Obama bowing to Saudi King...

I feel like this, when in Rome, you do as the Romans do. He was showing respect to the man, and I don't see what the big deal is. Whomever don't like it, didn't have to do it, so what is it to them? He was showing respect to the man's crown and the man probably gave him the same back, why sit up and make a fuss when you got folks in Iraq paying the cost? leave that alone.

First. It was a bow. Come on, there is no way on her lady's green earth this was not a bow. It was not only a bow, it was a BOW . I have now seen video and photo's from several different angles, it was a definite and blatent bow. Second. I am still searching for the text from the protocol, but by all accounts, it was a solid breech of U.S. presidential protocol. And really made him look foolish. Third. All the administration had to do was say, "yeh, he bowed, oops" and it would probably go away a lot quicker. However someone chose to come out and try to just simply deny it in the face of overwhelming physical photo and video evidence, which only complicated the matter 10 fold. fourth. Ok, he bowed and then fibbed about it. It was childish and a bit distainable, but it is REALLY an issue we should have had half a dozen threads on? Are there not far bigger and badder things this administration and congress are doing?

I also think the event was blown out of proportion. Bowing is merely a custom in that country. This also depicts the detiorating journalistic standards. They have lost the ability to convey news. Moreover, will the president of the U.S display a servile attitude? He is more likely to carpet bomb countries. Right?

It's only the social norm to bow to that king if you are his SUBJECT. No other world leader bowed to him, just Obama. Obama KNOWS that it was the wrong thing to do. That is clearly evidenced by the fact that he is now LYING and claiming that it was NOT a bow. Why would he lie about it if is was a social norm?

Just as long as he doesn't kneel and kiss his ring I don't care.

Well, why then just bow to one royal, who is not even head of the country Obama was in? He didn't bow to the Queen of England, who is. And yes, it's customary to bow to the Queen. He didn't bow in the private meeting they had with her nor in the G20 public appearance where he was the only one to bow to the Saudi King and still didn't bow to the Queen. Just already in that context, the bow was wrong. Why is there more respect due to the Saudi King than to the Queen of the host country or to any other person in attendance? Furthermore, Obama now does realize he did something wrong, and what is the excuse? Oh, he didn't bow but the Saudi King is so much shorter. Hmmh, maybe he was examining the Saudi King's navel, because that's how low it went. Btw, the Queen of England is much shorter than the Saudi King and Obama managed to shake her hand without a hint of a bow. Heads of state don't bow or curtsy each other in meetings unless they are in Japan, where both parties bow. Even there it's not always done. They are all equals, with equal respect due to each other. Commonly they shake hands, not more not less. The bow to a King or Queen is a sign of submission and servitude. A signal that one is in level below the person bowed or curtsied to. That's why heads of states don't bow or curtsy to each other, no matter if it is customary in that particular country to bow to royalty, even if they visit that country. You also have to see the strangeness of the bow in another light. When Obama asked for admission to Harvard Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal lobbied with Harvard connected politicians on Obama's behalf so Obama could gain admission as he did not meet the qualifications. Now seeing the bow one has to question where Obama's loyalties truly lie. Now, if after all of this you still agree, the bow was a sign of respect, I have to ask you, why do YOU think that the Saudi King requires a greater show of respect than the Queen of England, head of the host country?

Stewart says it best. http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=223897&title=faith-the-nation It's about two minutes in. Basically, he just shows how ridiculous the whole thing is. Seriously, a president bowing will lead to America's demise? Next thing you'll know, stating that America isn't actually a Christian nation will be considered a scandal. Oh wait...

First, the kind is older; second, he is also a King, and deserves the respect. If bowing in their culture expresses respect, then so be it. I guess you are just concerned about the man who represents you, so it's just but normal to make a big fuss about it. Otherwise, you will be guilty of being pathetic and indifferent. It's the best thing that happened to your President...his people are watching his every movement, and that's the essence of a democracy...

Just as our First Lady was not obligated to curtsy before the Queen of England, our President was not obligated to bow before the Saudi King. Both actions are tradition in their respective countries but the President of the United States is a foreign leader and, as such, is not required to follow these traditions. I don't agree with Obama's decision to bow...or to give the appearance of bowing since whether it was a bow or not is being hotly debated. Obviously, it has created controversy both here in the U.S. and around the world. As the leader of a great nation like the United States, I believe that our president needs to behave like the leader of a great nation and not be so focused on being liked.

When Bush became a screwing President he wasted his time accusing Saddam Hussein as a huge terror, the entire American people got nothing to do with it but they waited helpless for the ill-effect of it in the economy brought after declaring the war. Bush's war against the weapon of mass destruction has remained mysterious to us, up until now where is the weapon?! I am not an American citizen, but I respect cultures and people. I respect each of individual's faith. Now I would say that Obama just paid respect to the King or merely it was a part of his protocol. Former Pres. Clinton even paid respect to King Hussein's wake way back then, so what's wrong with the BOW of the brand new Black President? America, it's a waste of time to debate about the BOW issue. As a citizen of the country that I call American underdog, I hope US President will behave at this time. Hope he will bow to fight against economic downturn globally. Americans reacted on the giving of iPOD to the Queen of England. For now, the bowing of Obama to an Arabic king. What would be the next? Wait until Obama screws up USA the same thing Bush did. Thanks for posting up a nice topic. :D

It's my understanding that Obama did not show that same respect to the Queen of England and if she was offended by this breach of conduct she didn't let it show. Maybe the Queen is more tolerant than the Saudi king. I wonder if some are bothered by this bow because Obama is representing the USA and the USA has always had the attitude that we don't bow to anyone, particularly to a country whose citizens were the main culprits in the 9/11 attack.

well said at last some sanity lol, I totally agree he was showing respect nothing more nothing less. Whether he likes it or not or the people of america like it or not, he was showing a fellow leader respect, everybody and every leader of every country should be shown respect and be treated as an equal, in the past I think some of the other presidents thought they were better and above some of the world leaders and didnt show the proper respect. I for one say well done to Obama for showing respect in that countries tradition, its the same as bowing to the queen in our country. Prob get loads of negative ratings but what the heck, well done Obama on that one, whether he is the leader everyone hopes he will be I have my doubts.

Everyone of us to respect,although they will do something wrong ,but we can't just for this reason all negative him.Although we should also criticized him,but also to distinguish his work with.