Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow
Los Angeles Times ^ | Novembe 14, 2009 | Andrew Malcolm

Posted on 11/14/2009 5:08:16 AM PST by libstripper

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

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 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: akihito; bhoasia; bhovisit; bow; caption; japan; obama; obamabow; obowa
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160161-173 next last
To: rawhide

A mutual discreet bow to someone on his level (PM for instance) is one thing. A head nod bow of respect is one thing. A really low bow like this is fracking ridiculous.


121 posted on 11/14/2009 9:22:52 AM PST by visualops (Freepin' Pre!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: PreciousLiberty

You know what? You just had a brainstorm. Hmmmmmm, wonder if we could organize a national “NO CCNFIDENCE” vote. That might be more effective than a tea party. Wonder how many signatures could be generated? If we could get someone like Rush or Beck to advertise it.....think about how it might be done.


122 posted on 11/14/2009 9:23:45 AM PST by WVNan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: libstripper

I want to know when he going to start kow-towing to the American People?


123 posted on 11/14/2009 9:24:31 AM PST by Gritty (If directed from Washington when to sow and reap, we should soon want bread-Thomas Jefferson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OldSmaj

I see you got that e-mail too.


124 posted on 11/14/2009 9:25:33 AM PST by WVNan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

I think I may have this all wrong. We are all assuming that Obama is moving his head downward. Perhaps, just perhaps, he was moving his head upwards. You know, if you took the shot just a second after he pulls his head out of his own arse, it might just look like a bow.

Now doesnt that make you feel better?


125 posted on 11/14/2009 9:28:31 AM PST by Vermont Lt (My wife reads my posts. In case the FBI shows up, we will have cookies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 124 | View Replies]

To: rawhide
"I do not have a problem with this. To me it is showing a sign of honor and respect."

It is inappropriate for one head of state to bow or curtsey to another head of state. They are equals on the international stage. Every head of state from the Prince of Liechtenstein to the Chairman of the Chinese People's Republic has that status.

Ask yourself, would Queen Elizabeth bow to Emperor Akihito? Would Akihito bow to Elizabeth?

A head of state loses the option to show personal deference, honor, or respect to another head of state, because they are no longer judged merely on their own personal character by such actions, but are judged on the world stage. Every diplomat in the State Department gets training on international protocol. Military members stationed or deploying overseas get similar training. Deference, even with allies, no matter how well intended, can be dangerous in international relations.

Obama is not an ordinary citizen, he is not even a Prime Minister, he is a head of state. He has yet to act like one.

126 posted on 11/14/2009 9:34:26 AM PST by magellan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: R. Scott
The picture shows Emperor Akihito giving a slight bow (maybe 10 degrees?) while trying to maintaining eye contact. That is the proper way for equals to greet each other.

That is absolutely correct, and depsite living in Japan for several years and many military and civilian training session on international protocol, I completely forgot that point.

When two captains of Japanese industry meet, no matter if they are fierce competitors or partners in a joint endevor, that is exactly how they greet each other. A slight bow while maintaining eye contact.

This is Protocol 101. Either Obama is so arrogant he ignores the advice from his protocol staff, or he is so arrogant he has no protocol staff.

127 posted on 11/14/2009 9:39:47 AM PST by magellan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: libstripper
I think Andrew Malcolm of the LA Slimes is reading FR.

He lifted my 'headline' ;)
128 posted on 11/14/2009 9:40:27 AM PST by Electric Graffiti (Yonder stands your orphan with his gun)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: libstripper

Two friends or associates in Japan may bow to each other upon greeting as a mutual form of respect. I’ve even seen two individuals bow back and forth innumerable times (guess they were happy to see each other). For a sitting U.S. president to bow this low to the emperor is a sign he’s unfamiliar with the custom and shouldn’t be bowing to a foreign ruler anyway.


129 posted on 11/14/2009 9:42:26 AM PST by Shellback Chuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vermont Lt
I have absolute confidence in my own patriotism, and also know that diplomacy depends on a thorough understanding of how a national culture perceives the actions of our head of state.

I am a professional in that regard,

I owe no apology to anyone for being a conservative inter cultural professional.

And I do not really cotton to the political correctness that you might feel important, I opt for accuracy.Accurate communication has nothing to do with "caring" what "they" think of us.It has to do with making sure we have a positive and mutually beneficual reationship, which BTW, we have had for a long time, up until now.Obama destroys that.

Good luck to you.

130 posted on 11/14/2009 9:47:26 AM PST by Candor7 (The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 118 | View Replies]

To: imfrmdixie

Thanks FRiend!


131 posted on 11/14/2009 9:48:18 AM PST by Candor7 (The effective weapons Against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (.Member NRA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: jimbo123

Given that he can’t salute our own troops in a half-decent manner, it is no wonder he looks like an @ss trying to bow. Damn, if both Barack and whomever the specialist on protocal are a couple of nitwits.


132 posted on 11/14/2009 9:55:05 AM PST by voicereason (I Don't Need SEX...I Get Screwed By Democrats Everyday!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: jimbo123

Given that he can’t salute our own troops in a half-decent manner, it is no wonder he looks like an @ss trying to bow. Damn, if both Barack and whomever the specialist on protocal are a couple of nitwits.


133 posted on 11/14/2009 9:55:12 AM PST by voicereason (I Don't Need SEX...I Get Screwed By Democrats Everyday!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: libstripper
The bow was a faux pas. It was inappropriate and the execution was, judging from the photo, totally botched.

Apparently the President doesn't care enough about the Japanese to learn appropriate protocol, and the weird handshake-bow telegraphed that.

The Japanese are sensitive about being stereotyped, and the bow-handshake thingy suggests that Mr. Obama is relying on inaccurate stereotypes rather than informing himself accurately.

The Japanese exist under our protection as a pacifist nation. At some point, they will have to question their pacifist status, and a President who can't be bothered to learn how to execute a basic greeting only reminds them of how little most Americans care about the future of the Japanese people. Are we committed to protecting Japan? If not, they may want to take back the billions of dollars they are paying us to do so and the military bases we depend upon to protect our interests in that part of the Pacific.

134 posted on 11/14/2009 9:55:54 AM PST by InterestedQuestioner (Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your household will be saved.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Candor7

Post 111: recommended reading for all.


135 posted on 11/14/2009 9:58:59 AM PST by FormerACLUmember (Socialism is an opportunistic infection of the body politic. It occurs when defenses are low.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 111 | View Replies]

To: libstripper

A bow of not only of subservience but also of apology would be my guess. It says, “How dare we have kicked your rear ends in World War II? After all, bombing Hawaii was just a little display of frustration by some kamikazes that had a RIGHT to feel frustrated.”


136 posted on 11/14/2009 10:04:23 AM PST by 1951Boomer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Candor7

Excellent post, Candor. You’ve educated us. I go back to Obama’s lack of nurturing, training, and dare I say “breeding” during his early years. Lack of basic, nurturing parenting also leads to a “hole” in basic development of empathy, conscience, and an awareness of other people. It explains some people who go through life like ill-bred boors. In both B.O. and Clinton, some major screws are missing because of an also screwed-up family life. I have firsthand experience. My dad was shuffled among relatives after his mother died when he was a toddler. When he met my mom at about age 17, she had to teach him how to eat properly, which fork to use, proper etiquette, etc. I believe B.O. has been socially adrift his whole life and literally lacks something in his psyche that cannot be resurrected. Either that, or he is VERY MUCH aware of his gaffes and enjoys poking this country in the eye!


137 posted on 11/14/2009 10:15:59 AM PST by 1951Boomer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 111 | View Replies]

To: newfreep
OK, you need to go and read my post again with a dictionary in hand. Do you not know what genuflecting is? Here, let me help you...

Now, a thinking person would recognize what I wrote, and realize it's the EXACT OPPOSITE of what you claim and in fact is a rather sarcastic attack at the President and his defenders, but someone with a limited vocabulary would rather jump to conclusions than learn what was written.

Mark Twain was right about such times...

138 posted on 11/14/2009 10:18:18 AM PST by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the sting of truth is the defense of the indefensible.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: rawhide

Are you delusional? American presidents don’t bow. He isn’t an American and he hates America. He knows the other bow caused his support to wane, so he does it again to make it appear that he didn’t just to the Muzzies. I’m so onto his tactics.


139 posted on 11/14/2009 10:19:55 AM PST by mojitojoe (“Medicine is the keystone of the arch of socialism.” - Vladimir Lenin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: rawhide
Exactly!! I lived in Japan as an exchange student for over a year. Bowing in not an abdication of authority, but just a showing of respect. It is customary during introduction, ESPECIALLY to your elders. Obama did nothing wrong here. Even a stopped watch is right twice a day.

BTW.. I still think Obama is a loser!!!! :)

140 posted on 11/14/2009 10:28:52 AM PST by Anti-Hillary (Yo Barry, IF FOR 20 YEARS YOU STAY IN THE PEW, IT'S BECAUSE YOU SHARE THE VIEW!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160161-173 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson