ABC’s Good Morning America finally picked up on the deep bow President Obama performed for the Emperor of Japan over the weekend. Co-host Diane Sawyer ran through how other U.S. Presidents have greeted either Emperor Akhito or his father, the late Emperor Hirohito over the years — some bowing, some not. Sawyer claimed that Americans are “not trained to greet royalty” and “it’s just too confusing.”
Actually, the government employs lots of experts on culture and protocol to make sure that our presidents are fully “trained” on what to do when they represent our government overseas — which is not to say that all of our presidents perform these duties flawlessly.
Missing from Sawyer’s run-down is a tidbit that ABC White House correspondent Jake Tapper posted on his “Political Punch” blog Sunday afternoon. Tapper said he received a note from an old friend whom he described as “an academic with expertise about the Japanese Empire, and in general a supporter of President Obama.” According to this expert, it wasn’t necessarily incorrect for Obama to bow, but the President’s “forward lurch” was “jarring and inappropriate.”
The expert described the bow as “in the form of a first year English teacher trying to impress with Karate Kid-level knowledge of Japanese customs. The bow as he performed did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms.” He noted also that Japan’s Kyodo News emphasized footage of Obama’s more restrained bow to the Emperor’s wife, pictures that “show the president as dignified.”
Here’s Sawyer on Monday morning’s Good Morning America, as transcribed by the MRC’s Scott Whitlock:
DIANE SAWYER: And before we leave the topic of the president's trip overseas I've often thought the hardest subject for every President, what do you do with royalty? We're not trained to greet royalty since 1776. [Onscreen photo of Obama bowing.] The President, as we saw with the emperor, went the full way, lots of comment about that. But we look back over the years and you have, of course, George Bush, former president George Bush Sr. there, head nod. There was Ronald Reagan, hand shake. [Pictures appear onscreen.]
ROBIN ROBERTS: Hand shake. That’s always good.
SAWYER: Richard Nixon went from the waist [Nixon appears to be leaning in.] and Bill Clinton, what was that? [Picture of Clinton clasping his hands, could be clapping.] Kind of yoga thing there. Anyway who can blame them for not knowing what to do? Allegedly, Teddy Roosevelt said once “If I see another king I'm going to bite him.” It's just too confusing when you're American.
That Teddy Roosevelt quote, by the way, came from a 1994 New York Times “Week in Review” item that made the rounds this weekend after Obama’s bow. If Sawyer read the whole item -- related the controversy over then-President Clinton’s much milder bow before the Emperor -- she would have learned that there’s not that much “confusion” over American protocol. According to the Times (then): “the ‘thou need not bow’ commandment from the State Department's protocol office maintained a constancy of more than 200 years.”
A Washington Post item from that same week (retrieved via Nexis) quoted Clinton’s top protocol officer talking about the arrangements for Emperor Akihito’s state visit to Washington: “‘Americans do not bow,’ said Chief of Protocol Molly Raiser. ‘The emperor is known to shake hands. This emperor is much more informal than his father was.’”
Today's New York Times briefly mentions the bow controversy, blaming it on the "conservative American bloggers" who critized Obama. "'During his meetings and his speech in Tokyo, the President observed protocol and enhanced the status of American interests in Japan and across Asia,' said an administration official traveling with the President, who spoke on the condition of anonymity according to protocol. 'Those who suggest otherwise are way off base and only looking to score political points.'"
—Rich Noyes is Research Director at the Media Research Center.
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But 43 Previous Presidents Managed To Figure It Out
November 16, 2009 - 13:00 ET by lareeSo we are supposed to believe that everyone before Obama just got lucky when meeting monarchs? This is the lamest excuse ever. The apologist don't have anything so they what treat Obama like he is "special" he's the President of they United States of America. There are expectations that he can do something that 46 others that just shook hands figured out not to do Bow low to an Emporer who was probably deeply embrassed himself.
Imus’s producer Tom “Bigfoot” Bowman, is motivated. What is keeping cablevision from picking up Fox Business News?
Senator Bob Kerry and Imus discuss Military tribunals vs the proposed Civilian Trials for KSM and the other 9/11 Terrorist that have confessed to masterminding the 9/11 terror attack.
Imus In The Morning, Tom “Bigfoot” Bowman,
http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/11/imus-in-mornings-tom-bowman-bigfootin.html
But He Is
November 16, 2009 - 14:53 ET by countmein5050But he is special...he's getting a pass on anything a former president would be slammed for doing...because he's THE FIRST...the first black president...the first black president with a First Lady who runs barefoot on the lawn...the first the first the first. So protocol must be dumbed down for someone obviously suffering from being SPECIAL.
The MSM can't accept that in their zeal to get totally on board for electing the FIRST, at the expense of actually vetting and then letting the chips fall where they may, they actually ended up simply electing the WORST. THEY shouldn't have let their own biases and agendas get in the way of just doing their jobs...so now they are bound to make excuses for the man they made sure got elected. Their reasons are legion but reasons are not excuses. This is their shame.
countmein5050, to dumb it
November 16, 2009 - 18:07 ET by ForeverOnTheRightcountmein5050, to dumb it down for Obama because he is the first black president is subtlety racist don't you think? I do. “He is black, so he’s just not as smart as us whites, so let’s lower the bar for him so he doesn’t look so stupid.”
If this guy (Obama) is so
November 16, 2009 - 13:03 ET by Radical1979If this guy (Obama) is so darn brilliant why can't he get this notion of not bowing to royalty straight?
If this Guy (Obama) is so...
November 16, 2009 - 13:53 ET by tiredgal2Radical 1979 I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps that IQ number was changed to make him appear above us all. As I look back he has bowed to everyone and anyone. He has not proven himself as a sharp tack in many of his dealings. It is the "peter principle", you rise to your level of incompetence. 57 states, Hello Ohio, and many other things said without the use of a teleprompter. And yet here he is making decisions for our country that go against our own Constitution, and the left is cheering him on. This reminds me of another thought, which others have had also, "The MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE". Someone should scan him for the hidden device. : )
We know the Boy Genius'........
November 16, 2009 - 14:16 ET by connman...IQ?
Pssssst <whispers> Emperor Barry isn't wearing any clothes!
He didn't bow to the Queen of England.
November 16, 2009 - 15:45 ET by kgI think he gave her a slap on the back.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
But he did bow to the King of Saudi Arabia
November 16, 2009 - 21:30 ET by GalvanicHe could've learned a valuable lesson from Douglas MacArthur's first meeting with this emporer's daddy.
The man who would've had the awesome responsibility of commanding Allied forces in the planned invasion of Japan (Operations Olympic and Coronet) did not apologize for the dropping of two atomic bombs, and he didn't bow to the Emperor of Japan.
Galvanic
November 16, 2009 - 21:56 ET by JerGeneral MacArthur--who had not supported the atomic bombing of Japan--deserves enormous credit for his post-war stewardship of that nation. [Much of the constitution under which the Japanese are presently governed was personally penned by MacArthur.]
However, I'm sure you'd agree that the political climate in 1945 was considerably different from that which exists today. Inasmuch as Emperor Hirohito was somewhat fortunate not to have been hanged as a war criminal, I doubt he viewed the absence of a bow to be a serious breach of protocol.
Jer
He won't bow to christian
November 16, 2009 - 22:42 ET by toneyukiHe won't bow to christian royalty.
I left the Republican party because the Republic party went to the LEFT of me.
And an iPod too!
November 16, 2009 - 23:35 ET by sflcon→ Loaded iPod
November 16, 2009 - 23:43 ET by Cool ArrowLoaded with his own speeches.
What a glorious gift. It's sort of like giving her a faux grecian urn he kept by the bed when he had stomach flu.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
I betcha whoever is the
November 16, 2009 - 14:42 ET by celatorI betcha whoever is the protocol person from Hillary's State Department was ordered by her highness to make sure to tell Obama to bow as low as possible when meeting the Emperor. He he.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
cel... That thought alone
November 16, 2009 - 14:45 ET by bigtimercel...
That thought alone is hilarious!
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Bt,, Well, it could happen.
November 16, 2009 - 14:52 ET by celatorBt,, Well, it could happen. ;+}
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
celator...I love it!!
November 16, 2009 - 14:56 ET by PrairieSkyAnd, I wouldn't put it past her... ;)
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Sky...Obama's lesson: don't
November 16, 2009 - 18:18 ET by celatorSky...Obama's lesson: don't fool with Broomhilda. She'll getcha....;+}
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
celator...You bet she will...
November 16, 2009 - 18:22 ET by PrairieSkyJust ask Bill... ;)
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Sky and
November 16, 2009 - 18:29 ET by bigtimerSky and cel...
Lol...After-all, she bows for NO ONE!
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Nice try, NYT.
November 16, 2009 - 13:08 ET by TenebrousYou can always trust the NYT to be on the lookout for ways to excuse poor judgement and bad decisions by Democrats.Think: if Bush had done this, front pages everywhere would be screaming about the "hick cowboy", but now that it's the vastly-intelligent Obama, why, of course he can't be stupid or foolish can he?
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Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
Think: if Bush had done
November 16, 2009 - 13:36 ET by Dan The Man 2Think: if Bush had done this, front pages everywhere would be screaming about the "hick cowboy"
Harmphh, no they wouldnt. Next you would be telling us if Bush had tried a locked door like Duh Vain One did then they would have said what a dunce Bush is or somthing like that. I mean what will yall think of next.
Make Me Laugh Every Time
November 16, 2009 - 14:39 ET by countmein5050Liberals are like the 15 month old child who will sit in the middle of the room, cover their eyes, and then say, "find me.". They assume because THEY CAN'T SEE that no one else can either. They also remind me of the profoundly deaf child who doesn't yet know farts make a sound and can't understand why the hearing people are looking at him. Liberals are in their very own little world and that includes assuming everyone around them is there to support, praise, and cater to their every whim with no expectations of anything in return on their part. Liberals, in other words, need to grow up!
Nice try, NYT.
November 16, 2009 - 13:09 ET by TenebrousYou can always trust the NYT to be on the lookout for ways to excuse poor judgement and bad decisions by Democrats.Think: if Bush had done this, front pages everywhere would be screaming about the "hick cowboy", but now that it's the vastly-intelligent Obama, why, of course he can't be stupid or foolish can he?
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Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
Can't Be Ignored
November 16, 2009 - 15:05 ET by countmein5050It's so obvious the liberals will do anything to make Obama look good that it's become laughable. What would have been seen, as you stated, such a hick move by Bush, is now seen as being 'cordial to a fault in an attempt to UNDO the bad Bush years'. It's laughable but you'll NEVER see a parody on Saturday Night Live or the Jon Stewart's show. It's laughable but not the kind of laughable liberals are ready to laugh along with the rest of us about. They have to make excuses....it's what runs in their veins...they will never admit they made a mistake. They will simply REWRITE history where they have the most difficulty accepting responsibility and deflect attention by calling anyone who gets in their way a racist or right wing Bible thumper. Yeah...liberals are a joke.
No, it's not confusing,
November 16, 2009 - 13:09 ET by motherbeltNo, it's not confusing, Diane. Shake hands, period.W
Why is it always Americans who must figure out how to accomodate another culture????
Why not just shake hands, and let them accomodate OUR culture?
As for what Clinton is doing, that's like a parody of some Indian thing he saw in a movie at some point!
That may be embarrassing, but only in that it makes him look shallow. Obama looks subservient.
But He Is
November 16, 2009 - 15:24 ET by countmein5050But he is subservient. That's been the message every time he travels abroad. Let the world see how willing America is to SERVE YOU. If that implies we will totally redo our government in the process....helloooooo....CHANGE YOU WILL BELIEVE IN. Obama isn't concerned with following protocol. In his arrogance and the disgust he feels for this nation...he's not out to follow any thing. He intends to RE MAKE. That means stating for the record the Constitution will be interpreted AS HE SEES FIT. Get over it. Liberals hate this country and they are proving it every day they are in power. OUT WITH THE BAD...IN WITH THE GOOD...as in out with Constitutional rights and in with liberal ideals that assault the integrity of any one who disagrees.
Keep it coming
November 16, 2009 - 17:28 ET by jpatchRight on, I agree totally.
The question is, how much damage is going to be done before 2012?
Nice try, NYT.
November 16, 2009 - 13:09 ET by TenebrousYou can always trust the NYT to be on the lookout for ways to excuse poor judgement and bad decisions by Democrats.Think: if Bush had done this, front pages everywhere would be screaming about the "hick cowboy", but now that it's the vastly-intelligent Obama, why, of course he can't be stupid or foolish can he?
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Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
I'm sure George Washington
November 16, 2009 - 13:16 ET by actionwould have bowed to King George of England after the Revolution, right?...................NOT !!!!!
Why The Surprise?
November 16, 2009 - 13:24 ET by GeneralAlObama has cut our country so low, he should bow to authenticate his disdain for the country who feeds him!
Awww, it's toooo confusing.
November 16, 2009 - 13:30 ET by Calypso Joneswell maybe to the media and this cretin and his mental dwarves sitting in the white house. Here's what other less intelligent (and less hip) presidents did though....just to try to make it LESS CONFUSING. The US President DOESN'T BOW to ANYONE. Does that make it easier?
Obama embareasses America, AGAIN!
November 16, 2009 - 13:47 ET by Ten7sDispicable display by Obama.
You see the EoJ's posture, very appropriate hybrid hand shake/bow.
If Obama did 'whatever-that-was' b/c he thought it would "play well in Japan", he's a bloomin' idiot. Moreover, the whole bow etiquette thing in Japan is primarily for Japanese, not outsiders. And from the Japanese perspective, there's never been a more outsider U.S. President than Obama.
gaijin?
November 16, 2009 - 13:54 ET by jon_torlinIs that the right word for outsider, gaijin(gaigin)?
If I were president, I would have been asking what the proper form of respect is, or at least proper etiquette. Who wants to create an international incident, for pete's sake? Oh wait, he is an international incident, sheesh.
And then there's the fact that he did the same kind of bow to the Saudi King. Guess he's falling to his subservient roots.
-Jon
Yep, "gaijin"
November 16, 2009 - 13:58 ET by Ten7sYep, "gaijin"
gaijin or gaikokujin is more
November 16, 2009 - 22:37 ET by toneyukigaijin or gaikokujin is more formal.
Bowing protocol:
1: Potus doesn't bow.
2: In Japan bowing lower than the other person means that you are lower in status. When heads of state meet they should bow equally low and for the same amount of time. If your bow is not as low as the other person then you are claiming you are superior.
3: you dont bow and shake hands at the same time.
I left the Republican party because the Republic party went to the LEFT of me.
foreigner/outsider etc.
November 17, 2009 - 00:39 ET by Ten7s"Gaikokujin" means foreigner, "gaijin" - outsider.
Japanese bow etiquette (among other conventions) both communicates and reinforces status among members of the group. If you're not a member, ...
For being the most "cerebral" president in the last 200 years,
November 16, 2009 - 14:05 ET by SickofLibsyou'd think he would have learned this simple lesson following the sh*tstorm of the Saudi king bow. (The one still being characterized at Huffpo as "bow.")
I've had puppies that have learned not to pee on the floor after the first mistake.
Brilliant Obama Whitehouse.
November 16, 2009 - 13:44 ET by AvitarThe Press Corps gave Bush a hard time and denigrated his degrees from Yale and his MBA from Harvard but you never saw him screw up like this. Only when Bush 41 got sick on the Japanese Prime Minister and passed out was there any thing like this. Since that was involontary it was probably more forgivable.
getting sick more appropriate
November 16, 2009 - 14:04 ET by Ten7sI was thinking about that. Actually, President Bush 41's getting sick was infinitely more appropriate. He had a virus, had been performing his duties all day, and had just played tennis. The fact that he went to the banquet feeling that badly showed his resolve and committment to his duty as President. It certainly didn't play badly there (for the President), and wouldn't have played badly here, but for the slimey MSM.
Dignity
November 16, 2009 - 14:10 ET by miss911ninjaI remember when Bush 41 became ill, and the MSM played a clip of those few seconds over and over and over again. Not sure you saw it? Here it is again, and again, and again. The poor man threw up in public and they were trying to rob him of even more dignity. Classy!
I know, the MSM
November 16, 2009 - 14:41 ET by Ten7sI know, the MSM are dishonorable beyond description.
The F Word
November 16, 2009 - 13:53 ET by miss911ninjaI just can't get over the fact that he's bowing and shaking hands at the same time! If he wanted to bow, then it should have been an independent act, done with his arms at his side. In all the posts I've read on this subject, there's one word I haven't seen: FOOL! He couldn't appear more foolish unless he bows to a third potentate in the future.
And if I wanted to bother emailing Diane Sawyer, I'd say "I'm not a graduate of Wellesley College like you are, nor have I been a journalist for thirty years, but I'm one American who has never been "confused" about bowing. My awareness of 200 plus years of protocol left no room for confusion. You just don't do it.
I am sure the state department
November 16, 2009 - 14:03 ET by ahusserand white house have many of these protocol geeks who could advise the president at his leisure on the proper protocol. This just doing the whitewash and spin cycle shuffle to sluff off Obama's ignorance and embarrasing behavior. Either he and/or his handlers are too stupid or lazy to figure this protocol thingy out or he is just not prepared. This guy is real winner and those who apoligise and spin for him are toadie sycophants.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
Confusing my arse... The
November 16, 2009 - 14:03 ET by bigtimerConfusing my arse...
The talking heads that elected him will make any ol' excuse they can.
One question here....just what does anyone think the msm would have done if Pres. Bush had done this...in Obama's case both times?
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Obama Amateur Hour....
November 16, 2009 - 14:11 ET by connman....the hits just keep coming, (Daily).
Pssssst <whispers> Emperor Barry isn't wearing any clothes!
Having Kow Tow Bowed to the
November 16, 2009 - 14:12 ET by Jack BauerHaving Kow Tow Bowed to the Emperor of Japan, Obama will be honoring the Chinese by dressing up as a giant Bunny to celebrate the
Obamao-shirt
November 16, 2009 - 14:26 ET by Ten7sNah, he just donned his Obamao-shirt, http://americandiges...
LOVE IT
November 16, 2009 - 15:41 ET by countmein5050Don't know who should take credit for starting the D Bagger slogan but it's seriously hilarious. I've seen it on other boards and it's just too good. Tea Baggers vs Douche Baggers. Now just WHICH group would you proudly claim membership in? Hahahaha.....and the douche bag is a perfect symbol for liberal ideology...just wonderful.
The One's Next words
November 16, 2009 - 14:40 ET by urbuggenmeNext out of his mouth will be how he apologizes for making the Japanese so mad in the 30's and 40's that they had to DEFEND themselves at Pearl Harbor.
Someone make a toy out of him already.
November 16, 2009 - 15:10 ET by Sestren_NKAnyone involved in creating political souveniers should be paying attention to this. Just imagine:
Just in time for the elections, you saw him doing his Drinking Bird impression to the Saudi King and Emperor of Japan, and now you can own a drinking bird with the likeness of our (bowing) president!
NEW! The Barack Obama drinking bird!
*note: only works when near the presence of the Emperor of Japan or Saudi King. Listing may increase without notice.
Ses... LMAO...that's
November 16, 2009 - 15:19 ET by bigtimerSes...
LMAO...that's rich...and hilarious.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
It's like that darn National Anthem thing...
November 16, 2009 - 15:42 ET by Patrick MichaelJust because most 4th graders know how to stand properly for the National Anthem does not mean that the Smartest President Ever could figure it out. And if you can't figure that out (and have lived in America for over a year) the odds that you can possibly figure out the bowing thing are just about impossible.
Stay Free!!!
Obama vs. his pay grade
November 16, 2009 - 16:01 ET by needleSawyer Says Dealing with Royalty ‘Just Too Confusing’ [for Obama].
Dealing with Royalty is NOT above his pay grade; the problem is that Obama is not up to his pay grade.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
- I didn't leave the Republican Party; the Republican Party left me.
Bow
November 16, 2009 - 16:36 ET by djaymickall I can say is "Obama-bow-wow". From the movie Superbad.
For some reason I'm
November 16, 2009 - 17:41 ET by Old EuropeFor some reason I'm constantly reminded of Mayor Winston and Michael Flaherty from "Spin City," i.e. Odumbo and Bobby Gibbs.
I just cannot believe our
November 16, 2009 - 19:07 ET by jkwtradingI just cannot believe our supposedly "dashingly brilliant" president cannot read his memo on what tod do..how to bow or not to bow..
A harvard man, activist, oh please miss news lady spare me the excuses for this piece of scum...
The Congress should censure
November 16, 2009 - 20:26 ET by Nate255The Congress should censure the President for his out of control
behavior. Something needs to be done to maintain the dignity of the
Presidency. There needs to be some consequences to
Obama's complete disregard to normal decorum. They should also demand a
drug test. All members of the Armed forces are required to submit to
drug testing and Obama should not be exempt.
Anyone notice
November 16, 2009 - 20:39 ET by amyshulkThe harsher the critics {bowing to a saudi, doing an inapropriate "shout out" etc.} the MORE likely this pres. will repeat the behavior?
The only time he didn't was when he asked {told the msm} not to rush to judgement.
But his IQ is off the charts!
November 16, 2009 - 21:00 ET by thedailyzingI Guess Obama even needs a teleprompter to tell him how to bow. Can you ZING?!?! For more liberal zings click here http://thedailyzing.com/458/teabagging-101-steeping/
Well, no one else found it
November 17, 2009 - 08:13 ET by chessplayerWell, no one else found it to be "too confusing." Guess it`s just another thing thats above Bammy`s pay grade.
"I just cannot believe our
November 17, 2009 - 08:16 ET by chessplayer"I just cannot believe our supposedly "dashingly brilliant" president"
And lets not forget "cerebral."
Bootlicker. 'nuff
November 17, 2009 - 10:32 ET by HockeyKidBootlicker. 'nuff said.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
→ HK
November 17, 2009 - 10:38 ET by Cool ArrowThat was my original thought.
BLOTUS
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!