Obama's Bow

[Hosnon]

Did Obama bow? Is it appropriate in Arab culture to bow to a head of state? Why did Gibbs deny that Obama bowed?

[mix]

1. weak n/t

[Hosnon]

3. Oh chill out. The issue has come up on another board I look in on and am curious what answers

DU will provide.

[mix]

4. okay

Why ask about Arab culture when you want to know if Obama bowed?

[Hosnon]

6. Because it is relevant. Whether a foreign head of state should bow to another

head of state in Arab culture is a factor in determining whether he should have bowed.

And, again, I'm not a troll (been here since 04)...just looking for perspective.

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. And so what happens if/when the foreign head of state comes to the US

and gives "a bow" to Obama?

Geesh!

[Hosnon]

10. Look, you are apparently overly defensive about this. Try reading my questions

without assuming the worst.

[Norquist Nemesis]

32. "overly defensive"

Perhaps the critics are "overly offensive" about this thing.

Okay, so I understand you're 'just asking a question'. I get that. Do you get that it is a questions that is at least misdirection designed blow a political hit and at worst an attack designed to perpetuate Obama (D) is 'an appeaser'? Sometimes you have to be aware of the undercurrent of the theme that is brewing. I've seen a few opinions that he was bending down to put something on a chair. :shrug:

Try posing this question to your other board: If Obama bowed today and nuked that country on Thursday, would he still be deemed as weak and subservient? That is really what their questions are suggesting Obama is...weak and subservient.

[Hosnon]

35. No, because they are MY questions and, therefore, I can definitively tell you that

there is no "misdirection" or "attack" involved.

I do, however, get that you aren't interested in answering the question.

[Norquist Nemesis]

38. Golly gosh gee whiz! I though these were Q's you were given

'nuf said. Since it obviously concerns you so much to ask these questions that were ...oh, wait! These were your questions. Why didn't you say so before instead of attributing them to "another board"?

In a nutshell...I don't care. It has not made one whit of a difference (or shown deference). WTH??? and WTF??? Look, NOONE! (at least from the Democrat's side) wants a bobble-head cheerleader. But, let's at the very least think about what the criticism that is being waged before we go off half-cocked over silly things.

[Suich]

39. What?

:shrug:

[Jeep789]

2. Don't know. Don't really care.

Why is it of any importance?

[Hosnon]

5. Because it is a hot topic on a board I visit. But feel free to ignore the thread

if you're not interested.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. "hot topic" on a board you visit

Lemme guess...it would not matter one whit what they were told, they'ld still be up in arms about it, correct? I've watched the video and saw nothing to get my panties in a bunch over. Maybe he should have just held his hand and coupled off to dinner? *rolleyes*

Seriously, why is another board's all hot and bothered got you pushing for some sort of 'righteous explanation'? When Obama meets with the Pope will the other board be upset because he didn't kiss his ring or will they screech high treason because he did?

[Hosnon]

9. Dial it back a bit please. I'm simply asking questions.

And, no, some on the other board are reasonably moderate (even though they lean right). Plus, I saw the video and really don't doubt he bowed...that's not the main issue we're discussing there.

Ironically, I can't get a freakin' straight answer out of them on this issue...

[JI7]

11. don't care if he did , it's not like he is making buisness deals with them

and starting wars for his own profit

[Hosnon]

12. (sigh)...I'm not asking if you cared if he did...

My questions are in good faith. If you don't want to posit an answer, why post?

[madeline_con]

20. He didn't go as a tourist, and non Muslims can't enter Mecca.

So yeah, it was business, only sans the war.

[JI7]

28. i meant private business for personal profit

[Hosnon]

13. If no other question is answered, I'd just like someone of Arab decent to tell me

whether bowing to a head of state is appropriate (the other board doesn't have many non-white people).

[Egnever]

14. Good grief!

Get with the times at least , Obama loves torture now! Try to stay current on the latest outrage will ya?

[Hosnon]

15. ...I know it's late...but I generally expect DU to actually provide information, unlike

the other board...

[Hosnon]

16. ^^^Look at all these responses^^^ Not a single one is on topic or helpful. Really, I'm not

asking for much.

[Control-Z]

17. I have no idea if

your question might seem trollish to some - or even to many, since this is the first I've heard of a bow controversy. I will say, however, that the DU asshats have been out in full force all day today.

If I believed in such things, I would guess there was a full moon.

[Hosnon]

18. Thanks (I think). I am simply asking questions (and my intent is good).

But...hyper-partisanship is what it is...

[Suich]

41. LOL!

Nope...I think there was a full moon about a week ago! You're right about the asshats, though!



:hi:

[madeline_con]

19. Here's a pic. Yes, he bowed. If you're Saudi, you might bow to

Abdullah. The pseudo cheek kiss thing is o.k. Mind you, this is only male to male or female to female, unless they're close relations.

There's also the attempt to show utmost respect by kissing the end of the nose, but it's a ritualized thing, like reaching for the check after dinner. ;)

But you're under no obligation, especially as a fellow head of state, to do so. I agree, it's very relevant. He should never have done it.

[Hosnon]

22. Do you have a link to your information regarding bowing? Thanks! nt.

[madeline_con]

23. Just the time I spent living in Saudi, married to a local guy.

Here's help


http://www.justlanded.com/english/Saudi-Arabia/Saudi-Arabia-Guide/Culture/Social-Customs

[Hosnon]

25. Ah! Good. Tell me more. So, in your opinion, was the bow appropriate? nt.

[madeline_con]

29. Absolutely not. Obama is not a subject of the Saudi king.

He should definitely show respect, but the bow was too much.

[Hosnon]

31. In Saudi culture, does a bow only indicate subject-ruler? Or are there

other possible meanings (e.g., respect)?

[madeline_con]

33. King Abdullah never bowed to Bush, just the kiss thing.

Bush never bowed to him, either.

[Suich]

37. Thank you for the link!

And for helping this thread out!!!

:hi:

[smalll]

40. Yeah, if you're Saudi (or North Korean, or Zimbabwean, etc.) you might bow to your ... DICTATOR ---

who can cut of your hand or get your wife stoned to death just to kill time on a lazy Sunday afternoon. :eyes:

[madeline_con]

42. More proof that Obama's bow was out of line.

I'm embarrassed he bowed to a Saudi king, who allows that to go on.

[DemBones DemBones]

44. Thanks for posting a photo. We don't have tv and

I hadn't seen the photo before, although I'm sure it's been online. Obama looks like he's trying to kiss the king's hand and he's halfway genuflecting rather than bowing properly. Didn't I read that he and Michelle did not bow/curtsey to the Queen of England? Oil rules, deja vu.

BTW, madeline, what was up with Bush and Abdullah kissing on the mouth? Is that normal in Saudi culture or did Bush mess up?

[MadBadger]

21. It is Saturday April 18th. What the fuck is the point of this thread?

[Hosnon]

24. To gather information regarding the topics in the OP. If you're not interested in helping,

just move on. (shrug)

[MadBadger]

26. The only people still talking about the bow are people like this guy

[Hosnon]

27. And me, who is not like that guy.

Thanks for being unhelpful.

[madeline_con]

30. Try not to be an ass, will ya? He asked a legit question.

No one's forcing you to participate.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

34. He did. Just a mistake that's all. They should have just admitted it and went on.

Gibbs is an idiot. You would have thought they would have learned from the Bush administration to not just issue blanket denials and make shit up when you make a mistake.

David

[Suich]

36. One thing about DU is you never know what you're gonna get

when you ask a question! Thanks for asking the question I've been wondering about all week, Hosnon! For a while there, I didn't think you were ever going to get an answer!

Thank goodness for people like madeline_con!!!

:hi:

[Control-Z]

43. I agree with just about everything

Suich wrote - except I had no prior knowledge of, or questions about, the bowing scandal.

DU is becoming a cesspool of the defensive and contrary. It is scary these days - to have an opinion, or ask a question that isn't approved by these self righteous people. I can't help but wonder where all their anger and hostility is coming from. Is it fear of being wrong? Fear of no personal gain? Or is it the fear that we will find out they are actually the trolls?

Our party is the party of tolerance. These people have none. They sound just like the intolerant, judgmental republicans we detest.

Frankly, I think the customs of other cultures are fascinating! If Obama made a mistake by bowing, big deal. I would never consider it a show of weakness. That sounds so freeperesque. I would judge it to be his genuine desire to make things work for a change.

[Norrin Radd]

45. What I'm wondering is, will people freak out if he bows to

heads of state from particular Asian countries where it is customary to bow?