See Brian Williams bow to President Obama.
(H/T: Illinois Review)
(Cross-posted to Southern Appeal.)
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17 comments:
Love the Superman reference!
the Founding Fathers just rolled over in their graves. If they hadn't already. My, they must be getting lots of exercise six feet under lately- everyone two days there's a new reason to roll.
How is that a bow? It's just a polite little nod of the head, which Obama then reciprocates.
Look again, watch the eyes, notice how deep the bow.
Williams' bow (the British call it a "neck bow") is low, his eyes are averted from Obama's face. It's a very submissive gesture. Obama's nod is perfunctory, his eyes never leave Williams. It's clearly the gesture of a superior acknowledging the deference shown by an inferior.
This is not a criticism of Obama, but of Williams, who is displaying an untoward level of deference to a fellow citizen.
I've probably done this to some of my friends as a greeting, a slight bow, done either out of habit or subconsciously. Which makes me think, If the person doing the bowing doesn't know the formalities of the description you gave, but still manages to pull it off does it have the significance behind it to the giver?
To me it looks like a common acknowledgment or greeting; not full fledged bow. To each his own.
"Displaying an untoward level of deference to a fellow citizen"????? It is the President of the United States. So what if he nodded his head?
I doubt you had such deference for President Bush, Jake.
You are wrong...I would most certainly bow to President Bush. The office is above any partisan bias. I would never vote for the man, but as long as he is leading our nation I certainly would afford him the respect he deserves. I am, however, much happier with the current situation!!!
Thanks for agreeing it was a bow, Jake.
Your welcome. I have no problem with anyone bowing or nodding to the President of United States. I am certain that anyone in that office deserves it.
"...who is displaying an untoward level of deference to a fellow citizen."
The key words here are "fellow citizen."
Frankly, Obama may be our president but he is no more of a man. Bowing is totally unnecessary and frankly, subservient.
Does anyone remember why our Founding Fathers formed the United States?
So what if bowing is unnecessary or subservient? The point is, no one is forcing anyone to bow, but what is the big deal if someone does bow? There are many ways to show respect to fellow human beings, who gives a flying fig if Williams nodded (bowed) to President Obama.
The big deal is that the media still claims to be objective. But the truth is that these guys regard Obama with a degree of reverence which is so extreme as to be embarrassing.
All that out of a bow? There are many examples of Williams showing no journalistic integrity throughout this interview, but to focus on a bow is ridiculous.
There are many examples, true. But this is one so briefly illustrated, and to most Americans, so clear.
Why do you find it ridiculous that someone might find this example of the many to be the most compelling and also the most easily communicated?
I guess I just don't find it that compelling. I mean, I think many people will courteously, maybe even subconsciously, bow to people, especially those in power. I mean, the whole special was a disgrace really, and I find it odd that you would pick a bow to illustrate how ridiculous it was. I mean, for goodness sake, you may not have seen this, but they did a bit for Conan Obrien and the Tonight Show, where Williams and President Obama discussed the transition from Jay to Conan. THAT was disgusting on the part of Williams, Obrien, and NBC. Link to that and I think it would have been way more compelling and easily communicated how disgusting this interview was. I guess I just don't see the big deal about the clip you posted.
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