Not sure about the ring kissing — someone is in the way. As far as the Bow... No. NEVER. Especially such a deep bow while looking at the ground (bending the head). Lots of comments on this thread regarding protocols and such. The only “bow” that should be made would be a mutual bow (such as when greeting a Japanese diplomat - and then it’s not the same - the eyes remain up, and the bow is equal — kind of like we’re taught in Martial Arts classes before sparring).
This wasn’t some “faux pas”. Common sense tells us that if all of US know this was WAY wrong, then the PRES_ENT has NO EXCUSE... Other possible explanation brought up in the thread — the Saudi Emir is the “Keeper of the Mosques” (kind of like the “Islamic Pope”, if you will). None of the possible explanations are good, and almost all of the possible explanations are incredibly bad.
Check out the video if you haven’t seen it yet... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S60U-hl35Gw
Silvie, can you make sure the folks at WMAL, especially Chris Plante and Austin Hill, get this video?
Wow. Thanks for posting the vid. I wasn't entirely convinced that the photo showed him bowing. But, the video is absolutely unambiguous. He bowed. No ifs. No buts. No ands. What an ultra-moron.