“Bow” as in “a show of obeisance,” that is, not “a thing that shoots arrows.”
Although this bow sure is getting under the skin of a whole lotta crazy kooky conservative right-wing pundits. They’ve been going completely bonkers over President Obama allegedly bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia at the G-20 summit in London last week. “U.S. Presidents don’t bow to royalty!”, they squeal. “Bill Clinton was rebuked for even hinting at bowing to the Emperor of Japan! Wahhhh!”
What the heck are these crybabies whining about? Let’s take a look:
Come on, that wasn’t a bow. Obama was just bending over to pick up something he dropped: 200+ years of American diplomatic tradition.
But seriously, folks. There seem to be two defenses for this, which are mutually exclusive: 1) “It’s no big deal, he was just being polite, who cares, don’t you have anything better to worry about?” 2) “You didn’t really see what you saw.” For an example of the latter, here’s Politico.com:
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.
So now we’re calling the Saudis liars for taking note of the obvious. International diplomacy is clearly too complex and sophisticated for me to decipher. It’s going to take a while to adjust to this bold new era of unprecedented transparency.
I’m fascinated by the sort of mind that can dismiss this diplomatic gaffe as no big deal while at the same time backing up the White House’s denial that it ever happened, which is why I’m looking forward to reading the comments.
Oh, and in the interest of fairness: It should be noted that George W. Bush was photographed holding hands and making kissy-face with Abdullah, as is apparently traditional in Saudi Arabia. It should also be noted that George W. Bush never tried to deny it.
(Hat tip to the enemies of the state over at HotAir.com)
Update: Wonk”ette” responds with the wit and insight for which it has become antonymous. My complete surrender to such superior reasoning is here.
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I’m a middle of the road kind of guy. It seem that far right is doing what the left did for eight years. To me, it was more of an act of respect, not “fealty”.
Well, now we’re being told it was an act of tallness.
lol I accidentaly stumbled upon the “kissy-face” picture couple hours ago while surfing the web. It was titled “Homoerotic Bush”.
But back to the sitting President. Bowing to King Abdullah? Lame. Especially considering that the Saudi monarchs are not technically “royalty”, but more like usurpers and invaders. And even if they were bona-fide royalty, bowing, Obama? Might as well kneel. That king Abdullah is quite a charmer, I mean, judging by how our presidents react to him…hmmm he must be a lot more attractive and appealing in person.
That is true, if you listen to the spin doctors. I see nothing wrong with giving respect to your contemporary number like QE2 or the Emperor of Japan. However, if meeting with the Iranian PM or somebody like that, I’d do the “pull the hand away and scratch the head” trick.
I was taught that in order to get respect, you have to give respect. So far it has worked out fairly well for me. But then again, I’m not the leader of a nation.
First Michelle touches the Queen, and now this. I don’t know what to make of it, honestly. Why is it that other cultures can’t respect American tradition occasionally and go for a simple handshake and call it a day?
Nati, you’re close on your point. I lived in Saudi Arabia for four years and while in school, we had to take one semester of local history. If memory serves, King Saud actually was a Bedoin and he united all the tribes and kicked out the invaders. British, I think. After the skirmish was done, all the tribes appointed him king. From that time on, the ruling house has been the Saud house. So, for the Saudi’s, the house of Saud is royalty.
Swede, the thing is what he did is not even considered appropriate. Apparently, it’s not an appropriate protocol or an appropriate act of respect, if you will…I mean, if being respectful and showing respect was indeed what Obama was trying to do. I have no idea what that bow was motivated by.
And also, looks like it’s just the two of us leaving comments here today. Simon has scared everybody else off with his unfriendly ways.
Bush did hold hands and make the “kissy face” and the media totally lampooned him for it. Does anyone expect them to make a big deal out of this itsy-bitsy slap to the face of American tradtion?
Oh, sorry, Chronic, didn’t see you there
I agree, Obama should have just shaken his hand or should have done whatever else is considered the appropriate protocol. He could have also held hands with him…like GB. lmao@that pic of them “strolling through spring flowers” hand in hand
Nati, what you said is true. I guess the “When in Rome…” comes into play. Motivation for the bow??????
I’m am now off work so I’ll pick this up in the morning. Have a good evening everybody.
This, combined with their hug-the-Queen-like-she’s-your-grandma crap in the UK and what looked like Michelle’s attempt at some girl-on-girl action with Bruni in France, just tells me the Obamas have no. Freaking. Idea how to act. I mean, he can read a teleprompter, and Lanternjaw McToned can wear a[n ugly] sweater, and I guess they’re both fully poseable, but…no concept of how to act, or how to represent the US.
Grrrrr!
Swede, I was actually referring to the Saud family earlier exploits (in early 19th century), when they united the tribes and raided into Syria, Messopotamia, the Hejaz and managed to capture Mecca. That’s what I meant when I said “invaders”. That’s why I always thought that the Saud family were technically the tribesemen leaders and the self-proclaimed royalty. Well, if the Saudis consider them royalty, I guess I was wrong. But regardelss of the Saud family status in their country I still think what Obama did was a faux pas.
Appears there is a total void where the chief of protocol should be.
Exactly, Nati. Even I’m not expected to curtsey to the Queen being an American citizen. Not that I imagine ever being in that situation just because I live in the UK. She keeps nagging me about getting together for tea and all, but who has the time?
Beige, I didn’t see the Bruni thing. All of England was in WTF mode over the Queen thing.
I was going to ask what people thought about Michelle squooging up the Queen, actually. The Daily Mail, from what I saw, was fawning over Michelle’s “special relationship” or some stupid thing, like they’ve been pen pals since 1982 or something and Michelle brought some rilly good mac n’ cheese to share. Sweet smoking Judas.
the Saud family’s status *fixed*
I missed the attempted groping of Bruni, too. I always miss all the cool stuff
I’ll now search the net for some “Homoerotic Mrs. O.”. No wonder she’s so manly.
The Daily Mail is a trash rag, Beige. It’s barely a step above The National Enquirer or Star. The people going on about the “special relationship” are probably the very same people who worship the Obamas on this side of the pond and wore their “Down With Capitalism” and Che Guevara tee shirts for the G20 protests. Sweet smoking Judas, indeed! (I love that and must find a way to work it into a conversation: Sweet smoking Judas… that’s just hysterically funny). Most people were like, “Who the hell does she think she is touching our Queen like that? How freakin’ rude.” Cause in reality, from what I have gathered here, most people are cool with the monarchy being what it is these days, but when it comes down to getting rid of it altogether, it’s like suggesting their mother give you a Dirty Sanchez.
LMAO, Nati! Maybe Michelle should give Sam Ronson a call. I hear she’s free now.
SERIOUSLY? I had heard that the DM was considered rather more right-wing than other UK publications, but I had no idea it’s in the birdcage-liner category. Huh. You learn something every day, I guess.
And ditto on the Ronson bit. Samantha has a JOB, which makes her a bit out of Octomom’s league, I think.
my comments wouldn’t go through again
I posted the links to some homo- and heteroerotic pics I found. Michelle tried to smooch both Sarkozy and his wife. May be my links were no good 
It is pretty right wing on a lot of issues, but Obama transcends that, and so do a lot of green issues. And they are totally hypocritical too, because in the Femail section, they have one article praising so and so for her amazing weight loss, then slam a celebrity for losing weight just a column over. Ever notice that?
Awww, I’ll have to look for it, Nati. No worries!
I found one more here:
http://media.elnuevoherald.com/smedia/2009/04/04/13/OTAN-
wonder if this one will go through
okay, this 1 went through, but it redirects to the wrong page. Weird. Sorry.
try this 1:
http://www.repubblica.it/2006/05/gallerie/esteri/bruni-obama2/19.html
Aw, I can’t believe I missed it when it was in El Nuevo Herald. I love that paper! But I got the second link. It does look a bit … er… close. Thanks for the links!
Yeah, CM, I noticed they turned into the All-Jade Goody, All-the-Time paper, too. Bleah.
This one here shows both Obamas trying to cope a cheap feel:
http://www.hbvl.be/nieuws/buitenland/carla-bruni-kust-michelle-obama-niet.aspx
I think I’m enjoying this whole breaking of the protocol situation a little bit more than a good patriotic citizen should
Aww, Nati. Go have some pie.
Beige, give it a few weeks. They’ll turn on Jade.
lol Por ti, Chronic, the El Nuevo Herald story:
http://www.elnuevoherald.com/258/story/420188.html
Thanks, Nati!
I meant, para ti..awww I got confused
too many languages at the same time. Sorry 
I find it interesting that ALL the articles I managed to find were foreign btw
Esta bien, Nati. Lo entendi! I write horribly in Spanish too. I speak it and read it no problem, but I write it like a kid.
I made a total gwyneth out of myself
LMAO, Nati! No you didn’t! Por ti isn’t terrible, especially if Spanish isn’t your first language, which you have not claimed. It’s “for you”, though in a different context, like saying “I did this for you” as opposed to “This is for you.” You’re no Gwyneth. If you were Gwyneth, you would be directing me to Spanish articles in Portuguese and acting as though I should understand.
Simon can’t scare me away, I have way too big a crush on him
Actually I read this post like 20 seconds after it was posted, but couldn’t think of anything to say. I still can’t think of anything to say, except, “Uhh . . . wow.”
I always confuse the two. Doesn’t “por ti” sometimes also mean “by you” (depending on the context, I mean)? I thought it did. I suck
Yes, it does, Nati. And no, you don’t suck. Spanish isn’t that easy.
Por ti, can mean “by you”, and “for you” in the context I described above. There are a few things like that in Spanish that if you don’t speak it, hear it, or read it a lot, it’s easy to get confused with.
“This, combined with their hug-the-Queen-like-she’s-your-grandma crap in the UK and what looked like Michelle’s attempt at some girl-on-girl action with Bruni in France, just tells me the Obamas have no. Freaking. Idea how to act.”
Tell me about it. That, and the embarrassingly cheap and easy gifts they gave to Gordon Brown and the Queen.
Anybody’s who’s watched an old epic movie or The Tudors or anything can figure out what sort of gifts you’re supposed to give to a fellow national leader. You know, like, “I bring you rare fruits from our highest mountain and the dagger of our king Thingy-Whatsit, used in battle against the invading Whosits in the fight for our independence.” You don’t give somebody DVDs (that don’t work in his area) or an Ipod. You give them, like, Jefferson’s old book or Lincoln’s old fountain pen or maybe something owned by a president who had a particularly good relationship with their country. Hellooooooooo.
You know, if this is how they act around and gift foreign leaders, how do you think they act around and gift everyone else? I’d hate to be on their Christmas list.
Re: bowing. I actually have ancestors who fought the British so that we didn’t have to bow to monarchs. And while I don’t consider myself more American than people whose ancestors came over more recently, it kind of PISSES ME OFF that our President is bowing to other rulers. Bowing is not part of traditional greetings to one’s peers anymore, and bowing to a ruler is the equivilent of saying “you are my superior”. You are an American, and while that doesn’t make you better than anyone else, it doesn’t make anyone else better than you!
And that was not a height thing. You can reach a shorter persons hands without bowing, especially if that person is only a few inches shorter than you are!
honestly this is not a big deal. didnt they just freak out last week when mrs. obama half hugged the queen? isnt she rolity? isnt that why they freaked? i think this is just another case of right wing chrisitian rasisim ( i only say christian because i go to a christian high school and see this type of raceism every day, me being on the left get in to many arguments about it) honestly its a sign of respect. maybe he was jus ttrying to cover himself for the flub with the queen. no matter what he does people are gonna ahve a problem with it.
I would just like to point out for posterity that I called this one during the election. When everyone was going on and on about how Obama was the only one who could fix the diplomatic mess we’ve been in – my response was: how? What has he done in the past that proves he can (or even has a clue HOW TO) schmooze with foreign dignitaries? His entire cabinet is amateur hour personified. I mean, a DVD collection that won’t even play in a European DVD player? For Christ’s sake, even I know that DVDs are region-specific. At least he hasn’t bought anything (that I’ve heard about) that can’t be plugged in over there yet.
I find this incredibly funny in light of all the shit Bush took for having ‘handlers’ like Cheney and Rove – which are exactly the kind of people who would step in and prevent someone from doing something stupid like that.
Hee. King Thingy-Whatsit. Hee!
Yeah, I thought the crappy DVD thing was insulting on so many levels. As in, “Here’s your K-Mart gift. That doesn’t work in your country, because I DON’T CARE. And also, because I bet you’ve never seen one of these things; they’re meant to be played on that square glowing thing in your living room, you savage.” SO gauche, and I don’t use that word often.
Am I the only one who likes it when these things happen? Regardless of the party affiliation the current president has, I always enjoy the SNL sketches and late night talk show monologue jokes that result from these gaffes. Every president commits the occasional faux pas. We may as well get a laugh out of them!
Wow – it took 44 comments before someone accused us all of being racist! It usually happens much faster than that.
We’d better back off though, after all, I wouldn’t want to be known as an internet ‘rasist’ in that ever important Christian High School inner circle.
Wow, you would think that being an atheist with a black great grandmother would give me a little leeway in critizing St. Barack.
Jesse Rose, maybe you should spend a little more time paying attention in class, and a little less time arguing with “rasist” classmates. You could learn to spell, and possibly find a way to defend our president without having to resort to the already very tired “OMG rasisim!, ahem, I mean the racism card.
On the kissy face thing with the Frenchies, I seem to recall reading that Carla didn’t do the double smootch with Obambi, just a handshake.
I wasn’t sure if it was a case of Carla fearing that Napoleon would go gastric over her kissing another man, or if the press would play it that she was a french-fried racist.
Turns out, nobody made much of a deal out of it… at least on this side of the swimming pool.
When do they start?
And for those who think Obama’s little bow was a sign of respect, King Abbie might not still be King Abbie if he’d have bowed to an American President. If it’s so darn respectful, then it should be a mutual thing, like the Japanese do.
Bowing to royalty is never a sign of respect and never has been at any time throughout western history. Bowing is offering up the back of your neck, an indication that your life is totally in their hands.
Honestly, I’m waiting for Americans in general to regrow a pair when it comes to all this groveling and scraping.
An event during the London Olympics of 1908 is still (I believe) the single greatest encapsulation of the attitude we should have about these niceties. During the procession, all teams were asked to dip their flags as they passed King Edward VII, and they all did, except for the Americans. When asked why afterwords, team Captain Martin Sheridan famously said “This flag dips to no earthly king.”
When your entire basis of civilization is founded on overthrowing an asshole who claimed God gave him the power to govern you as he saw fit – you probably shouldn’t bend over backwards for those who still believe it.
When I read the article, I was all like, “Okay, so he nodded his head or something and it’s all gunna be like ambiguous and stuff and people can’t decide if he bowed or not.” And then I watched the video.
What the what? That was SO a bow! Way to lure me in, Simon.
And the only way that “he’s taller than the king” spiel would have worked was if the king was three feet tall. Obama looked like one of those bobbing birds you put on the side of a glass and then tip them so they look like they’re taking a drink over and over. Or maybe it’s just me.
Simon, how come the video has no sound? I wonder what they might have said to each other during the bow…Hmmm…
Barack Obama: Oh Abdullah, I promise I’ll be as good as George…actually, no, I’ll be even better…Just let me see what I’m working with here (bows) Oooohhhh me likeeee. Oh Abdullah, by the time I’m finished with you you’ll forget who George Bush was. Are you free tonight?
King Abdullah: Well, I guess I could reschedule some of the beheadings.
Barack Obama: Cool, I’ll see you then. (leaves)
King Abdullah: Oh yeah, still got it, baby.
I guess it should be Queen Abdullah then. And they should rename that Michelle Obama comic too. “Michelle Obama – the adventures of the amazing homowoman.”
As I read in a comment an little green footballs: “He wasn’t bowing, he was just reading the TelePrompTer on the floor.”
It wasn’t a bow. It was a curtsy–his knee was bent–and that makes it much worse! We’re doomed.
Can we transfer that “miserable failure” Google bomb from Dubya over to the Chosen One? I never bought the hope and change schtick, but even if there hadn’t been such hype, this still would have been an embarrassingly bad start to an administration. Or maybe I’m just rasist.
So he bowed? It’s a sign of respect, not obedience. And the king probably would have been affronted and VERY pissed had the President not done so.
Sometimes you have to be diplomatic to get things done.
Jade, that’s the issue. It’s not a sign of respect unless you are in Japan and the person you are meeting for the first time is bowing too. Bowing to a monarch is a sign obedience and submission. That’s why Americans do not bow. I mentioned this in another post, but it’s as good example as any to use – I am American, and live in England, and I am just your average no one. If I were to meet Queen Elizabeth II, I would not be expected to curtsey, even though I reside in her realm. I would just shake her hand only if she offered it, because as the Queen of the realm where I reside, I am obligated to show respect for her position without bowing and scraping to it. But other than addressing her correctly and following the protocol expected of a foreigner, that would be it. Now, before you say, “Well, that’s just England, we’re talking about Saudi Arabia…”
As a world leader, bowing to another world leader is all kinds of wrong, no matter what the setting. I initially didn’t think it was that big a deal when I first posted, but yeah, the more I thought about it, the more disturbing it became. Simply put, world leaders owe one another respect, not submission. Respect is diplomatic, bowing and scraping is submission. Why should Obama bow to a Saudi when he doesn’t bow to the Queen? Bowing, throughout history, is applicable when one is submitting, swearing fealty, or paying homage, which is not what Obama was in SA for. He is owed respect as well due to his status, meaning no world leader should bow to him, or vice versa.
I was about to head off to bed when Scott F. pointed out jesse rose’s comment. I threw in a quick comment, but am now going to expand on that. It truly shows a lack of imagination for debate when any criticism of Barack Obama is reduced to an accusation of racism. It could even be argued that calling “racism” on every such criticism is in and of itself, racist. It implies that the person making the accusation is not seeing beyond the color of his skin themselves.
What a joke. I only bow to Queen Latifah.
It was not a bow. He was meeting you know who…
http://www.anorak.co.uk/politicians/206832.html
CM, that last post was honestly just about brilliant, and you said everything I would have said if I’d thought of it.
Thanks, Beige.
Ya know, This idiot is really starting to tick me off. First, he has an Office of Protocal and he needs to start using them. First, apologizing to everyone for us being an arrogant nation when many of them would not be successful or free without our help. Then, to do this crap while he is overseas is ridiculous. The hypocracy is the fact that had Bush done these things, the MSM would be all over it for days calling him stupid and the comedians would not let it go. All Obama gets is that he was taller so he wanted to bend Down? The bigger crap hole is that people are buying that excuse.
okay, stepping down off of my soapbox.
Once again the big Hypocrisy here is the the current administration has denied what everyone has seen on a hundred different news channels across the country. Why is no one calling them on these blatent lies and taking them to task for trying to white wash EVERYTHING?
“I actually have ancestors who fought the British so that we didn’t have to bow to monarchs. And while I don’t consider myself more American than people whose ancestors came over more recently, it kind of PISSES ME OFF that our President is bowing to other rulers.”
Yeah, and my great-great grandfather didn’t march with Sherman so this country’s first black president could bow to someone like a slave.
Some people just don’t have any sense of what this country was founded on and how much so many people sacrificed to keep it that way. I think the first time I really thought about it was when I was a freshman in college and my grandfather was in the hospital. He stepped on a land mine on one Pacific island or another during WWII and almost lost his leg. Even though the doctors managed to save it, he had multiple fragments in his leg for the rest of his life and he spent decades working in the fields and not complaining about the pain. He got diabetes in his seventies and by his late eighties, the bomb fragments and the circulation problems from diabetes meant that he had to have first some of his toes removed and then eventually his legs up to the mid-calves.
Anyway, he was in the hospital, and while my mom and I were visiting him one of the doctors came to check on him. After the doctor asked him about the pain (which my grandfather didn’t want to admit he had) and medication, he asked if my grandfather had fought in World War II. My grandfather said he had and mentioned almost losing his leg in the Pacific. Then the doctor said, “Well, sir, you took good care of this country, and now we’re going to take good care of you.” I just started crying.
Not to be juvenile but BHO is the bigegst assclown in the world. I guess he wanted to just one-up W.
“Why, W held hands with the king! I’m going to go one better and try to fellate him!”
The whole “rasism” thing, besides being illiterate, is the laziest, most knee-jerk ridiculous foolishness I’ve seen in my 41 years. Every time I read or hear that crap, it confirms for me that the doofus making that third-grade argument makes his or her every decision based on race, which (as CM said above) IS racist. I notice we’re still waiting for the first black British PM, for example. Or did I sleep through it?
Face it: Barry is incompetent. He was shoehorned into the Oval Office on a wave of hysteria and utterly unfounded adulation, and he simply is not up to the task. Whether he’s Soros’ sock puppet or someone else’s, he clearly is not his own man, which in a racial context is all the sadder and more ironic. And I’m basing that assessment on a LOT more than his show of obeisance to a despot like the Saudi king, although said show sure didn’t help him.
Rats. The “for example” bit is an artifact from a bit I cut, pertaining to how “racist” the US supposedly is. Pretend that’s in there.
That was NOT a bow! He was MOONING the United States, ala Randy Moss.
Jrod, he’s been doing that since January.
Hey, I finally thought of a comment, you guys!
You can’t blame Obama for not knowing that Americans don’t bow to royalty. He’s not American!
(beams)
Three cheers for Habanada!!!
He wasn’t bowing! One of the puppet strings snapped, is all.
Good morning all, just got myself caught up and there are some good points being made. Then of course there are some moronic ones as well.
Habanada and Jrod, that was spot on. I’m glad I didn’t have my morning coffee yet.
Nati, thanks for the clarification on the invaders point.
And it seems that Beige, ScottF, and Nati are my heros for the day.
Sweet, Habanada!
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’ve been lurking on this site for so long and been able to resist posting comments. You all are so clever, insightful, and well-informed. I love reading the comments! And I must say, the patriotic stories on this one really brought a proud American tear to my eye: Scott F.’s reminder about the Olympic flag-tipping story and the tale of Tal’s grandfather. Beautiful!
I agree that the bow is just another in a long line of dunder-headed moves by BHO. It’s like he doesn’t know how to *think* in situations. That’s why people have to write his words and put them on a screen for him. That’s why someone should have come up with a better gift that DVDs and toys and electronics. Maybe he should appoint a czar of Not Looking Like an Idiot.
The hypocrisy is what is amazing, though. If it was just respect, then why didn’t they bow/curtsey to the Queen of England as well? It it was because he was too tall, then why didn’t it look like that when he met the Queen, who is about 4 feet shorter?! And if he’s supposed to have the transparent administration that he promised, then why are they lying about this? And, as with everything Obama does, can you just imagine if Bush had done it, what the media would be saying right now?
Good grief, you guys are on fire today (and last night)! I laughed, I cried, I LOVED reading all the comments! I don’t have anything better to add but I will totally steal a comment left over at Hot Air about this…bet the King is saying to BO, “While your down there…”. Made me snort, thought you might like it.
Sweet mother of all things good and nacho cheesy. He can’t even manage a proper salute to a Marine waiting outside his helicopter and he farking *bows* to the House of Saud.
I am so incredibly disgusted.
God I love this website…..all comments come off uber funny when you read them in an angry or sarcastic tone. By the way, I was not being sarcastic (my comment might backfire on me)!
See, this puts that whole “Special Olympics” crack in a new perspective. It just looks as though wherever he goes, whatever he does, he needs flash cards.
Can you imagine Parent-Teacher Night at their daughters’ chi-chi little school? “Well, Mrs. Blakovsky, Sasha may need to work on her math scores, but at least she’s not as dumb as some POLACK, huh? Hee, hee!”
“Sweet mother of all things good and nacho cheesy” is going to be my Magic Phrase for today.
Uh-oh, I think I ticked off Wonk”ette.”
HA! Wonkette. I love the mental gymnastics lefties have to do to be outraged, that other people are outraged that THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BOWED TO SOMEONE ELSE’S KING!
If Republicans, or better yet Libertarians would get their acts together, we’d be talking about liberals the same way you talk about communists. Like weird creatures from the past most people are too young to remember.
Beige – Not just flash cards, but his TOTUS or even better, his big screen TV’s that tell him what to say and do. I guess TOTUS was too tired to make the trip, but then again seeing they have 12 of them to serve him, I guess they forgot to load them on the plane.
the more I read about this man, the madder I get. We are not even into his term 6 months and has done far more damage then Bush ever did.
Oh, and Habanada – love it!
awww, thanks, Swede, but, unlike Beige and Scott, I don’t deserve to be anyone’s hero. I’m sadly unintelligent and utterly vapid.
Just…thank God I still have my good looks. *catches a glimpse of self in the mirror* oh, s**t! never mind…
“Maybe he should appoint a czar of Not Looking Like an Idiot”
…uh I believe there is already a division of the State Department that is supposed to handle proper etiquette to heads of state as well as gift giving. Of course State is now headed up by Hilary (hmm….interesting) and they should have someone advising him every step of the way. I would place the blame more on his advisors who suggested the gifts and told him how to act. Of course he is the President and didn’t he say the buck stops with him?
Nati, you so sweet.
Figures… criticize Obama and the defense is “Bush, Bush, Bush”. With maybe a BushHitler or two thrown in for good measure. After all, by now people may have forgotten that Bush and Hitler were actually the same person.