02/01/10

Why is he bowing again?

Obama bows to "Queen Amphitrite" as grinning Admiral Olson watches.

Why did U.S. President Barack Obama bow to Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio when he arrived at MacDill Air Force Base on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010? As any saltwater sailor who has ever crossed the equator and become a Shellback knows, Queen Amphitrite is the wife of King Neptune, the ruler of the seas. Admiral Eric T. Olson, Commander of Special Operations Command, is a quick-witted man who enjoys a practical joke. When he saw Mayor Iorio waiting to greet the president he pointed her out as Queen Amphitrite.

The look on her face says that she was not in on the joke; and Obama did not cross the equator, so Naval tradition is safe. He is definitely NOT a Shellback.