Video: Obama bows to Saudi king?
posted at 2:41 pm on April 2, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Question mark in the headline because I can’t tell for sure without knowing what words passed between them, but it certainly looks like a bow. Skip ahead to 0:50 and judge for yourself. Like the boss says, whether this is more or less nauseating than Bush holding hands with his pal Abdullah while they went for a garden scroll is immaterial. The fact remains that having to co-exist with the Saudis doesn’t mean having to respect them. When they stop whipping old ladies for having unrelated men in their homes, maybe then we can reconsider observing the niceties of protocol.
If this is a bow, it’s more than Elizabeth got when The One met her yesterday. Maybe if she started beheading people for not practicing the state religion, she’d have received a little more deference. Exit quotation from a 1994 edition of the NYT, contemplating the prospect of Clinton bowing to Japan’s emperor: “Canadians still bow to England’s Queen; so do Australians. Americans shake hands. If not to stand eye-to-eye with royalty, what else were 1776 and all that about?”
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So your answer is to vote for a guy who voted to allow newborn babes to die in storerooms? Your value system is appalling.
petunia on April 2, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Next week should be interesting:
econavenger on April 2, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Sadly the quality of trolls here at H/A has gone down of late. It’s just another consequence of recession. Perhaps we could talk AP into a bailout for them. Of course they are comical when they attempt to discuss anything beyond talking points…like…you know actual history and stuff.
Oldnuke on April 2, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Barry bows to Michelle the same way.
omnipotent on April 2, 2009 at 4:33 PM
No I haven’t.
Based on your brief discription it has a much chance of becoming law as I have of living to 150.
.
.
and you know it
oldernwiser on April 2, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I don’t remember seeing, hearing or ever reading about any US President ever bowing halfway down at the waist to greet any other head of state. I’ve looked on line and cannot find another example.
So, President Obama bowing down before Saudi King Abdullah may well be an historic first.
If you look at the clip, none of the other heads of state are greeting any other head of state with a deep formal bow. Only Obama. It’s shameful to the Office of the Presidency, the Constitution, and our history.
This also has many other negative implications. For example, Obama’s behavior is a propaganda coup for Muslims who believe non-Muslims must be forced to live as subservient dhimmis.
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 4:36 PM
He bows to a backward anti democratic kleptocrat whose extremist religious ideology is the bane of civilized society but the US constitution less deserving…..just a speed bump to shape and mold and dispense with the parts that are not so agreeable.
Classy.
moxie_neanderthal on April 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Propaganda coup, or message from Barry, I can’t say for sure.
Vashta.Nerada on April 2, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Libtard bloggers spent literally years whining about Bush holding that guy’s hand. So of course they see no hypocrisy at all in ignoring this.
Speedwagon82 on April 2, 2009 at 4:39 PM
So let me understand: Calling, or joking, that obama is a muslim, is now taboo on hotair, by order of the management?
When was this new policy implemented?
keep the change on April 2, 2009 at 4:41 PM
It’s a bow, sort of moving bow, but a bow nonetheless. And not even a respectful, nod of the head type. This was almost a full genuflect. Too bad the one guy in the foreground blocked the view. I’d like to make sure that PeBO didn’t kiss the king’s ring.
Coming soon, the dipping of the American Flag in a review parade…….
Mallard T. Drake on April 2, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Judging by your posts on this thread, you have far more serious things to worry about than the state taking control of your reproductive system.
califcon on April 2, 2009 at 4:41 PM
The next scene shows Barry on his knees…
He rises and wipes a white substance off his lips…
Kuffar on April 2, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Geez, if you must be servile at least the Queen is from the land of the Magna Carta and Shakespeare …..
The Saudi King…..probably can’t spell his own name. A veritable land of Jed Clampetts
moxie_neanderthal on April 2, 2009 at 4:44 PM
The Japanese bow to each other as a sign of mutual respect. ‘Splain to me how the POTUS of the most powerful country on Earth bows…deeply…to a guy who got his title by heritage but the bow doesn’t get returned.
Crusty on April 2, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Why do you guys always have to go there? I hated seeing this story as much as the next person, but do you have to be so incredibly vulgar?
capitalist piglet on April 2, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Barry: Hey King, Let me show you how a good Lewinski is done.
veni vidi vici on April 2, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Uncropped pic: http://www.puma08.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/bowingtosaudiking.jpg
Daft Punk on April 2, 2009 at 4:49 PM
This I do not remember either. Little head bows, smiles, handshakes, other touches, yes – but not a bow, especially not one like this. (Which was the only one that took place in that room – I watched this event from a couple of different angles on several sites.)
I did spend some time looking for pictures of previous presidents with heads of state, and found a picture of Bush holding hands with some guy. Not sure what that was all about (!), but at least neither one was subservient in the picture.
I think our gooses are cooked.
Alana on April 2, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Wow, tag team getalifes here on HA today. Carville and Begala must have promised them all extra sharesd of Maytag stock.
As I recall, 90% popularity among the Euros didn’t help JFK much.
And what did JFK exactly “accomplish” in his 2 1/2 years in office, other than nearly starting a World War with Russia and escalating the war in Vietnam?
Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Wow…. little head Nod to the Queen of England, our long time allie…
Full half torso bow to the Saudi Prince… from the same country as most of the 9/11 guys, and who has been prooven to have funded insurgencies…
Romeo13 on April 2, 2009 at 4:54 PM
But your more than happy being an organ donor of the state? One thing leads to another….
portlandon on April 2, 2009 at 4:55 PM
How do you know O’bama’s “smart”? He’s never ever released any of his college records. Or his high school records. What’s he hiding?
BTW, according to MSNBC, your hero got 70 percent of the high school dropout vote. That’s 11 percent more than the next closest contender, Algore in 2000.
Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 4:55 PM
That would depend on how old you are right now.
And 51 to 41 is a better than 50-50 chance.
So yeah….I want nothing to do with the ‘tard party.
Sorry.
strangelet on April 2, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Barry knows his true master; The more shocking the more people will pay attention. This is the most shocking thing I’ve seen an American President do. Americans DO NOT bow to foriegn potentates; Especially ones that hate our society and want to bring us down. Try being a Christian in SA. To hell with Barry and his Master.
Kuffar on April 2, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I just read that per the LA Times, from an article printed in September 2005, the Saudi King said that you should only bow to God and it is a “violation of God’s laws” for a man to bow to another man. He also bans his citizens from kissing his ring and his hands for the same reasons.
LOL! How rich! Obama not only looks like a @#%-kissing buffoon but has just committed a sacrilegious offense.
Obama better get around to staffing that Protocol Office soon (or not – makes for more gaffes and laughs for us!)>
Will the MSM cover this or cover it up? What if Bush or McCain or Palin had done it?
sarahpalinfan99 on April 2, 2009 at 4:58 PM
And what did JFK exactly “accomplish” in his 2 1/2 years in office, other than nearly starting a World War with Russia and escalating the war in Vietnam?
He died and became a saint. Just like Harvey Milk.
GarandFan on April 2, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Yet another example of the rapid-reprogram capabilities of the getalife model teleprompter.
On another thread, Skippy here cut and pasted the exact same canned phrase, with one additional word added. It called the G20 “a glorious success”.
When I correctly pointed out to getaclue that the word “glorious” is frequently used as a propaganda phrase by the official North Korean radio station, Begala said “uh-oh!” and hauled her in for a recharge.
The
adultsjuveniles are in charge now.Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I guess we know where that $650 million during the election came from, at least in part. Obama bends at the waist like a $500 hooker, and it’s apparent from his record.
chunderroad on April 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Seriously, you are being paranoid.
Count to 10 on April 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Don’t feed the trolls.
chunderroad on April 2, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Also, if you look at the whole video, Obama does not bow down to any other head of state. And no head of state bowed down before Obama, most especially the Saudi King.
Thanks for that. So, the President not only bows down before the King, but does do on bended knee. WOW!!!!
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 5:04 PM
OH MY GOSH!!! This guy is the very definition of bumbling idiot. No wonder that the Europeans love him so much!!!! They love us to look the fool.
Now I know why Obama had to have his own press conference. The others were all laughing at him.
And our the press is falling all over itself saying how wonderful it was to give up our status… and become one small country among many many many many others…
I wonder how much of the $1 trillion dollars is coming from our pockets. Well that won’t be discussed for days yet. Let’s get this 3.5 trillion dollar boondoggle out of Congress first. Then we will talk about the next $1T.
petunia on April 2, 2009 at 5:04 PM
He gives a gift from Costco polluted with his own verbal garbage to the constitional monarch of the greatest ally of this country; and bows before an absolute despot of a country, which if it didn’t have oil, would be thankfully unknown to Americans. Sickening.
Lou Budvis on April 2, 2009 at 5:07 PM
LOL! A Leftist quoting Horowitz as a credible source? We really have struck a raw nerve here.
Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I think Kennedy actually started Viet Nam. Johnson escalated it.
petunia on April 2, 2009 at 5:09 PM
“And what did JFK exactly “accomplish” in his 2 1/2 years in office,..He died and became a saint. Just like Harvey Milk.”
And died at the hands of someone who would have been a DUmmie or KOShack if they had been around in 1963.
Lou Budvis on April 2, 2009 at 5:11 PM
I wish Obama would issue a press release saying that he tripped or something and it just looked like a bow. This is bigger than just the dufus that is Obama. This is precedent. And I dont’ like it one bit.
petunia on April 2, 2009 at 5:11 PM
And one who never gets credit for anything: Nixon. Nixon ended it.
petunia on April 2, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Remember all those overseas contributions flowing into the Obama campaign to get him elected? Obama is merely showing gratitude to the oil tick who bought him the American Presidency (and who is currently telling him how best to go about ruining the American economy).
NahnCee on April 2, 2009 at 5:16 PM
If this doesn’t make you f***ing head explode, nothing will. I feel like I’m covered with something filthy and it is airborne.
inspectorudy on April 2, 2009 at 5:18 PM
The President of the United state bows down on bended knee before the King of Saudi Arabia.
I see it in video in jpeg, I say it and type it, but I still cannot accept it. I never will accept it.
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 5:18 PM
madrassa is strong with the One
runner on April 2, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Jenfidel on April 2, 2009 at 4:20 PM
He says he hates oil and has done away with any drilling in our country. So when he finally decides (for our benefit) that we really can’t do without oil, guess who he will get further down for? He is the MANCHURIAN PRES!
Come on, put the 2 pix beside each other, Allah.
As for the trolls, I guess if you don’t answer them they will finally give up. It’s amazing how much faster you can read a blog when you identify them and skip reading their posts.
Bambi on April 2, 2009 at 5:19 PM
you stated that you made your choice of who to vote for based on not wanting to become a womb of the state.
I felt that was a straw dog to cover up some other reason
I still feel that way. the ND house passed that bill (not law) on FEB 17th 2009. 3 months after the election.
It hasn’t passed their senate yet, IF it does it will still have to be tested in federal court(s).
Do you even live in North Dakota?
If worry about your womb really is why you voted,with no other considerations apart from your own selfish reason,with no consideration for what is the over all good for your country, then I suggest that your lack the maturity to vote in the first place.
Legal abortion is the law of the land. There where many more currently important issues to be considered during the last election.
oldernwiser on April 2, 2009 at 5:19 PM
In reality the US involvement in Vietnam was started much earlier, by Harry Truman.
Kennedy however escalated things when he gave the CIA the OK to assassinate South Vietnamese leaders in 1963.
Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 5:21 PM
I wish you could prove that… But at this point it probably wouldn’t help us anyway. That budget is going to pass before this week is up.
petunia on April 2, 2009 at 5:22 PM
If memory serves… Eisenhour sent somthing like 900 advisors… then Kennedy escalated to 15 or 16 thousand… then it went on from there…
Romeo13 on April 2, 2009 at 5:22 PM
It looks like a bow to me, and I dont care for it. Being respectful of traditions to some extent is laudable. However, I see no reason for our leader to bow to another leader if the courtesy isnt going to be extended in the opposite direction (and I see no real reason for anybody to bow to President Obama).
For the same reason that I think it’s fine for the First Lady to have touched the Queen’s back, I think it’s wrong for Obama to bow to any foreign leader. Using the proper term (”Your majesty” or whatever) should be sufficient.
orange on April 2, 2009 at 5:22 PM
I did google it and according to Wiki… but I remember discussing in an American History class in college… and I remember the consensus was it was Kennedy’s fault but whatever it has been cleaned up either justly or unjustly. One can never tell. And I was too young to remember anything.
petunia on April 2, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Somewhere around 1955 we sent about 700 advisers to South Vietnam for training purposes. We also provided military aid and materials to the Vietnamese government. Eisenhower was president at the time. Truman sent aid to the French even before this.
Oldnuke on April 2, 2009 at 5:25 PM
BTW I will give JFK credit for one thing in his Presidency. Namely getting us started on the way to the Moon.
Of course, many on the Left despised him for that, saying the money would have been better spent here on Earth.
Of course, much of what we take for granted in 2009 is a direct result of the technology of the Apollo Program. Yes, the old evil “industrial-military complex” actually had some good results.
Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Maybe not. It could be a robo-troll, programmed to post diversions on threads that threaten its programmers.
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 5:28 PM
The first American killed in Vietnam was an OSS officer in 1945.
Harry Truman started our involvment there in 1950.
Timeline
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1945.html
Del Dolemonte on April 2, 2009 at 5:31 PM
I have a question for anyone. Who is dumber Obama or dirt?
thmcbb on April 2, 2009 at 5:41 PM
According to the news reports and the trillion dollars that the U.S. will most likely have to pay the lion’s share of, I figured Obama pretty much bent over for EVERYONE in Londonstan.
HornetSting on April 2, 2009 at 5:42 PM
You are so right.
INC on April 2, 2009 at 5:42 PM
It really is frustrating to hear Americans have the mistaken idea that out of etiquette or culture, we bow/curtsy. No American has any business cowing or curtsying–a curtsy or bow is to denote subservience to a particular entity. In other countries, the citizenry bows or curtsies to their sovereigns; Americans do not have sovereigns, and it is incorrect to bow/curtsy to those of other nations. We bend our knees to God, or whatever we worship. American debutantes will curtsy to Society. Americans properly behave with dignity when we are not participating in the rituals of other countries (e.g., standing, arms at sides, during their national anthems). When we deal with royalty, the only proper response is the traditional handshake and appropriate address (”Your Majesty” to the Queen, “Your Highness” to the Prince, “Your Holiness” to the Pope). No head bows, little dips, anything. In Obama’s case, the American President is equal in rank to the leaders of other countries, so he should wait for the Queen to extend her hand (ladies outranking gentlemen), and in the case of the Saudis, if he is dealing with a ruler older than he, he waits for the handshake (age outranking youth).
DrMagnolias on April 2, 2009 at 5:50 PM
I agree,, first thing I thought was he kissed the ring.
Is that a secret service agent there attempting to block the camera??
JellyToast on April 2, 2009 at 5:51 PM
OMG! I’m speechless!
SouthernGent on April 2, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Maybe Obama is just showing respect to his boss.
JellyToast on April 2, 2009 at 5:52 PM
What an idiot!
BHO must not be an actual citizen because if he was, he would already know that a US citizenis indeed sovereign, a true citizen sovereign, and no sovereign bows to another.
epluribusunum on April 2, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Dirt may be dumb, but at least it is entirely neutral when it comes to people, and it does have something to teach us.
Paraphrasing Walt Whitman, regardless of their status, the dirt gives them the same, the dirt receives them the same.
But Obama is not neutral in his treatment of people. The current President of the United States ONLY bows down on bended knee to the king of Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, the answer to your question is that President Obama is dumber than dirt.
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 6:01 PM
It looks like he was going to, then checked himself.
bnelson44 on April 2, 2009 at 6:02 PM
What the hell is this crap!
Some one get a fork , stick it in obummer, he is DONE.
The leader of the USA bows to another !
HOLY CRAP people!
ColdWarrior57 on April 2, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Who precisely are you suggesting the CIA killed? If you’re suggesting Diem, that would be incorrect, though a popular misconception. Having said that, JFK and US ambasador was aware of the plot to remove Diem by General Minh.
moxie_neanderthal on April 2, 2009 at 6:23 PM
What kind of drugs is this criminal and his posse on?
stlpatriot on April 2, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Yet you voted one, and the party, into the White House.
Bravo
jdkchem on April 2, 2009 at 6:35 PM
And the number of bows to a Saudi King are how many for each?
These 87% are not voting in the 2012 election. It is the 50% of all of the rest of us.
OneConservative on April 2, 2009 at 6:47 PM
I tried to find the LA Times article you mentioned. It’s not at their site, but Freeper does have a quote:
INC on April 2, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Way over 15. He just humiliated the US.
journeyintothewhirlwind on April 2, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Would you guys (and gals) agree that we have kept the Saudi’s safe and secure for over 40 years. We supply them with the latest weapons, technology, and training.
We subsidize their lifestyle by being their number one customer for oil. This allows the Saudi’s to have zero income tax, import cheap labor from Asia (nannys from indonesia, and drivers for the women from the Indian subcontinent), and have a local per gallon gas of less than 50 cents a gallon.
Marc01 on April 2, 2009 at 6:53 PM
I like how he pulled his right leg back like he was almost going to take a knee.
skree on April 2, 2009 at 6:55 PM
The credit should go to the Dems who forced his hand then reneged on support for South Vietnam delivering millions to Communism and it’s death camps.
Maquis on April 2, 2009 at 6:56 PM
I’ll tell you see Obama with bended knee like that really gives me the creeps. I never, ever, ever thought I’d see a President to that.
INC on April 2, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Thanks for the link and quote about King Abdullah’s disapproval of kissing hands and bowing.
However, King Abdullah and his staff seem either pleased or humored by Obama’s demonstration of submission. At the very least, they are smiling down at Obama in this photo.
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Loxodonta,
Yes. It is absolutely stomach turning to look at that.
The bended knee behind Obama gives balance and enables him to bow lower than if his feet were side by side.
The symbolism of this act is reprehensible.
INC on April 2, 2009 at 7:06 PM
I may be crazy but it looked to me like Obama was kissing the King’s ring. Ive seen two different angles of the footage and both are blocked when it come to Obama’s head. But it looks like he reached out his and and lowered his head at the same time…
AnthonyK on April 2, 2009 at 7:11 PM
….Bow down before the one you serve…
….Your gonna get what you deserve…..
NIN
mechkiller_k on April 2, 2009 at 7:16 PM
YAWN…..
This is kaka Allah. How about some more meaty stories related to the G20 rather than this sort of dross.
lexhamfox on April 2, 2009 at 7:31 PM
OH NOEZ! Qwik! Change the subject!
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 7:40 PM
“Only loyal subjects bow to a king. American presidents are equal if not higher than any other leader anywhere therefore American presidents greet any and all heads of States as no greater than equals.”
BINGO! Thank you for capturing it so succinctly.
jimboslice on April 2, 2009 at 7:41 PM
You can’t be new here Loxy, you’ve got this down pat! :)
Maquis on April 2, 2009 at 7:45 PM
+10
HornetSting on April 2, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Would have been funnier if you said that yesterday.
But that’s beside the point.
We keep hearing how the Obamas keep breaking protocol because they just don’t know what to do, but now it seems that they are just being selective.
geckomon on April 2, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I’m old, have extensive experience and a long and fabulous memory.
And who are you? Have we ever met before?
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 7:51 PM
;)
Maquis on April 2, 2009 at 7:53 PM
I’m glad you threw that part in AP. As a career Enlisted Military, having to salute all the shiney stuff, didn’t matter if who was wearing it turned out to be a soup sandwich, I understand traditions. It would be beneath HA to bait and switch, and I’m glad you didn’t. With that said, given a choice between complying with the two traditions while in Saudi Arabia, I would toss a quick bow and keep my hands to myself.
When in Rome, do as the Romans, within reason.
Hog Wild on April 2, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Wow, another historic first:
First American President to bow down before a foreign king.
Just wonderful.
JayVee on April 2, 2009 at 8:15 PM
I know of no US President who has ever bowed on bended knee before a monarch as clearly shown by this photo. So, this is not tradition, but a precedent that goes against our entire history.
Also, if you look at the video at the top of the thread, none of the other heads of state bow down before any of the other heads of state. Only Obama does, and only to the king of Saudi Arabia.
Further, the photo of the President’s action can be used by our nation’s enemies to demonstrate American weakness and submissiveness.
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Isn’t “bowing” more of an Asian thing? Is this just another example of him being an idiot? Could it be the lack of a teleprompter that allowed him do something so stupid?
RightWinged on April 2, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Thanks. May comfort and peace be with you.
Loxodonta on April 2, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Someone posted how a bow is done in Japan–it was about 15 degrees. That’s barely a nod.
This kind of a bow is subservient.
is right.
INC on April 2, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Is it actually a bow of deference and respect? One’s heart sinks at the sight. Could there be a story here we haven’t yet heard?
Mason on April 2, 2009 at 9:00 PM
You know it’s gonna happen! This will be a poster throughout the Muslim world I’ll bet. ‘~’
Maquis on April 2, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Barrack Osama has been on the Saudi’s payroll since he attended the terrorist training camp when he was 20.
Jerricho68 on April 2, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Thanks.
Maquis on April 2, 2009 at 9:14 PM
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