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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Categories: 2008 campaign, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton
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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.