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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www.youtube.com/watch?v=S60U-hl35Gw