.

Seriously? You don't have a clue about my political leanings. I just don't believe in beating a dead horse.

PhiGam · #10 04-13-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Seriously? You don't have a clue about my political leanings. I just don't believe in beating a dead horse.

So keep bumping the thread... that will change everything.

Kevin · #11 04-14-2009, 10:23 AM

PhiGam, why do you hate America?

MysticCat · #12 04-14-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiGam

. . . but some of us don't appreciate being lied to . . . .

Oh, I didn't catch that we had moved to talking about weapons of mass destruction.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

nate2512 · #13 04-15-2009, 09:56 PM

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.

PM_Mama00 · #14 04-16-2009, 09:35 AM

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.

KSigkid · #15 04-16-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

believe whatever the hell you want and move on.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

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

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.