A Bow, A Smile

The right-wingers are livid. They say that President Obama bowed to a foreign potentate, something an American never does. They say that President Obama smiled while shaking the hand of Chavez of Venezuela, something an American President should not do. The truth about the "bow" is that Obama bent over in front of the Saudi king to get a better look at the hem of his gown. Obama was trying to see if the tips of the cowboy boots sticking out from beneath it were the ones that W. had described (snake skin) and asked him to see if the king was wearing, as he promised he would the last time our favorite Texan was in Riyadh. I don't blame President Obama for not telling the news media what he was really doing. He wouldn't want to reveal a confidence he had with Bush II. As for the truth about the smile when greeting Chavez, who can keep a straight face when you feel a hand-buzzer. That Chavez guy is a real clown.

So, you don't buy these "truths". Then how about these reasons for-- The bow: Obama was amused when he saw the Saudi king in his native dress and bent over to keep from laughing in his face. The smile: On meeting Chavez, he smiled to show his pleasure at meeting someone who shared his opinion of George Bush.

One can make up many, many truths about why President Obama did what he did. Whatever the real reason or motive for his behavior, the one incontrovertible truth is that whatever Obama does is going to upset, outrage and inflame the right-wingers. So, who cares?