Saturday, November 14, 2009

Obama Bows to Japanese Emperor

NOT AGAIN!

Hasn't Obama learned anything since his last bowing incident?

There was such an uproar after Obama bowed to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz that Robert Gibbs flat-out lied about it.




There Obama goes again!

I can't wait to hear Gibbs say that wasn't a bow. I don't want to hear the BS about Obama being tall and bending down to greet the emperor. That's crap.

Obama can show respect without bowing. He appears subservient.

Why aren't the Leftists, the ones who use slavery imagery when they describe the behavior of African-American conservatives, using slave imagery when Obama literally bows?

Michael Steele, Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, and even Colin Powell were criticized by unapologetic Leftists. They hurled racial epithets -- "Uncle Tom," "House Negro," "Black man who deserves an asterisk" -- at good and decent people. Michael Steele was pelted with Oreos, and for what? Being black and conservative?

Why aren't these same Leftists complaining about Obama's bowing? Why aren't they complaining that he's acting submissive when he bows like that? Why aren't they calling him a "House Negro"?

Bottom line: American presidents of the United States should not bow before anyone.

Take race out of the equation. It's irrelevant. The image of Obama, American president, bowing is nauseating.

Yeah, yeah, it's a sign of respect in Japanese culture.

Did the Japanese emperor bow to Obama?

Where's the respect?

________________

UPDATE, November 16, 2009:



46 leaders did NOT bow when they greeted the Japanese emperor.

16 comments:

Cyd said...

I don't know who the hell advises this idiot (Obama) however, whoever they are, they must be bigger idiots. It is customary to bow in Japan to show respect, that is true. What appears to be missing from this discussion is that the customs in Japan dictate that the "lesser" of the two people bows deeper and longer than the "superior" person. As you can see from the video just who views themselves as inferior and superior.

Obama could have made a slight bowing gesture to convey respect without showing subservience which he clearly did last time as well as this time around. The Emperor must have had a good chuckle behind closed doors.

Brandon Hansen said...

Slighty overblown as a story. No wait, COMPLETELY overblown.

Brandon
Just South of North
http://www.justsouthofnorth.com

Charles Rinehart said...

I have a message for all the acorn, welfare babies, and union people (I use the term "people" very loosely) who voted for this "sack of suds". The zoo called...you're all due back at 6.

Unknown said...

You have got to be kidding me. An American President should not bow to anyone? Who put the extra testosterone in YOUR cereal? He was a VISITOR to Japan, and is custom for the VISITOR to bow when greeting the host. Simple as pie. American apple pie, that is.

This is what the inbreds have to talk about? THIS????

Wow. Just.....wow.

Kevin J Burns said...

You guys do realize, bowing is done in Japan like shaking hands is done in the US. It's just a way of saying hello, showing respect.

ethiopia said...

Obama is a very smart president . The last 24 hrs news in this country only about Obama bows to the Japanise Emperor.Are you guys forgeting the health care debate? Who cares if he bow 100 times. Bush use to hold hand to hand to Saudis king , even kiss hands. That is why Bush trained Obama to do all this crazy stuff. Do not blame the messenger. This is petty.

Mary said...

You do realize that the emperor didn't bow to Obama in a similar manner.

That's significant.

I don't think the discussion is petty.

Obama's actions speak to his pattern of displaying on weakness on the world stage. One can take a conciliatory, respectful approach without sacrificing one's own dignity.

Unknown said...

It's incredible that Americans are wasting time getting so pissed that Obama visited a country, met the emperor, and was respectful.

Did I miss something? Are we at war with Japan? Are we angry at Japan? If we have the opportunity to meet with a VERY old school leader of that culture should we be arrogant and ONLY do what Americans do, or maybe, just maybe should we consider their cultural habits. Why would that be wrong??? Isn't it better to be more considerate as opposed to so self-consumed that we come off as arrogant....Like all of you argumentative people sound?

I'm sure Glenn Beck will have enough whining on Monday, perhaps then you will be happy.

Anonymous said...

Can we try him for treason now?

EuropeSilver said...

President Obama in showing respect as a visitor in a foreign country to a head of state is the action of apolite, courteous and diplomatic man who in himself shows the world the courtsey, hospitality and respect that I have always experienced in my visits to The United States. It is not an act of subservience, not a prostration ...as reported... not a genuflection... yes, both reported in the media! Please give the President some credit for his politeness. Please do not blow this gesture our of proportion.

P-U-G said...

I love how you guys are saying how 'weak' this makes America look. It's hilarious to watch the most powerful country go all self conscious and defensive over a bow! Yes, he bowed a little too low, but no, it's not at all weak.

What's weak is all this debate from Americans over a bow when they have the crappiest health care system in the western world, a cheerful war going on, and a terrifyingly tragic spelling system.

As for "Bottom line: American presidents of the United States should not bow before anyone." --Americans who think that clearly prove to the world that yes, you certainly are arrogant, oversensitive, unworldly, undereducated, overly nationalistic (bordering fanatical), self-centered, spoilt brats.

My bottom line: I don't see why you're all freaking out about this. The world has been laughing at you for years. We wouldn't actually have laughed at Obama for this, but we're certainly laughing at all the fuss you've caused.

Bravo, children. Keep the jokes coming.

And for all those other people I see here who are making sense, thank God not all Americans are stupid.

Mary said...

Watch the UConn video.

Unknown said...

The President of the United States doesn't bow to anyone. The ideology of American Politics is that will eliminated all the caste systems involving royalty. The President of the United States is the leader of the free world, the most powerful leader in all of the world, and he or she does not bow to anyone...period.

maddy said...

Yes the emperor and empress bowed. The bow was a little low but I can't believe how controversialthis has gotten. It's simple courtesy like a handshake in western culture. Had Obama met an average Japanese he wouldve bowed too. Except this time it would be the other guy bowing deeper and speaking formally to Obama. While the bus was quite low it wouldve been proper for him to bow deeper as he is the guest, Emperor Akihito is older (age seniority is very important) and because he is the highest figure in Japan. In Japan, there's actually a formal way to speak to the emperor (ie refering to oneself as wakasushi rather than watashi, boku etc.). Obama should actually be commended for learning the cultural etiquettes of the countries he visits.

The Never Never Kings said...

Well, thank you for your enlightening post.

I've actually lived in Japan and understand the culture a little bit better than 'Cyd the Kid'.

The older, wiser and more important the person, the lower you bow. For instance, if I were to meet an elderly woman, I would bow at nearly a 90 degree angle.

However, as Americans, it is important for us to show this respect whether we are 'more important' or not.

Fact of the matter is, most Japanese people dislike Americans. Why? Because every time an American shows up in their country, they get roaring drunk and make a scene. They also tend to demand English and mock Japanese culture.

Because of this, Japanese distrust most, if not all, Americans.

The only way I have found to gain the respect of any Japanese person is to engage in their culture. If you speak in Japanese, bow and follow other cultural customs, the relationship you have with them will be much more genuine and honest.

So, for every idiotic, ignorant American who is of the opinion that we should be some kind of alpha dog to every country we encounter, remember that it's that attitude that makes most countries hate us.

Respect is appreciated everywhere.

Mary said...

That comment is hilarious!

I really enjoyed it.