President of the United States Bows to Foreign King

By Bob Ellis on April 2nd, 2009

President Barack Obama may be tempted to blame his teleprompter for telling him to grovel in front of the king of Saudi Arabia, but I don’t see the teleprompter anywhere around in the picture below.

Didn’t anyone tell President Obama that Americans don’t bow down to anyone? Didn’t anyone tell President Obama that the President of the United States especially doesn’t bow down to anyone?

Didn’t anyone tell President Obama that Americans fought a long and bloody war so we wouldn’t have to bow down to a king anymore?

To my knowledge, even the Queen of England (a nation with values similar to our own) didn’t get this kind of worshipful treatment.

Is it a Muslim thing? The Saudi king is, after all, a Muslim. Is it something Obama picked up while registered as a Muslim in school in Jakarta?

I don’t want to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but when one bows, one signifies the superiority of the one bowed to. It is a gesture of submission. The leader of the most free nation in the world should not be slobbering on the ring of some king!

It was embarrassing when President Obama ungratefully gave back the gift from the British of the bust of Winston Churchill (one of their greatest prime ministers and one of America’s greatest foreign friends). It was embarrassing when the British gave President Obama a gift made from historic wood and President Obama gave the British…some DVDs–that won’t even play in their DVD players!

It’s been embarrassing enough to see other foreign relations gaffes (e.g. the red button we gave to Russia), feeling as if the White House was being run by a 9th grade school social club, but now…

It has been bad enough to hear Obama attempt to curry favor with the despots, tyrants and socialists around the world–since even before he was elected. It has been bad enough to see the President of the United States worried about what a bunch of European snivelers think of the United States. It has been bad enough to see the President of the United States treat terrorists and sponsors of terrorism as anything other than the dregs of humanity.

But to now actually see the President of the United States rendering obeisance to the king of a foreign nation, one with a poor human rights record–from which 15 out of 19 hijackers on September 11 came…I’m feeling sick (and something else, too).

obamabow

Note: Reader comments are reviewed before publishing, and only salient comments that add to the topic will be published. Profanity is absolutely not allowed and will be summarily deleted. Spam, copied statements and other material not comprised of the reader’s own opinion will also be deleted.

Categories: Commentary
Tags: America, bow, freedom, King Abdullah, obama, Saudi Arabia

jimmy

what a rediculous article, so anti-free world it's untrue....i cannot believe i wasted the time reading it....the reason america has such a degraded reputation in the world... with attitudes such as "we don't bow to anyone".....one word....PATHETIC

Bob Ellis

You can go bow to all the despots and tinpots you want, but free Americans have no reason to bow to anyone.

Perhaps you'd fit in better in Saudi Arabia, scraping before a dictator. When will you be moving?

jks869

can you say communism he's basically genuflecting if you know what that is at least he could have kept his legs straight it's a show of complete submission what he did i don't care if it is the king of his father's people

Braden

President Bush did the same thing.

I'm not saying I agree with it, but you can only spin a story so far before it stops being political spin and turns into lying.

Bob Ellis

Lying? I wasn't aware President Obama was even disputing what the pictures and video reveal: that he was bowing to the Saudi king.

Bush bowed to the Saudi King? I must have missed that...

HGeorge

Well said. It is comforting to know that there are other people out there who aren't groveling to Obama, but are actually paying attention to him. Thank you

dr. theo

The President of the United States neither bows nor expects others to bow, even an incompetent political hack such as Uh-bama should know that.
(There is an exception in some Asian countries, such as Japan, where a mutual bow is essentially the same as a hand-shake.)

jks869

president bush did not bow to the saudi king he held hands with him which in the saudi nation it means equality obama bowing basically genuflecting to the saudi king was showing that obama was not an equal but was beneath the saudi king i don't care if it is his fathers king or not he does not represent me and he is not my president i did not vote for him and i will not stand to be disgraced in that way

Steven Riley

bob
Bob
I think you need some time off. You're reading too much into this. Like it or not Saudi Arabia is a counrty that we deal with constantly and an ally of sorts. Your nationalism is going overboard by saying 'we dont bow to anyone'. Thats right in the sense that we stand up for our beliefs and will fight for them, but something this silly and small has no implications. I suspect Obama is smart enough to know that the Saudi king might fall for this gesture giving Obama an upper hand. It's like hugging your enemy before throwing him to the mat. You need to lighten up or you wont make it through the next 4 to 8 years

Bob Ellis

I think I said all I need to say in response in the original post, except that if people like me do lighten up on President Obama's incompetence, the nation won't make it through the next 4-8 years.

Rokky

Steve,
you just don't get it do you?

Rokky

Braden,
Have you got something to back up your claim that Bush bowed to a King?
If so, produce your proof.

wdurrani

In Islaam it is NOT allowed to bow anyone except Allaah. Even a small nod while greeting someone is NOT permissible.

Rokky

Thanks for the article Bob.
It's information like this that needs to be brought before the public so they will know just what trouble this country is headed for under Obama's leadership.
He is either stupid or has an agenda.
In my opinion, its more of the later and a lot of the former.

dennis

I went to this site to see what Malkin had said. The first thing I saw was "Bible Study Magazine" in the banner advertising ...bible bashers.

Barach Obama shows humility. So did Jesus Christ. Malkin wouldn't bow to anybody, but Jesus did. So that must mean that Malkin is better than Jesus ... legend in your own lunchtime.

Bob Ellis

I think you mean "Bible thumpers;" there's no Bible bashing going on here, at least not by the publisher.

To my recollection, Jesus was only subordinate to and would only bow to God the Father. I doubt you're ready to make the case that the king of Saudi Arabia is God the Father.

Edward J

Congratulations must go to Bob Ellis.

I live in Sydney, Australia, and found this website after reading a local article which summarised and sourced these comments.

We have a few shows of consistently high journalism such as Mornings With Keri Anne, 20 to 1 with Bert Newton, even Today Tonight or A Current Affair which I think would match up with your ability to provide insightful political analysis should you ever venture this way.

Perhaps you and Tom Petrovski could start a chat show together out here?

Anyway, just wanted congratulate you for showing what real Americans think, well done champ!

Bob Ellis

I see that the Sydney Morning Herald in Australia has picked up on this post: http://www.smh.com.au/world/obama-and-the-king-...

They quote an etiquette expert as saying it's alright for President Obama to bow and scrape before a foreign king because she did.

If she wants to do that, that's her call. But I have news for her: she isn't the President of the United States--the leader of a free people.

mary

I guess there is a reason you only write for the what's it called? Dakota Voice. Can you say spin factor? Get over it.

Bob Ellis

Actually I write and have written for a number of outlets and publications.

Spin factor? Take a look at the picture. Take a look at the video. Is not President Obama bowing to the king of a foreign nation? One that oppresses women and others? One from which 15 of the 19 911 hijackers came?

The fast spin cycle is the only thing that can excuse this shameful behavior from an American president.

Yazan

Haha. okay then. I agree with everything you said.

How dare he bow! OMG. He is such a bad president! He's even worse than George Bush.

Steven Riley

Would rather see ' The Bow' than Bushes clumsy grappling of Chancellor Merkel -another leader of a free people

Bob Ellis

It probably was clumsy, but it was intended to be a friendly gesture...and definitely not a subservient one.

Libby

Obama is officially the worst president ever.

Megan

Thanks for this great article. Obama is out of control with his trying to appease everyone and yet no one. He just comes across as a chump and makes Americans look like grovelers.

Megan

Wow, it is shocking how many Obama-lovers are on this page. They should be on CNN instead! Why can't Obama act like the Clinton's and quit the bowing?

Tristan Alexander

The comment of "Is it something Obama picked up while registered as a Muslim in school in Jakarta?" is perhaps one of the most uninformed and uneducated statements of the year. Clearly Bob Ellis has no cultural understanding of nations outside the United States for making the ridiculous link that attending a school in Indonesia makes a person 'registered as a muslim'. Furthermore, if Ellis had any understanding of Arabic culture, he would understand that President Obama's act of bowing is a gesture of respect, it is by no means a 'gesture of submission'. Furthermore, the criticism of Obama considering the opinions of the worlds leaders and 'European snivelers' is an admirable act for a president who is leading a nation that has single-handidly destroyed the global economy. It is in fact some of the European Snivelers, such as Sweden and Norway who have managed to maintain a far superior economic system to the US model and weathered the crisis. It is time Bob Ellis starts to open up his perspective from the ignorant view that the USA is the only nation and culture in the world. Otherwise, he should give up on commenting on international affairs and start reporting on what he actually knows about, hopefully Dakota.

Bob Ellis

I would suspect, Tristan, that you don't like my statement about Obama's time in Jakarta when he was registered as a Muslim because while he claims to be a Christian, he does a poor job of living like one, and has done a number of things that could indicate a Muslim leaning. Obama-worshippers, of course, hate it when any light whatsoever is shed on this.

And spare me the bull on the "bowing isn't submissive." I'm certainly not that stupid, and I doubt many other people are, either. Do a little research on the gesture and you'll find nothing but a history and implication of submission. Are you that ignorant, or just a liberal propaganda artist?

Your quip about Norway and Sweden having superior economies is laughable, too. Yeah, they're real powerhouses (wink, wink)! If one's definition of a superior economic system is anti-freedom, anti-property rights socialism, yes, they probably have us there. But that's not superior in the American lexicon.

I am well aware that the United States is not "the only nation and culture in the world." What an inane thing to say. Even if I hadn't been to several other countries (as I have), I would be well aware of that. Your comment is, however, something I have heard from quite a few people who are jealous of the wonderful life we have in America.

There is no nation on earth with more freedom, more power, more affluence, more prosperity than the United States. This is true because we are a nation founded on liberty, limited government and a free market. If there was a better place to live on this planet, I would be living there...but there isn't.

You seem to be afflicted with some good ole fashioned anti-Americanism. Plenty of people in the international community are grateful for all the great things America has brought the world, and for the fact that we've shouldered the burden of leadership and fighting back the despots and tyrants. Others are just jealous and petty.

Bonnie Redden

I just heard about this site today and want to thank you.So many sites refuse to print what real people are thinking and feeling.To remain silent is to accept and agree.

Bob Ellis

Thanks, Bonnie. You hit the nail on the head.

Angelo Galati

Very well said. When will liberals begin asking the world to be more accepting of the American way of life instead of the other way around? For generations, America has stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to people of all nations, yet our own people constantly berate her. Foreigners flock to this country by the thousands every day. Why?

For Tristan: If you feel that Obama's subservient gesture was OK, why is his own propaganda minister Robert Gibbs claiming that Obama DID NOT bow? He claims that Obama was merely bending over to shake the hand of a shorter man. It would appear that you are uninformed and uneducated or simply ignorant.

The phony intellectualism that most liberals feel they have is quite amusing.

Wolfman87

"I think you need some time off. You're reading too much into this. Like it or not Saudi Arabia is a counrty that we deal with constantly and an ally of sorts."- Steven

"It's like hugging your enemy before throwing him to the mat."-Steven

Well Steven, I don't know where your from but I'm glad I don't live there. I live in a place where, to be respected as an equal, you have to act like one. When I was in High School (Go Cobblers) when guys on the wrestleing team or the football team would act like leaders, we followed them, they guys that acted like our equals, were treated that way. The guys that acted timid and subserviant, well, they got treated that way. If Saudi is such an important partner for the US, perhaps we should establish ourselves as equals by acting like one, not bowing like a cowering servant. Also, what kind of "ally of sorts" harbors terroroists that hate America and condones OPEC jacking up oil prices on us? Yeah they are real pals.

Where I come from we don't "hug our enemy before throwing them to the mat." If you are my enemy, and I think I speak for the rest of us midwestern/western folks when I say, we confront you up front with honor and dignity and face our enemy like a true warrior, not some coward that hugs and then stabs in the back. I suggest you take a hard look at your values and perhaps re-evaluate yourself.

Wolfman87, South Dakotan

coptic man

Mr Tristan Alexander with my respect to you. We the Copti poeple are the only Christian people that Understand very well Arabic culture because we are occupied by Arab
you don't Know any thing about Arabic culture
in Arabic culture the Black slave only (Gholame) is allowed to bow to his master
but the free Arabic man Must not bow to any thing exept the black stone in Ka'ba In Mecca
even he meet Mohammed's successor ( Khalifa ) he mustn't bow

Bonnie Redden

I am a 67 year old great-grandmother--grandmother--mother--daughter--sister--aunt--political activist and Republican but first and foremost I am an AMERICAN.Something that Obama is not.Americans bow to nobody.That fool running around acting like he represents me makes me want to puke (did I type that out loud).To jimmy----so you don't like America--well you are free to leave--which is something that a lot of people in the rest of the world are nor free to do.We are being held hostage by 535 fools in DC and it is time for them to hear from the Heartland.

shaky jake

"There he goes again" embarrassing us in front of the world! This guy just isn't presidential material. What a sap. He's in way over his head.
Now, if he were barfing on the Saudi King, that would be different! (Apologies to the Japanese Prime Minister.)

Wolfman87

Um, I'm not really sure how my comment got on there twice, sorry about that.

Will48

I think Obama should be impeached for that!

Preferring Lincoln, who started the civil war in America, over Churchill who uncompromisingly fought the oppressive Nazi tyranny, may betray his real agenda.

missy

One should bow down to God, Jesus Christ only, he's our maker!!!

DD

He bows to this fat pig. Not very smart.
But he Obama is a Liberal. They don't have a great track record for intelligence.

DD

What a Moron.
This is very embarrasssing.

Joseph

1) World leaders do not bow to each other.
2) The Japanese do bow but not in the western sense of submission but one of mutual respect.
3) The United States does not lower it's flag (note olympics) to any country.
4) Bowing is not a muslim thing to another muslim. An Infidel is another matter. Muslims kiss the hands or cheeks of each other. Infidels bow.

Estine

I hate to say it, because I admire(d?) the President so much, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out WHY he felt it appropriate to bow like this? It couldn't be the royal protocol thing because he didn't do all this with QE. What the hell was he thinking? I would like this question to be asked at his next town hall meeting. And that's another thing - he has done enough town hall meetings, enough interviews, press conferences. He needs to be in his office, doing some work.

I just thank GOD he didn't kiss the King's hand.

Kissed the king's hand

I have a feeling that Obama did not just bow but also kissed the king's hand. Kissing hand is part of the muslim culture. besides, from the picture it looks like he is kissing the king's hand. The kissing part successfully blocked from the cameras.

Gypsy

haha i guess you forgot this little clip??

http://imagesource.cnn.com/imagesource/player.s...
where Bush is accepting a medal and bowing to receive it, kissing saudi king and holding hands~ i think ur full of BS to make a mountain out of a mole hill` get real

Bob Ellis

Gypsy, you really should try independent thought and perhaps a little education to boot. It would go a long way to make you better prepared to live in the world and perhaps embarrass yourself less.

If you'd tried either of those (rather than relying on pap from liberal propaganda mouthpieces) you'd realize that President Bush was bending over to have the medal put around his neck. Quite a difference, both in appearance and intent. You might also realize that the kisses and hand-holding are not uncommon in that culture.

If you truly do not see the difference in President Bush's gestures and President Obama's very clear and deep bow to the Saudi king, you are in great need of help. You should seek out that help at your earliest opportunity.

jb

Actually, after he receives the medal he looks at multiple people and 'bows' at them. its not as pronounced as Obama, but he is certainly bowing his head

lank

i heard about it and did not pay it much ind until i saw it for my self..... when will America wake up to this mans agenda.... it is not what our fore fathers envisioned, it is not what our constitution has prescribed... Wake up Americans.... let's us not go down this path.. and away from what we truly are and what we believe in....

Jim

....all I can say is, Bob Ellis gets it! Read his comments and see if you can get it too.

Bill Stevens Valentine

Bob, this site can be used for so much better than what it is being used for. I was taught that “Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship”. Instead of using this site as a soap box to preach bigotry to your choir, how about using it as a platform to express what needs to change; constructive criticism is the best criticism. Attack the issues at hand, not the POTUS! You write an entire article over a faux pas? Really? Don't be fooled into thinking that an Austrailian newspaper wants to publish your work as the view of the people. They want to show a nation divided. You have done your country an injustice far worse than a bowing President, you have shown a country divided. Use your talents to change the political landscape rather than sitting behind a desk pointing fingers and asking for rioters to hang the President for ruining the country after only 3 short months (all the while he is trying to undo the years prior to his taking office). Wake up, the country is in trouble (and not by the current POTUS); don't waste your freedom of speech on hate mongering and name calling. You can go through all the leaders you want, but if you don't voice what you want changed and not just who you want changed, you will see the same thing every four years. This will probably be censored, but at least you read it.

Bob Ellis

Take a look around, Bill. I hit the issues more than many (maybe most) websites that are little more than political gossip sites. I repeatedly provide constructive craftsmanship.

You say I "have shown a country divided." Would you rather we all be in agreement as we go into oblivion? Would that make everything sweetness and light for you? I cannot stand quietly by while anyone demeans, diminishes and humiliates my country and all that it stands for--especially the president himself!

This incident is about far more than a mere faux pas by a president who's out of his league. It is about an attitude that puts the values and opinions of a bunch of socialists and despots above the values and safety of this nation--an attitude personified in this pathetic act of bowing before a foreign king.

It took President Obama three short months to send this nation trillions of dollars in debt--something even President Bush and the drunken-sailor Republicans, nor the Democrats of the 1980s--managed to do. It took President Obama three short months to nominate five or more tax cheats to his cabinet. It took President Obama three short months to humiliate America before the world as our leader traveled abroad and bad-mouthed his own nation.

I did nothing to this man, Sir. Obama has made his own lousy bed with no help from--or heed to--patriotic Americans.

This country is indeed in trouble. And your attempt to shield an American president who loathes his own country are taking us deeper into trouble.

I suggest you pull your head out of whatever dark place you've stuck it and get with patriotic Americans like myself and work to bring this nation back to our moral foundations, our Constitutional, limited government free-market roots before it's too late.

Kevin

Don't blame me, I voted for McCain.

TRACY

IS THIS TRUE
ITS NOT PHOTO SHOPED OR ANYTHING
I PRAY THAT ITS NOT REAL
I HAVE NEVER HERD OF ANY OTHER PRESIDENT KISSING OR BOWING TO ANY foreign nation
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY DOUBTS ABOUT BERRY ( his real name)

REDROPE65

im confused is berry {obama} musilum or Christian you cant be both but you can have beliefs about both religions. its whats in the nature of your heart..... but him and the 500+ others in the white house running this country.... GRRRRRRRRRRRRR I THINK I HAD MORE TO SAY BUT NOW IM MADDDDD

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President of the United States Bows to Foreign King

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