2 photos of the Obamas

Two telling photos of the Obamas emerged today.

One is of Michelle Obama slipping her arm around Queen Elizabeth. This is a protocol no no and I support it completely. Years ago an American women in D.C. found herself so ecstatic to be in the presence of the Queen she hugged her causing a minor bruhaha. I loved her for it. It was an exuberant embrace that was quintessentially American. Mrs. Obama's gesture was subtle and tasteful apparently in response to the Queen slipping her arm around her first. The pic can be seen here and it looks charming.

Another photo showed our President bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia. This is repellent. There is not enough emphasis I can put on this: Americans do not bow to royalty. Ever.

Ever.
Ever.
EVER.

We do not believe in kings. Every American bone in my American body vibrates with repulsion at Obama's action. Noquarter discusses the appearance of weakness Obama gave off with his grovel. The policy signal concerns me less than the idea of an elected American President bowing to a royal anything. What was he thinking? Who is this man? Bowing to a king is a profoundly un-American action.

We've managed to avoid the world wide addiction to royalty for 200 plus years. We live in a republic - still - I suggest the "constitutional scholar" in the White House bone up on the Constitution.