Politicians going native: A photo compilation
Which bothers you the most?
A)
B)
(hat tip - Robert Spencer)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
H) Thanks to JWF for the reminder about this related pic:
See what others have said
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D. Closely followed by A.
If that is Obama in pic A, it scares me pretty good.
Other than that I’d say pics D & G are the most disturbing, since it shows how Bush seems to care more about politics than the security of the country (holding hands for God’s sake! or should I say Allah’s sake?)
At least you expect that kind of suck-up, surrender, appeasement behavior in dems and liberals, but to see the man who’s suppose to be the Bastion of conservative ideals, the Leader of the Free World appeasing the Muslim elite, well, that’s just disheartening.
C and F just show what we already know to be true, Dem (dumb?) women who are willing to bow at the shrine of Sharia.
“When in Rome,do as the Romans do”
There is nothing wrong in showing modest amounts of deferrence to culture and traditions when visiting a country. As long as you don’t violate your own core beliefs, there is nothing wrong with blending in a little.
Having said that–any picture of Hildabeast or SanFranNan gives me the creeps.
D, G and A are pretty much a tie for me. But, they are all a problem and the degree of separation on the three listed from the others isn’t much.
Well put, TN Dave. The answer to this quiz should be “none of the above.”
Although I wish our political leaders (on both sides of the aisle) wouldn’t be so quick to embrace a representative of a country (Saudi Arabia) with such a horrible human rights record.
A, because he means it; C, because she is totally deluded and therefore dangerous to American interests {also note the $300 Hermes scarf}; E, because she is one of the people who ought to know better.
All of the above?
When it comes to a female wearing a scarf when visiting a country that requires it, I can certainly understand. So in that regard, TN Dave is right.
My wife and my older daughters wear head coverings of some sort. The reason is strictly our application of Scripture. We do not condemn others for not wearing one…we just apply our own standards and let others apply theirs.
I agree all of the above. no contest.
Why does A “bother” any of you? Or B, C, D, E, F, or G?
Alright, maybe D. He’s damn near ready to cut his head off.
A and B the least.
I agree with Rusty for once-None of the above.
GSP
Heck-even a troll is right once every now and then.
Gayle, what bothers you about A and B?
A and B do not bother me.
The others do.
D. What bothers me the most is that I voted for the jerk twice and that he has ruined my party & distorted the definition of what a conservative is. We can thank him for McCain. After the ‘08 drubbing that we are about to receive, the GOP will be no more.
“A” is an order of magnitude ahead in the “bothers me most” category. I’m sorry, but the elabortae nature of the headgear alone would preclude any non-Muslim from donning it… This is beyond simply payingrespects to your hosts, it’s showing real solidarity…
IMHO
one good reason is all of those places treat women like carp and I’m sick of pandering to them.
Thank you, MM for re-publishing these photos.
Someday, historians who are writing the history of WWIII will study and ponder these photos, much like the one of post-Munich Neville Chamberlain at the airport, with his “peace for our time” papers in hand.
That is to say, if the Muslims have not burned all the history books by then.
Like carp?
Ah, I misread. Sorry.
I can see the reasoning behind holding hands with the Saudis, but I still don’t understand the opposition to the head scarves.
Some friends of mine take their shoes off when in the house, given their culture. I take my shoes off as well out of respect for their views given that I am being invited into their house as a guest, and as a guest they request that I respect certain rules that exist. I don’t think anyone would object to that request(unless their feet stunk), and I see a parallel here with the head scarves. Why the objection here?
G…
a little to intimate
Re: #2
Keep your friends close , but keep your enemies closer.
Vito Corleone
I would like to expound a little on what I stated earlier. As a member of the military and having visited a few countries, we always recieve “host nation” briefings either before we leave or when we get there and are let loose on the locals.
Actually, depending on where you go in the U.S.A., you will recieve a briefing. I was in Gulfport, Ms in Oct 2006 and due to the devastation still present in the area we recieved a briefing. I will never forget the LtCol giving the briefing and when he got to the subject of New Orleans. He said, “don’t go there because it is still dangerous. However, if you feel the need to go please stop by my house and I will let you borrow a handgun for protection.”
“I’m sorry, but the elabortae nature of the headgear alone would preclude any non-Muslim from donning it”
What does that even mean? You’re saying a non-Muslim wouldn’t take the 5 minutes it takes for someone to wrap that around their head? It takes longer to shave.
Where is the line between paying respect and showing solidarity? It can’t literally be the time it takes to put on the clothing, right?
“F” - Karen Hughes
What a perfect grade for this loser of a State Department appointee. She wanted so much to make the Islamo-fascist just like us better - let’s just improve out image.
Dolt.
(g) seems only a courtesy. But the remainder seem to be clear pandering.
Collin
Answer: All of the above.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What in the hell is wrong with Washington???? We need term limits for everyone, and shorter term limits for those who already have them.
TAKE BACK AMERICA…. IT HAS BEEN HIJACKED!
I’d vote, but pictures C, D, and E are blocked by the crappy web filter we have here.
<–blocked, too
On February 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am, mpChops said:
“I’m sorry, but the elabortae nature of the headgear alone would preclude any non-Muslim from donning it”
as is said, justIMHO..
If it looks like a duck and swims like a duck it’s probably a duck..
I have not seen any pictures of other Amrican male politicians wearing full Arab headgear like that… maybe they exist, I haven’t seen them..
I am bothered the most by “D”. Not because of her wearing a headscarf in a muslim country, though. When in another country you can show some deference to their customs. What bothers me is that the nitwit Pelosi went over there in the first place!
OK, she also looks like a total idiot, but that is sort of beside the point.
Sorry, make that “C”. mis-read the letters.
It is also important to note that Obama’s brother is a Muslim of pretty radical beliefs.
“I have not seen any pictures of other Amrican male politicians wearing full Arab headgear like that… maybe they exist, I haven’t seen them..”
I understand that it’s your opinion, and suffice it to say that my responses are simply my opinion as well.
I respect that you might have opposition to an American male politician wearing the full arab headgear in this political climate(which isn’t to say the they haven’t gone all out in other situations(http://www.anklebitingpundits.com/content/index.php?p=3012)). However, this picture of Obama was taken in Kenya. It’s not arabian clothing. It’s African.
E bothered me when I first saw it a few months ago. Way too friendly with the Wahabbi bankroll. And you just gotta love the sword of Islam resting right next the President’s infidel neck. I’m sure that was a riot on the arab street.
I agree with Tennessee Dave: “When in Rome…”.
In Italy, where lots of tourists visit historic cathedrals and churches, they are asked to wear modest clothing if they want to enter and visit. People at the door even hand out little shawls for women to cover their bare shoulders. I myself always remove my hat in such circumstances, even though I’m not religious.
It’s not dhimmitude, it’s being polite to your hosts, if that’s the way things are done in their country.
as far as I’m concerned they all have radical beliefs, sure as heck arent speaking out against terrorism.
Whoops, I meant D.
The Raging Republican,
“If it looks like a duck and swims like a duck it’s probably a duck”
I understand this quote in context of confusing the African clothing with “fundamental islamic” clothing(whatever that is), but how has Obama “swam like a duck”?
Actually John Kerry in the clean suit was more troublesome than these seem to be.
A!
Carried too far though, the government in question can and will use these photos as anti-US propaganda. “See how we have the imperialists eating out of our hand?” That helps validate horrible regimes to the people.
BTW: The “Dressed” photo of Obama is being played off by the Obama camp as a photo of the senator dressed as a Somali elder on a visit to Africa.
NEWS FLASH: The vast majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslims.
Isn’t it ironic that soon after Pres. Bush was seen dancing with the Saudis, gas prices started going up again. Disgraceful!
Seriously, who has to wonder about what is wrong with these pictures? They represent a nation that is being ruined from within. These politicians have lost sight of what makes America great. The POTUS is over there groveling for a price drop in oil. Please, pretty please.
Nancy’s trip was a slap in the face to the POTUS, troops and America at large.
Obama what else needs to be said here? This guy’s patriotism has been called to the carpet more times then I care to count. Who is he appealing to with the “I’m not going to where a flag lapel pin and I won’t put my hand over heart during the National Anthem. I’ll show my patriotism in other ways.” Why reinvent the wheel?? Especially at a time like this (we are at war!) and he is attempting to become the next POTUS??? Hillary is Hillary.
Ok here is a sing along you all hopefully know it.
One of these pics is not like the others,
One of these pics just doesn’t belong,
Can you tell which pic is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?
Did you guess which pic was not like the others?
Did you guess which pic just doesn’t belong?
If you guessed B is not like the others,
Then you’re absolutely…right!
You win an all expenses paid trip to the reservation, if you did’nt get it right, you win an all expenses paid to Gaza.
The website where this photo of Obama first appeared is here.
President Clinton appeared in a bagariga during an appearance in Nigeria.
Story (with small photo)
Larger photo
The Raging Republican,
The clothing is not “Muslim” clothing any more than the clothing worn in the US is Christian clothing, given that the vast majority of the population are Christain.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently wore a button-up and sports coat when in the US. I don’t think anyone confused him being a Christian.
(#8) OT - Hefty, I followed your link and read the response to the NZ college student. Great job. I would love to see what he has to say if he responds.
Yep….. Lets all read the caption under the photo:
U.S. Senator Barack Obama, right, is dressed as a Somali Elder by Sheikh Mahmed Hassan, left, during his visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya, near the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia. The area is at the epicenter of a severe drought that has hit the Horn of Africa region, after erratic and insufficient rains during the April-June season
Google that guy!
More here.
C & D - IMHO Nancy Pelosi had no right to go to Syria in the first place, headgear or not. Knowing what Bush and the Saudi king were laughing about would be very interesting. Surely it had nothing to do with human rights. There are a lot of people living in this country who do not respect us as a “host country”.
Why would B bother anyone? Hello, those are Americans in America. Yes he is pandering but the Indians are not our enemy.
Hillary and Chelsea in Vietnam (2000):
http://old.usvtc.org/People/Clinton/clinto33.jpg
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and daughter Chelsea try on traditional conical hats in the Vietnamese village of Bac Phu Friday, Nov. 17, 2000. The Clintons visited rural Vietnam to observe microcredit projects which offer small loans to help rural women move out of poverty and subsistence farming and achieve a steady income. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
Source where I found this photo, here.
All of A thru H!
Bush and Putin, not sure where this is:
http://www.september11news.com/Oct21BushPutinShanghaiSilkJack.jpg
China?
Michele,
The real question about photo A is: Why is this the only photo in the list that we have never seen before?
The incompetent Clinton campaign should be asking why Obama seems to be hiding this photo.
NICE!
Bush and Putin as APEC:
http://www.promachus.com/userimages/user-1859149_1164179629a.jpg
APEC in Vietnam, 2006.
Olympic2008 has hit the nail on the head - wearing aspects of the local dress is often a part of diplomatic protocol. I seem to recall seeing photographs of the Queen of England with some very amusing headgear once (no, not the crown!), I think it may have been in Papua New Guinea.
Heres one of McCain in the Ukraine:
http://blog.kievukraine.info/66.jpg
This is still my favorite picture of Obama:
http://corey.spring.googlepages.com/superman2.jpg
And who could forget John Kerry wearing something he shouldn’t
http://611.mystarband.net/images/hanoikerry2.jpg
Sun-tzu, I believe, wrote, “Keep your friends close , but keep your enemies closer.” At least, it’s attributed to him. Anyway, I see nothing in the pics, other than politics; catering to the situation. It isn’t unusual for men to walk down the streets in the Middle East, holding hands. It’s part of the culture. When in Rome… I think “B” was Calvin Coolidge (?).
Antardus, did you read my response to your earlier post?
Do you agree though, that less than savory governments and regimes can and will use photos of US officials in native dress as propaganda demonstrating their prostration, in some part, to the native government. Sometimes these less than savory governments need just a little legitimacy to get them through the week, and these photo ops do just the trick.
When we put on the garb, we give them a bargaining chip with their people. Just like the New York Philharmonic going to North Korea. Don’t you know this will be one of the biggest propaganda opportunities to come down the pike in NK in a long time. Kim Jung Il, dance! It’s your birthday! It’s your birthday!
Sorry, missed #59 and #60. Well, those 2 pics are ridiculous.
Ronald Reagan with Gorbachev at the Santa Barbara ranch:
http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itps/0406/ijpe/gorbachev.jpg
And who won that battle?
Why does it seem we are always putting on “their” garb? Am I the only one that thinks we should be proud of our uniquely American culture?
Is there some reason or rule that states that we must always play to someone else’s culture/beliefs?
I understand the ‘When in Rome..’ thing, and I’m not necessarily knocking that, but we do have alot to be proud of, despite the rantings of Michelle Obama, so why do we routinely hide who we are?
The BEST pictures of Ronald Reagan in native American West dress. (couple of Nancy too)
http://www.wiwfarm.com/reagan.html
Brings back great memories.
A followed closely by C. Who looks like the bigger buffon? Anyone’s guess.
BTW, the one with Bush and the King holding hands — definitely disturbing on many levels.
I like the one with the Headdress. I’d put one on if they made one for me. It’s actually quite an honor, and the American Indian is part of our culture.
Showard,
When it comes to clothing, America unfortunately doesn’t really have much to call its own. The only thing I can think of that uniquely American and mainstream is jeans.
(Urban communities in America, however, has defined their own dress codes that are widely used. Unfortunately, it’s frowned upon by mainstream America as being too “urban” and “sloppy”.)
Sorry Schweggie, yes I did read your post. I agree with you to some extent (that some regimes will use a state visit, and what it entails i.e. certain photographs, as propaganda); but the problem often lies in the visit in itself rather than any protocolary aspects of it.
As someone mentioned above (sorry can’t find the exact post), perhaps Pelosi shouldn’t have made that visit to Syria in the first place - wearing a veil probably made very little difference to the propaganda value of her visit to the Syrians.
Why has that picture of the First Lady been added to the “which bothers you most” list? I may be missing something, but it looks like she is wearing her own western clothing and not “going native.” I guess I don’t see what the problem is with that image…
The cowboy outfit too is uniquely American. Can’t forget that.
OT: Thanks. In case anyone is interested, RaisedRight is talking about this column.
/shameless plug
A bothers me the most because Obama was sponsored on that trip by Raila Odinga
As for the picture of Coolidge, wasn’t he made an made an honorary Sioux Chief after the “Indian Citizenship Act” of 1924? Why is that picture even up there?
RR:
Totally agree with you on this. Do you notice how none of the candidates (on either side) is willing to address such a subject? Shocking! Even more “shocking”… neither the media or the public at large seems to be asking questions about term limits. Also, neither seem to care that the real “change” starts with booting the buffoons who’ve abused their power out of office after their cushy entrenchment. Now that’s disheartening.
Yep, HERE
mpChops,
Yeah, I see your point about us not really having too many unique cultural clothing artifacts. You’re right about the cowboy outfit, although I doubt I’d were jeans on a state visit.
I probably would wear my hat, however, even though I’m hardly a ‘cowboy.’
And I live near LA. Let’s not get started on the urban attire of today, even if it is ‘uniquely American.’
Pelosi and Hildebeast bother me most.
It is my understanding that visiting heads of state (or I would think acting heads of state) are not required to don the garb as say, I would have to if I wanted to travel through the country.
One, Pelosi had no business going to Syria in the first place. She wore the very thing that many women in Syria are trying to throw off, just to ass kiss the terror leader while discussing the DNC foreign policty.
Two, Hillary, who says she is against oppression against women, once again proves she is full of it.
SHoward #66, MPChops “70, it’s worth noting that the traditional dress in the US for business and politics is the good ol’ suit & tie, which is basically traditional European formal dress, and that today it is pretty much used by everyone in the world (look at the presidents of Syria, China, Egypt etc next time they turn up in a photograph or on TV). So in fact people around the world do wear our style of clothing.
Had most of the world been explored and conquered by China, we’d probably be wearing silk gowns and conical hats, and thinking that was a pretty standard way of dressing.
Western civilisation is so ubiquitous that sometimes we don’t notice it as such.
Sure, she wears amusing headgear all the time. See here, here, here, here, here, and here.
[No offense intended, I actually like a lot of her big hats.]
OMG, the picture of Laura Bush with the black sack of potatoes next to her is hysterical on so many levels. I can see the non-person in the sack showing it to her friends saying, “Look, this is me with the First Lady!”. Really?? Wow. They couldn’t take a picture of like that - I would be laughing too hard!
Right, it was practically treasonous for her to make that trip, let alone a propaganda bonanza for Dictator Asad. Since pictures last forever, photos of Pelosi in an Islamic headscarf were icing on the cake.
(A) troubles me the most. Barack’s cousin is the leader of an uprising in Kenya. Barack’s long time friends are anti-Israel. The present church he goes to is anti-Israel. He votes present and has little track record in Illinois, is more Liberal than Hillary in the US Senate. Hasn’t he had funding from Soros? I just wonder if he isn’t the Manchurian Candidate. Yeeesh.
That’s because it is.
“So in fact people around the world do wear our style of clothing.”
I completely agree that people generally wear Western clothing, such as suits and ties. I hadn’t considered them to be American though, but rather European(more specifically, English). Not in the sense that clothing such as jeans or urban styles distinctly American. In industrialized countrys, people wear Western clothing more often than their traditional clothing. Traditional clothing is generally reserved for special occassions, such as a visit from an American Senator.
Looks to me like the Clinton machine is on an all out attack these past couple of days and that’s ok with me. I can’t wait for the debate tomorrow night. haha
Winner as far as I am concerned. People still think of him as some kind of hero.
:PUKE
Antaradus,
I almost mentioned the suit and tie, but I held back because I am not 100% certain exactly what country or culture originated that. I know it is considered largely American and that many leaders in gov’t and business around the world wear it, but isn’t it kind of a ‘whole western world’ thing rather than just American?
I’m not real sure on it, myself, which is why I pose it as a question. But, you bring up a very interesting point that somewhat relates here, and is an issue in the ‘multi-cultural’ debate —
Most everyone else in the world is trying to emulate us. Why do we go out of our way to ignore our own culture and emulate them?
I thank you for that! He went there on his own, not sent by this country. Just as Pelosi did when captured wearing that scarf..
Now that Soap brings up Kerry pictures, anybody got the one where he looks like a Rabbit? I think he was visiting a NASA installation and wearing something they wear in a clean room, or something like that.
They all bother me because this thing called multiculturalism has always been a one-way street.
oh good grief, is there another debate between those two morons? why bother? SOS squared.
Box:
I cannot agree more with you on that. How ’bout this picture of the Dear Senator? Now that takes the cake!
I also want to puke in my mouth every time I hear him referenced as a hero. Yuck……..
All of them are disturbing!
Showard, Rational Thought,
I disagree that multiculturalism has been a one way street for reasons that you’ve already brought up. Western culture is pervasive throughout the world. It’s so pervasive that we when see it, it doesn’t seem out of place that a Japanese business man would be wearing western clothes. That looks “regular”. It does seem out of place that an American businessman would wear traditional Japanese clothing because it very much is irregular. So most of the time, people are wearing Western clothing and infrequently, they wear traditional clothing. I don’t think that’s one-way at all.
On this idea of “term limits”… There are 2 problems I see. One, if the people of that district/state want that Congressman to represent them, it is the democratic way that they should be allowed to continue with that person. Otherwise, they would have to elect someone who represents the same ideas as the previous person. Of course, no fortunes would be made at taxpayer expense which is a good idea. Second, there would be no-one in Congress with experience to deal with the problems, both domestically and internationally. In other words, no statesmen. Experience was a probem that came to light during the Constitutional Convention. Question constantly debated was, “How long do Congressman/Senators serve?” President’s term was also debated, included a 6 year term, with no re-election. They agreed that these people needed the ability to serve more than one term to have that experience. FDR took it to extreme. Some sort of limit should be set, though, but whether it is for 2 terms or 4 terms, has yet to be settled. No Congressman, of course, these days, wants to limit his power/money making prospects.
Ok H does it for me. If the “Misses” can sit their with that dumb smile on her face while that …I dont; know what it is…is it a woman?? It looks like the little creature from the Adam’s Family but in black…is that Cousin It? (I forget the name)
emjem,
That is the ONLY pic I can stomach!
Which one bothers me the most?
(I) ALL OF THE ABOVE.
I wonder if O’bummer even cares that spending time with Ludacris is a message to the country at large as to what he’ll do and who’ll he cozy up to as president?
Do you think people care. Just don’t break into their “Dancing” or Idol” with any late breaking news from the POTUS. That would piss them off!
The only picture that really doesn’t bother me is B. All the others scream of dimmitude.
mpChops #99: exactly.
Imagine this: 15th century Europe decides to concentrate on creating one big unified empire on its continent.
15th century Asian nations (China, Japan, Korea, etc.) are in a furious rivalry, spend most of their time at war, and are almost frenzied in their desire to conquer far away territories before their neighbors do.
21st century world. The whole of North America, South America, Australia is populated by Asians, speak Asian languages and Buddhism is the world’s most widespread religion. Everybody wears Asian-style clothing and when politicians of the Asian-cultured USA visit Europe they wear quaint business suits and ties out of diplomatic protocol, because the Europeans are proud of their quirky little dark outfits and funny strip of cloth round their necks.
Western civilization is everywhere, but we don’t necessarily realize it until we think how it could so easily have been a lot less widespread.
How about all except B.
One of my all-time favorites has to be Michael Dukakis trying to show his support of the military in the infamous tank ride photo - that was pre-Kerry Tele-Tubbie suit.
This Obama Turban is for his S.E. Asia Muslim Pilgrimages.
Box,
That picture I linked is the flip-side of Senator Traitor. Here’s a disgusting one. Then there’s this one. Whoever said “a picture is worth a thousand words” really wasn’t kidding.
Box:
Yeah, as I have said before, this election is more about “packaging” then what’s actually in the container. Sad but true and point taken.
Antardus, with all due respect, I think you are now officially missing the point. This is about dhimmitude and propaganda value. It’s about prostration, it’s about submission. US officials can politely decline the Islamic scarf. Pelosi is Catholic. She could respectfully and politely explain that she is not Islamic and would be uncomfortable wearing it. There’s nothing wrong with that. There are plenty of ways to “When in Rome do as the Romans do” in Arab countries other than donning Islamic garb.
But hey, why worry. We’re wearing whatever the hell they throw at us, so what’s the dif bif.
emjem,
Enough with the pics - I’m eating here. LOL!
Those two “people” disgust me.
must.go.puke.now
If wearing a hijab is a sign of devotion to one’s religion (Islam), as its proponents keep saying, then why should non-Muslim women like Nancy Pelosi and the Hildebeast wear them?
Of course, it’s not a sign of devotion to God. It’s a culturally-mandated way to keep women covered up because only in the Muslim world can you find people demented enough to believe that the sight of Nancy Pelosi’s hairdo is enough to drive men into uncontrollable lust. Seriously, that’s the reason why the ROP has given the world hijabs, burqas, chadors, and anything else females over the age of 7 have to wear in public. Because men can’t be held accountable for what they’re wont to do if they happen to see a 10-year-old girl’s pigtails.
The late Oriana Fallaci refused to wear any covering when she interviewed Ayatollah Khomeni. Now that was a lady with guts.
I’d have to say A, based on what I read today.
Obama’s grandfather and father claimed to be Christian and Muslim at different times in their lives, and both were polygamists. Like grandfather, like father, like son? Playing dress-up can lead to the real thing later on–it’s all part of the American Dream.
mpChops,
Let me clarify that last statement of mine.
I know others in the world are emulating us. I know western style clothing and culture is very common.
What I was trying to point out can be summed up (sort of) with something I heard from the debate between Hill and Barry — they both believed we should strive to learn foreign languages. This despite the fact that people all over the world are striving to learn English.
I guess I’d have to point out that I meant to state that even though peoples all over the world are emulating us, there are plenty of bone-heads here that think we should bend over to emulate everyone else. I don’t think we really disagree on the substance of this.
As for the Dhiminitude displayed in the pics above, I still think B is the only one that doesn’t display that. I don’t think B really belongs in the same group.
Hands Down A is the most frightening, because there are so many Islamic issues w/Obama that NO ONE in the media is even asking about.
I find it troubling that Romney can get grilled for months and Obama can skate without even a question.
P.S. All the photos are frightening in that they illustrate just how ill served we the people are by “OUR” public servants.
Schweggie,
“This is about dhimmitude and propaganda value. It’s about prostration, it’s about submission.”
That is the point that he was trying to make. If it’s about prostration and submission, we’ve already won. Again, the president of Iran wears Western clothes on a daily basis.
The head scarf(of a variation of it) isn’t even hardly confined to islamic countries and religion:
Judaism - http://www.tznius.com/images/products/snoodkatya1.JPG
The Amish -
http://www.amishabuse.com/images/amish.jpg
Chileans -http://media.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2006/sep/latin_america/chile.jpg
Etc.
A Japanese businessman in a suit is wearing the uniform of worldwide business. Yes, it may have come from the west, but it is now a universal uniform of business. It’s not the same thing at all. I’m talking about this one-time-only, photo-op capitulation to “traditional garb.” When Laura Bush dons a head scarf while her “hosts” remove theirs, get back to me about it being a two-way street.
To be fair with GW holding hands. That’s normal culture here for men, it doesn’t have the connotations we give it. It’s more akin to a Dad holding his son’s hand.
However…no pics of Chillary swapping spit with Mrs. Ararat?
Oops…Mrs. Arafat. Sorry, long day.
SHoward,
“I guess I’d have to point out that I meant to state that even though peoples all over the world are emulating us, there are plenty of bone-heads here that think we should bend over to emulate everyone else.”
I don’t think that they believe, particularly with their language comment, that we should emulate everyone else. I do think that we as Americans benefit from our cultural dominance in a way that hinders our desire to learn new things. I really don’t see how learning another language could harm the country(which isn’t to say that I don’t think that those that come to this country should be expected to know the language). That actually leads me to another point that ties in with the clothing issue:
When our dignitaries visit another country, they generally don’t know the language that country speaks. I understand that they visit a lot of countries and expecting them to know them all is ridiculous, but how often do we have a president or senators that can fluently speak a foriegn language? Any foreign language? So we go to their country and expect them to speak our language, which they do. The least we could do is dress up in some traditional garb for a few photos.
That’s not emulating the locals as much as its respecting them. Out of respect, we don their clothing and out of neccessity, they speak our language(generally). I think it’s a relatively fair compromise. Especially when you have Americans wearing sandels during visits to the oval office.
A) by a long shot. I had heard that Barak meas lightning in Arabic. It was the name of the winged creature horse that Mohammed
supposedly road in his night flight to Jerusalem. The story is over at Hotair. I guess it could mean that Barak Hussein Obama will wing his way to Washinton to usher in a new age. Calypso Louie Farakan was singing BHO praises over the week-end that should give anyone pause. There is no doubt in my mind that so called moderate and radical Islamofacist
around the world will be dancing in the streets like they were on 9/11 if BHO were to fly to the W.H. Could it get worse? I don’t think so.
Chops, if you pull the lens way out and look at the broadest picture, then sure, fair enough.
But if you zoom in, to specific time frames, specific regimes/governments, my argument applies.
Pelosi is a fine example. She, the Speaker of the House of Represenatives, went on an unapproved trip to Syria, and too happily wrapped up in Islamic garb and had many many pictures taken with Asad. In Syria, where there is no freedom of press, that is definitely going to be used in a fashion that demonstrates American prostration to Syrian government. No?
“When Laura Bush dons a head scarf while her “hosts” remove theirs, get back to me about it being a two-way street.”
I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here. Are you suggesting that when we visit those foreign countries, we should request that they dress in a way that we desire?
We have to agree that the vast majority of photos taken between Americans and foreigners, regardless of country, has both dressed in Western gear. Since that is the case, I would argue that the exception to that is represented in pictures posted above. Since this is the exception to the rule, it’s safe to say that the street is indeed two-way, and more so, most of the traffic is going in our direction.
Schweggie,
Pelosi’s trip is contentious, and justifiably so. I don’t think it would have been any less contentious without the headscarf though.
I see your argument for the possibly of propaganda, but I think it fails only because so many countries and cultures wear Western clothes. I don’t see how effective the argument would be, even as propaganda. Rather, I think the risk of propaganda is largely outweighed by the risk of offending. In this light, I can see how you may see that as prostrating, but I use my previous example of removing footwear before entering a friend’s home. Yes, removing my footwear can be seen as a form of prostrating, but neither I nor my host thinks of it as so. We simply see it as showing respect for another’s culture/habits(whatever you want to call it).
I can’t be offended by B, since I can’t be sure of the identity of the paleface. Is it Bush the Elder?
Isn’t Picture “B” Muskie when he was running for President? It’s from the early 70’s I think. (I was very young then).
Definitely “A” - I don’t see anything offensive about the rest of them.
A) bothers me most by far.
Barack HUSSEIN Obama doesn’t mind wearing Muslim garb but refuses to wear an American flag lapel pin.
No wonder every Muslim around the world knows that BO smells Muslim, hence the enthusiastic endorsement by Louis Farrakhan.
emjem24 and Soap,
One of the Fonda-Kerry photos you’re discussing is a known fraud. Here’s a link showing you the two photos they combined to make a smear.
Also, photo A is not Obama in Muslim dress. It’s traditional Somali clothing. No big deal.
What is your point? That they do not deserve our ire? Separate or apart, they are disgusting.
Rusty#132,
And your point is?
gunslingerpatriot said:
Aw, Rusty’s no troll. He’s more of a foil.
But anyway, I’m more in the same camp of “none of the above”/when-in-Rome crowd. After all, who goes to the Hofbräuhaus and orders a Coke?
The only really disturbing ones are (C) Peloci for what she was doing at the time (preemptively surrendering to the jihadis) and (H) Bush (groveling to the wahabi oil sheiks).
mpChops said:
Ah, you must have seen my wedding photos
(a blended Christian/Shinto style ceremony).
I bet the Blackhawk Down troops would not have worn this Muslim garb.
I bet there are no pics of Reagan wearing Soviet garb.
Is this when Obama decided he would no longer wear a US flag pin?
Actually, I’m not sure I’d call this pandering to the Native Americans. If I recall, the honor of chief was bestowed upon President Coolidge? by the tribe,and of course, he graciously accepted.
So, in that regard, the tribe might actually might be pandering to the president, not vise versa as in the other photos where the wearer of the garb is not so much the honoree, but the honorer of the host culture.
Jon Cary must be Rusty’s hero.
Point of fact: Unlike today, it was perfectly acceptable for common citizens and leaders to use terms like “Japs” in WWII.
OK, I followed the link - it’s President Coolidge!
I’m not sure why Obama would be dressing in Somali clothing during a visit to Kenya but hey…whatever floats his boat.