Obama & the King: We Might All Be Bowing Soon
April 11, 2009 by Rick Koerber
Filed under Politics, Rick's Most Recent Posts
So, it disturbs me that the President of the United States would undeniably and intentionally bow to Saudi King Abdullah. Showing fealty to a foreign potentate is problematic for me, and it would be no matter which “royalty” was involved. But, to be completely honest, Barack Obama’s actions aren’t all the surprising. What is interesting to me, however, is what most of us probably missed when we first heard the story!
There is something much more noteworthy about this whole affair, so widely reported across print, broadcast and web media. As usual, the nonsense is what draws most of our attention, and the deeper substantive questions about tangible, practical implications of abusive executive behavior just slide by, whisper like.
Let me get to my point. When asked directly, about the bow, the White House press secretary officially responded by answering, incredulously,
No, I think he bent over…with both hands to shake his hand.
Okay. So, you might be thinking, “Alright, Rick, this isn’t news, I already heard that.” Alright, but let’s put a few pieces together to pain a picture that you might not have thought much about.
Piece #1 – Did the President Bow?
Of course. Watch the video. He bows at the waist. He uses one hand, pauses respectfully at the bottom of the bow, just for a short second before lifting himself, and then smiles and verbally greats the Saudi King.
Piece #2. Is the President’s bow significant?
Obviously, it depends on whose asking. But, to the large majority of the human population, bowing isn’t something done on accident. In an April 7th editorial the Washington Times poignantly explains,
Symbolism is important in world affairs. By bending over to show greater respect to Islam, the U.S. president belittled the power and independence of the United States. The bow was an extraordinary protocol violation. Such an act is a traditional obeisance befitting a king’s subjects, not his peer. There is no precedent for U.S. presidents bowing to Saudi or any other royals…Mr. Obama’s bow to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques does not help his image with those who believe he is secretly a Muslim, and why he chose to bow only to the Saudi King and not to any other royals remains unexplained.
No Americans of any station are required to bow to royalty. It is one of the pillars of American exceptionalism that our country rejected traditional caste divisions. Article I Section 9 of the Constitution forbids titles of nobility and stipulates that no officeholder or government employee may “accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state” without the consent of Congress. Judith Martin wrote in her Miss Manners column in 2001 that bowing “is not an ordinary bit of foreign etiquette one might adopt out of courtesy when traveling. … Americans do not properly bow to any royalty. We show respect for other countries’ leaders the same way we do to our own.” (emphasis added)
In addition to the American commentary on the President’s “bending over” act, Muslim commentary also suggested it was more than insignificant.
Piece #3. Why deny it?
Answering this question requires speculation, since the official answers are obviously less than genuine. But, suffice it to say that, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was unprepared for the question. It’s doubtful, if he had been prepared, that is answer would have been so indignantly sarcastic when questions persisted. His attitude, revealed during this ordeal, is actually a telling indicator of the kind and caliber of ideas floating around in the “inside circle” of President Barack Obama. Lest anyone question that Obama’s team share the same nonsensical contempt for an American reporter’s desire for an honest explanation, another White House aide responded dopily (BTW: I know that’s not really a word),
“It wasn’t a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he’s taller than King Abdullah.”
Anyone who bothered to watch the video can easily see that this buffoon had no idea what the facts actually were. But, herein lies the POINT!
No one in the White House really seems to care what the American people “think!” Oh, they’re concerned with how we’re all “feeling,” especially during these economic hard times. But, when someone turns his or her brain on and starts to think (i.e., asking obvious questions about the President’s deliberate act of fealty which he reserved for Muslim royalty, leaving the job of ‘hugging’ Christian royalty to his wife), the insiders at the White House have contempt for the very question. Remember Joe the Plumber?
This whole “President bending over” ordeal reminds me of a comedy I watched as a kid where a belligerent cheating husband was caught by his wife—in the act—with another woman. After the immediacy of the controversy boiled over, in this B rate-early 1980′s comedy, the husband later approaches his wife and asks, “Honey, why are you so upset?” Beside herself, she berates him immediately, describing very clearly what she had witnessed. In the heat of the moment the man interrupts his upset wife and with his best innocent face asks, “What are you talking about? He goes on to insist, “That is NOT what was going on, I did no such thing.” The wife is so taken back by his insane denial that she is momentarily speechless, and to hurry up and fill the gap, the husband continues to deny that “anything actually happened.” The absurdity made this scene, rather comical. Illustrating how obnoxious arrogant men can be when they actually have contempt for the thinking judgments of other people. It was comical precisely because his behavior was so absurd.
In America today, the ‘comedy of the absurd‘ being broadcast from the White House by the now popular cast has reached a new low. While all of the administrations for the last two decades have been full of this kind of thing, none has sunk so deep and so absurdly low as to effectively look each of us Americans in the eye and say, “That’s not what happened. I know you saw it, but you don’t know what you saw, let me tell you what you saw.” (Note: Funny thing is that their answer to foreigners is quite different – but that is another story.)
Don’t think for a minute that all of this comical blundering was an accident. It is in small moments of high stress and unpredictable situations that penetrating glimpses into reality can allow honest observers the chance to see what is really going on behind the curtains. Barack Obama’s most consistent answer to us “average onlookers” is that, what really goes on behind his new White House curtains, is quite simply, “None of your business.”
Of course its not—and unfortunately it is becoming increasingly so. Wake up my friends, and turn your brains on! But, don’t expect any encouragement from our dominate political powers. They’d just as soon prefer that you kept napping while a new blueprint is drawn up for a new “America” of the 21st century.
So, just keep napping, and when you awake, we might all be bowing.
I think another big concern is the announcement that we are no longer a Christian Nation. That comment alone gives power and acceptability to non-christians. This is exactly the opportune time for them to make their move. The sad thing is that so many of our founding fathers gave all that they had including their lives to establish this nation as a Christian Nation.
That’s the most brain-off comment I’ve ever read. The founders made no great effort to establish this as a Christian nation. In fact just the opposite is true. Your comments “gives power and acceptability to non-christians” and “time for them to make their move” are anything but Christ-like revealing a paranoia laced with xenophobia.
So what else is new? Our government has been feeding us lies for as long as we’ve all been on the planet. Why would anyone expect anything different under the current administration.
With respect to us all bowing if we don’t soon wake up, the truth is, we’ve always been encouraged to bow. If your car is stopped by a patrol car on the highway, you address the party as “Officer’ while you remain nameless at best. In the courts, the judge is ‘Your Honor’; the health-care professional is ‘Doctor So-and-So; the CEO is Mr. Trump; while the citizen who interacts with them is acknowledged on a name only basis. Each of these self-deprecating encounters represents a form of bowing.
The issue is not that we’re being lied to and deceived. Or that it is now being done to a greater degree. We’ve long known but never acknowledged ourselves to be, what Scott Peck described as “The People of the Lie.” The only difference now is that we have a greater disdain for the government officials lying to us.
Charles, while I agree with the general tenor of your comments, your conclusion is false. The issue is NOT that we have greater disdain, it is that we DO NOT have great enough disdain!
I personally think that the bow was for common courtesy. You stated ” There is no precedent for U.S. presidents bowing to Saudi or any other royals.” Maybe its time for a change. Why, we ask do most of the middle eastern countries hate our guts? Its because of our arrogance. Now America is a great nation. I believe that. However just because our president decides to do something no other president has done in the past, does not make him a terrorist. Its showing these countries that there is some humility in a country that founded itself by taking land from another people and claiming it as their own. Now America built itself through hard work, and thats something to be proud of. We can be a loving nation despite the arrogance most of our people portray. Yes we give to other nations in time of need, and thats admirable. To stop other nations from hating us because we have and they have not, I believe we need to show them we care about them even if their beliefs dont match ours. Just some of my thoughts let me know what you think.
Alright, the subject of the “bow” is for another place and time. I disagree with a President engaging in such behavior (especially selectively) but this article is about the executive culture of playing the public for fools. I did not argue here a) that Obama was a terrorists (as you imply or b) that there couldn’t be a plausible argument for a bow. The quote about “there being no precedent” for the bow was to support the idea that the incident was important and being viewed as significant. I care nothing for the meta-talk about whether “America cares” about other nations – this abstraction has no real traction, but what I do care about is tyranny in the executive management of our political affairs, particularly when brain-off officials and spokespersons can get away with such idiocy as I describe in this article. Read the article again, then comment.
When you state that you care nothing about the meta-talk about whether America cares about other nations, that troubles me. Do you care about other nations? Do you care about other people? Should we just protect our own? It is this type of ignorance to others that has other nations plotting attacks against us. We live in a wonderful country. Part of being greatful for that includes desiring the same for others. I am personally glad that the leaders of our country care about other nations.
Q. Do I care about other nations?
A. Sure. I also care more for those nations that share my values.
Q. Do I care about other people.
A. Yes. What in my writings or speeches suggest otherwise. Have you actually read what I’ve written?
Q. Should we just protect our own?
A. In what context? We should indeed protect our own citizens. Should we protect citizens of other countries, sure, under justifiable circumstances from tyranny and deception.
Q. Is this type of ignorance to others…?
A. Why are you suggesting that my criticism of Pres. Obama and his administration’s refusal to acknowledge and explain his behavior, with truthfulness somehow translates into being ignorant of others? Even if you take my criticism of the bow itself, how does this translate into being not caring? Do you hold the idea that caring for others means I must sacrifice myself and my values to them?
You say that we “live in a wonderful country.” I agree. But, I don’t think we agree on what it is that makes the USA a wonderful place to live. I believe it is wonderful because a) our Founders set up the first government of truly free people in modern human history and b) to the extent that we still honor and respect freedom and the unalterable, unalienable individual rights with which we are all endowed, then we prosper and spread peace. I think the USA is wonderful because to be free I do not have to sacrifice my ideas, my mind, or my body for the sake of another – at the threat of force.
I will say, more accurately, we have a wonderful heritage. We have received a tremendous benefit from those who have gone before us and stood up for our liberty. I am not, however, enamored with our present condition or our present course. America is not good, “just because” we are good when we choose and act good. I do not love America because I am an American, I love America because of what it has meant for the last two decades to be an American.
Turn your brain on. Do some actual reading (of both what I have written, and what those who love freedom – have written, and take your emotional sentiment and package it up and save it for your personal relationships. Your emotional claims and hollow rhetoric make your ripe for deception and consequently ineffective at advocating for anything. I’ve taken the time to respond, out of respect, because a) you took the time to open up the dialogue and b) I can tell you have the ability to think and we may indeed share some values. HOWEVER, I will not stay in a conversation where sentiment prevails over substance and rhetoric triumphs over reason. So – if you want to continue the conversation, I invite you to do so. I also welcome you and invite you to continue to engage in conversation with Free Capitalists. There is more than ample room in our movement for you, and those like you, but we are not an idle group, and progress (especially with regard to ideas) is essential.
This WAS common courtesy. Get real. Bush and Cheney were in bed with the Saudi Royal family, as well as GHW Bush. I find that much more offensive. I suppose next we will be told that the traditional 3 kiss gesture to a European or Baltic male head of state means that we will wake up and we will all be gay.
Yes President Obama bowed, and he did so on purpose. I don’t know it, but I see it in the video. The gesture was clear in conveying only one thing, and nothing else: respect. Mr. Koerber, do you think Barack Obama is mindless? The only thing that is not surprising about his gesture is that some people will jump to the most paranoid interpretation of it. A man, set to deal with another party, can achieve only one thing with a poignant gesture of respect: force a smile in the face of the man addressed by the gesture. A smile is universally conducive to establishing a relationship. Any other interpretation says more about the interpreter than about the gesture.
Alex, read the article. Though I do not approve of Obama’s bow – that is a debate for another day, this article has to do with the White House and the culture surrounding Mr. Obama and their attitude/approach to the public. Did you read what I wrote?
“Anyone who bothered to watch the video can easily see that this buffoon had no idea what the facts actually were.” Rick I agree 100% here. My question is why deny it? As I stated in my above comment whats wrong with it? (The “bow”). Whats wrong with showing respect and kindness to people? That is the question I would like answered by anyone who has a problem with this act of kindness and respect from one man to another. What is wrong with being kind and respectful even if one doesnt deserve kindness and respect? You speak of christianity. Did Christ not show kindness and respect to all? Even his prosecuters? You stated, “Mr. Obama’s bow to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques does not help his image with those who believe he is secretly a Muslim.” I would hope that if Obama is secretly a Muslim he would realize there is no reason to be secret about it. This is a free country, Muslims have their right to believe how they choose. Surley there are great, kind Muslim people. I honestly believe that Obama meant NOTHING more than respect to this man. I think its fortunate that we have such a humble leader that no matter what greif the public may give him, he stands up for what he believes is good. Only exeptional people stand up for what they believe in the face of scruitiny. Hopefully Obama can repair some of the damage that has been done by previous administrations. I really think Obama has a good heart. I think he is a very personable person who can help change other nations view of our counrty. Especially those that currently despise us. Again Rick as I value your comment please elighten me, or anyone else who cares to agree or disagree.
Mower – I appreciate your comments, bu related to my original post, you’re not grasping the point. You talk, rhetorically, about the desirability (from your perspective) of the United States being kind and respectful to other nations. However, the President of the United States is first and foremost accountable to American citizens. The contempt he and his staff have shown (and as demonstrated by the argument in my recent post) to honest inquiry and basic civility by advancing outright, ridiculous lies and misdirection (by himself and his staff) undercuts any gesture of being kind and respectful to any other nation because he portrays himself (and or country) as a double minded and obtuse. Now, let me address your questions to me specifically—
Q. What’s wrong with the bow?
A. In different cultures, and at different times, people have placed varying degrees of importance on bowing, and have used bowing in a variety of ways. Ultimately, the “appropriateness” of Obama’s bow is judged first by himself, then by those who support him, and lastly by everyone else. As part of that process, however, as an American citizen, it is highly appropriate to observe and reflect upon the manner in which the President of the United States represents himself and our country to the leaders of other countries. Article I Section 9 of the Constitution forbids titles of nobility and stipulates that no officeholder or government employee may “accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state” without the consent of Congress. Now, it might not be obvious how these two concepts relate. But, the critical point to observe here is that the President was not just showing “personal kindness” through his gesture – he doesn’t bow to just anyone, he didn’t bow to the Queen of England, and no one has reportedly seen him bow to anyone else since he was elected President. Bowing, is a sign of submission in almost all contexts. Bowing originated as a gesture of subordination, as lowering the head leaves the bower vulnerable. But, even more specifically, in the Muslim context, bowing is something reserved for very specific expressions. I have asked a handful of my Muslim acquaintances about bowing. I was surprised at their comments. Evidently, bowing to other human beings is frowned upon in Muslim cultures as all human beings are considered equal and bowing is only supposed to be done to God. Bowing to the Saudi dictator has an added contextual component. For those that don’t follow such things, its worth pointing out that the “House of Saud” affects the world in three main ways: It is the world’s largest producer of oil and holder of most of the market’s spare production capacity; it acts as custodian of Islam’s holy places and the religious center of Sunni Islam; and it maintains Wahhabism as a state-sponsored sect. In Saudi Arabia the King reigns over a people who are denied, by force, liberty of conscience and freedom of religion. Women are routinely and ritually subjugated in social, political, and religious relations. And this is just the beginning of a critique. So, even if someone were to convincingly argue that a President bowing to a foreign leader is an appropriate way to show kindness and respect, shouldn’t it be reserved for those allies who are so deserving. You, see, someone who is asking the questions you are asking won’t acknowledge the underlying point here. Because a “bow” is not President Obama’s typical method of showing kindness or respect. He didn’t do it to anyone else. Several other well respected leaders at the G20 conference did not bow to the Saudi King, and then of course you have—the elephant in the room—which is the fact that the Whitehouse, back here in America immediately downplayed, denied, and tried to avoid to the point of absurdity – the fact that the President had indeed bowed to the Saudi King. So, in a nu shell, Mower, the following are my problems with “the bow”…
1. It’s an expression of submission that is not fitting the President.
2. It is a participation in an anachronistic system of fealty that the American tradition has rejected from the days of the Founders.
3. Its forbidden, in substance, by the Constitution of the United States, for the President or any other federally elected official to participate in the social scheme represented by titles and traditions of royalty.
4. It shows (communicates) something much different than kindness and respect. Certainly, no freedom loving citizen can argue that the only appropriate way to show kindness and/or respect is to bow before a leader – let alone a leader of another country.
5. It is suspicious, in that it was unique, it was so soundly denied and attention from it so quickly diverted by the President and his staff, and it is so out of character for this and other Presidents.
6. If sends the wrong message about America’s position (intellectually and politically) related to freedom and human liberty.
7. It is insulting to the leaders and peoples of our more loyal, dedicated, trusted, and valuable allies.
Q. Whats wrong with showing respect and kindness to people?
A. Nothing. But, its worth asking – what is the best manner to show such kindness? Additionally, is it worth making distinctions about— to whom? where? under what circumstances? Certainly, the President could have amply showed an immeasurable degree of kindness and respect to the Saudi King without bowing.
Q. What is wrong with being kind and respectful even if one doesn’t deserve kindness and respect?
A. Well, it depends. From the perspective of the individual, that is a decision the individual can make. I would argue that showing “kindness and respect” to someone who doesn’t deserve it is to give the unearned. This idea, by itself, if held in the mind becomes a contaminating virus affecting many other thoughts and concepts. As a Christian myself, I believe it is almost always appropriate to behave civilly towards another human being. But this is not to give to them some measure of civility it is to demonstrate to yourself and those around you your commitment to your values. The idea of “something for nothing” whether held in the mind of the giver or receiver – is a mental poison. I ask you, what good can come of showing kindness and respect to one who does not deserve it? In your answer please address how by so giving, you would not be devaluing the importance of the gesture when given to those who you did indeed believe were deserving of both, and therefore diminishing your own integrity.
Q. Did Christ not show kindness and respect to all? Even his prosecutors?
A. No he did not. This is an important point for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. To illustrate this point it is first worth pointing out that there are at least two different characterizations of Jesus and his actions. First there is Jesus as he and his acts are described in the ancient written records. Second, there is the Jesus of contemporary tradition whose person and acts have been reduced to the absurd status of a fairy tale by those who are his disciples emotionally but who refuse to invest their rational mind in contemplating the reality (rather than the fantasy) of his existence, his story, and his character. It is common in the contemporary mythical view of Jesus to hold in the mind an image of a man who “always showed kindness and respect to all” kind of like the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny. (This is one of the reasons so many Christians live in depression, ever craving “to be” more “like Jesus” but never really knowing for themselves what that would mean “in reality.” This – of course – is a different subject for a different place). But, the biblical texts demonstrate that while he was indeed civil (note: this is a description of his ‘being’ not his actions of showing respect or kindness) he did not always “show kindness and respect” as you suggest. Consider just a few examples –
The bottom line Mower, is that all the well wishing and supposed good intentions are undercut by the obvious disrespect and contempt demonstrated by this President on a daily basis. Yes, he has a personality that he uses well to open doors. But, I challenge you to come to terms with the thesis of the original post. His arrogance and contempt for basic honesty and reflection along with his pattern of condescending messages to the “average American” undercut his rhetoric of hope, change, and progress.
P.S. You suggested that I said, “Mr. Obama’s bow to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques….” But, if you’ll notice I was quoting the Washington Times. Those are not my words.
Dear Rick, It has been a learning experience conversing with you on this matter. You have some interesting points. I’ve beat the “bow” to death and agree that it wasnt neccessary. I agree when you say that Obama has his own way of showing respect for everyone else, so why bow to this person. I still question that he had other motives in mind for doing it. I guess only he knows why he did it. Nevermind the bow. I wanted to answer the question you asked in your response to my post. This because I appreciate your insight and though I do not always agree, think that I can learn a great deal from a person like yourself. Question: I ask you, what good can come of showing kindness and respect to one who does not deserve it? In your answer please address how by so giving, you would not be devaluing the importance of the gesture when given to those who you did indeed believe were deserving of both, and therefore diminishing your own integrity. My response: The good that comes from showing kindness and respect to someone who doesnt deserve is because I feel its the right way to be. More importantly I dont feel it is my desicion to determine whether they deserve it or not. I am not qualified to judge ones character. Yes people have wronged me in my life, however it is not up to me to brand them undeserveing of my kindness and respect. I dont feel that I have the means neccessary to understand what the person who I felt wronged me was going through at the time of the wronging. (for clarification I am speaking of no one in particular, but in general) I also believe this way due to trying to treat others (under all circumstances), the way that I would like to be treated. A good example of this is the President for instance since its such a hot topic. I look at Obama and think man what a responsibility. I do not agree with all that he has done, however dont think that anyone is perfect. I dont believe that those who constantly critisize the man are able to do any better. I put myself in his shoes, I would want people to like me, and support me. He is in dire need of support. He is our president and though we dont all agree with him on every item. It is my belief that we should support him. I guess it is important to have opposite ideas and that he doesnt control everything. The problem is that when people dont agree with him, they start to fester a hatred toward him. The jokes I hear told are usually not even related to his administration, they are directed at his race, wife, or dog (what have you). This is and always will be wrong. There is one and only one judge. You and I Rick both know who this judge is. I am personally glad he is mine. I know that others judge myself, however this does not bother me in the slightest degree, not the slightest. I know this judgement is meaningless, although I will say that when someone confronts me about something they feel I am doing wrong,this is my attitude: I ask myself one question with two solutions. The question: Is this accuser right? If so, change what it is I’m doing. If its not true, dont worry about it because its only their judgement. I hope that I have answered your question Rick and look forward to your response, your comments do indeed make me think.
Thanks,
Mower, what you call arrogance, I call reason-based self-confidence. The onus is on those other nations and their covetousness of US; just as the poor in this country covet what the rich have. Come on. Arrogance implies ignorance and the reality is, we are the best. Why deny it?
Scott I hope you are joking.
(Note: Funny thing is that their answer to foreigners is quite different – but that is another story.)
Rick I have re-read your post and am now beginning to have questions about this administration. Please enlighten me. I want to know what the response to foreigners was. Also question: You speak often of capatalism, and are refered to as the “Free capatalist”. This is off topic but I would really like your insight. I read a comment from someone claiming to be a Capatalist. This person was critisizing socialism. He said: “The problem with scocialism is that eventually you run out of other peoples money.” I thought about that, and knowing this person and that he claimed to be a capatalist. While he is undoubtedly right about socialism, he as a capatalist did the very thing he is critisizing about. He claimed to be an “Investor” This man took “other peoples” money including money from banks via business lines of credit and home equity loans. This socialist wearing a capitalist costume eventually ran out of “other people money”, filed for bankruptcy and willingly gave his debt back to the banks wich in turn due to the economy ended up on the government. Am I crazy or does this kind of thinking and acting seem as you call it “Brain off” I really want your insight on this. He is not the only person I know of who has done this. They all think the same thing about our current administration. I see it as complete 100% hippocritical. Are these people honestly this stupid? Please tell me how their view of capatalism differs from the socialism they hate. The only difference I see is they are the ones profiting off the banks long gone generous lending system, and peoples hard earned savings or equity line. Also unbelievably these are the same people who have no quams with turning all this borrowed debt over to the government via bankruptcy. Most of them have no problem with this because the things they are losing are only things they have borrowed for, nothing they have worked for. Rick I feel that if anyone can enlighten me on this it would be the “Free Capatalist” Are these self-claimed “Capatalist socialist haters” fraudsters? By the way I am definately not socialist either to avoid the lecture on that.
Thanks, Mower
Hi there,
This topic might have cooled off for now.At first i thought Obama’s bowing really confirms him a real muslim at heart,though muslim beleif,does not require bowing to the custodian of their two holy mosques.Come to think of it,this is the Commander in Chief of the U.S.A!I’m not an American,but we all know Americans give their lives and all for freedom and liberty.On second thoughts,this is the King of the country that it’s terrorists citizens crashed planes into the twin towers and the Pentagon,yet America didn’t lift a finger towards them.Instead you killed probably millions of innocent iraqi’s in revenge,as I see it.Even Bush kisses him,his ring,and hold hands with him walking.So all your explaining for or against Obama’s bowing I consider a watse of time.
This WAS common courtesy. Get real. Bush and Cheney were in bed with the Saudi Royal family, as well as GHW Bush. I find that much more offensive. I suppose next we will be told that the traditional 3 kiss gesture to a European or Baltic male head of state means that we will wake up and we will all be gay.