Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Bogus Controversy


In what I am calling the most recent Bogus Controversy, it seems that Israel is upset that Obama had his feet up on his desk when he was talking to them on the phone. A picture was taken showing Obama on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli TV newscasters Tuesday night interpreted a photo taken Monday in the Oval Office of President Obama talking on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an "insult" to Israel.

They saw the incident as somewhat akin to an incident last year, when the Iraqi reporter threw a shoe at President Bush in Baghdad.

It is considered an insult in the Arab world to show the sole of your shoe to someone. It is not a Jewish custom necessarily, but Israel feels enough a part of the Middle East after 60 years to be insulted too.


This is not even a Jewish custom. And for all the Israelis that are offended let me tell you this, there is a big difference in American culture between putting your feet up on your desk (a sign of comfort and ease) and having a shoe thrown at you in the Arab world. And your not even Arab. So, I am going to say it here now, this is a bogus controversy.

1 comments:

Jeremy Smith said...

I sure hope Israel reads your blog ;)