Photo: FreeRepublic.com
In modern America and the western world as a whole, symbolism has lost much of its significance and cultural relevance. The press, in the past, has been quite happy to drop a title as stodgy and outmoded as Mr. President. Secularists relish the failing power of religious symbols and the frequency with which they are removed from government buildings. Likewise, while we offer prayers at important events, many of our countrymen fight to outlaw even these, taking temporary comfort in the increasingly nondenominational and meaningless nature of such prayers.
This trend continued at the latest G-20 summit where President Obama greeted the King of Saudi Arabia with a bow (The actual bow occurs at the 55 second mark in the video below). To Obama, I’m sure this was simply an opportunity to show the Saudi King that he, President Obama, is different and not so stuck up as to insult Saudi Arabian custom. He’s modern enough to humor the Saudi Arabians for a day, after all "different strokes for different folks." Unfortunately, Obama and others who think like him do not realize still remains a large group of people both in the United States and abroad who recognize that symbols and gestures can carry tremendous power.
Take, for example, bowing before a king. The early leaders of the United States of America, founded as a free federalist republic after facing the tyranny of a king, had a deep disdain for the societal relationship that kingship signified. Our ancestors believed that all men are created equal and did not bow to kings out of dedication to that principle. They understood that bowing was a societal gesture designed to acknowledge and highlight the fundamental inequality between different men in a social hierarchy. While some might consider this refusal petty, should we not refrain from actions that do not uphold our principles, especially when nothing but goodwill with an already friendly country is at stake? If you do not respect your values enough when there is nothing to lose and little to gain, what will you do when the stakes are high?
If all Saudis greeted each other (as many Japanese do) in this manner, than it would be nothing more than a simple cultural difference. All Saudis, however, do not greet one another in this manner. Handshakes are the norm in Saudi business culture and a Saudi bows only to his superiors, namely the king. If the President had not bowed, he would not have been disrespectful; he simply would not have performed a social custom designed solely to recognize the special relationship between a king and his subjects.
For the U.S. President to bow, as only a subject of the Saudi King would bow, is an implicit repudiation of the importance of Western (especially American) cultural values. Just as the Saudi Arabians have the right to maintain their own culture, so do we. While private citizens have the right to do whatever they please when they are abroad, even if that means humoring foreign social hierarchies, the President of the United States has an obligation to uphold our deepest beliefs and guiding principles as he represents us on the world stage.
This event will only serve to further highlight the difference between conservatives and liberals. While conservatives see it as a betrayal of our beliefs and values and a sign of weakness to a foreign tyrant, liberals will undoubtedly try to portray conservatives as stodgy, backward thinkers who don’t know when to lighten up. I don’t expect this be presented on any news station except for Fox, but, if it somehow hits the other networks, expect liberal commentators to spin this as Obama’s new commitment to being a global team player. If we were in grade school, I’d be impressed by little Obama’s maturity: going around to all those misunderstood bullies: "I’m OK, you’re OK, we’re all OK!" Touching… You might be able to convince yourself that works with children, but we’re not talking about one kid who plays soccer and another who plays with his chemistry set. We’re talking about one culture that believes in Jihad, a global empire, and repressive sharia law juxtaposed with one founded on individual value, equality, and freedom. We are not in kindergarten and, last I checked, my ancestors suffered and died for this nation to create a place for themselves and their children that is truly unique in this world. I demand that my president respect my values and our culture first. If and only if, a gesture is compatible with American principles should the President go out of his way to make it. Mr. President, I’m insulted. Is there anything that you won’t sell for the right price?
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13 Comments, Comment or Ping
flinnie
Here’s the thing…anyone that knows about cultures that bow will tell you there are many levels of bows. As your stature drops the more you bend. Therefore if you are on the bottom rung of the social ladder you bend at almost a 90 degree angle. The more neck you show the more submissive you are to that person. I believe it goes back to ancient times when people carried swords(and you could be beheaded). You basically are putting your life in the other persons hands. If you notice Obama is almost at 90 degrees! But more importantly the king is obviously just wanting a handshake as its thrust out for our President, but Obama does him one better with a shake bow! I guess that is the official greeting for a global citizen!
Apr 6th, 2009
flinnie
Not sure if you saw or not, but the white house is denying this is a bow! Check out Ben Smith’s blog at Politico.com
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/White_House_No_bow_to_Saudi.html
Apr 8th, 2009
admin
I did indeed. I just saw it on Drudge. I can understand the case to be made for bowing, but there is absolutely no way that you can convince me he was leaning over to shake hands. If that’s truly a two-handed handshake, I’ll make a pilgrimage to DC myself and apologize in my underwear in front of the Whitehouse. I have even heard Obama supporters agreeing with me on this one; everyone who has seen the video thinks he’s bowing.
Apr 8th, 2009
Becky Fredrickson
Obama does not understand the significance or importance of the office of President of the United States which he demonstated with the bow to the King of Saudia Arabia. He represents our Country, our beliefs, our history, on the world stage. He continues to make a mockery of the Presidency; a direct reflection of our Country…perhaps because he lacked the qualifications to begin with! Or perhaps the “change” he boasted about is yet to come?
Apr 9th, 2009
Guillermo Pineda
This post was clever, correct and very elocuent. By far one of the best ones I’ve read at your blog! congrats. I also wrote some ideas regarding this insult to America and the Western Civilization on my blog (a post in Spanish language).
Thanks for your post.
Apr 15th, 2009
Anonymous
ok,today’s US declined,and US representive is out of his way,what a shame even to a ordinary citizen
Apr 15th, 2009
GBARADE, ESQ.
I don,t see anything wrong with Obama’s gesture to the Saudi King. It’s just a show of respect and humility for the monarch. I don’t think it takes away anything from America’s universally-accepted status as a world power and as a leading democratic nation. Whatever way one looks at it, Obama still continues to enjoy popular support all over the world, and his acts of openess and humility, like this very one, is just one of the many reasons why he is so loved.
Does it really pay to feel too big?
Apr 20th, 2009
Madas
Absolutely not… which is why I believe our President should not encourage a king to do so. The President should have treated him respectfully as he should treat everyone who he meets, but not tacitly acknowledged his right to kingship (ESPECIALLY when the situation didn’t even remotely call for it).
Also, King Abdullah himself has said that his subjects should not bow to him as they should only bow to God. So no matter how you look at it, it wasn’t an appropriate gesture (culturally, ideologically, etc.).
Apr 20th, 2009
Stephen
It is interesting to note….NO OTHER DIGNITARY BOWED…not EVER any of the FEMALES and that is significant as in Saudi Arabia, a woman has fewer rights than a man’s dog…I know, I lived there for almost 3 years altogether. Obama bowed to demonstrate / humble himself before the Saudi King. The liberal Democrats and Republicans have consistently , over the last 8 years since 9/11/01 accused Saudi Arabia…and rightfully so, of supporting terrorism worldwide….remember Mayor Guliani REFUSED a $1,000,000 check from a Saudi Prince to the City of New York as Guliani knew very well the Saudi royalty, more than likely, knew of the plot and even supported it financially….18 of the terrorisds were of course Saudi. OBAMA BOWS to the KING ? If you don’t smell a BIG RAT…then you must be a hypocrite !
May 14th, 2009
Robert
AMERICANS ARE THE SUPREME RULERS OF THE WORLD. WE SHOULD NEVER BOW!
So let me get this logic straight….its alright for foreign leaders to shake hands when they come to america and if they don’t its frowned upon. However, when we go to someone else’s culture we are going to ignore their customs?
Faux news wins retards over once again
Nov 18th, 2009
admin
@Robert: As I said, even the King of Saudi Arabia told his subjects not to bow. IT ISN’T A CUSTOM IN SAUDI ARABIA. Even if it were, American tradition and principle should prevent our President from prostrating our entire nation. A private citizen, or even a diplomat, might choose to bow out of protocol, but the President is not just any person. He is the embodiment of everything we believe in here, and we do not believe in kings and social hierarchy. He, naturally, should have been polite, but bowing is out of the question. I suggest you read my entire piece next time before opening your mouth and sounding like an idiot. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you have crippling ADD.
Mar 22nd, 2010
admin
@Robert: As I said, even the King of Saudi Arabia told his subjects not to bow. IT ISN’T A CUSTOM IN SAUDI ARABIA. Even if it were, American tradition and principle should prevent our President from prostrating our entire nature. A private citizen, or even a diplomat, might choose to bow out of protocol, but the President is not just any person. He is the embodiment of everything we believe in here, and we do not believe in kings and social hierarchy. He, naturally, should have been polite, but bowing is out of the question. I suggest you read my entire piece next time before opening your mouth and sounding like an idiot. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you have crippling ADD.
Mar 22nd, 2010
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