Here's what I read.
"WASHINGTON (AFP) – News photos of President Barack Obama bowing to Japan's emperor have incensed critics here, who said the US leader should stand tall when representing America overseas.
Obama on Monday was in China, having wrapped up the Japan leg of his Asia trip two days earlier. But Washington's punditocracy was still weighing whether or not the US president had disgraced his country two days earlier by having taken a deep bow at the waist while meeting Japan's Emperor Akihito."
The president greeted the emperor and empress as is custom there. Conservatives felt he should have just shaken hands as Cheney did. Do you really want our president copying Cheney? I guess we want the president to be respectful of other countries' customs but not too respectful. After all, we don't want to tarnish our image of being all powerful, do we?
I'm really tired.
I'm going to go take a nap.
Oh Kay, I feel tired too. Half my family will go nuts over this I'm sure; while I'm thinking "oh Heaven *forbid* that our President is seen as gracious, or courteous, at all aware of other people's customs and culture."
ReplyDeleteI think he's a lovely person and I'm glad he does what he feels is right, in spite of those waiting at home to vilify him.
Well, if the bow didn't bother Obama, why should it bother the rest of us? Silly!
ReplyDeletethese critics are hard to please. It seemed respectful of Obama to do that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the big deal is either. Why can't we all just get along!
ReplyDeleteWell, you all know I feel the same way that you do! I'm proud of him and I, too, am glad that he does what feels right by honoring other people's customs and cultures! What in the hell is wrong with people in this country, and what are they thinking? Or is that the problem, they don't think! It's just dumb, dumb, dumb and I think what he did was terrific!
ReplyDeleteYou just can't please everyone, can you? I think it's great that he showed such respect.
ReplyDeleteNothing he does will please some people, including preventing Great Depression II, winning the Nobel, and improving our standing in the world. How DARE he!
ReplyDeleteRest, Neighbor :)
Aloha,
Comfort Spiral
Well, here's my two-penny's worth. Part of President Obama's job is to develop good relations with the countries around the world. To be respectful of each country's customs should be admired not criticized. To bow is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of deep respect and I for one applaud him. To his critiques I say let's move on and get onto more important matters.
ReplyDeletehow quickly in politics, we loose track of what's really important. issues such as courtesy respect and honesty are to be admired and not criticized...
ReplyDeleteI would like to repeat what Susan said and add, I think it takes a stronger man to bow to another's customs then to pigheadedly cling to his own.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I recommend you ladies brush up on protocol.
ReplyDeleteJapan had to be bombed into submission just to stop it from killing US citizens. Within the lifetime of the current emporer.
This new president guy near snaps himself off at the waist bowing to this same emporer.
However this same new president guy showed no such inclination for bowing or showing respect when greeting the Queen on her home turf in the UK.
A Queen whose nation has been a loyal ally of the US for generations, and who had worn the uniform of her nation when allied with the US in the aforementioned war.
He's a lightweight.
He is a very intelligent man and i think his country's best interest is always his priority...you are lucky to have him as a President...i don't think a bow has that much power to bring down a nations prestige as powerful as US .
ReplyDeleteEvery American should try bowing to someone at least once in his/her life (if they can find someone worthy). Spiritually speaking, it does not break you; it stretches you. Only a man who stands tall can have the grace to bow to the other.
ReplyDeleteSteve: I'm sorry you feel that way. I still feel that the bow was a magnanimous and kind gesture to a country who though enemies at one time are now friends, allies and trading partners in a world filled with tensions and political turmoil.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can comment on the rights or wrongs here, as I'm torn between your feelings and those of Steve. What I do think though is that if everyone showed a tad more respect for everyone else the world be a better place.
ReplyDeleteLike susan, much of my family would condemn the president for bowing. But then they aren't going to like anything he does anyway.
ReplyDeleteWe hear constantly that we can't win the wars we are currently in militarily. We must win them politically, economically and diplomatically. President Obama knos this and actually knows what that means. He practices it.
There will always be those who criticize because they do not understand how to show respect for all. I'm delighted to see our President willing to follow the customs wherever he goes. The same critics would be unhappy if "foreigners" did not show such respect for us if they visited here.
ReplyDeleteI think the people who are criticizing his demeanor should take a lesson or two from our president.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about England and the Queen. I understand President Obama did a handshake there. I wonder if the Queen would have preferred a bow. I wonder if the Queen minded Michelle Obama breaking with protocol and giving her an affectionate hug which showed the loving ties between our two countries. I like the idea of the hug and I hope the Queen and her country did, too. Was that not enough respect?
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to be able to say Barack Obama is our President. He's a man of intelligence and dignity, which is refreshing after the previous eight years. I wish the Obama-bashers would lighten up and give him a chance. He became our President when our country was in terrible mess. It'll take years to undo all that. I agree that it's good for the US to have to show respect for other countries, for a change. We're all equal human beings, all with our strengths and with our weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteThe British press loved the hug Mrs Obama gave to the Queen. Apparently they have become good friends.
ReplyDeleteI like that the President made the bow as it shows respect, but it does look a little overdone to me. Still, I prefer a man who can respect a former enemy to one who can't.
Interestingly, this is the first I've heard of the incident; it wasn't news here in the UK.
Obama was being polite..Cheney is a nasty man...Guess I showed my colors..
ReplyDelete