It is almost as rare for a head of state to mock another head of state as it is for one to bow down before the other. Barack Obama has already featured in both forms of extraordinary behavior.

According the French newspaper L'Express, Nicolas Sarkozy criticized Barack Obama.

Nicolas Sarkozy criticized the Obama's popularity : "Journalists have no memory! In 2000, George W. Bush was so popular that Jacques Chirac had arranged to dine with him before he was inaugurated. "

The French President, who will host his U.S. counterpart on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June for the 65th anniversary of the Normandy Landing, is ironical about "obamania": "I will ask him to walk on the Channel, and he will... "

I clearly remember the promise that Barack Obama would restore respect for America overseas. It doesn't seem to be working in France. Don't hold your breath waiting for the American media to report this.

Update: Sarko, who witnessed the bow before King Abdullah, really does understand Obama.

Big Fur Hat's illustration coould not be more on target.