What a goof…
Barack Obama bowed to Japanese Emperor.
The LA Times reported:
Very low bows like this are a sign of great respect and deference for 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.
Here’s Obama’s other bows to the Queen of England and another waist bow to the Saudi King:
So will the White House deny he bowed here, too?
Power Line adds: Obama’s breach of protocol is of a piece with the substance of his foreign policy. He means to teach Americans to bow before monarchs and tyrants.
More… Here’s the way it’s done–
Cheney greets the emperor.
Hat Tip Zim
Still More… The NY Times blasted Bill Clinton for almost bowing to Hirohito. What will they say now?
November 14th, 2009 | 9:08 am | #1
This guy is such a idiot.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:08 am | #2
This is what it is like to have a complete bufoon as the leader: no knowledge of the current topics, no understanding of past signficantly important historical events, and obviously zero respect for the traditions of our most important position- President of the United States.
No, he is going to galivant across the latitudes and longitudes of this globe in his whirlwind Tour’de Fool (on our nickel) as our economy melts further, unemployment continues to blossom, and his minions of destruction continue to stab and cut away pieces of the fabric of this nation for their own little, self-centered fiefdoms.
Time to step up and purge the filth in the 2010 mid-terms. We need to completely overhaul Congress and move to overturn and checkmate this clod.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:13 am | #3
He’s not bowing bowing.
BO just made a bet that he really can wear the back end of the donkey costume.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:15 am | #4
WHAT IS HIS MAJOR MALFUNCTION???
November 14th, 2009 | 9:15 am | #5
GEEEEEZ/!! What a PUTZ. Where did this clown come from??? Does he not realize what a pantywaist he is?? He is TOO embarrassing, he’s got to go. Is being a pansy putz thug wanna be- grounds for impeachment?
November 14th, 2009 | 9:17 am | #6
He was just picking something up off the floor!
RACIST! RACIST! RACIST!
Sorry, I was just practicing for when we all must submit to Dear Readers three minutes hate.
This buffoon and his puppet-masters are driving us into another revolution. It can’t come soon enough for many of us…
God Save Our Republic!!
November 14th, 2009 | 9:19 am | #7
Let’s see, the spin on this will be that he was’nt bowing, he was just checking out the Emperors tiny little feet.
My Gawd, this loser is a stain on America’s underwear.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:19 am | #8
Gateway, you know I love you but I think you’re wrong on this! Barack Obama does so little right that we ought to give him credit where credit is due.
As you know, I’m an Army wife and we’re stationed in South Korea. The orient is completely different from the west. I work as a DOD contractor and I get bowed to like that all the time! I love it! I don’t even deserve it but the reality is that its a sign of respect for the position the person is in. The KATUSAs, Korean Augmented To the U.S. Army, or Korean soldiers who assist the U.S. in Korea, bow to be frequently because I’m the wife of a Master Sgt. I bow to the ajemas and adeshe’s because they are my elders.
Barack Obama did the right thing here. It’s about a pecking order and respect, and the Japanese PM deserves respect as Obama’s elder and more mature stateman.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:22 am | #9
Don’t be culturally unaware, people! The world is bigger than just us. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:24 am | #10
No matter how old or mature the Japanese PM is (and he definitely trumps Obama in both categories), the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STASTES OF AMERICA DOES NOT BOW TO ANYONE.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:24 am | #11
He REFUSES to salute the American Flag.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/who-is-this-guy.html
And bows to royalty. Is this topsy turvy day? April Fool’s Day? Pinch me. Am I awake? Is this an American pResident?
November 14th, 2009 | 9:24 am | #12
Obama doesn’t like Americans. He doesn’t understand our history, our philosophy, our Constitution, or our exceptionalism.
When he bows before royalty, he accepts the premise that some people can be born ‘of noble blood’. The inescapable implication is that others can be born of peasant or common blood.
Just as the concept of superiority needs the concept of inferiority, the concept of royalty implies subservience, serfdom and slavery. Trust the elitist Obama not to understand a basic American concept: that all men are created equal.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:30 am | #13
Has the president ever bowed to an Anglo?
November 14th, 2009 | 9:37 am | #14
It’s the Obunglar’s way of apologizing to the Emperor of Japan for the U.S. fighting and winning the War Against Imperial Japan’s Agression.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:37 am | #15
Oh? We are Americans??? I thought we became Obamaland on January 20, 2009.
He makes up his own rules and no one is wanting to stop him. It would cost their job, money and maybe even their life.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:41 am | #16
Amy:
That is the Japanese Emperor, not the PM. Obama is there as Head of State, not Head of Government. Protocol for Heads of State is different from that for anyone else, even a Head of Government. (Of course, it gets confusing for us because our President is both). If the emperor bowed as deeply in return, then OK. Otherwise it’s just President Training Pants once again trying to suck up.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:46 am | #17
Amy,
It appears to be the Emperor, not the Prime Minister. I doubt the President would incline his head below that of the Japanese PM.
The Emperor is blood royalty. An American President should demonstrate respect but not deference, as he would towards any other elder statesman or head of state.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:46 am | #18
Amy, you might be wrong about this. I read this somewhere:
“I lived in Japan for 14 years and know a little bit about this subject.
Bowing is used as a way of greeting, however how deep of a bow that’s used has a lot of meaning.
And in this case Obama sent the signal that the Emperor is his superior whether he knows it or not and by extension that Japan is the superior to the U.S.
Anyway I think Obama was one confused puppy when he got that handshake instead of the bow he more than likely expected.”
The handshake would have been suffient, since the Emperor offered it.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:47 am | #19
Obama hates the United States, and loves what it stands for. He thinks what the U.S. stands for can be achieved with intelligence alone. In short he’s a jerk.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:49 am | #20
I’m not wrong on this. I live here. Japan is a little different than South Korea, but the bowing protocol is the same.
The Emperor IS Obama’s superior in many regards, mostly becuase of age. This has nothing to do with the United States being inferior to Japan.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:50 am | #21
=Redwine it looks bad. Maybe a nod of his head would be good enough. Sorry bowing like a servant is not right
November 14th, 2009 | 9:50 am | #22
Amy Proctor – Americans don’t bow to ANYONE. Get a clue.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:50 am | #23
It is not a waiter’s bow, but a coolie’s bow. See my post for commentary.
November 14th, 2009 | 9:51 am | #24
PS… it’s almost 1 am here Sunday morning in South Korea so I’m off to bed, but I just wanted to say that tomorrow at Mass I will be shaking the hands of Korean women while bowing ot them during the sign of peace… and they will not bow as deeply to me becuase I am younger.
Really, you guys are barking up the wrong tree. Maybe I’ll do a video report on this subject from Korea so you can see what I’m talking about.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:00 am | #25
[...] what’s all that pan-Pacificism get us? What else. A deep kowtow. via Powerline. Gateway helpfully includes the Saudi bow vid to go with the Japanese imperial bow still, and wonders if the [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 10:01 am | #26
One of the ‘rules’ of protocol -set by the Founders- is-no U.S.citizen bows before the head of state of another country–
We bow before KING JESUS-that’s it–
The motto of the American Revolution is –NO KING BUT KING JESUS!!!
Sadly-history has been re-written in our schools w/ no emphasis in reading the actual Founding Documents…thus – even Army wife does not know protocol…
November 14th, 2009 | 10:02 am | #27
Amy,
The correct protocol in Japan is to bow, same depth, same duration. What The Usurper is doing is tantamount to prostrating himself.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:07 am | #28
Freemen do not bow to royalty. We are Freemen in a Republic. Amy Rome was a republic for 400 years and they had contempt for people who live under kings.
Obama did this to tweak the right-wing, this is a distraction from more important things.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:08 am | #29
Who the heck is advising him on protocol?
I can’t imagine after so many debacles, his protcol staff still have their jobs.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:08 am | #30
Again – this time for– Amy Proctor-
One of the ‘rules’ of protocol -set by the Founders- is-no U.S.citizen bows before the head of state of another country–
We bow before KING JESUS-that’s it–
The motto of the American Revolution is –NO KING BUT KING JESUS!!!
Sadly-history has been re-written in our schools w/ no emphasis in reading the actual Founding Documents…thus Amy does not know U.S protocol.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:10 am | #31
Amy, I asked my daughter, who is knee-deep in Asian Studies, with a major in Japanese culture. She said that it has little to do with the age of the emperor. Obama’s bow was far too deep. It was a servile, obsequious bow. If he wanted to bow (which she said he was not obliged to do since the emperor offered his hand), a short nod of the head downward with his hands at his sides would have been sufficient. Remember, that whether we like it or not, Obama is a head of state and not a Japanese subject.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:12 am | #32
i’ve got no problem with Ear Leader, as a private citizen, abasing himself in front of anyone, starting with the Ronald McDonald clown at the local drive through, since it shows he understands where his sorry ass is in the scheme of things…
that being said, as the (supposed) President of the US, he shouldn’t so much as incline his head to anyone, let alone bow. someone needs remind the first naif that this is our country, not his, and he’s there to represent us, and our interests as our employee.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:15 am | #33
Amy-
See: Revolutionary War. We broke away from monarchy rule, that’s one of the many great attributes that makes this country exceptional.
Thanks to all you latte sipping, MTV watching morons that voted for this dunderhead ‘cuz he was so cooooooool, we are yet again, as a country humiliated by Mr. hopey and changey’s creepy behavior.
And once again, Amy, from custodians to Presidents, Americans do NOT bow to royalty- that ended in 1776!
November 14th, 2009 | 10:17 am | #34
Amy,
I hope you do that video report. It sounds like an interesting subject. But even so, the President should only offer the Emperor the same gesture of respect that he would offer any head of state. Blood royalty is not recognized by Americans, and the President should not show deference to it.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:19 am | #35
If you are against KSM being tried in the US Rep. Moran thinks you’re un-American.
http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2009/11/rep-jim-moran-d-efinitely-retarded-says-its-un-american-to-oppose-bringing-911-plotters-to-stand-trial-in-nyc.html
November 14th, 2009 | 10:22 am | #36
Amy,
Yeah make a video for everyone here. While you’re explaining why we need to be culturally sensative, why don’t you splice in images of U.S. troops fighting and dying to keep the commies North of the 36th parallel, the USS Arizona sinking, the fall of Saigon, the Batan death march, and, the Marines raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi.
We have repeatedly fought and died to keep the people of Aisia free, weather it was from some wack form of national socialism, or commie totaliarianism. The emporer of Japan should be digging a hole 3 feet deep, sticking his head in it and prostrating himself to the President of the United States. I really don’t care to put any of this crap in context, because, in my view, the entire world owes the United States of America their freedom.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:24 am | #37
The list of insulting gestures
by obama
just keeps getting longer and longer…………
November 14th, 2009 | 10:24 am | #38
Amy,
I would just suggest this. The person Barack Obama and the President of The United States are two different things. He is not there to represent Barack Obama, he is there to represent the People of the United States. If he was there on vacation and met the emperor then such a bow would be appropriate on a person to person basis. But no American president bows to a monarch. The United Sates is not subservient to Japan.
A way to look at it is the White House has the Oval Office where the President works. Many different people have served in that office. It also has the private quarters where the person holding the office lives. What is appropriate behavior in one is not necessarily appropriate in the other.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:30 am | #39
I believe he hates America and that is why he bows. He is representing the US when he bows because we all know he doesn’t see himself as inferior.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:30 am | #40
What gets me is his churlish treatment of Queen Elizabeth II, then his absolute overboard treatment of others. Very strange. I can’t wait to see what he does with the leader of China. I wonder if they’ll have to clean his lip prints off anything.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:31 am | #41
Amy,
While you’re making your video for us, why don’t you splice in footage of the Pearl Harbor burning, U.S. soldiers fighting and dying to keep the commies North of the 36th parallel, US Marines raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi, and the Bataan death march.
We have fought and died to keep the people of Asia and the world free.
The President of the U.S. should bow to no one. Ever.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:33 am | #42
From The UK Telegraph…It’s NOT just the bow. It’s about BHO lying too. He says he was in Japan with his Mother. Says he remembers the GREEN TEA ICE CREAM. And gives a special ’shout out’ to OBAMA.JAPAN. Yes that is correct….Obama,Japan. And HE WAS THERE AS A CHILD with his mommy “President Barack Obama has bowed to the Emperor of Japan and revealed his childhood affection for green tea icecream as he pushes stronger US ties with Asia.” LINK http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6567670/Barack-Obama-bows-and-talks-of-green-tea-icecream-as-he-pushes-US-ties-in-Asia.htm
November 14th, 2009 | 10:35 am | #43
Sorry winguts!
He wasn’t bowing!
PRESIDENT OBAMA HIDES RARE MEDICAL CONDITION
November 14th, 2009 | 10:36 am | #44
I have to agree this is one of those cultures where one bows slightly more to the more honorable person, so in that light, obama sort of got it right.
SORT OF.
I don’t think he should have bowed quite so deeply. But consider: the Japanese Emperor is easily the superior of obama, be he ‘president’ of the US or not.
And obama hates the US, so he feels the need to be even more humble.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:36 am | #45
But among the talk of foreign policy, nuclear weapons and recovering economies, there were lighter moments: Mr Obama charmed the audience with his memories of a childhood visit to Japan with his mother, during which he visited an ancient Buddha statue in the seaside town Kamakura – but recalls being most interested in consuming the “matcha” green tea ice cream.
He also referred to the small Japanese fishing town Obama, which launched a presidential campaign at the time of his election and is now home to a thriving industry of Mr Obama-themed chopsticks, traditional cakes and kimono, saying: “I could not come here without sending my greetings and my gratitude to the citizens of Obama, Japan.”
Excerpt from UK Telegraph..
November 14th, 2009 | 10:39 am | #46
Amy Proctor @#8:
The American president bows to no mortal!! Ever!
At the most, obama might have given a very short bow or inclination of the head at the same time as the Japanese Emperor did it to him. That would have been a greeting of equals.
As it was, obama declared his subservience to the Emperor with a bow that low – and one that was unreturned.
Our “president” is an inept, untutored, ill-informed, ignorant, butt-kissing, buffoon. He should have asked someone at the State Dept. what the protocol is for that. Each bow and degree thereof has MEANING – bur barry just went ahead and made America more of a laughingstock.
Isn’t it 2012 YET?!
November 14th, 2009 | 10:39 am | #47
Don’t let The Bow distract from THIS There was talk of green tea ice cream, memories of a childhood visit to Japan and even a reference to the remote fishing town Obama as the US President set out his vision for US relations with Asia in a keynote speech. MEMORIES OF A CHILDHOOD VISIT TO JAPAN??
November 14th, 2009 | 10:40 am | #48
As a person who has met with numerous Japanese business and governmental leaders I have to say that I have never given or received a bow that deep in a professional setting. It’s as if everything he knows about bowing came from a Bruce Lee Film Festival.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:42 am | #49
[...] tip: Gateway Pundit Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Obama Bows to Saudi KingWhere Did Obama Get His [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 10:42 am | #50
shellie …..I saw that from WeaselZippersNET and MUCH More too.. LINK FOR THE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES …..ONCE AGAIN http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6567670/Barack-Obama-bows-and-talks-of-green-tea-icecream-as-he-pushes-US-ties-in-Asia.htm
November 14th, 2009 | 10:45 am | #51
Proper Japanese bows are varied based on the circumstances, but the most common one is no more than 15 degrees. This bow is one of a manservant.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:49 am | #52
From what I understand, as equals, I.E. head of state in their respective contries (real or symbolic) and allies, neither is to bow deeper than the other.
In many Japanese eyes, Obama just said that the USA is inferior to Japan and that he respects Japan more than his own contry.
Notice the Emperor is actually bowing (his wife (?) is also). A slight bend at the waist or just a nod forward of the head is typical in a handshake\bow combination. The fact that Mr. Smart Diplomacy is deeply bowing straight at the Emperor also shows that he didn’t even bother learning the proper “very formal” handshake\bow. He should have bowed slightly to the left if he or both were to bow that deep so they would’nt bump heads.
But what do I know, I’m just one of the unwashed masses…
Amy… Americans don’t bow to royalty. Period. A cultural, “when in Rome” informal bow\head nod is acceptable. What we see above is not. You bowing to the elders in your community is one thing. Obama was there to meet a head of state… his equal, not his elder. AMERICAN protocol says not to bow to royalty. I’m sure you know the difference between a respectful bow to an equal and a bow to a superior.
Here’s a question for you… If you didn’t know who the people were in the picture above, who would you think commanded more respect? Had more power? Who was superior to who? Would you think they were equals? Allies? Both heads of state? Answer honestly please.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:54 am | #53
When your main act is a shuck and jive, waiter will do. The fact that all America doesn’t get the fact that our so-called president is nothing more than a Dear Reader is shocking.
November 14th, 2009 | 10:57 am | #54
What a teabagger.
November 14th, 2009 | 11:02 am | #55
Hot Air has a great piece on this ala 1994 and Bill Clinton.
Bottom line POTUS should not bow to anyone. Obama is just trying to take the US down more than a few notches.
After more than 200 years, Obama is completely redefining the US and not in a way most rational Americans are going to like.
November 14th, 2009 | 11:05 am | #56
Question to anybody: Outside of Obama, what other presidents have bowed to any royalty? My guess is none.
November 14th, 2009 | 11:12 am | #57
naturalfakeNo Gravatar
November 14th, 2009 | 10:35 am | #43
Thanks for the clarification. Along I was thinking it was the simple fact that he is spineless.
November 14th, 2009 | 11:12 am | #58
If you think this bow is low, wait till you see the one he gives the Chineese!
November 14th, 2009 | 11:31 am | #59
Freddy
If you think this bow is low, wait till you see the one he gives the Chineese!
~~~~
That won’t be a bow, that’ll be a blow.
November 14th, 2009 | 11:34 am | #60
[...] He Did It Again… Obama Gives Japanese Emperor A Waiter Bow Gateway Pundit [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 11:39 am | #61
++
imo that was a deliberately delivered photo-op bow
to take the heat off the one that came so naturally..
note the isolation vs the crowds
in pix taken with other royalty..
==
November 14th, 2009 | 11:52 am | #62
Any natural born American citizen would know that one does NOT bow to royalty, any royalty.
November 14th, 2009 | 11:55 am | #63
Perhaps he should have been more like the Bushes and walked around holding hands with the Saudi King or thrown up over the Japanese emperor.
November 14th, 2009 | 11:57 am | #64
from free republic/verum serum – what a difference 3 years makes.
http://www.breitbart.tv/bombshell-uncovered-obama-statement-ksm-will-get-full-military-trial/
November 14th, 2009 | 11:58 am | #65
Powerline has a great comment on this:
He means to teach Americans to bow before monarchs and tyrants. He embodies the ideological multiculturalism that sets the United States on the same plane as other regimes based on tribal privilege and royal bloodlines. He gives expressive form to the idea that the United States now willingly prostrates itself before the rest of the world. He declares that the United States is a country like any other, only worse, because we have so much for which to apologize.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:05 pm | #66
Dozo – The bow is wrong even in Asian terms. It is disrespectful and insulting to show the very top of one’s head to the person you’re bowing to. Oblah-blah-blah-bama-san blew the bow by bowing too low to the much shorter Emperor. Just as it is insulting and disrespctful to show the bottoms of one’s feet. Arigato gazimus.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:06 pm | #67
Actually, he may just be checking to see if the emperor needs his shoes shined. Don’t do subservience half-hearted. Go all the way.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:14 pm | #68
lib
Perhaps he should have been more like the Bushes and walked around holding hands with the Saudi King…
~~~~~
You clearly are an idiot. George Bush holding hands with the Saudi King, in Saudi Arabia, is a sign of them being EQUALS.
Obama bowing is a sign that he is subservient to whom he is bowing.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:20 pm | #69
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/11/14/flashback-nyt-blasts-clinton-for-almost-bowing-to-akihito/
The New York Times denounced Bill Clinton for ALMOST bowing to Akihito, and now Obama goes and does it… what will the NYT have to say this time? Let the NYT know how you feel.
president@nytimes.com,circulation@nytimes.com,executive-editor@nytimes.com,managing-editor@nytimes.com,news-tips@nytimes.com,thearts@nytimes.com,bizday@nytimes.com,foreign@nytimes.com,metro@nytimes.com,national@nytimes.com,sports@nytimes.com,washington@nytimes.com,oped@nytimes.com,nytnews@nytimes.com,public@nytimes.com,advertising@nytimes.com,wedinfo@nytimes.com,society@nytimes.com,schools@nytimes.com,timesdigest@nytimes.com,publisher@nytimes.com,digitalsvp@nytimes.com,webeditor@nytimes.com
November 14th, 2009 | 12:23 pm | #70
His bow is inappropriate and not done properly anyway (as usual).
Far too low. You only bow like that in Japan if you’re deeply apologizing for something (and there you keep your hands at your side.)
I have never bowed like this, never. Not once.
People who meet the emperor also don’t bow that low. I’ve never seen anyone bow that low to the emperor. Not once.
The Japanese emperor is also… irrelevant. He is. He holds no power whatsoever. His importance and influence in daily life is even less than what that of the dogs of the Queen. The imperial couple is somewhat popular, however, but usually among older folk. Personally, I like Empress Michiko, she’s a grand old lady.
The Japanese usually don’t shake hands and if they do, a small bow is quite normal and thus a small bow from both sides would have been perfectly alright. But of course, Obama has to overdo it again and proof that he’s really nothing but an idiot and his “advisors” know NAFT as well.
In summary: Obama shouldn’t have come to Japan. At least he removed his stupid ass from the country quickly. Of course, this will be milked by anti-American groups which can be found on the nationalist wing.
And “miyamoto musashi”, if you have to stoop so low and use romaji, at least show that you know some basic Japanese, because “arigato gazimus” means… absolutely nothing.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:27 pm | #71
Sweet God, you people are idiots. Grow up.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:28 pm | #72
Bowing to Japan is BO’s way of showing: Seeee, I’m not Muslim, I bow to ALL Royalty.
I think a lot of Americans died so our ppl, Prez included wouldn’t hav to show submission to foreign Govts. THIS is a Disgrace. He should be impeached for his disrespect to America.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:28 pm | #73
Weird how every time Obama greets a head of state, that’s exactly when he loses his contact lens again.
/sarc
November 14th, 2009 | 12:35 pm | #74
He’s at it again….Our “Commander-In-Sheep”….O-BAAAAA-ma !!
November 14th, 2009 | 12:37 pm | #75
Andreas K – Go mennasi, dozo but, my keyboard does not support Kanji, Hirigana or Katakana. Even if it did, how many here could read it? I would have expected a more basic level of respect and kindness to a gaijin from someone who claims to be steeped in the mores and customs of Japan. I did not expect keshikaran here. I will leave. Sayonara.
November 14th, 2009 | 12:58 pm | #76
[...] Gateway Pundit adds: So will the White House deny he bowed here, too? [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 1:04 pm | #77
[...] yet again Obama has embarrassed America. You know how they say a picture is worth a thousand words? This picture posted by Gateway Pundit says more than a [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 1:05 pm | #78
“The motto of the American Revolution is –NO KING BUT KING JESUS!!!”
Hmm, I’m pretty sure it was just “no kings”
or as I like to say(though this quote is borrowed)
“no gods or kings only man”
PS
In Japan the bow is their handshake, everyone in Japan bows, foreigner or non-foreigner.
November 14th, 2009 | 1:18 pm | #79
Haven’t read all the comments here so forgive me if I’m repeating something already said, but wasn’t Obama’s election supposed to be a symbol of the black man reaching the top, of being the guy in charge, of finally being the equals of everyone else. It’s ironic indeed that the first president in anyone’s memory who bows down to others would be a black man.
November 14th, 2009 | 1:19 pm | #80
Amy, you just plain old couldn’t be more wrong. This is the President of the U.S. The President, by protocol, does not bow to anyone.
That’s all there is to it.
November 14th, 2009 | 1:26 pm | #81
At HotAir there is video of this moment. Speaking as an American citizen, it is very difficult to watch.
The Emperor extended his hand first, the President had no need to bow. The low bow he gave was unnecessary, improper, and unreturned. Obama also repeatedly kept giving more bows (not as deep) as they ushered him inside, which did not project dignity or maturity.
I’ve lived in Japan for eighteen years, and Andreas K. above is correct- people don’t bow like that in Japan except in deepest apology, and very very rarely in public. When they do, they hold the low posture for a half-second, not a quick bow like he executed. It was not a dignified or culturally attuned motion, and it was probably on every station’s news broadcast in the country.
This low bow by the American head of state is (apparently) in complete disregard for established state protocol, and given Obama’s flair for gestures, has to be intentional. This is more than embarrassing, he is humiliating the entire country. That is unforgivable.
This may be a ‘goof’, but at this level, symbolism has serious consequences. Some years from now I hope to read the background stories about all this. I cannot believe there isn’t some crises going on with his Protocol Officers. This kind of ineptness can embolden tyrants and cost lives.
Best regards, Peter Warner.
Nagoya, Japan
November 14th, 2009 | 1:28 pm | #82
Something is wrong with this Kenyan idiot.
November 14th, 2009 | 1:33 pm | #83
Maybe the arrogance shown by the empty suit is only a manifestation of his deep inferiority complex.
I AM ASHAMED OF HAVING SUCH AN UNCLASSY CLOWN AS PRESIDENT !
November 14th, 2009 | 1:38 pm | #84
I think the same guy who advised Hillary on her Russian Re-Set Button and translated it for her also advises Obama on diplomatic protocol. Does that guy have a sense of humor, or what??
November 14th, 2009 | 1:42 pm | #85
I’m with “bg” #61 —
My first thought was – wow – he’s been eager to remove the memory of that big bend over to Saudi royalty.
So he’s giving the super-duper bend over here.
November 14th, 2009 | 1:47 pm | #86
The salad tossers at kos must have gotten their wee weed up emotions hurt because their president would show the subservient behaviors he learned from muslim men while attending a muslim school and that continued under the wrong rev wright .Face it kos kidz he is all the man-child you ever wanted him to be.
November 14th, 2009 | 1:58 pm | #87
Amy Proctor
November 14th, 2009 | 9:19 am | #8
Barack Obama did the right thing here. It’s about a pecking order and respect, and the Japanese PM deserves respect as Obama’s elder and more mature stateman.
………………………………..
Are the Emperor and the Prime Minister the SAME PERSON, Amy? You’re the expert on Japan here, having lived there.
I don’t believe this is the case, and were it so, bowing is not appropriate.
November 14th, 2009 | 2:02 pm | #88
Amy:
Thank you for you and your husband’s service. I salute you.
I lived in Korea — I was a visiting professor at Duksung Women’s University in the English Dept. from 2003-04.
The common bow is quite innocent; it’s more like a slight lean forward than a bow. I think Japan is similar in this regard, although I’m not entirely sure.
What Pres. Obama is doing, however, is not an innocuous show of respect.
November 14th, 2009 | 2:29 pm | #89
Thank you for your firsthand account Peter. What a message our “Pacific President” sent, eh?
November 14th, 2009 | 2:52 pm | #90
Try an image search for Bush Bow or Bush kiss King to see that Obama isn’t the first President to bow out of politeness.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&um=1&q=bush%20kissing%20abdullah&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=vi
November 14th, 2009 | 3:16 pm | #91
++
KR @ 9:13 am #3
pin the tail on Obama..
==
November 14th, 2009 | 3:17 pm | #92
Amy, yes, you are wrong.
In Japan, it is common courtesy to bow to your guests. But it violates protocol for the President of the United States to bow to royalty.
We do not bow to royalty, nor do we lower our flag to any other flag, of any nation.
And let me show how you can be proven wrong; Obama bows to the Emperor, but the Emperor does NOT bow back, not so much as lowering his head to Obama. Only the Empress lowers her head, ever so slightly, to Obama.
Bowing as he did, Obama showed to the Emperor that he was nothing more than a subject.
This would be likened to Queen Elizabeth bowing to a Saudi prince. Oh, wait, Obama already did that.
Our president is considered our elected “royalty” and is on the same level as the heads of any other nation.
He does not bow, per international protocol.
Sorry, toots, you are wrong on this one.
November 14th, 2009 | 3:21 pm | #93
Never thought I would see the day. I’m reminded of the recent movie about Samuel Adams, there is a scene where he visits the King Of England, but is told that he must bow, as is the custom, however, he is quite uncomfortable doing so as it means he is subservient, which was one of the reasons America ultimately declared her independence. We are Freemen, not loyal subjects last time I checked and America is a nation that is founded on equality. Obama may personally feel a need to bow, however, I feel it is a slap in the face to our fore fathers who sacrificed so much to be rid of such BS.
November 14th, 2009 | 3:22 pm | #94
History refresher: Pearl Harbor, Bataan Death March, Unit 731, General MacArthur’s treatment of Hirohito. The Leader of the Free world does not bow to other Heads of State. We fought a revolution over this, and WWII vets are owed an apology by the POTUS.
November 14th, 2009 | 3:29 pm | #95
This treasonous Muslim terrorist knows exactly what he is doing. He is sticking the middle finger up at all who love America (I forgot – he did that a few times in his debates). Everything that he does is calculated to destroy or piss on our country.
November 14th, 2009 | 3:41 pm | #96
Man up, Barack. You’re President of a sovereign nation, for goodness sake, not the Governor of one of Japan’s islands. Besides, we won.
November 14th, 2009 | 3:50 pm | #97
Yeeehaw, we bow to nobody. God bless the yeeew esssss ehhhhh!!!
Barry is a tall, awkward guy, and you are seeing a tall, awkward bow. When people come to the USA they shake hands, when jackholes like Cheney go to Japan, they make sure to not bow so none of their paranoid loser electorate thinks they are “weak”. Anyone who is of note would bow in the presence of the emporer. It is the right thing to do.
People who worry about stuff like this are small-minded. Don’t bow to anyone but Jesus??? Give me a gd break you dorks.
November 14th, 2009 | 4:01 pm | #98
Slaves bow to their masters. Freemen have no masters and do not bow. Ergo, there is a slave in the White House named Obama-from-Kenya bowing to his masters.
November 14th, 2009 | 4:01 pm | #99
“FN isn’t going to tell ME how to act!! Take this detractors!!!”
One thing is pretty damn obvious, Barry is obsessed with every little bit of criticism he receives. He’s aware of it all. He remembers the flack he took when he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia. “American Presidents don’t bow.” The WH covered for him by saying it wasn’t a bow. One thing was certain…he wouldn’t be repeating THAT mistake again. He learned his lesson.
Geeze, the guy did everything but lick this guys shoe today…
and Barry says to himself…”Barry ain’t nobodies b*tch.”
What could explain this bizarre move, other than what the psych profilers have figured out.
How the hell do you deal with a guy with such a severe psychosis? Can it really be that you have to use the child dealing tactic of reverse psychology?
“The President needs to make a decision on Afghanistan–his delaying is costing the deaths of troops”
Yeah? F*** you, just for that, I’m going to take even longer.
Don’t you dare think about sending more troops, Mr President. Don’t you do it!!
“The President needs to trust his generals judgement and listen to them.”
I do eh? Well…how do you like this; I’m rejecting ALL their plans.
Whatever you do…don’t even think of listening to your generals.
“The President is wildly incorrect when he says the US has created or saved 500,000 jobs.”
Wildly wrong, huh? Okay…lets make it a million jobs.
Guys like Bolton and FN’s nightly line up criticizing Barry’s response to Iran all but guarantees there will be zero response from America.
The guy is crazy. It’s not bad enough he’s a leftist marxist who hates his country. He needs to have some kind of screwed up mental disorder, as well. He has a mental weakness that can and will be exploited by every enemy America has.
November 14th, 2009 | 4:03 pm | #100
Brooks & Dunn, you are totally incorrect. It is improper for the POTUS to bow to anyone.
Now, if you want to get really technical, not only was Obama’s bow improper, but he also shook hands with the Emperor, another mistake of protocol.
Learn something:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2000.html
What ever cronie Obama has hired to fill the Office of Protocol should be fired.
November 14th, 2009 | 4:07 pm | #101
Doesn’t Obama take even a weekend day off from disgracing this country….or is that a 7 day a week job?
November 14th, 2009 | 4:27 pm | #102
retire05,
That was my first thought to blame his department of protocal but after the Saudi king debacle, to have a repeat, I have to believe it is being done on purpose, to show deference (almost submission) by the United States to other world powers.
November 14th, 2009 | 5:23 pm | #103
++
TaSS @ 4:27 pm #102
nothing Obama does is a “mistake”..
everything Obama does is done with one goal in mind.. not to mention that whatever he does is also done with the blessings of every other so called “Royal” on the planet.. he was chosen to transition US into a New World Order..
“I’m confident that we can create a Kingdom right here on Earth” ~ B Hussein O
==
November 14th, 2009 | 6:09 pm | #104
wow, thanks for the lesson retire05…
maybe you should get back to work.
What the heck are you supposed to do when the Emporer extends a hand? Snub him??? This was a cross-cultural exchange of pleasantries, nothing more, nothing less. BHO isn’t “stupid”, doesn’t “hate his country”, doesn’t want to “subit to the rest of the world”. You guys are SO PATHETIC, keep on grasping at straws… I came here and made up a dumb user name that the target audience could identify with and you all did not disappoint. I can’t believe that nearly half the country thinks like you mindless sheeple. Where did you learn about this anyway, Glenn Beck? It is so funny how you want to blame BHO for our current situation when it was Reagan’s policies that started it all.
So I’m out losers, enjoy your circle-jerk… Brooooooooks&Dun out!!! Yeeeeehawww!
November 14th, 2009 | 6:17 pm | #105
one more for you retire05…
did you even read the link you posted???
It says a deeper, longer bow indicates respect. It DOESN”T MEAN HE IS SUBMITTING TO THE EMPEROR, JUST THAT HE IS SHOWING RESPECT FOR THE VISIT.
You guys are hateful xenophobic (look it up retire05) losers…
November 14th, 2009 | 6:19 pm | #106
“disgrace our country”???
if we want to stop that, you guys should stop posting on an open internet forum. The rest of the world is watching your ignorance on full display!!!
November 14th, 2009 | 6:24 pm | #107
[...] We’re all familiar with the big waiter’s bow he gave to the Japanese Emperor… But, did you notice the 6 other bows he made to the emperor [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 6:53 pm | #108
President Obama vs. the rest of the world
Hmmmm…the rest of the world..
what? Doesn’t “deeply respect,” the emperor?
November 14th, 2009 | 6:59 pm | #109
[...] PDRTJS_settings_411583_post_1205 = { "id" : "411583", "unique_id" : "wp-post-1205", "title" : "Obama+Bows+to+the+Japanese+Emperor", "item_id" : "_post_1205", "permalink" : "http%3A%2F%2Fthebadernation.com%2F2009%2F11%2F14%2Fobama-bows-to-the-japanese-emperor%2F" } Obama Bows to the Japanese Emperor: http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2009/11/he-does-it-again-obama-bowing-to-japanese-emperor-now/ [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 7:02 pm | #110
“disgrace our country”???
if we want to stop that, you guys should stop posting on an open internet forum. The rest of the world is watching your ignorance on full display!!!
===========================
Wow, sneering condescension. Haven’t seen that from the left wingnuts before! ///
Well, cupcake, sneer away. It won’t change the fact that your guy, BO, is a REAL LOSER!
Btw, Brooks&Dunn, you need to stay current. Can you say D.I.V.O.R.C.E.?
November 14th, 2009 | 7:03 pm | #111
did you mind when GWB held hands with Abdullah?
then shut up.
November 14th, 2009 | 7:09 pm | #112
Y’all are real “salt of the earth” people who probably forgot that your grandparents weren’t even born here. Actually, since your kind starts a new generation every 15-18 years, your grandparents may have been born right near where you live right now!!!
November 14th, 2009 | 7:09 pm | #113
then shut up.
———————————————–
Ah, first sneering condescension and now this. Wow, you are truly an inspired debator.
A master debator, if you will.
November 14th, 2009 | 7:11 pm | #114
Actually I would have more respect for obama if he would have settled for hand holding instead of bowing.
So…no, I won’t shut up.
November 14th, 2009 | 7:15 pm | #115
Y’all are real “salt of the earth” people who probably forgot that your grandparents weren’t even born here. Actually, since your kind starts a new generation every 15-18 years, your grandparents may have been born right near where you live right now!!!
———————————————–
First sneering condescension, then “shut up”, now sweeping generalizations.
Folks, we have ourselves a real left wingnut moonbat master debator.
Worthy of all the ridicule that we can send his way.
November 14th, 2009 | 7:17 pm | #116
You’ve already done enough to prove yourselves wrong, or at least giant ignorami.
Maybe if you get the chance to leave your smallish middle American town you can do some learning on different cultures and, if you get far enough, the future of global economics. I’m sure Iowa or Mizzou is a great place to live, and raise umpteen kids, and listen to Brooks&Dunn…
November 14th, 2009 | 7:19 pm | #117
hmm, more like this:
first present alternate cultural meaning to proposed misstrp, then when uneducated filth sspewed forth, reply in kind.
[dr. phil]hows that workin’ out fer ya[/dr. phil]
November 14th, 2009 | 7:20 pm | #118
You’ve already done enough to prove yourselves wrong, or at least giant ignorami.
Maybe if you get the chance to leave your smallish middle American town you can do some learning on different cultures and, if you get far enough, the future of global economics. I’m sure Iowa or Mizzou is a great place to live, and raise umpteen kids, and listen to Brooks&Dunn…
——————————————-
You made more sense when you were pretending to be a hick.
You were pretending, right?
November 14th, 2009 | 7:21 pm | #119
Hmmmm…wrong again.
Perhaps if you bow and apologize….
November 14th, 2009 | 7:24 pm | #120
In the gool ‘ol USA – hand-holding among gents = gay behavior, universally feared and disliked among your kind, so I do find it interesting that you’d rather go gay then subservient (it means not the baddest biggest boy on the playground)…
November 14th, 2009 | 7:28 pm | #121
[...] Mark Steyn Gateway Pundit: Dick Cheney Don’t Bow Ace Comments [...]
November 14th, 2009 | 7:29 pm | #122
Hey Dippidy Doo,
Boring and stupid is no way to go through life.
Loser Troll!
November 14th, 2009 | 7:40 pm | #123
Ever notice how they all have to run when they have nothing to say?