Obama bows to Saudi King

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

It's not arrogant, it's proper.

As Americans, it is proper.

For others, it's another example of American arrogance.


I really think he was trying to shatter that idea that MANY folks around the world have about America and Americans.


I know I am not the only who has heard of the phrase "ugly American", as spoken by a person who is not an American.

[*AQuietPlace*]

I'm not trying to just push the point and argue with you.... .... but really, this has nothing to do with American arrogance. The presidents and kings just don't bow to each other. It's not just an American thing.

It really bothers me that he bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia, but not the Queen of England!?! I think that sends a really bad signal. Not a surprising one, though.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I'm not trying to just push the point and argue with you.... .... but really, this has nothing to do with American arrogance. The presidents and kings just don't bow to each other. It's not just an American thing.

It really bothers me that he bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia, but not the Queen of England!?! I think that sends a really bad signal. Not a surprising one, though.

So it's not just an American-traditional thing?

If it is not, then maybe he was just being over courteous. Whatever-- appears to be another example of bad judgment.

Either way, I'm tired of trying to justify him.

It's a bit irritating-- every week, there's something.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

So it's not just an American-traditional thing?


.

This is what one site says:



The action appeared especially awkward since among the dozens of world leaders and their spouses, handshakes abounded, but there appeared to be no other bowing in the room.

The U.S. State Department's office of protocol, in a statement attributed to acting chief of protocol Gladys Blouda, confirmed the type of greeting between heads of state depends on the customs of the countries, but a handshake is the most common form of greeting.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

This is what one site says:



The action appeared especially awkward since among the dozens of world leaders and their spouses, handshakes abounded, but there appeared to be no other bowing in the room.

The U.S. State Department's office of protocol, in a statement attributed to acting chief of protocol Gladys Blouda, confirmed the type of greeting between heads of state depends on the customs of the countries, but a handshake is the most common form of greeting.

11% of Americans still believe Obama is Muslim and only 54% of Democrats believe he is a Christian.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

American troops (as far as I know) have NEVER been attached to foreign units in a way that would make us submit to a foreign government's military chain of command.

I would have a very difficult time with that kind of an assignment-- readilly admitting that it is purely mental.

I understand they have been under foreign command more than once. In WWII that happened on both sides of the US and England. It has also happened with our soldiers forced to serve the UN. Remember the military officer New that was court martialed for not wearing the UN uniform and swearing allegiance to the UN.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Esther

I understand they have been under foreign command more than once. In WWII that happened on both sides of the US and England. It has also happened with our soldiers forced to serve the UN. Remember the military officer New that was court martialed for not wearing the UN uniform and swearing allegiance to the UN.

Yes, the hero. I think his name was Micheal New.

[Jermyn Davidson]

This Soldier was a Specialist (E-4).

His actions took great intestinal fortitude.

I never heard of this before now!


http://www.mikenew.com/thecase.html



I am not sure as to how I would have handled this situation.
As much as I admire Spc. New's actions, I'd hate to be court martialed!

In the back of my mind, I'd already know there would be very little legal defense for my defiance-- he had to know this too!



The fact that the Supreme court refuses to hear his case speaks volumes.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

This Soldier was a Specialist (E-4).

His actions took great intestinal fortitude.

I never heard of this before now!


http://www.mikenew.com/thecase.html



I am not sure as to how I would have handled this situation.
As much as I admire Spc. New's actions, I'd hate to be court martialed!

In the back of my mind, I'd already know there would be very little legal defense for my defiance-- he had to know this too!



The fact that the Supreme court refuses to hear his case speaks volumes.

I sent New some money when this case was going on. You have no idea the letters his mother sent about how the military and government badgered him. He was a mess when it was all over. Hooked on some drug for his nerves. It was a very horrible ordeal. They tried to say he was losing his mind, etc. I don't know how he is doing now.

[Jermyn Davidson]

it's a blessing he did not have to spend anytime in the brig-- but a BCD is still a very bad thing to have to try to overcome-- not impossible, not a good deal at all.