Obama '08?

Well, I would wager I talk to more people in different countries on a weekly basis than Okie does in a year. But, that's anecdotal; so I rely on polling evidence to get a good picture of how the world feels about us, and that evidence conclusively shows that the last 8 years have been disastrous for the US when it comes to world opinion of us. This is exactly what I said to Okie in the first place.

I could care less. Why do you guys get so caught up on stupid ****?

Where is it written that this country 'does not bow?' What's wrong with showing respect to another foreign leader? It costs us nothing and gains us much to do things like this. Don't you understand the power of humility?

Cycloptichorn

I have said it before and I will say it again...polls are worthless.

Then why didnt he bow to the Queen?

He is reputed to have said that "This flag dips to no earthly King".
That tradition still continues today.

Oh, I would say, because: he is not bound by asinine and pointless traditions from last century.

Getting caught up in stupid traditions like this is a sign that one has little better to think about.

Cycloptichorn

In 1942, after Billy Fiske died while flying with the RAF, the US Congress passed Public Law 829 which stated..."That no disrespect should be given to the flag of the United States of America, the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing"
http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/JOH/JOHv7n3/JOHv7n3i.pdf

So if the flag should not be dipped, then why does the President think he should bow to another person?

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Oh, I would say, because: he is not bound by asinine and pointless traditions from last century.

Getting caught up in stupid traditions like this is a sign that one has little better to think about.

Cycloptichorn

So then if Obama decides to give the SOU speech in November, you will have no problem with that?
Or if he decides to ignore election results that he doesnt like you would be ok with that?
After all, its only tradition that forces him to accept election results.

On the contrary, both of those items are Law, not tradition. In fact, I believe that both are written into the Constitution.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient

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On the contrary, both of those items are Law, not tradition. In fact, I believe that both are written into the Constitution.

And you would be wrong, at least partly.
Before you try and say what is in the Constitution, I suggest you actually READ it first.

From Article 2, section 3 of the Constitution, we get this...

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He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient

There is NOTHING in the Constitution that says when the SOU is given, nor is there anything that says how often it must be given, only that it is given.
So, the President could decide to do it once every 2 years, or once a month, it is entirely up to him.

And there is nothing that says the President must recognize anyone that gets elected to any position.

So then if Obama decides to give the SOU speech in November, you will have no problem with that?

In 1801, Thomas Jefferson discontinued the practice of delivering the address in person, regarding it as too monarchical (similar to the Speech from the Throne). Instead, the address was written and then sent to Congress to be read by a clerk until 1913 when Woodrow Wilson re-established the practice despite some initial controversy. However, there have been exceptions to this rule. Presidents during the latter half of the 20th century have sent written State of the Union addresses. The last President to do this was Jimmy Carter in 1981.

For many years, the speech was referred to as "the President's Annual Message to Congress." The actual term "State of the Union" did not become widely used until after 1935 when Franklin D. Roosevelt began using the phrase.

Prior to 1934, the annual message was delivered at the end of the calendar year, in December. The ratification of the 20th Amendment on January 23, 1933 changed the opening of Congress from early March to early January, affecting the delivery of the annual message. Since 1934, the message or address has been delivered to Congress in January or February. Today, the speech is typically delivered on the last Tuesday in January, although there is no such provision written in law, and it varies from year to year. In 2008, the speech was given on the last Monday of January.

But the same people defending the fact that Obama bowed attacked Bush for following other Saudi customs and holding the kings hand when he was here.

Why is it wrong to follow one custom and correct to folow others, especially when the customs are from the same country both times?