Obama's gaffes in international protocol 'pathetic, embarassing'

Editor:

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Then-Sen. Joe Biden was and is correct: "The presidency is not something that lends itself to on the job training." In less than 100 days, Barack Obama and the all-too-enthused Democratic Congress have spent gargantuan sums of money (so much for the "pay as you go" line of malarkey pontificated by Nancy Pelosi), nominated four (that we know of) tax cheats to his Cabinet, raised taxes, sent our hard-earned money to bail out Wall Street billionaires who ran companies into the ground (so much for Main Street), mocked Special Olympics participants, and, since he has been in a car before, is trying his hand at potentate for the American automobile industry.

As pathetic and embarrassing as this is, the president of the United States now bows in subservience to an Islamic monarch.

The Obamas have always done as they wanted, when they wanted. However, common sense dictates that upon assumption of the roles they now have, they learn a little protocol and alter their ways a bit. Michelle grabs the queen of England, a diplomatic no-no. Barack bows to the King of Saudi Arabia. And what makes these two Ivy League-educated lawyers think that an iPod is an appropriate state gift goes beyond human comprehension.

Now, ask yourself this: What if this had been Sarah Palin discussing Africa, Dan Quayle reading the spelling of "potato" from a cue card in New Jersey, or George Bush doing anything? It is more than obvious that the media is in the standard in-for-a-dime, in-for-a-dollar mode with this administration and Congress.

I have never seen arrogance, ignorance, vanity and self-importance displayed at a level commensurate with the Obamas and Congress. Just as an aside: Mr. President, the day after you showed your moral fiber and character on The Tonight Show, my son came home from school with a First-Place blue ribbon for bowling that he won at the Columbia County Special Olympics. Don't sweat it though; the media and an incompetent electorate have you covered. Just hang on to that teleprompter and you'll be just dandy.

Lee Benedict

Martinez