President Obama: What Is It That You Do Not Understand?

By Amil Imani

At the G20 summit, President Obama once again repeated the same mantra, “The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations.” Apparently, the White House staff does not read my articles so President Obama continues to parrot the same mantra everywhere he goes.

Mr. President, you are either extremely naïve, (as we suspected you would be) you lack foreign policy experience, or you are just ignorant. You are not even a classic orator as many people have suggested you are, like former President, JFK.

At best, I describe you as the greatest reader from a teleprompter. Without this device, you seem completely at a loss for words. Here I give our former president, George W. Bush credit. Although he lacked public speaking ability, at least when he spoke, he spoke from the heart.

OK, let us get back to the situation in Iran. Mr. President, the Iranian people do not recognize the Islamic Republic as a country, but call these terrorists occupiers who must leave Iran or to be crushed decisively by hook or by crook. President Obama, what is it that you do not understand? Why is it so difficult for you to comprehend that the Islamic regime is a terrorist entity and the Iranian nation is fed up with them? Nothing less than an overthrow of this bloodthirsty regime is acceptable to millions of Iranians. Read more ...

Source: AmilImani.com

Obama and the King: a right royal bow row

Michelle Obama holds the Queen and
Barack Obama bows to Saudi King King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud

By Georgina Robinson

Conservative American commentators have accused Barack Obama of "grovelling" to an Arab monarch at the G20 summit in London.

A photo and video footage of the US President bowing to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah at yesterday's G20 meet-and-greet has been doing the rounds on the internet today.

Mr Obama appears to shake the King's hand and then bow from the waist while French President Nicholas Sarkozy looks on.

Leading conservative blogger Michelle Malkin and Dakota Voice both wrote of their outrage at the President's deference to a foreign monarch.

"The whole thing is embarrassing. Its like the `American Hillbillies go to Europe'," Malkin wrote.

"He is throwing American power and prestige out with both hands as fast as he can."

Dakota Voice contributor Bob Ellis said the bow was a gesture of submission.

"The leader of the most free nation in the world should not be slobbering on the ring of some king," Ellis wrote.

But American etiquette expert Gloria Starr, who has met the King's wife and hosted two of their daughters in her finishing schools, told smh.com.au there was nothing wrong with Mr Obama's display of deference.

"I think it was a sign of respect and in no way diminishes the ranking of the President or indicates the greater strength of the one being bowed to," Ms Starr said.

"I bowed, wore the attire, ate the figs as a sign of respect when I was in Saudi.

"I applaud the President for showing this courtesy."

Former president George Bush was criticised for holding the hand of then-crown prince Abdullah during the monarch's visit to America four years ago.

But Obama's gaffe did not rate a mention in the mainstream US media, despite Michelle Obama's tactile approach to the Queen at the same function.

The Times noted: "Protocol dictates that no one should touch the Queen - as the Australian Paul Keating learnt to his cost - but she seemed comfortable with Michelle Obama's embrace at Buckingham Palace."

Keating was blasted by the British media and branded the "Lizard of Oz" when pictures emerged of him putting a friendly arm around the Queen to guide her through a function at Parliament House in Canberra in 1992.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald