November 23, 2009 1:32 PM

Official: Reaction to Japan Bow Left Obama "Speechless"

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
White House
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Obama's bow to Japan's Emperor Akihito in Tokyo earlier this month ignited anger from some conservatives who complained, in the words of blogger Donald Douglass, that the United States "now willingly prostrates itself before the rest of the world."

Now the president is responding – kind of. The Atlantic quotes "a US government official who was on the trip" who says the president was left "speechless" by the controversy.

"Obama's attitude was, this is an elderly gentleman in a country where this kind of greeting is customary," said the official. "It does not seem extraordinary to show this kind of gesture to him."

"The Fox News poll said that 67 percent of Americans thought [the bow] was a good thing for him to have done," the official continued. "When the president heard that some people had complained, I'd characterize his reaction as: The notion that the United States is somehow humbling or humiliating itself by showing respect for a local custom, when it is transparently the most powerful country in the world, leaves me speechless."

As criticism of the president for the bow bubbled up, media outlets noted that anger over what some see as excessive presidential deference to a foreign leader is nothing new. President George W. Bush was criticized for holding the hand of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, while Presidents Clinton and Nixon took heat for bows or near-bows to the Japanese emperor. Mr. Obama has also been criticized for genuflecting to Abdullah.

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by CauseAnEffect November 26, 2009 3:02 PM EST
President Obama did not bow to the Queen of England, and shouldn't have. He did bow to the son of the man who led the Empire of Japan against the U.S. during WWII. The only reason Emperor Akihito has a throne to sit on is because the U.S. allowed the continuation of a Japanese monarch as a figure head after WWII. By all rights, it's Akihito who should be bowing to the President of the United States.

I'm sure there are very few, if any, veterans of WWII still living who are not ashamed of Obama's bow, and the president bowing to the Emperor of Japan is probably the greatest reason for the Greatest Generation no longer living to roll over in their graves.

How will Obama dis his country next...God only knows.
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by crsteele November 26, 2009 12:23 PM EST
Why is it the repugnantcans can always be depended on without a doubt to do and say the most retarded things humanly possible.

Bush held hands with a self proclaimed sworn enemy of America, Obama showed respect for an allied nation. Perhaps the poor old dumb reBUBBAlicans forget which side they are on now....??? Understandable as they are always enemies of mankind and friends to the greedy psychopathic pricks trying to destroy the world.
Reply to this comment
by nonexistwap November 27, 2009 6:02 PM EST
crsteele....you obamacants should be thrilled to see O-Bummer's enthusiasm for dictatoral leaders and their countries since all of you progressive-SOCIALISTS would have us destroy our country so you naive, cowardly misfits could have your "perfect harmony coca-cola moment"....or any of the other nonsense feel-good propaganda created by the advertising geniuses that have you believing....
by seaside170 November 26, 2009 12:13 PM EST
I am a Republican who did not vote for Obama. But let me say this. The uproar over the President bowing is absolute BS!! It is a bunch of right wing garbage. The President is absolutely correct in showing RESPECT to leaders of other countries. No wonder other countries hate us--because we act like we are better than everyone else. Yes, we are the greatest country in the world, but knowing this and blatently refusing to show reverance and respect to other foreign leaders is ridiculous. Good job Mr. President...now if only you would revise your public health care plan!!!
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by NosmoKing2 November 26, 2009 1:02 PM EST
Seaside 170, We were the greatest country in the world before the neocom took office.
by robertehiggins November 26, 2009 1:51 PM EST
You're a "Republican" who "did not vote for Obama" and sees this reaction as "right wing garbage?" "No wonder other countries hate us?" You have these feelings and you claim to be a Republican? Why lie about your obvious leftist affiliation? Don't be embarrass by who you are. As for this debate, anyone who cannot see that the OFFICE of the President of the United States bows for no one or nothing is a fool. This is not about respect for OTHERS, it is about respect for the office he holds. Oh, the world hated us enough WAY BACK in 1993 to try and blow us up and continues on to this day. No amount of bowing or supplicating will change that.
by BeckieBest November 26, 2009 10:51 AM EST
After 8 years of Bush/Republican f*ck you diplomacy, it's good to finally have a leader who builds bridges instead of blowing them up.

I would expect any foreign leader who comes to this country to great our leaders in a way that is customary here.

People in other countries expect the same.

This fake contraversy is nothing more than another daily illustration of how truly rabid and insane the right wing has become in this country.

There is nothing that Obama can do that they will not whine about.

So it's best to let them screech and whine from the sidelines as they have proven over the last 8 years that they have no clue how to govern.
Reply to this comment
by daffy64 November 26, 2009 9:48 AM EST
In Martial Arts, we bow deeply and show as much humility as possible right before we beat our opponent into unconciousness. It is best to appear weak and to be strong.

-

I respectfully disagree. In martial arts, you show respect to others by bowing. It's not a sign of weakness. Ask your Sensei about this.
Reply to this comment
by Mr_Illinois November 26, 2009 8:01 AM EST
Diplomacy is nothing if not the art of communicating. Each signal one sends or action one executes carries great meaning behind it. As such, let's look at recent developments:

1. The President declines to meet with the Dalai Lama during his Washington visit in October, sparking headlines such as "Obama snubs another peace prize winner in a bow to Hu Jintao"
- World Tribune article at http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2009/ea_china0798_10_12.asp


2. One month later, in November, the President literally bows to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. This is now the THIRD TIME our President has bowed to a foreign leader and the foreign leader did NOT bow back.
- Yahoo photo at http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20091118/i/r3100408959.jpg?x=400&y=280&q=85&sig=D34F4tkrlJgAMShzwJxVNA--

3. Yesterday, Ralph Nader (not exactly a staunch Republican) publishes a piece titled "Weak Kneed in China".
The piece begins: "There was something both sad and strange about President Obama?s weak presence in China last week."
Further down it continues, "This first trip to China by Mr. Obama was a lost opportunity in three ways that cannot be excused, no matter the absence of proactive status and power."
- Found at http://www.counterpunch.org/nader11252009.html

The point of all this? Simple.

Actions speak louder than words. Recent actions are needlessly placing America on the wrong side of one-sided deference inappropriate for our President (and our country) in the face of foreign leaders.

This is not mutual respect. This is one country quite literally "bowing" to the wishes of another. The unrequited physical bows are merely symptomatic of America's unrequited policy bows.

Clear choices must be made from time to time, whether they be economic, social or political. The correct choices are not always the easiest ones to make.

I, for one, prefer falling on the side of fighting for human dignity with the Dalai Lama to that of bowing before Wen Jiabao or Hu Jintao.

Monetary debt does not change ethical obligations.

The strong must defend the weak.

It appears our country's leadership hesitates recently in finding the will to do so. Such dalliances stem from choices made by our freely elected representatives.

Those decisions currently result in America bowing before others rather than standing proudly, just as every other country does on the international stage.

If nothing else, I would appreciate it if at least one of the foreign officials our nation's leader bows to returns the same courtesy and respect by bowing back.

America is a great nation. I sincerely hope that President Obama proves himself to be all that many of us hope he is, with strength, vision and leadership matching the greatness of this nation.

Thus far, he appears to be falling short. As someone who supported his campaign for President, this disappoints me greatly.

May he be successful in his endeavors, for all our sakes.

And may he no longer bow to foreign leaders that do not bow back in mutual respect, literally or figuratively.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Reply to this comment
by KVILLANUEVA November 26, 2009 7:19 AM EST
Greetings,

I have to put in my 2 cents and of course its just my 2 cents.
I rather President Obama greet this Head Of State in this manner then to see him walk around holding his hand as if it were protocol for the President Of The U S A to lead a grown man (PRINCE) around by the wrist.
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by ALBrainTrust10 November 25, 2009 11:18 PM EST
EVERY CRITICISM OF THE PRESIDENT CAUSES THE PRESIDENT TO BE SPEECHLESS OR WHINE.

This guy should know EXACTLY WHAT TO DO AND THEN DO IT RIGHT....but he probabaly didn't tell Axelrod he was planning to bow...I would assume someone would have then told the Japanese and his Staff would have figured out the correct way to bow.
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by obfusc8tr November 25, 2009 9:54 PM EST
Contrary to what some seem to think, it's NOT respectful to meet another head of state at a planned meeting, and make it absolutely crystal clear that you didn't bother to find out the appropriate greeting. It's very Ugly American and very disrespectful.
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by govmess November 25, 2009 8:38 PM EST
Looks to me like the Emperor is looking at the zits on Obama's scalp and having a good laugh!!! While bowing may be protocol in many countries you don't bow AND shake hands in Japan. Our world leader is clueless as is his staff.
Reply to this comment
by mike18881 November 25, 2009 9:08 PM EST
You people talk about how illigals should come into our country, learn our way of speaking, our customs, and our way of life, though they don,t perfect it at least they try. Our President tries to do what,s right, you condem him, unlike you racist, at least he tries.non of us are perfect, our country finally has are pride back.
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