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shpsgr
Guest
President Obama greeted the king of Saudi Arabia with a full bow from the waist yesterday, a move one commentator described as a violation of protocol and not worthy of the office he holds.
The situation developed as leaders of the world attending the G20 summit in London assembled for a photograph to mark the event.
In this first image, after the king extended his hand while Obama approached, Obama bends from the waist until his head is nearly at the monarch's waist:
In a second image, Obama has straightened up and is exchanging remarks with the Saudi leader:
I can only imagine if this had been GWB and all the front page news these pictures would be plastered on. What do you think of your president bowing down?
The symbolism of submission will not be lost on the Islamic world which respects strength, not weakness.
The situation developed as leaders of the world attending the G20 summit in London assembled for a photograph to mark the event.
In this first image, after the king extended his hand while Obama approached, Obama bends from the waist until his head is nearly at the monarch's waist:
In a second image, Obama has straightened up and is exchanging remarks with the Saudi leader:
I can only imagine if this had been GWB and all the front page news these pictures would be plastered on. What do you think of your president bowing down?
The symbolism of submission will not be lost on the Islamic world which respects strength, not weakness.