Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Obama snubs King Harald

I defended President Obama when neocon Americanists attacked him for bowing to the Emperor of Japan. But that doesn't make this a pro-Obama blog. Norwegians are apparently miffed that he has declined an invitation to lunch from King Harald V (which Nobel laureates have traditionally accepted) as well as other opportunities to cultivate goodwill in Norway. This is inexcusable. While Obama has expressed his admiration for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, he did not bow to her as he did to the monarchs of Saudi Arabia and Japan, leaving one to wonder if it is only non-Western monarchies towards whom Obama feels inclined to demonstrate humility. Obama's insensitivity to Norwegians suggests that American arrogance and unilateralism did not disappear when George W. Bush left the White House, as Europeans are learning.

5 comments:

J.K. Baltzersen said...

Personally, sir, I think this Nobel "Peace" Laureate should not defile the Royal Place whose King I am subject, by having lunch there.

Theodore Harvey said...

Well that's one way of looking at it. :) However, it's not like previous "Peace" laureates have all been so wonderful.

J.K. Baltzersen said...

However, it's not like previous "Peace" laureates have all been so wonderful.

No, you're right.

Viola said...

I agree with you, Theodore. It's very rude of Obama to refuse King Harald's invitation to lunch.

I don't understand why he won the Peace prize anyway. There are many others who are more deserving. The world has gone mad with 'political correctness'.

AM said...

Intentional "snub" or scheduling conflict, he's still PRESIDENT Obama...