Take a look a that guy to the right of Zero...he's looking down. Both turbaned guys are looking down...and the guy in the background is looking down.
And to top it off...Zero is bending is right leg..but not is left...which is the start of bending down to pick something up. I don't bow on a regular basis...: ) But I don't think I'd do it that way.
I think I'm in the minority here...based on the posts...But that's my take.....
He’s partially bowing to kiss the ring on the King’s hand. I’m dead serious. That’s what they’re looking at.....
A little exercise for you; take one step forward (which is about all he could take in the close proimity) now bow, check the position of your legs. As far as looking down I am more inclined to believe that he bowed and kiss the Kings ring and that’s what they are looking at.
I can completely see what you are saying, but this is NOT what our enemies - especially our Muslim enemies - will be reading into this picture. It will not matter what the REAL reason even IS, or WHY. The picture has been taken, and there you have it... Appearances can be deceiving, but again it matters not the REAL explanation (if indeed this wasn’t a bow...).
Think of the people walking by newsstands across the world with this picture on the front — again a picture is worth a thousand words. And, this is exactly why protocol - which the Obama’s seem to think they are “above” and don’t have to follow - is important. Maybe it’s silly, or archaic, but it’s the way things are, and have been for centuries - developed over those centuries. Actions have meaning, and just like the “gifts” the Obama’s have handed out this is a complete and total embarrassment to the U.S.. And, in fact, may signal something much, much worse — again even if unintended — such as capitulation to the Saudis. Our enemies will take this as a sign - you can count on it.