If you’re unhappy with President Barack Obama, look at it this way: We could be currently subject to King Paul instead.
You see, Paul Emery Washington of San Antonio is the eldest living descendent of George Washington. Washington had the chance to be crowned king, and if he had, our country would have turned out very differently.
After the Revolutionary War, Washington – the founding father with the most involvement in the military – was so well-loved by his troops they suggested he crown himself king.
Washington was repulsed by this idea, saying it went against everything the Revolution was fought – which of course, it did.
The beauty of the American idea is that nearly any citizen can become president, and as such, the president is no better than any citizen.
But apparently some Americans have forgotten this. Conservatives have been in an uproar over Obama’s recent bow to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah.
Rob Jesmer, the Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, blogged his loathing that Obama “would rather be accepted and befriended by his new friends abroad, than preserve America’s reputation and leadership as the world’s pre-eminent superpower.”
I am curious what George Washington would think of that statement. While of course I can only make a conjecture, it seems to me such arrogantly nationalistic thinking wouldn’t exactly be his cup of tea.
The idea that the American president is superior to other world leaders is embarrassing and offensive. Obama is an American citizen just like anyone else – he just happens to be in a position of great power.
And what is so bad about bowing, anyway? I am a martial artist, and bowing is an important tradition for us.
We bow to show respect, and we do it frequently. It is the first thing I teach my tae kwon do students and the way we open and close every class.
For us, it is actually a great equalizer. No matter your rank, age or level of expertise, when you greet another martial artist, you bow. Sure, my students bow to me, but I also bow to them.
Of course, bowing is no longer commonplace, and I recognize my preclusion towards it is a result of my martial arts training. But still, I’m at a loss as to why Obama’s bow has caused such brouhaha.
Don’t get me wrong – Saudi Arabia is no friend of mine. Its degrading treatment of women and barbaric punishment practices put it close to the top of my list of governments I wish would get lost.
So while I encourage Obama and you and everyone else to disrespect the Saudi Arabian government with all your might, letting that disgust become disrespect for an individual person will get us nowhere fast.
Would I bow to King Abdullah? I’m not sure.
But I certainly don’t begrudge Obama’s choice, and really, I think we have more pressing problems to deal with.
You see, Paul Emery Washington of San Antonio is the eldest living descendent of George Washington. Washington had the chance to be crowned king, and if he had, our country would have turned out very differently.
After the Revolutionary War, Washington – the founding father with the most involvement in the military – was so well-loved by his troops they suggested he crown himself king.
Washington was repulsed by this idea, saying it went against everything the Revolution was fought – which of course, it did.
The beauty of the American idea is that nearly any citizen can become president, and as such, the president is no better than any citizen.
But apparently some Americans have forgotten this. Conservatives have been in an uproar over Obama’s recent bow to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah.
Rob Jesmer, the Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, blogged his loathing that Obama “would rather be accepted and befriended by his new friends abroad, than preserve America’s reputation and leadership as the world’s pre-eminent superpower.”
I am curious what George Washington would think of that statement. While of course I can only make a conjecture, it seems to me such arrogantly nationalistic thinking wouldn’t exactly be his cup of tea.
The idea that the American president is superior to other world leaders is embarrassing and offensive. Obama is an American citizen just like anyone else – he just happens to be in a position of great power.
And what is so bad about bowing, anyway? I am a martial artist, and bowing is an important tradition for us.
We bow to show respect, and we do it frequently. It is the first thing I teach my tae kwon do students and the way we open and close every class.
For us, it is actually a great equalizer. No matter your rank, age or level of expertise, when you greet another martial artist, you bow. Sure, my students bow to me, but I also bow to them.
Of course, bowing is no longer commonplace, and I recognize my preclusion towards it is a result of my martial arts training. But still, I’m at a loss as to why Obama’s bow has caused such brouhaha.
Don’t get me wrong – Saudi Arabia is no friend of mine. Its degrading treatment of women and barbaric punishment practices put it close to the top of my list of governments I wish would get lost.
So while I encourage Obama and you and everyone else to disrespect the Saudi Arabian government with all your might, letting that disgust become disrespect for an individual person will get us nowhere fast.
Would I bow to King Abdullah? I’m not sure.
But I certainly don’t begrudge Obama’s choice, and really, I think we have more pressing problems to deal with.
