Obama's bow to the Saudi King

[PhiGam]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Has Obama met the Emperor of Japan and I missed it? That said, perhaps its because our diplomatic relations with Japan and the UK are much more stable than our relationship with Saudi Arabia. Perhaps its because, unlike Elizabeth II and Akihito, who are heads of state but not of government, Abdullah actually has power, along with influence throughout a large chunk of the world where we need friends with influence. I don't know.

I'll agree it was inappropriate and unfortunate. But I'm with dekeguy and others on this -- in the grand scheme of things it's just not that big a deal to me.

Not what I said at all, nor would I say it. I simply observed that your comments on the subject, and the tenor of your comments on the subject, suggest that your real beef is with Obama himself. If that's not the case, that's not the case, but that is how it looks to me. 'Course, I'll admit my perception may be faulty because I really can't see much other reason to get too upset over this. Other things, sure; this, not so much.

So you were bothered by Bush's bow to Pope John Paul II, then?

And serious request: Can you point me to "the lie from the White House"? All I have been able to find is a response (that Obama was stooping to shake the king's hand) attributed to an anonymous aide. I don't think I'd consider that a White House statement, much less a lie from Obama. Is there an actual statement or response from the White House?

Well, this really does bother me a great deal. I in fact was bothered by Bush's bow to the pope, but that is not the issue in question here.

As for the white house denial: http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmi..._to_Saudi.html

And here is a week later when the press sec angrily dismissed a question about it: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_185281.html

Both links are from liberal sites. God... I hate Huffington and would advise you to only read the quotes.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

God... I hate Huffington and would advise you to only read the quotes.

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.

[DaemonSeid]

"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.