Obama Bows to Emperor, LA Times Asks 'How Low Will He Go?'

Photo of Noel Sheppard.
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How low will the new American president go for the world's royalty?

Such was marvelously asked by the Los Angeles Times' Andrew Malcolm Saturday after news broke that President Obama was once again bowing to a foreign dignitary.

This time it was Japanese Emperor Akihito (larger version of picture below the fold):

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This photo will get Democrat President Obama a lot of approving nods in Japan this weekend, especially among the older generation of Japanese who still pay attention to the royal family living in its downtown castle. Very low bows like this are a sign of great respect and deference to a superior.

To some in the United States, however, an upright handshake might have looked better. Remember Michelle Obama casually patting Britain's Queen Elizabeth on the back during their Buckingham Palace visit? America's royalty tends to make movies and get bad reviews and lots of money as a sign of respect.

Obama could receive some frowns back home as he did for his not-quite-this-low-or-maybe-about-the-same-bow to the Saudi king not so long ago.
 
How will media respond to Obama's most recent bow?
 
Interesting question given how the New York Times responded to former President Bill Clinton almost bowing to Emperor Akihito in 1994 (h/t Hot Air):
It wasn't a bow, exactly. But Mr. Clinton came close. He inclined his head and shoulders forward, he pressed his hands together. It lasted no longer than a snapshot, but the image on the South Lawn was indelible: an obsequent President, and the Emperor of Japan. [...]

But the "thou need not bow" commandment from the State Department's protocol office maintained a constancy of more than 200 years. Administration officials scurried to insist that the eager-to-please President had not really done the unthinkable.

"It was not a bow-bow, if you know what I mean," said Ambassador Molly Raiser, the chief of protocol.

White House officials described Mr. Clinton's tilt as something of an improvisation. Because Emperor Akihito broke with tradition in turn to raise his glass at the state dinner, some even said Mr. Clinton had managed something of a breakthrough.

"Presidents don't bow, and Emperors don't toast," one official said. "So this was a little bit like the cultures meeting each other halfway."

Hmmm. If there's a "'thou need not bow' commandment from the State Department's protocol office [that's] maintained a constancy of more than 200 years," why is Obama violating it, and why aren't America's media excoriating him for doing so?

Is this yet another example of "What a Difference an O Makes?" 

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.


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Just the 7 ambassadors

Just the 7 ambassadors focused on the Saudi "event": http://i27.tinypic.c...

___________________________________________________________
Graphical conservative commentary - animations & pictures for posting on forums: http://ubama.org/chu...

He is low enough to kiss

He is low enough to kiss this ass.  

Semper suprene nitens 

There is no point dwelling on all the foolish mistakes we have made in our lives. For one thing, it can be very time-consuming. Dr. Thomas Sowell

 

Swing low, sweet chariot....

He is assuming the position he uses in the White House bedroom with Michelle and her nasty strap-on. Everyone thinks he keeps his head abnormally high because of ego, when the real culprit is severe pain in his sphincter...

Lower...Lower...

Or he just got word that Barney Frank was behind him and has assumed the docking position.

Weird sex

Whoa! That gave me a nasty mental image.  Why did I have to read that right before eating.

How did our ancestors handle

How
did our ancestors handle living under tyranny for 30+ years waiting for
their evil king to die...it hasn't been a year, and I'm going crazy!

Just wait, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Just wait, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

CV, yes me too, crazy..

I was in Kona when Japanese Emperor Akihito dropped by with his 2 - white 747's, with giant red meatballs painted on the wings and vertical control surfaces. I wasn't alive durning WW-2 and those aircraft, flying out of Kona gave me the chills/ willies.

Is this a jesture to get a loan?

The.. vain zero 

What will he do in China, kiss some commie feet.

State controlled health care ! music video.

get a loan?

Obama:  "I bow to your pre-eminent excellence..., by the way...., would you have a couple bucks to spare..., for gas money..., my credit card's max'ed out?"

After he washes them, like a

After he washes them, like a good muslim would.

Hello Most Honored Terrorists!

Maybe he'll be in New York to greet the terrorists going on trial with the same respect, deference, and submission. What a twat!

CV,

...it hasn't been a year, and I'm going crazy!

I'm not sure, but I may already be there.

-Dave

Our elected representatives have failed us.  

I'm starting to be fairly

I'm starting to be fairly sure. every day it seems more and more that I have stepped off into cloud-cuckoo land and nothing seems to surprise me any more.

This is NOT the proper way for a president to act.


"You know, when I was asked earlier about the issue of coal, uh, you
know — Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would
necessarily skyrocket" - Barack Hussain Obama

In Total Agreement

Words fail, and anything else could get me arrested.

Ole_Sarge,

...and anything else could get me arrested. 

Same here. 

-Dave

Our elected representatives have failed us.  

Conservative Voice

According to the "Globe" tabloid,

Obama has Cancer and Michelle is "devastated".

If the Globe is as good as the Enquirer ala Monica and Bill, YOU won't have much longer to wait for sanity to return and your hair to grow back.

And no I didn't read the article, just the headline at the checkout counter. (grocery store)

Is it brain cancer?

That would explain a lot.

Mitch

According to the headline on the cover of the Globe, SOBama has LUNG CANCER.

Seems in addition to bowing, hehas lost weight and is coughing too!

"Brain" works for me.

Isn't he just

Isn't he just precious?

Gag me with a spoon.

Surprised the LATs ran this....as to the rest of the majority of the msm, heck, they'll have tingles running up their legs.

'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart

BT, traditions mean nothing

BT, traditions mean nothing to liberals, and obama is so arrogant that he thinks the majority of US citizens agree. BKeyser provided a counter-link in OT today showing obama refusing to salute our Flag. Put the two images together [his bowing, and his refusal to salute the flag] and you've got one real big America-hating SOB in the white house. It can't get any worse than this.

__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song

TnT... You got that

TnT...

You got that right!

...and we thought Clinton was bad...didn't think we could elect anyone lower than he was in my lifetime, I sure was mistaken.

'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart

Traditions

More like American traditions mean nothing to liberals.  Everybody else's traditions must be followed, even here in the United States.

If you're not outraged at the media, you haven't been paying attention.

I like this part from

I like this part from HotAir:

The New York Times didn’t have much to say after Obama’s bow to Abdullah despite having scolded Clinton in this manner for almost
bowing to Akihito.  Now that Obama has done “the unthinkable” twice,
and this time to Akihito, will the New York Times have anything to say
about it?  Will any of the national news media inquire as to whether
the Obama administration has changed American protocol from its
233-year norm of not bowing to royalty,
and exactly what “hope and
change” that represents? 
(emphasis mine)

This is just more "remaking" of American protocol.  Michelle denigrates "friendly royalty"  (the Queen of England) by patting her back as if she were  a doddering old fool, and her husband bows and scrapes before  not-so-friendly royalty, this Emperor and the Saudi king.

I read somewhere else today that this is the equivalent of a "tell" in poker; a subconscious tic that the player really can't control, that shows his true thoughts and intentions.

 

 

The NYT merely "scolded"

The NYT merely "scolded" Clinton.  The editors must have been suffering from a rare attack of beneficience toward him.  They hated the guy.

Jer

 

Alert: More revisionist

Alert: More revisionist history on the way.

__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song

Hmm...

I strongly disagree with Obama or any President bowing to anyone for a variety of reasons.  However, the Japanese Emperor certainly does not belong to the categorgy of not-so-friendly royalty.  The  present day Japanese Emp. is extremely friendly to western values and more specifically the USA.  McArthur is a highly revered figure in Japan and they still maintain his former physical office in downtown Tokyo.

 

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

Hmm...

I strongly disagree with Obama or any President bowing to anyone for a variety of reasons.  However, the Japanese Emperor certainly does not belong to the categorgy of not-so-friendly royalty.  The  present day Japanese Emp. is extremely friendly to western values and more specifically the USA.  McArthur is a highly revered figure in Japan and they still maintain his former physical office in downtown Tokyo.

 

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

It is proper to bow

but not so low. It would also be proper for him just to have a very quick bow while shaking hands. His handlers and protocol geeks are idiots. His bow should be equal to the emperor's bow as equal heads of state. His bow says to the Japanese that he is of a lower social status and is being subservient. He is an idiot.

"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'

Yep, a quick

Nod of the noggin, smile, and hand shake. What ever that was, it was ridiculous.

 

My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

Looks like he is imitating

A tall Japanese waiter. Probably all our Dear Reader knows how to do.

Respect my authority

Let's just get him some knee pads with the Presidential seal on them.

(Caption for photo: " We are sorry we over-reacted  to the whole Pearl Harbor thing.") 

 

Franksam,

Nice caption.;) Didn't see it until I posted dang near the same thing.

Re Knee Pads

Haven't seen kneepads, but how about some Bamster toilet paper?

http://twitpic.com/pbsnz

Stock up now, because I expect that under Princess Nan, toilet paper will be a heavily taxed 'medical device'.

TP tax

It won't be so bad if you only use one square.  You undoubtedly realize, though,  that the TP tax will have a disparate impact on women.

This guy is so clueless and

This guy is so clueless and embarrassing. 

Can't wait to read the libtards spin this as to how "sensitive" Little Barry Bam Bam is to other cultures, not like that damn cowboy Bush!

 

 

That is exactly what they

That is exactly what they are doing.

What does it take for people to understand

just how much this man hates and wants to destroy our country. These 2 articles/posts show and tell it all !           http://www.redstate....                         http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/obama-emperor-akihito-japan.html                                                                           sorry for the trash I do not know how to get rid of it

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Barry, you messed up again!

You're facing the wrong direction you idiot! : O

Gary

 

Old media species: Moonbat-a-saurus-rex. Getting more endangered by the day.

Unbelievable?

Later in the day, President Barack Sushi-for-Brains Obama apologized for what he called 'that Pearl Harbor thingy'.

Robert Gibbs will say....

Any of the below (feel free to add more)

The Greatest President Ever was just checking out the guys shoes

The Greatest President Ever dropped some change

The Greatest President Ever tripped and was falling over when the Emperor caught him.

 

Stay Free!!!

Ahh yes...

The Greatest President Ever was caught off guard by the Emperor's bone crushing handshake.

Eh'fing Embarrasment

Everything this empty suit does, is an orchestrated effort to "fundamentaly change" the US of A.  EVERYTHING.

LOL-Suppose we don't let Obama back into the country...

...does that mean he can't play at being POTUS anymore?

-Dave

Our elected representatives have failed us.  

I like it

If he can't come up with a birth certificate, does he have a passport? Somebody help me. Does he have to go through customs upon re-entry like the rest of us? R D may be saving the country with this idea. Can I get a lawyer here?

nice work, Obama

Japan gets a bow, Saudi Arabia gets a bow, Russia gets a "reset button," and Egypt gets a speech about America being Muslim....

but England gets a half-hearted handshake, and Canada is given a shout out to their nonexistant president.

We see exactly where our president's priorities are.

No Shield For You!

And don't forget: BHO sent back a gift from England--a bust of Churchill--and Poland got their missile shield taken away.  

Priorities?

Don't forget his praising is Islam. Here --> President says Islam is "part of America," hails the religion's "commitment to justice and progress". "The contribution of Muslims to the United States are too long to catalog because Muslims are so interwoven into the fabric of our communities and our country," obama said.

__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song

Maybe he really wasnt paying

Maybe he really wasnt paying attention all those years in Rev. Wrights church, and maybe he should have listened a little. At least enough to maybe grow a spine, stop apalogizing and get off his knees anytime someone of percieved authority comes up to him. He did say "I Won" didnt he? Maybe it needs to be explained again that he (through some cruel joke of the universe) did win the US Presidential Election.

The only ons Obama wont bow to

Are the American people. 

 

My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

True, however we get the privilege of being called extremists

and tea baggers...

THIS WILL BE THE EXCUSE!!!!!!!!!

 

He was bowing because thats like a hand shake in Japan.  But the moron was already shaking hands.  

 

 

God help you if you try to be civil and give and FYI about grammar or spelling on this site...the backlash could kill you

As I mentioned in the OT, a

As I mentioned in the OT, a traditional Japanese bow is not normally more than 15 degrees off vertical. This caliber of a bow denotes slave status.

Brown Nosers Do It Deeper

He reminds me of that kid in school who was always bending over backwards to score points with the teacher. In this case, bending forward. And with that almost 90 degree bow, it's like he thinks size matters! The deeper the bow, the better? And since when do you bow and shake hands at the same time! Pick ONE!

 (Uh-oh...was "brown noser" racist?)

LMAO BK... That IS

LMAO BK...

That IS Priceless!

I'm sending that all over the place...thank YOU!

'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart

;-] bt

;-] bt

Obama is a disgrace.

He has just told the rest of the worls that the US conciders the Japenese Emeror as supoerior to the US, more important, and that he will defer to the wishes of Japan. He is either trying to singlehandedly undermine 50 years of US foreign policy or he is a complete moron. Either way, the sooner he is out of office the better for the country.

He bows to the King of Saudi Arabia and the Emperor of Japan yet he refuses to have his picture taken with the Prime Minister of Israel. Does he really think that hereditary rulers are better and more nobel than the rest of humanity?

Has anyone started a re-call petition yet?

Throw 'da bums out!!!

Before it's too late. 

www.loyaltoliberty.com

The Obama Saudi king bow (ring kiss)

I still think He was simply bending over to kiss the Saudi king's ring. Of course, that would be worse than bowing, would it not?

(;~/ gary

Yeah. As a public service

Yeah.

As a public service let me see if I can explain this to liberals:

Americans do not bow to foreign leaders.

Thus American presidents do not bow to foreign leaders.

And the American Flag NEVER dips as it marches past ANYONE at the Olympics.

BD - sidebar..

Obama says to Rahm Emanuel, "How come they're not bowing to me? The MSM does." Rahm to Obama, "It'll come, it'll come."

(;~/ gary

The first "Black President" is a subservient "leader".

Amazing that the first "Black" President is so subservient to the corrupt and dominating thug leaders of the world.  I would think that the Jessie Jacksons and the Al Sharptons of the world would be up in arms to see a "Black" man bowing to anyone.  Where is his strength?  Where is his standing in the world as the LEADER  of the free world?  And no, you won't see the lame stream media reporting this in the same way that they would report any conservative or true republican.  What if Palin did this?  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Something ominous about all this

There's something really ominous about all this.  People have said that his bows were subservient.  Given his past actions to date, would it be more accurate to say that he's not being subservient, but that he's surrendering to the rest of the world?

-Jon

"Obama the fanny and ring kisser"...

is at it again...

"How low will the new American president go for the world's royalty?"

Arnold Malcolm hit the nail right on the head, and wrote one the few things that I've ever agreed with that's been printed in the LA Times. 

Obama can't manage to find the time to attend the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, one the most important historical events of the 20th century, but he can dash over to Japan so he can bow at the feet of the Japanese emperor. Another great diplomatic triumph for the Obamessiah.  

"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan

Speaks for his intentions

Once again the Community Organizer shows what he really stands for.  He wants to subvert all of us to a higher authority (presumably the UN using the Copenhagen summit).  Hopefully the Senate will have enough common sense not to accept the treaty.
The greater crime is that he does not treat us Americans the same way.  In fact, his arrogance speaks for itself.  He considers himself to be above the people whom he works for.  Maybe a landslide loss in the next couple of elections will teach him something...

Full disclosure:  I have not read the treaty that BHO will sign in Copenhagen. But even if it does explictly create a world governing body, BHO's signature means nothing.  Constitution specifically requires two-thirds of the Senate to approve any treaty.  Thank goodness for separation of powers.

Well, given the fact that...

the Senate is under the firm control of Harry Reid and the Dems, I'm not all that comforted by the 2/3 of the Senate requirement in this case. Separation of powers doesn't provide as much of a safeguard as it should when one party has such a stranglehold on the executive and legislative branches. Let's just hope that better judgement and reason will prevail if and when this gets to that point.

"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan

I have read the treaty.

I have read the treaty. It's all about two things:

  1. Transfer of wealth form developed nations to "under-developed" nations, using a variety of taxes and fees on the developed nations.

  2. The killing off of industry in developed nations to make things "equal" around the world.

The language is very specific, very punitive. It even singles out nations by stating (I paraphrase here) "that nations with the most industrial emissions since 1850" -- which means those nations (e.g., America) that began the industrial revolution must now pay the most for making the progress that we have made.

This is socialism to the core. The UN honors agrearian (sp?) societies, and punishes the capitalist. And uses the past 160 years as its measuring stick.

And that is what obama wants to sign. Scary, isn't it?

__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song

I betcha

he would kneel before Zod, too.

UP. here is a 3 second yt link

As you know zero would bow BEFORE any comment was issued..

His China visit may be like that...

12 trillion bucks , he may sign off on Hawaii... A reverse  Louisiana Purchase ..Try finding the birth paper work then!!

No really how much would that SHOCK anyone?

State controlled health care ! music video.

He could have a firesale on real estate

But he would be selling at the bottom. The reconquest is going quite well except in Texas but I don't think we are making a lot of money on the deal. He could sell California and NYC and maybe some select states in New England. Maybe make a few bucks.

"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'

→ Son of Hirohito

The generation of soldiers that fought Akihito's daddy is dying off at a rate of about 1000 per day. 

To them, we raise our glass, Obama hikes his leg.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

Cool...I don't know if...

Obama either doesn't understand the damage that actions such as this cause, or if he just doesn't care. As you reminded us, we are losing more and more of the generation that fought against Imperial Japan every day, and granted, that war is long over and we were victorious, but, I find Obama's bowing at the feet of the Japanese emperor extremely inappropriate for an American president, and very disrespectful to all Americans who fought against the Japanese in WWII. 

For whatever reason, Obama just doesn't get it.     

"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan

Obama bows

Iwo Jima!!!!! Come to mind.

 Makes me sick,

 "First time in my adult life  I am not proud of my country"

The enemies of America are watching his every move.

And this is what he gives them to see.  He, the POTUS, the theoretical leader of the free world bows to those called King and Emperor.  He respects them so much, he sees to it that his head is lower than that of his superior.

Don't try and tell me he's "just being polite".  The POTUS bows to no man, to no foreign power or its leader.

We are at the very least the equal of all those nations we share this planet with, and clearly we are superior in nearly every way to the vast majority of them.  Not genetically.  I measure a countrys worth by the freedom of its citizenry.

When Obama bows he does so to express his belief that we are no longer to be considered exceptional.  That American exceptionalism is no longer acceptable as a term much less a practice.  He has made it clear that if a people choose to live under the control of a dictator or a President for life that that is their business.  If they seek freedom they must attain it on their own.  The US will no longer support those that seek to be free.  We won't "interfere" any more.

They have gleaned much more from his actions to back up these carefully chosen words to encourage them to disregard the potential consequences of acting against those that speak of freedom and encourage others to seek it. 

Can we just get this dip to stop bowing?  Is there anyone that can convince him that doing so is a bad thing?   No.  This is what he seeks.  The diminishment of America in the eyes of all who see her.  He has made his mission clear.  To level the playing field he will lower us to its worldwide level.  Too hard to raise the rest of the world up.  Much easier to lower us.  Much more appropriate and satisfying to him personally.  Ya see...I've been listening to him.  I know what he wants.  He's made it clear.

Each day there is another reason to lose respect for the man, but there is, for me, no place left for that loss to go.  Now I just feel nauseated at each new slap to my face, to the face of my beloved Republic.  He's a disgrace and far beyond an embarrassment to this nation.  He is actively engaged in destroying our nation in every way he can, by every means available to him.

God help us to rebuild this nation once he's out of office.  It will take decades and untold sacrifice to repair the damage he has done in the short time he has been drilling holes in our hull. He clearly has no shame.  His ego leaves no room for it.

islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.

AB... You said it all and

AB...

You said it all and then some.

I just want to thank you for posting words put together so well I wished I could write.

I'm so weary of this man already, and like you say the damage he is and will continue doing to this nation will take decades to undo.

There will be blood on his hands in the future to come yet, Gitmo prisoners being tried in NY alone will have disastrous results in the coming years...long after he is out of office....that's just one quick example.

Got to run for a little bit...just thanks once again.

'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart

Army Brat...Bravo!

Perfectly said.

"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan

This appears to be his modus

This appears to be his modus operandi in most areas, lowering the bar to equalize everyone. Tax the rich, redistribute the wealth, appolgy after appolgy for America being who we are. Re-writing history itself in making us a nation of Islam with no founding in any other religious area. Get in line and get your hand out because Obama will take care of you. It will be (or maybe not) a real eye opener for some when the day finally comes and they realize they are no better off than they were or much worse off with no hope or avenue to better their situation as we are all equally on the bottom.

How LOW can Obama go?

By bowing to other Nation's heads of state Obama is showing to the whole world that the United States' Commander in Chief is servile i.e. "abjectly submissive" and inferior to them.  American Presidents ARE NOT suppose to bow to other Nation's heads of state according to over 200 years of long standing American protocol.  By bowing Obama is putting the office of the President of the United States in a negative light, not only for him as our purported President (although he seems unconcerned in doing so), but also for the citizens of this great Country that have to watch him do it.   First it was Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and now it's the emperor of Japan?!?!  Notice if you will that the emperor of Japan did not choose to reciprocate a bow back to Obama.  And why is that?  Because the emperor of Japan by choosing not to reciprocate has shown that Obama indeed IS inferior to him!  Which apparently went right over the head of Obama I might add.

 Who will he bow to next?  Hugo Chavez?  Fidel Castro?  Manuel Zelaya?  Vladimer Putin?  Mickey Mouse?  Who!?!?  It is utterly disgraceful what our 'purported' President Barack Hussein Obama is doing to the image of the United States of America.  Utterly disgraceful and tasteless..  and yet he doesn't seem to give a flyin' fig about how he is portraying the United States of America by his unscrupulous actions. 

 2012 is almost here gang.  Don't forget to get out and vote on that glorious upcoming day.  Let's send this America trashing America bashing servile seeking brown nose back to Chicago where he belongs and will no doubt fit in quite nicely.  Better yet, maybe he'll opt instead to go back to his place of birth in Kenya?  Then all the Kenyans can listen to his pompous hot air speeches until they get tired of him too. lol..      

I would think that

The emperor was surprised and maybe even embarrassed by Obama's subservient bow. I don't think this is intentional because it would be giving Obama too much credit. I think he is just an ignorant buffoon with handlers and protocol geeks either incredibly stupid or ignored.

"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'

Mr Emperor

Mr. Obama prepares to give the emperor some good ol' fashioned Marxist, true to life "tea bagging"...

he doesn't just bow one time! He keeps on bowing!

Be sure and watch the vid...he just keeps on bowing.  Only once that low, but still...

52 Billion Dollars.

   52 Billion dollars. That is the budget of the Department of State. You would figure a few dollars might go to telling the President of the United States to be ready for a question from Japanese reporters about the bombing of Japan in 1945 or that Presidents don't bow ever.

   Oh hell, I am cheap. 50 bucks. I WILL TELL HIM.

 

Sincerely,

a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.

It Would Be Fun To Watch

Tell him he's not supposed to bow, he's supposed to curtsey! 

deleted

deleted

He's got problems!

I hate that he does this, American's
have been told for centuries that we do not need to bow to Royalty.
Now, if a private citizen were visiting a country and got to meet
them its their choice. However, a President is supposed to embody the
state, now that's a terrifying thought, and America bows to no one!
If he couldn't bring himself to bow to Queen Elisabeth, Queen of a
country which gave birth to ours and has been our most steadfast
ally, then how come he is bowing to these others? I think he just
wants everyone to raise up anyone who is not white, or Christian!

I've gotta ask this

OK, Hitler didn't have any kids that we know of, so I guess he won't be bowing to them.

But I think Jefferson Davis has some great grandkids.  Maybe the Groveller would like to entertain some of ol' Jeff Davis' grandkids. That's how bad this affront to our Parents is.

Think any Americans would have a problem with that, Obammy?

The Bataan Death March featured atrocities beyond our imagination, and Obama just bowed to the author's son.

PUKE!!!

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

And I've gotta ask this:

Setting aside the propriety of bowing or, if appropriate, how pronounced...what would you have preferred?  A gut punch?

Jer

Jer...In that particular culture...

bowing is a common, if not expected form of respectful greeting. I used to live in Japan (Okinawa) and have experienced this custom personally. But...The depth of Obama's bow is excessive...Look at the difference in the bows between the emperor and empress and Obama. The depth of the bow is the thing here. The emperor and empress are merely ceremonial and unofficial heads of state, whereas Obama is the official head of state of the United States, and as such he should not be making such an obeisance to any other head of state, ceremonial or not.   

"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan

Prairie

"The depth of the bow is the thing here.

I can't disagree with you there.  Also, your elaboration is informative and appreciated.

Jer

Hm.  In Japanese culture,

Hm.  In Japanese culture, bowing is courteous and expected.  Much like in Italy you will see men kiss one another on the cheeks in greeting.

Did Obama bow out of subservience or as a courtesy to a Japanese leader...hmm...as much as I detest this man's policies and know he is a Socialist, I would be reticent to believe he is bowing as a form of subservience.  It was expected of him to bow in some fashion. 

Much like if a man offers his hand as a form of greeting, you do not accept this unless you were trying to be rude and uncouth.  If in Japan and a person bowed in greeting, it would be rude and very gaijin to not reciprocate that bow.

Granted, he did a poorly executed bow and the Japanese PM wouldn't correct him publicly, (that would be rude), but I'm sure after the event Obama was briefed that his bow was embarassing, uncultured, and over-the-top.

I think this is a molehill being made into a mountain.

Indeed, he did bow to the King of Saudi Arabia like a common serf, and it was humiliating to America.  But in this instance, this Japanese bow, he did what would be expected.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Not for nothing, but at least he tried.  (Albeit horribly!)

Citizen Commentators Unite!

http://www.political...

http://www.donaldbor...

→ That's real sweet

But if you'll watch the video, Akihito, son of Hirohito, doesn't bow back.

So much for culture.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

Hm.  "That's real

Hm.  "That's real sweet".  Nice sarcasm.

Ah well.

Citizen Commentators Unite!

http://www.political...

http://www.donaldbor...

→ Point being

You brought up the culture thing, and took the obvious jab at my sarcasm, but I think you realized where the discussion would go if you brought up that other cultural thing:  The Emporer bows to no one.

Just wouldn't square now would it?

Isn't it also "culture" to bow to Queen Elizabeth?

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

Sure. Citizen

Sure.

Citizen Commentators Unite!

http://www.political...

http://www.donaldbor...

Clearly Citizen

your comment it the result of a lack of historical perspective or it is based in the belief that we are indeed inferior and he should show our subservience on our behalf.  Not.

Do you recall Clinton beng reamed by the liberal press for "almost" bowing to the same man?  Obama does it and gets a pass, from you and all the rest of the Obama apologists.

As I've said before...

Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.

islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.

I'm sure Obama was read the riot act during his "debriefing".

Hopefully they'll replace/upgrade his protocol module.

→ Dethonging?

Maybe he's got it goin' on "down low" with the Emperor

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

http://www.youtube.c...

Not too sure this is problematic

Granted, it was an embarassment when Obama bowed before the Muslim King, but isn't bowing a traditional form of greeting and/or showing (appropriate) respect for Japanese?

 

"Steady."  -- Keith Olbermann to Chris Matthews

yeah lotr, it is~~

→ Keyser

Enjoyed the buckethead photoshop, BTW.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

Hiya CA~~

I haven't posted many links here lately- I've been working on a project on another blog. Here's the Flickr set for it. You can click the pics for a larger view.

The blog is Conservative Endowment for the Arts. It's run by a long-time NB'er. If you get a chance, check it out and let me know what you think of the idea...

→ Thanks, Keyser

Good stuff you got there.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

BK... Hey thanks for that

BK...

Hey thanks for that video...how many times did Walks on Water gesture himself with the bow to both...I lost track....too danged funny.

Your caption or whatever the proper term is, said it all.

'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart

→ Yes

A reciprocal nod shouldn't be a problem, but Obama knew he wouldn't get one from Hirohito's son.

The libs are trying to convince us Obama's got this astronomical IQ.

Maybe it's time Obama used it.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE!

"...astronomical IQ."

 
Yes, Barry does hane an astornimical IQ... Idiot Quotient!  It's out of this world! : )

Gary

 

Old media species: Moonbat-a-saurus-rex. Getting more endangered by the day.

lotr-If he even bows

It would be a slight but equal bow to the emperor. The depth of the bow is important in Japanese culture. If the emperor doesn't bow to anyone then Obama shouldn't either, just shake hands with maybe a slight head bow. His protocol geeks were either on sick leave or he doesn't consult them. He is a tool. By bowing lower than the emperor he is showing subservience. To give the emperor some credit I suspect he was surprised maybe embarrassed by Obamas low bow. I am sure the Pope wouldn't expect the POTUS to kiss his ring.

"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'

good points

 

"Steady."  -- Keith Olbermann to Chris Matthews

We have to cut Obama some

We have to cut Obama some slack on this one.

What I see happening here is a compromise of customs. 

Japanese do not, by tradition, shake hands as a greeting.  They do not touch each other at all.  They bow.  We in the West shake hands as a greeting between peers.

For Emperor Heisei, the living son of heaven upon earth, to actually touch a gaijin, much less shake his hand, is unthinkable to a traditional Japanese.  Yet here we see Akihito doing just this.

For his part, Obama is once again bowing to a hereditary monarch, the custom in Japan.   At least this time it is the Son of Heaven instead of one of those Moslem barbarians.

NL

I don't know where you got your outdated and completely wrong info but it seems you need to do some more research.  All of what you wrote, does not apply to current day Japan.  Also, the use of Emperor Hesei, although it makes you look like you are really up on Japanese terms is absolutely wrong.  He will be called that after death and not now.  He is simply called "Emperor", "His Majesty", "His Majesty the Emperor" etc.  I suggest you do some research prior to any future postings on subject you obviously know nothing about.

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

The Emperor takes his reign

The Emperor takes his reign name upon ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, much like a newly elected Pope chooses a name for his Papacy.  It was so for Mutsuhito / Meiji in 1868.  It was so for Fujihito / Taisho in 1912.  It was so for Hirohito / Showa in 1926.   Akihito is no different.   During his reign, the calendar years are numbered in the Emperor's reign.    In my experince, traditionalist Japanese use calendars annualized in this manner, which is confusing to others, and often refer the the Emperor as 'Heisei' without other adornments.  I would also observe there are fewer and fewer traditionalist Japanese as time progresses.  The old culture is dying.

Where did I get my information?  From a Japanese or two, not some sinophile posing as an expert on Japan. 

Wrong

Hesei, Showa, Meiji designates the reign and the Emperor is NOT referred to as Meiji Emperor etc. until after his death.  The title is awarded posthumously. As far as I can tell, Akihito is still living albeit he's pretty frail so he is not referred to as Emperor Hesei yet.  Youu stated in your experience traditionalist Japanese use calendar with the reign etc. Hah....do you mean every Japanese? Because, if you really knew anything about Japan you would surely know that every single government document, all corporate forms/documents, bank books, websites, school calendars, etc. ALL use the reigning year..not just traditionalists. 

And when you say some Japanese use the reigning period + Emperor for living Emperor's it is either your complete misunderstanding or an out-and-out lie on your part.  Because to do so would mean you are dealing with ignorant and disrespectful people since the reign + Empeor is ONLY used after his death. 

 Like I said, I lived/worked in Japan over 12 years, married a Japanese, have a Japanese son and speak/read and write Japanese. 

As my grand-daddy use to say "son, you'd argue with a fence post". Therefore, go argue with a fence post, I'm not wasting my time on someone who get's second hand incorrect information and tries to sell it as first-hand.  Now, go away little boy.

 

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

From below...

And unlike his father, Akihito adopted an informal style in dealing
with his subjects, sometimes shaking hands instead of waiting to
receive a bow.

islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.

I think this is exactly

I think this is exactly true.  Akihito fancies himself a populist in the style of Louis XVI.  e.g. He caused quite a stir amongst conservative Japanese with his choice of bride.  The present Empress was a 'commoner' in Western terms.

I also think that Akihito himself initiated this handshake we see in the photo above and I do not think Obama was prepared for it, which is why we see Obama in an awkward pose.  That would be in keeping with Akihito's unconventional style.

Earth to NL207

"Cut Obama some slack on this one"??????

THIS IS 2009

The Japanese touch eachother. They shake hands too!

Where do you get your information?

SOBama is an ass and you should NOT cut him slack.

Delsa

I tried to talk some sense into NL but he's not a very good listener.  I guess he's pulling his opinion/answers out of the same place he takes a dump.   

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

he is referring to traditional forms of greeting

keyword being "tradition," something that usually applies heads-of-state.  I too cut Obama slack on this one, as a bow is an appropriate form of greeting and respect, one that I have employed myself with respected Japanese colleagues.  The POTUS is not exempt from showing appropriate levels of courtesy and/or respect to other heads of state. 

Of course, there are other legitimate issues that have been raised, the big one being the depth of his bow, which I have to agree may have been overdoing it.  Another issue would be his lack of similar respect for the British Monarch, and probably toward the Pope as well.  I also take issue with Obama's lack of respect for some American traditions (like Hail to the Chief, etc.).  And the bow before the Muslim King was totally inappropriate.

 

"Steady."  -- Keith Olbermann to Chris Matthews

apology tour

This is evil. The order is not right.
And it is anti-American.

if Obama was beng polite

Why didn't the Emperor return his bow? ( The Emperor bows to no one...he upheld that tradition.) Are you suggesting that the Emperor is unaware of proper protocol when greeting heads of state?  Really?

Anyone that believes that Obama was doing the right thing by bowing to anyone who did not, will not bow in return is the dictionary definition of someone who is in denial.

this was news... at the New York Times

It wasn't a bow, exactly. But Mr. Clinton came close. He inclined his
head and shoulders forward, he pressed his hands together. It lasted no
longer than a snapshot, but the image on the South Lawn was indelible:
an obsequious President, and the Emperor of Japan.

...But the "thou need not bow" commandment from the State Department's
protocol office maintained a constancy of more than 200 years.
Administration officials scurried to insist that the eager-to-please
President had not really done the unthinkable.

"It was not a bow-bow, if you know what I mean," said Ambassador Molly Raiser, the chief of protocol.

Now...the Won full on bows numerous times to the same Emperor and...nothing. He's so wonderful, so perfect, soBama!

You Obama apologists make me sick.  You have not double or triple standards, you have the standards of the day, of the hour.  You stand for nothing concrete, nothing of substance.  Only the latest stupidity of our Apologist in Chief is worthy of defending, not the country that gave you liberty.  Liberty that is slipping through our fingers as you blindly praise and support the man that is facilitating the theft of those liberties.

islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.

Army's Passion

I  love your passion.  Conservatives need more of it.  We have been too quiet too long and everytime we speak up Libs call us screeching haters. Things are changing, keep your passion and let's just get louder and louder then maybe the other 60% of the population will finally wakeup from the stupor imposed by the drug of liberalism. 

On another point, however..you are slightly wrong.  The Emperor in Japan does in fact, return bows to other Japanese.  I've seen it on many occasions even though his bow is not pronounced.  The reason that he didn't return Bambi's Bow was that he was completely taken by surprise.  You see, he's an old guy and has met many dignitaries and this sort of threw him off. Actually, both the Emp and Empress are smiling which I believe is actually a laugh.  They are laughing at this fool.

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

There's a picture of the Emperor shaking hands with

the Pacific Commander on July 15th 2009...clearly an acceptable form of greeting for equals.

I'm still searching for any reference to the Emperor bowing to anyone.  I've found no instances of same except for him bowing at the site of multiple suicides at a cliff in Saipan.

Found this...

And unlike his father, Akihito adopted an informal style in dealing
with his subjects, sometimes shaking hands instead of waiting to
receive a bow. In general, the emperor won the affection of his people.  Hmm...no mention of bowing in return.

Aha...here we go...

Japan's Emperor Akihito bows to representatives of Japanese war
veterans and bereaved on the U.S. territory of Saipan June 27, 2005

Not exactly bowing to a person but...

At the very least, the Emperor did not extend the hand that he extends to his people for a handshake, which could have, would have defused and smoothed the meeting substantially.  After searching 7 pages with ten results per page, I found that one reference to the Emperor bowing.  However that one instance makes you correct and me wrong.  Mea Culpa.

And I agree...the Emp and Empress look as though they're about to crack up.

islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.

Armchair Diplomats and Japanophiles

 Let's me tell you all that the majority of comments on here supporting Obama's actions are from the totally clueless.  I don't want to go point-by-point at where Obama f**ked up but he is absolutely the most clueless person on the face of this earth.  Basically, when in doubt a good ole American-style handshake will suffice because the Japanese expect it.  As far as I know, no American President has ever done this and they were advised by a lot smarter and experienced people than Obama has on his crappy team. 

Read some stories about McArthur and the now dead Emperor Hirohito.  He didn't bow to him but did at least give him enough face as not to hang his ass from the highest tree as most people wanted back then. 

And as for my credentials:  I have been deeply involved in Asian affairs for over 24 years and directly involved in Japan for over 12 solid years, mingling and dealing with people at all sort's of levels. 

Just wait until this photo get's around to the Chinese it will set the majority of them off because of their deep-seeded hatred of Japanese particularly imperial Japan.  That's a great way to setup a visit to China.  Which brings up another point. Bowing to a King, Emperor on one hand and not to other Heads of State makes people in the country of the latter, think....Where the "F" is our bow? Do they think more of Japan than us? 

Obambi will be in Shanghai tonight and I can already smell the stench of his arrival.  I plan on staying indoors and as far away as possible to the place he will staying lest I encounter him on the street with a cup begging for loose change from Chinese to help balance our national debt. 

Here's a great photo of McArthur (after opening scroll down) and Emperor Hirohito.

http://www.b-29s-over-korea.com/General_MacArthur/General_MacArthur02.html

Does it look like he really gives a rat's ass? Oh yeah and btw, McArthur is still revered and highly respected in Japan. Why? Because he didn't crap all over Japan after the war but on the other hand didn't grovel and kiss butt either.

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

So we are to turn to a

So we are to turn to a Sinophile for expertise on Japan? As you yourself have pointed out, the greatest number of Chinese are less than sympathetic to Japan.

"McArthur is still revered and highly respected in Japan"

Do you understand why?  It had nothing to do with the way he managed the occupation.  Does the word, "Shogun", mean anything to you?  That would be McArthur.  Military dictator.  In 1945, it had been 77 short years since Emperor Mutsuhito had overcome the last of the Tokugawa Shoguns.  Memories in Japan are long.

NL ..duhhh

 Do you have reading comprenhension problem?  Read my background again and then come back with your Sino b.s.

Also, you have a serious problem with titles.  You  call a living Emperor by the wrong name and a dead one by the wrong name also.  Again, do some research. 

 "Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

I guess I really don't care

I guess I really don't care what you have to say about this.  I can't comment on what happens in Japanese households and businesses today, but I can certainly tell you that I regularly heard Japanese refer to both Hirohito and his reign as 'Showa' during his lifetime 25 and more years ago.  I also heard him referred to as 'Hirohito' but always with the adornment, 'Emperor'.  These names were used almost interchangably.

As for ar your Chinese orientation, its obvious.  I've seen these same attitudes from Chinese graduate students studying here in America.  They view Japan and the Japanese in much the same light as Southerners in this country view 'Yankees'. Think about it.

Ahhh...

I see.  I've wasted precious time trying to debate someone with second-hand purely anecdotal information.  My bad. I should have known better.  Ja ne and zaitian.

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

I can only speculate at how

I can only speculate at how successfully someone as arrogant and self absorbed as you deals with the Japanese in either diplomacy or business.

Maybe I can cause a glimmer of insight to enter your narrow skull. I was once a resident of Japan. I did not live in one of the foreign compounds so often found there. I resided amongst the regular Japanese. I worked amongst them as well. You should think about what that might imply.

What I know about Japanese customs and habits has been derived entirely from my observations and experiences while resident. Now, I recognize from occasional contacts with my friends and former collegues that society in Japan has become much more Westernized since then. The old men I know shake their heads and frown about this. They tell me I would not like it. But some things change only slowly. Reverence for institutions like the Emperor is one of them.

Thank you ShanghaiRay

Thank you for an inside view of that part of the world. Info we wont get from the fringe media here. This guy is setting up dominos everywhere he goes. The fall is coming. Be careful, be safe.

 

 

I hope he fails, soon.

The only person...

...a good Conservative American "bows" to is Jesus Christ himself. The rest of 'em can kiss our collective red, white, and blue ass. _____________________________________________ 

If I don't see you in the future, I'll see you in the pasture.

Worthless piece of excrement!

Yep, that's exactly Barack Hussein Obama. 

I'm just supprised..

Obama didn't have knee pads on. The Emperor of Japan looks like: "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?" 

"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"

 

Jet lag maybe?

That's the reason I think Robert Gibbs will offer ... if he doesn't just dismiss the question out-of-hand as being silly.

metaphorsbwithu

Gibbs...

"He didn't bow to this Emperor any more than he bowed to that King".

islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.

Wow Bow

Look at the smirk on Akihito's face. The Japanese are well known racists and believe all black people are stupid, ignorant and listless. You just had to know they laughed their asses off at the "boy" bowing to the son of the man that bombed Pearl Harbor. I can hear them now; "get down lower BOY, bow to your Superior!!! Obama has no trouble kissing ass to kings and emporers does he?, or communist dictators either.

Well...

even though I think Obama is a total butt-head and also don't think Americans should kiss anyone's butt including Japanese royalty, I think this shouldn't turn into something anti-Japanese.  Yeah, they were totally screwed up during  WWII but have affected a complete turnaround since the war.  And as far as I know the present day Emperor is a pretty ok guy.  He lives in a bubble so to speak and has less personal freedom than any other monarch on earth. 

I don't think we can put any blame on the Japanese for Obama making a complete fool of himself.  That's all of his own undoing and the blame needs to be squarely placed on that idiot.  Obama stepped on his own manhood like he has done many times before and I suspect this won't be the last time either.  Can't wait to see what foolishness he get's himself into in the PRC. 

 

"Race doesn't matter..liberals are only one color - YELLOW"

Heck...

Ahhh, give him a break. He was just checkin’ the shine that whitey gave him just before he got off the plane.

kind of an Âh, sô

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Emperor Akihito - " Âh, sô -you dye your
hair"  Âhh, sô,  ~you bow like a Pansy,  Âhh, sô~ your a
Marxist.  Âh, sô desu ka -Your a one term President.