Political Pistachio
You may be right in some respects. However, another "realist" president who was, speaking about foreign politics, a really successful one, DID bow in front to a Japanese emperor. And by the way this was Showa, the president of WWII.
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From Doug: Note on the image of Nixon it is a slight nod of a bow, and his hands are at his side. Obama was shaking hands while bowing low enough to lick the emperor's boots.
Edited By Siteowner
He is just building relationship. No big deal
Sir,
I respectfully disagree. A bow in this part of the world is a sign of respect to the local authority. To not do it would be comparable to refusing a handshake in the west between leaders, only worse.
The reason Obama bowed so low is because he is so much taller than the smaller Japanese leader, and a proper bow is down just slightly lower than the local authorities forehead.
Then why, Cisco, did the other leaders not bow, and why did the Japanese Emperor not bow back? Also, note that as Obama bowed he was shaking hands as well with the Emperor, which is not a proper bow - so even if your argument held water, the bow was botched.
Gian, it was my understanding that bowing to monarchs is not done, but if it has happened in the past, so be it. Point is, Obama's bow was not his bow, but American's bow, and symbolized American subservience. No American President should bow to any leader of any country in such a way.
The bow is usually performed by the visitor, not the local authority. However, on neutral ground, such as a boxing ring (as you may have seen in martial arts) then both bow.
However, the bow was botched as he tried two customs at once, but I still would not count ignorance as treason.
Cisco, I see his bow as a compromise of American exceptionalism, and I see his policies as having the goal of compromising American Sovereignty. The bow is a symptom of the treason - the fact that he desires a Post-American World is my argument for his treasonous desires.
While I am certainly not a fan of his administration thus far, I think being culturally knowledgeable is valid, even if he did fail, the effort is nothing less than standard protocol.
The general protocol for diplomacy to foreign nations has been in tact for quite some time. All diplomats of our government represent us, not just the president, and they are told to "be aware of greeting rituals such as kisses, handshakes or bows and to follow a country's tradition." "Failure to abide with tradition may be interpreted as rudeness or a lack of respect for colleagues."
(the above is an exact quote for diplomatic protocol in the United States)
So to suddenly see Obama's actions as treasonous, in light of the prevailing theme within diplomatic protocol, and the actions of thousands of diplomats representing America before him, I just think its over the top to pint point this as treason all of the sudden.
It fits the pattern...Englands socialist rulers have been apologising to all and sundry for imagined crimes past and present for years now...and so it goes.
That is all I hear about Obama, Cisco, is how wonderful his effort is. All the effort in the world is worth nothing if the reality of the behavior, actions, and policies are failures. He won the Nobel for "effort", but before he did anything good or bad. His election was based on effort, and speeches. As a community organizer he accomplished nothing, and as a Senator most of his votes were the non-confrontational "present" vote. He has all this effort, and no accomplishments, and then when he fouls up foreign relations his "effort" gets the nod. Had this of been Bush, the media would have been all over it, scrutinizing it, and proclaiming Bush to be an idiot - but if Obama does it, suddenly everybody has to take into account his "effort." His effort means nothing without action. You know the saying: You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?
Why dont you Americans wake up and get a life. You are so concerned with how your leaders act or appear, or wait for them to trip over their feet, that you cannot see the good that is coming out of your Presidents existance.
If it was Bush everybody would criticise him for his choice of words but not his achievements as a President. I suppose it was apparent that Bush was not in charge of his Presidency, others led him.
Your President Obama has principles, compassion and a sense of justice which goes deeper that any other President I have witnessed. Now grow up America and recognise someone who is Good, VERY GOOD. Be grateful
Cisco.. you can explain the nauance of public figures being polite all day long. Doug isn't interested in that.
Doug thinks Obama really is a "traitor". He think Obama is an Islamic Manchurian Candidate, set on destroying the United States.
Doug has this spookey crazy thing going on, and in his mind, Obama is intentionally trying to destroy the US in everything he does.. even in greeting a foreign dignitary.
There is absolutely nothing you could say that would seperate this paranoia from the reality of the world with Doug. He doesn't even think Obama is eligible to be president in the first place.
The funny thing, of course, is that Doug has completely lost his mind over a bow. That just demonstrates how little ammo Obama really is giving the right wing fringe.
Imagine if 9/11 had happened on Obama's watch. They'd want him tried and executed as a "traitor".
That is what we do with "traitors" you know, Doug. That's what you are calling for, every single time you call Obama a "traitor". You want the President of the United States tried and executed for his "crimes".
Pretty remarkable.
I know parts of America are paranoid when it comes to international relations but to consider a bow to another world leader an act of treason is insane.
He better not show up at a native American gathering, say 'hi' and wave his hand. Imagine that. You would probably deduce that he was plotting to give America back to the native people and attack America from inside.
Ha ha ha ha, Tom, you are such an idiot. Your rant on what I am about is one of the funniest, delusional things I have ever read. You truly are missing a few marbles. Since you shallow idiots don't understand, his bow is a part of his overall treasonous behavior of handing over America's exceptionalism, and sovereingty. You only see the surface, can't think past your nose, so I understand your confusion, and frankly, it is hilarious how stupid you people really can be. Problem is, your stupidity is why people like the Democrats in Congress and Obama are in power, selling out America, and destroying the very liberty we have enjoyed for the last 233 years.
Let me see if I have this correct.
I'm an "idiot" when Obama is doing much as previous presidents have done. I'm an "idiot" for finding it odd that showing respect to a foreign leader in their country is some how "treasonous" and handing over our "sovereingty" to another nation.
I suppose the Japanese now feel emboldened to invade.
My point is.. you honestly don't think your view isn't way over the top.
By your response I can see you still don't get it. But, I understand that the liberal brain is impervious to truth and common sense. When Nixon met the emperor, for example, he bowed his head slightly, and had his hands at his side - which is the proper way to bow. However, even Nixon was wrong to do so. The president should not bow to any leader of another nation. As shown on the pictures of a previous post, other leaders were not bowing to Akihito, and he did not bow back to Obama (sign of having no respect for Obama, and/or not accepting his bow). And who said anything about Japanese invasion? God, you are stupid. I'd recommend some books, but you won't read (or listen) to anything that shows dissent against your Marxist beliefs. And you call the Right narrow minded. Jeeeez.
Yes.. I'm the crazy one for not making such a huge deal about Obama doing the traditional gesture of respect to a foreign leader.. who happens to be an ally.
Yes, it was probably more dramtic than Nixon's or Eisenhower's similar gestures, but then Obama is taller and goofed on doing two different cultural signs of respect at the same time.
I get it.. I really do. Everyone else thinks it's ridiculously over blown and meaningless, but Doug knows how truly treasonous it is.
And again.. I offer you pictures of President George Bush holding hands with actual Islamic "royalty", and that's just peachy?
Trutn is.. I don't think Bush did anything at all out of place when he did that. Holding hands is a custom and sign of friendlyness to the Saudi culture. It wasn't a big deal at all, and actually a nice sign of humanity. I'd imagine your head would explode if Obama did similar.
That we're even debating this is, in my mind, really bizare.
We were told throughout Obama's campaign that he is a man of international flavor who understands the world and its various cultures better than any president in the past. We were told Obama was intelligent and articulate. Then, he goofs up a bow so bad that it is embarrassing to the country (shaking hands and bowing simultaineously), and submissive in nature. I understand that Japan is an ally, and it is not the symbolism to Japan directly that is the concern, but to the worldwide community, in relation to Obama's belief in globalism. Bush was also a globalist, so many of his questionable foreign relations activities did not surprise me. And yes, if Bush had done what Obama has done, I would have been all over it, just like I was all over it (in my personal writings and submissions to newspapers at the time) when Daddy Bush used the words "New World Order." And I could care less what their intentions were if they were, as you seem to think, honorable. The real debate here, then, is motivation. Did Obama bow as a sign of American subservience, or to be culturally sensitive (though he botched it badly)? I submit that all of Obama's motivations, if you pick apart his policies and actions, are to compromise the U.S. position as a super power, and to manipulate opinion for an eventual destruction of American sovereignty as he forces the U.S. into a global governance system headed by either the U.N., or a similar organization. I also think that Obama believes he will somehow be a part of this new world order - not for America, but for himself.
Mr. Gibbs,
I think your commenters here are being disingenuous. Surely they must be aware that in any public meeting between heads of state, the protocols are decided upon prior to the meeting.
I have also read comments
by poster Chiu Chunling at Webster's blogspot that indicate that this bow was not only a statement of disrespect for Americans and Japanese, but also a statement of alignment with Islam, in that it was recognizably(to the people of Japan) an Islamic bow.
I see two choices here. Either Mr. Obama deliberately disregarded his protocol officer, for reasons of his own; or he deliberately chose to make a gesture that was overtly insulting to both the American people and the Japanese people while indicating his Muslim leanings.
The third possibility, that he is truly ignorant of the messages he was sending and/or so arrogant that he refuses instruction in such matters,
I tend to discount because there was such a backlash after the 1st bow.
In any case, this is not proper behavior for an American president.
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