The Point: Obama's Bow Enrages Critics
Posted: 11/16/09Filed Under:World, Politics,
(Nov. 16) -- President Barack Obama's deep bow to Japan's emperor this weekend symbolized a culture clash -- East versus West and Right versus Left.

Conservatives were incensed by the way the president greeted Emperor Akihito in Tokyo on Saturday. Unlike in April, when the White House insisted Obama's bow to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia wasn't a bow at all, a senior administration official told Politico the president was just observing protocol.






In a Los Angeles Times blog post titled "How Low Will He Go?," Andrew Malcolm predicted Obama "could receive some frowns back home" for bowing to the emperor. The response among conservative commentators went way beyond frowns.

"He means to teach Americans to bow before monarchs and tyrants," railed Power Line's Scott Johnson, who charged that Obama is sending a message that the U.S. "now willingly prostrates itself before the rest of the world."

Some were especially angry that the man the president bowed to is the son of Emperor Hirohito, who led Japan during World War II. RedState's Mark Impomeni -- whose blog post included iconic photos of the Iwo Jima flag-raising and Japan's surrender along with the picture of Obama's bow -- called the president "an embarrassment" who's "bent on dishonoring" the service and sacrifice of Americans who fought against Japan.

Others made their point with photos and videos contrasting Obama's bow to the standard handshakes exchanged by the emperor and dozens of other world leaders.

Obama's online defenders fired back with photos of their own -- including shots of President George W. Bush bowing to Pope Benedict and kissing and holding hands with the Saudi king.

The Moderate Voice's Kathy Kattenburg saw Obama's bow as an innocent effort to be "culturally appropriate" and accused conservatives who are raising a fuss of being fixated on style instead of substance.

But it is "a big deal," argued Rick Moran of Rightwing Nuthouse, who said Americans fought for independence so they would never have to "bow to another sovereign."

"No bowing -- ever. That has been the standard American presidents have followed for 240 years," Moran wrote.

Not exactly.

"His bow is neither (1) unprecedented nor (2) a sign of cultural understanding," an academic who knows Japanese culture well explained in a message to ABC's Jake Tapper. In 1971, President Nixon bowed to
Emperor Hirohito and his wife and repeatedly referred to them as "Your Imperial Majesties."

Nixon got the bow right, though -- a slight bend from the waist with hands at his side. "Obama's handshake/forward lurch was ... jarring and inappropriate," according to Tapper's friend.

Thomas Lifson, who lived in Japan for years and taught hundreds of foreign executives the right way to bow, agreed that -- regardless of any political subtext -- Obama's combination low-bow/handshake was a mess.

It "violates a fundamental precept: NO TOUCHING while bowing," Lifson wrote for the American Thinker blog.

He also noted that Emperor Akihito had a big smile on his face as Obama bowed.

"That's pretty much polite Japanese for 'falling down laughing,'" Lifson explained.

http://www.sphere.com/2009/11/16/the-point-obamas-bow-enrages-critics/



He'll get it right eventually...lol

Just goes to show how good intentions can go wrong and the opposite can jump on it!

Personally, I think it's funny. And if you look on the other person's face, he is probably wondering what the heck Obama is doing!

LOL, me too.

it was nothing other then a sign of respect, when in anothers house or country, be respectful...nothing more, nothing less.....If anything I personally thought it was a great gesture and quite humbling, and I'm not an Obama fan, but kudos

I think people make too much of little stuff! There are a lot better things in this world to get upset about.


I am more worried about getting into any more wars and how we are going to bring our troops home safely,preserving our land for our children and their future well-being! Screw the dumb stuff!

I agree.

It is cute that he gets confused...lol

I would be confused about all the different customs too.

I completely agree,

It is a sign of respect, why not respect someone? I'm a conservative for the most part but trivial things like this? who cares? Get upset about something else, there are countless other things to be upset about. While not a fan of BO this is just stupid

It a new age....handshakes and bows are out...ask Howie... its nuckles from now on. Less germs....

he looked like a submissive puppy.

In the grand scheme of things it is trivial. However, I am not so sure that any American/ Pacific campaign WW2 vet would appreciate our President bowing to the son of the man that waged a criminally aggressive war against them.

How about the US presidents bow to the Queen of Britain time and time again ?!.

It wasn't a sign of respect, it was an attempt by a man child to show the world how "worldly" he is.

Look at the picture of Nixon, who bowed properly, his head was above the emperors. Obama bowed as far down as he could while standing up. That would be appropriate for a subordinate who had done something wrong, not for an equal. And as the article pointed out, when you bow, there is no touching. It was a jarring mismatch of two cultures...two great tastes that taste weird together.

/agree

oh pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze


I don't even like the guy and *I* think it's ridiculous

Hmmm, now there's an idea for a new thread in the Games forum:

"Conservatives were incensed by the way the president__________."

-Kerry O., "The fun never ends..."

at least he didnt puke on him

unlike some Presidents I could name

He absolutely punked out like a little biatch on the school yard! I never liked the damn kissing of the pope's ring either, absolutely enraged me! John Adams had once bowed to the king as a diplomat and it was supposed to stop! It is shameful and I wouldn't bow to that man or any other man so i don't expect my president to do it! It makes me feel shame for his weakness! Stop kissing the ring of the pope too, thats shameful as well! Damn that pisses me off!

Whatever happend to beleiving in equality? How do you bow to another man based on his status? Absolute disgrace!

Not even!!!

There is nothing wrong with an equal world leader showing another equal world leader the customary respect they are due in their country.

as far as etiquette

he bowed a bit too deep. both should bow a lttle bit and the person who bows deepest gives up status

and he should have kept his eyes on him while he bowed

but he was trying