Friday, April 3, 2009

The Bow

I've always thought that one of the best things about the BredaluciĆ³n my eventual world domination fame and fortune would be the ability to meet world leaders and royalty. I've often imagined being introduced to Queen Elizabeth II. I'd shake her hand, look her in the eye and say "Hello, nice to meet you." Just like that.

All humans are born naked and squalling, full of limitess potential, and one can create their own greatness through hard work and good character. No fortune of birth sets one person's worth above another's - in fact, the very idea repulses me. So, yes, I'll admit that an accomplished woman and dutiful monarch such as Elizabeth deserves respect but she is also, unquestionably, my equal.

A lot of blood has been spilled to guarantee me the right to never have to bare my neck in submission to another.

So when Michelle failed to curtsy and Barack gave a simple nod upon meeting Elizabeth, I thought, "Good for you. Good for us."

We're Americans. We bow to no one.

And yet...


Head down, eyes lowered and executing a bow so low that he needed to put a foot back to balance himself, Barack Obama is practically genuflecting to the King of Saudi Arabia.

This is not a Japanese-style bow because there is no respectful, reciprocal bow. This is not akin to George W. Bush's infamous handholding with the Saudi king because in Arab cultures, holding hands is a sign of amicable, equal status. So yes, the current President of the United States chose to display a submissive posture to a barbarian despot.

I might have been willing to accept this as a gaffe - one of those rookie mistakes or an ignorance of protocol if he hadn't just the day before been so curt with the Queen of England. Almost every news story that I've read says that Obama, by many accounts a narcissist, was the only one in the room to act subservient to King Abdullah and in the videos I've seen, he seems eager and pleased to do it.

The Leader of the Free World, our Commander in Chief, slavishly kowtowing in front of one of the world's worst dictators.

There are many reasons that this might have occurred and, really, none of them are good. Dangerous naivety is the best of the possible explanations but beyond that, I hate to speculate - the alternatives are just too frightening. But I will say this...

Not in my name. I am an American. I bow to no one.

35 comments:

Barry said...

Check the King's religion (Islam), & his financial status. Now we know why Comrade Buckwheat will bow.

alan said...

That bow infuriates me.

It's the bedrock principal of the US. All men are created equal and Americans bow before no one.

To see Obama almost groveling before the Saudi king is disgusting.

And since he DIDN'T bow to the Queen of England, but did bow to a third rate dictator, I think there's more going on there.

HollyB said...

His behavior is reprehensible in this case. He showed respect to an Islamic despot. A man so antiquarian and rigid he cannot allow women to DRIVE. Or go out alone. Or be human. They are treated like chattel! And our so-called President pracrtically KNEELS before him? I am sick to my stomach at his obsequiousness!

JKB said...

The bow itself is bad enough but could have been because Obama comes off as out of his league and just excited to be invited to the cool kids party (disturbing enough).

But that it followed the interaction with the Queen, where he didn't act subservient, it is very disturbing.

Interesting, an acquaintance of mine, a California transplant (anti-gun type), commented that she didn't like the Bushes because they were too close to Saudi Arabia. I'd rather someone close than someone subservient.

Anonymous said...

Ask Percy Sutton and Khalid Al-Mansour. Or ask Google.

Anonymous said...

One word-Sucks!

Anonymous said...

Percy Sutton in his own words --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EcC0QAd0Ug&feature=player_embedded

Anonymous said...

How many American and allied lives will this bow cost? How more clear an example of weakness do our enemies need?

Hobie said...

Good for you for pointing this out...

John B said...

gee, if he bowed that deeply to the Saudi King, he'll probably lick the shoes of some rapper with a triple murder record.

Heath J said...

It's a sad day when the "OMG BARRRACK IS A CLOSET MOOSELIMB!!" types are seemingly vindicated..

Like the fortune cookie said... "May you live in interesting times"

The Old Man said...

You are SO right. "Better to die on your feet, than...". I'm sure you can fill in the blank.....

Mad Saint Jack said...

Alan- "I think there's more going on there."


It's about Kenya:

http://www.luoamerican.com/baldilocks/
2009/03/vengeance-is-his.html

Anonymous said...

This guy is out of his depth.

Anonymous said...

Geez, you guys. All Barry is doing to just a reflex from his childhood madrassa training in Indonesia. Geez, lighten up.

The King of Saudi Arabia is the Protector of Medina and Mecca. Why wouldn't Barry bow to his highness?

Joseph said...

Heads of State should not bow or anything else to each other. They are supposedly equal. For the American President to bow to anyone...means America bows on the world stage.

Anonymous said...

"For the American President to bow to anyone..."

The King is not anyone! The King is the Protector of Medina and Mecca.

Who said that Heads of State are equal? Where is that in the Quran?

Midwest Chick said...

It made me almost physically ill. The political ramifications are staggering and to have the President of the United States bow to such a man is abhorrent.

I agree, not in my name!

pique Oil said...

You guys don't get it.
That wasn't a bow at all.
He dropped the Teleprompter and had to get closer to read what it said.

Joe said...

Not in my name. I am an ARMED & FREE American. I bow to no one.

there fixed it for yah!{since they seem to let any wussy moron be an american now, it needs to be specified{;>).)

James R. Rummel said...

"I am an American. I bow to no one."

I'm not so sure that I agree, Breda.

Oh, I agree that Obama's genuflection in front of the King is way over the top. It indicates, to me at least, a willingness to submit that I simply do not share. The President represents the country and the citizens who live here, and I really think he screwed up in sending this message.

But never to bow? That seems to be taking things a bit too far.

Remember that I, also, am an American. Joe pointed out above that you are an armed American, but so am I. And I have a great deal of pride in what I have accomplished. Even so, I have been known to bow on occasion.

It is just good manners. Common courtesy in some cultures. I would bow to my opponent in the dojo. I have been known to bow to women when first introduced. It wouldn't be too far off the mark to say that I'd even bow if presented to a head of state, if for nothing else to show respect to the station he holds and the people he represents.

So while I certainly wouldn't genuflect, kow-tow, or prostrate myself, I would bow. I've done it in the past, and I will probably do it in the future. There are times it is just good manners to be willing to bend a little.

James

rickn8or said...

Mmmmm. Mebbe because Miz Liz was a WOMAN and Abdulla was a MAN might have something to do with it, revealing Light-Bringer™ 's true feelings, being a closet Mooslimb and all.

In any case, either he didn't listen to his protocol advisor, or else said advisor deserves a serious beat-down.

Warthog said...

+1 Breda

The Remittance Man said...

I can understand Americans being reluctant to courtsey to HMQ, you are a bunch of rebels after all :-) But despite what some socialists might claim, to bow or courtsey to the monarch is simply a mark of respect to his or her position as head of state. On that basis I'd probably give the President the nod on first meeting, not that it's ever going to happen.

But you are right about one thing: not even Her Maj merits the sort of kowtowing Obama gave King Abdullah.

breda said...

James -

But it certainly is nice to be able to choose whether or not to bow, no?

And so, I choose not to, as is my right.

I only wish our President had had the wisdom to do the same.

Anonymous said...

Awesome post Breda! I get sick of all the monarch worship that some Americans engage in, as if they wish we had never left behind that barbaric practice of putting one person above others.

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

Take it easy people! He can't fellate his majesty from a standing position, he has to do SOMETHING.

jdege said...

"I met a man of very good property a few days ago who had a Complaint to make and I refer'd him to Lord Percy. I heard him enquire at his Lordships door for Mr. Percy. Thinking him Ignorant I stept up & told him again "Lord Percy". He replied to be he knew no Lord but the Lord Jehovah. Thus it is throughout America and a sad set of Presbyterian Rascals they are ..."

Captain John Bowater, quoted in "Redcoats and Rebels", by Christopher Hibbert.

Jamie said...

In Asia, everyone bows. To everyone else.

You wouldn't bow to the Head of State of the United Kingdom? Do you think she doesn't know your citizenship and your status as a free person? What could you lose by being rude?

I wouldn't bow to the King of Saudi Arabia because it would be my intention to show him deliberate disrespect. To insult him.

If you have a reason to show deliberate disrespect to the Queen or the state she represents- and those reasons do exist- then I respect your position. But to say "I don't bow, no matter YOUR custom" is just to say, "my customs are superior to yours". On the other hand, if that's what you actually mean, fine.

breda said...

Jamie -

The only person REQUIRED to bow to a monarch is one of their subjects. (even those rules are flexible these days - & you might want to look these things up before commenting) I am not one of the Queen's subjects so no, I would not bow or curtsy. I would not bow to the King of Saudi Arabia, nor any other monarch, for the exact same reason.

There are other ways of being polite.

Anonymous said...

Now if everyone did it, and this was how heads of state greeted one another all the time, it wouldn't be a thing. So far though it looks like this was an isolated example? So at best he stepped on his own dick, and at worst he kowtowed to a thug. Losing less is still losing.

Jim

tjbbpgobIII said...

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...
Take it easy people! He can't fellate his majesty from a standing position, he has to do SOMETHING.

Ha ha Jovian Thunderbolt. I told my wife when this happened that the man has punk blood, through and through.

RickR said...

A slight dipping of the head, like a slow nod is all the bow anyone will get from me. It is respectful, not demeaning to me.

If Barry had dipped much further, I was afraid he was about to "Monica" that third world piece of trash.

ajdshootist said...

He is just a good little Kenyan Muslim bowing to the one who bought and paid for him,of course he did not bow to The Queen she is the head of The Church of England and a woman
at that,remember the Koran says it is OK to lie about your religion if it is to your advantage!

Michael said...

Not in my name either. I'm an American and a Christian - I bow to God alone.