Why is he bowing to a mayor?

[TheLonelySquire]

I do appreciate your civility though. It's more than some others here have shown.

Please stop hiding behind the facade of civility. The only difference between the way I talk to you and how you talk to me and others is that I'm at least honest and straightforward about how I feel and where I stand. I think I read somewhere that honesty is an important part of civility.

I know. Say what you feel here, get tossed. Be civil. Get harassed.

To be honest, which is what you're asking of me, I ask questions here simply to see how people who are so far to the left or to the right of me will respond. It's interesting because you never know what you're going to get in terms of an answer.

 

[Kestra]

TheLonelySquire, why have you not responded to any of my posts in this thread?

Sorry Kestra, I was just about to. I'm sorry you feel that because I have a strong opinion that I'm not interested in hearing yours, even if it differs. I genuinely am. That doesn't mean I will or won't change mine and it doesn't make my asking the question any less valid.

I don't think the Prez should be bowing in a subservient manner to any other politician on the planet. He already shook hands as a means of saying hello. That's pretty apparent. There was no need to bow.

I do appreciate your civility though. It's more than some others here have shown.

It does make the question less valid if there is absolutely no way you believe that it is okay for the president of the United States to be bowing. In such a situation, you are merely looking for more opinions to disagree with.

You assume that he was bowing in a subservient manner, which shows your own prejudices. The act of bowing, in itself, is not considered subservient to many people. And yes, he shook hands as a way of saying hello, but sometimes greetings can have multiple parts. Why do we verbally say "hello" if we are also shaking hands? Why do people from my parents' culture bow slightly, press their hands together, and also say "Namaste"? Surely one alone would suffice? His manner of greeting wasn't a case of need, it was probably what he felt was appropriate.

I did not bait anyone. I did not use biting commentary. In fact, I just had a nice exchange with Kestra.

Please don't confuse "civil" with "nice". You only responded to me once I specifically requested it of you. And while I do appreciate civility, I appreciate honesty and straightforwardness a great deal more.

 

[Squiggy]

I am very lost in the purpose of this thread. Is Squiggy going to moon us again? Please let me know so that I can shield my children and cats from such a sight.

Can't. Obama canceled the moon mission.

 

[Brian]

I am stunned that a person who thinks it's shameful that the POTUS shows respect (how dare he!) by bowing to a lady and shouldn't bow to any human on the planet, would think it's okay if the same POTUS bowed to the pope. THE POPE.

 

[Squiggy]

I am stunned that a person who thinks it's shameful that the POTUS shows respect (how dare he!) by bowing to a lady and shouldn't bow to any human on the planet, would think it's okay if the same POTUS bowed to the pope. THE POPE.

NEVER!!!

 

[TheLonelySquire]

TheLonelySquire, why have you not responded to any of my posts in this thread?

Sorry Kestra, I was just about to. I'm sorry you feel that because I have a strong opinion that I'm not interested in hearing yours, even if it differs. I genuinely am. That doesn't mean I will or won't change mine and it doesn't make my asking the question any less valid.

I don't think the Prez should be bowing in a subservient manner to any other politician on the planet. He already shook hands as a means of saying hello. That's pretty apparent. There was no need to bow.

I do appreciate your civility though. It's more than some others here have shown.

It does make the question less valid if there is absolutely no way you believe that it is okay for the president of the United States to be bowing. In such a situation, you are merely looking for more opinions to disagree with.

You assume that he was bowing in a subservient manner, which shows your own prejudices. The act of bowing, in itself, is not considered subservient to many people. And yes, he shook hands as a way of saying hello, but sometimes greetings can have multiple parts. Why do we verbally say "hello" if we are also shaking hands? Why do people from my parents' culture bow slightly, press their hands together, and also say "Namaste"? Surely one alone would suffice? His manner of greeting wasn't a case of need, it was probably what he felt was appropriate.

I did not bait anyone. I did not use biting commentary. In fact, I just had a nice exchange with Kestra.

Please don't confuse "civil" with "nice". You only responded to me once I specifically requested it of you. And while I do appreciate civility, I appreciate honesty and straightforwardness a great deal more.

The reason for an exchange is to learn the opinions of others and maybe modify your own. If you think that I'm incapable of changing my opinion on a given subject you are mistaken. I've done it before and I'll likely do it again.

And I responded to you a little late because I am doing more than one thing at a time here and didn't notice the posts you put up. trust me, I was not avoiding you. And I considered it a nice exchange whether you did or not.

 

[Brian]

Well see that's alright, Squiggy, because he's really bowing to JESUS. Or something.

Not a lowly woman or a foreign surrender monkey.

 

[Squiggy]

Well see that's alright, Squiggy, because he's really bowing to JESUS. Or something.

Not a lowly woman or a foreign surrender monkey.

Here's Bush bowing to Allah.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I do appreciate your civility though. It's more than some others here have shown.

Please stop hiding behind the facade of civility. The only difference between the way I talk to you and how you talk to me and others is that I'm at least honest and straightforward about how I feel and where I stand. I think I read somewhere that honesty is an important part of civility.

I know. Say what you feel here, get tossed. Be civil. Get harassed.

To be honest, which is what you're asking of me, I ask questions here simply to see how people who are so far to the left or to the right of me will respond. It's interesting because you never know what you're going to get in terms of an answer.

Do you really believe Obama is an idiot? I'm not talking about disagreeing with his policies, I'm asking if you genuinely feel he has lower than average intelligence.

Do you really believe he's a Marxist? Is he transitioning the country towards Marxism?

Do you really believe that he thinks the United States is or should be subservient to Japan or Saudi Arabia or that he will give in to terrorists?

Do you really believe that he's a Kenyan-born Muslim? Or, if he was a Muslim, why would that matter to you?

Do you really believe he wants to kill off your grandparents in Nazi-like death panels?

These are all things you have advocated in some way through your posts, sigs, avatar, and so forth. And no, deep down, I don't believe that you think they are true. I think you post them to get a rise out of people. You are many things, but you are not stupid, and to believe any of the easily-disproven things above you would have to be stupid.

When you reduce the level of political debate to lies, exaggerations, misrepresentation and the like to piss people off, you can't expect serious civil discussion from people in return. It's unreasonable to expect it.

If you just tried to change these habits and genuinely started making an effort toward having real political debate, you and I would not have a problem. You don't get hassled by people for being honest, and you certainly won't get banned for it.

 

[Brian]

Well see that's alright, Squiggy, because he's really bowing to JESUS. Or something.

Not a lowly woman or a foreign surrender monkey.

Here's Bush bowing to Allah.

HOW DARE HE?!

The theme of US superiority in this debate reminds me of the growing vein of hatred and unwillingness to help Haiti I've been seeing among my hometown Facebook "friends" (read: people I went to high school with in rural America). All this "why should we help them?", "they're the poorest nation in the western world because they did it to themselves", "us first, then them", "I lost my job, where's MY $10 donation?"

The very people who would thump their chests and proclaim the universal superiority of the US of A are now getting up in arms that we are on occasion expected to step up and prove it. The irony.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

Sure, it couldn't be easier!

The rectal adjunct spinal stiffener that Mr Obama wears often gets out of place and doesn't allow him to stand erect.

Don't worry, Michelle, Nancy, or Harry will be along to give it a gentle love tap in a few minutes.

Can someone please explain this to me?
http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2010/01/why-the-hell-would-obama-bow-to-tampa-mayor.html

http://www.redstate.com/streiff/2010/01/31/more-groveling-by-obama/

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Please stop hiding behind the facade of civility. The only difference between the way I talk to you and how you talk to me and others is that I'm at least honest and straightforward about how I feel and where I stand. I think I read somewhere that honesty is an important part of civility.

I know. Say what you feel here, get tossed. Be civil. Get harassed.

To be honest, which is what you're asking of me, I ask questions here simply to see how people who are so far to the left or to the right of me will respond. It's interesting because you never know what you're going to get in terms of an answer.

Do you really believe Obama is an idiot? I'm not talking about disagreeing with his policies, I'm asking if you genuinely feel he has lower than average intelligence.

Do you really believe he's a Marxist? Is he transitioning the country towards Marxism?

Do you really believe that he thinks the United States is or should be subservient to Japan or Saudi Arabia or that he will give in to terrorists?

Do you really believe that he's a Kenyan-born Muslim? Or, if he was a Muslim, why would that matter to you?

Do you really believe he wants to kill off your grandparents in Nazi-like death panels?

These are all things you have advocated in some way through your posts, sigs, avatar, and so forth. And no, deep down, I don't believe that you think they are true. I think you post them to get a rise out of people. You are many things, but you are not stupid, and to believe any of the easily-disproven things above you would have to be stupid.

When you reduce the level of political debate to lies, exaggerations, misrepresentation and the like to piss people off, you can't expect serious civil discussion from people in return. It's unreasonable to expect it.

If you just tried to change these habits and genuinely started making an effort toward having real political debate, you and I would not have a problem. You don't get hassled by people for being honest, and you certainly won't get banned for it.

Let me answer your questions truthfully and honestly. Maybe then we can find common ground. Or maybe not.

I believe his decisions as President have been idiotic. I realize he's an incredibly saavy politician. But you can be an intelligent person and still make idiotic choices.

Let me ask you though, you recognize that my avatar is in reference to Obama, don't you? If so, why did you not warn the poster earlier who tried to use it as a personal attack against me? Let's see if you play this one truthfully or if you spin it.

Do I believe Obama is a Marxist? I certainly do believe he's a socialist. And a radical one at that. The last time I said this I got a warning. But I believe it as much now as I did then. I believe Obama has little to no interest in capitalism. I actually believe many people here don't either, but that's another story.

No, I don't think we should be subservient to any nation. I believe Obama does not fundamentally understand that you cannot befriend evil people that seek to do us harm. All this does is give them more time to plan and execute their objectives. To prove my point, he has his mouthpieces out there stating they got everything they could get from the underwear bomber within ONE hour of his detainment and then read him the Miranda. One hour? Are you kidding me? Do you honestly believe that? Any of you? I'll be stunned yet again if any of you actually believe that.

I don't know if Obama was born here or not. That ship has sailed anyway. Do I care if he's a Muslim? Not really. He's not getting my vote regardless. It is interesting to note that he supposedly hasn't been to church in a year though.

I do believe government run health care will lead to seniors not getting what they need. Meaning they won't get a hip replacement at 85 because someone who is 26 needs it. Rationing. Who's to say that won;t be extended to life saving procedures? But no, I don't think there would be a death panel. per se. Carousel, maybe. Either way, UHC is dead now anyway.

I belive everything I just posted. What's your take on that? Was it acceptable from a moderators point of view?

 

[Finn]

Because he isn't a king. Even the Queen of England bowed to someone else if my memory serves me right.

 

[Miss Chicken]

What do I think it means? I think it means he's bowing as a greeting. I don't think he's grovelling or subserving.

But consider, Obama's a sci-fi buff. He's made BSG references before, and supposedly he moved the State of the Union so it wouldn't interfere with the premiere of Lost. I think he lurks here, saw that it made you mad, and now he's doing it on purpose. Right now, he's probably in his private study going, "Hey, Rahm and Joe, you gotta see this! That guy on TrekBBS who hates me is hating on me again! Aw, dang, that awesome Maestro guy figured it out."

I have a feeling that he actually posts here and I have an idea what his user name. Of course there is a possibilty I might be wrong.

 

[Squiggy]

Who's to say that won;t be extended to life saving procedures?

Sane people.

 

[John Picard]

Who's to say that won;t be extended to life saving procedures?

Sane people.

That's crazy talk.

 

[Scout101]

I have a feeling that he actually posts here and I have an idea what his user name. Of course there is a possibilty I might be wrong.

It's SpatialDude, right?

 

[RoJoHen]

Obama...BABA...they're kind of the same, right?

 

[Squiggy]

Obama...BABA...they're kind of the same, right?

President of Crabs Obaba.

 

[scotpens]

It's a single moment in time. He could have been shaking hands and something fell on the floor, for all we know. Also, bowing isn't considered a sign of submission in all cultures. It's a sign of respect in mine. We bow not only to elders, but also our equals, often in greeting.

There's no need to be snarky simply because you disagree with my viewpoint.

Yes, bowing is a sign of respect in many cultures, and perhaps I dashed off an opinion in haste without completely thinking it through. But bowing to a mayor of a U.S. city -- and that's certainly what it looked like -- is just WEIRD.

Clearly, Obama just finished putting on a play.

I think you nailed it. The man thinks he's on stage all the time. Those bows are really curtain calls!