Obama Bows to Emperor, World Embarrassed
People love Michelle Obama photos no matter what the First Lady wears. Conversely, at least as some see it, it seems like her husband can do no right.
Some commentators are ripping President Barack Obama's bow to Japan's Emperor Akihito this weekend, accusing him of groveling before a foreign leader.
But is that actually the case?
While Obama bowing before the emperor looks a bit awkward, it isn't without precedent. Nor was it a sign of capitulation or anything of the sort.
U.S. presidents from both parties have often been criticized for their attempts at culturally sensitive greetings to high-ranking foreign officials.
Former President George W. Bush was mocked for holding Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's hand, a traditional sign of friendship in the Middle East.
In fact, back in 1994, former Democratic President Bill Clinton was even criticized for almost bowing to Akihito. He awkwardly stopped just short of this ...
Cultural faux pas or not, a bowing Barack just looks awkward.
If anything, Obama's encounter with Akihito could be considered a stumble because it mixed a bow with a handshake - something not normally done.
And it wasn't the first time the president, a Democrat who has been in office less than a year, has been criticized for his greeting of a foreign leader.
Critics accused him of genuflecting to Saudi King Abdullah at a summit meeting of the leaders of the top 20 rich and developing nations this year.
The bow comes during highly charged times.
Conservatives are strongly opposing Obama's policies, especially his plan to overhaul the health care system, and jump on any perceived faux pas.
Andrew Malcolm, in a blog on the Los Angeles Times, asked, "How low will the new president go for the world's royalty?" Apparently, pretty low.
U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Monday that the bow by Barack Obama was traditional, "a sign of respect to the emperor."
"We're in an environment rwhere everything is hypersensitive. Any move you do, there will be some group that sees some message within all that."
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October 7th, 2011 3:13 PM
MY EMAIL COMMENT MUST OF NOT REGISTERED, "GETTING IS SPELLED- GETTING", -"NOT GRITTING",-"SORRY". THEY DON'T -TAKE OFF -FOR MIS-SPELLED WORDS- IN- THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES- "ANYWAYS",- AND- I GRADUATED- AT A- 100%- OVER-ALL-AVERAGE- AT- THE STRATFORD CAREER INSTITUTE. THEY USE MIS-SPELLED WORDS -IN- THE COMEDY ACT MOVIES --'TOO.STEPHANIE CURRY;"{JOHN 3;16}".- "{THANKYOU -AND- GOD BLESS- YOU ALL}".
October 7th, 2011 2:42 PM
HELLO,- PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. "SURPRIZE". BARRACK OBAMA- HAS A POWER SMILE -THAT MAKES -ME SMILE. I AM SURE- THAT OTHER PEOPLE SMILE- 'TOO,-TO,- BARRACK OBAMA'S- POWER SMILE. "SORRY",- THAT I MIS-SPELLED -A COUPLE OF WORDS, 'BUT WHEN -YOU ARE FEELING BAD- AND -YOU DO NOT HAVE- THE NUTRICIAN THAT YOU NEED- YOU AS- A PERSON -ON- GOD'S CREATION OF EARTH-FEEL'S BAD -AND- YOUR MIND DON'T WORK -'SOMETIMES. YOUE BLOOD HAS TO FLOW -AND- YOUR HEART HAS -TO PUMP- BEFORE YOU -AS -A PERSON ON GOD,S CREATION ON EARTH. -ON- THE OTHER HAND- I AM NOT GRTTING ANY-MORE FOOD-STAMPS OR EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS- AND- MY CLAIM IS GOOD -UNTIL- NEXT YEAR -OF- 2012-AND-I AM OUT ON THE STREETS- WITH- NO PLACE- TO GO- AND- I DON'T FEEL GOOD- AND -I GET- HOT AND COLD. I DO NOT AGREE- WITH SOME OF YOU. THE PRESIDENT- BARRACK OBAMA -IS NOT- A GOOD PRESIDENT -AND- HE IS BRING-EN- TO MANY WOMEN -INTO -THE GOVERNMENT -AND- WHITE HOUSE- AND- HIS WIFE IS TAKING UP -"FOR HIM". "I WOULDN'T". HE ARE DOING -EVIL AND W
December 11th, 2009 3:16 PM
I don't think, you should bow to any one, "but God" in heaven.The texas work-force denied my un- employment benefit's again.they did not, send me, my payment request, until- late ,after the, last periods.they said they need more in- formation.i gave them my work searches and i sub- mitted-my- work-searches, with the, texas work, -"force too". They did not, fine nothing in my work,wrong with me, and they said, their were things, about me, that are not, true about me, in the past. People and ,my family ,are going around, and telling people, not to hire me, or give me,any- assistance, with any food , diet coke or peanut butter.I-am, 'lactose in- tollerant', and do not eat,no sweets, "but peanut-butter", my mother is sending my dad over to just give me coffee, hot dog, wieners and soups, and also. as well crackers.I-have to have other stuff too,also as well fruits and fruit juices. my rent is sky high ,and i have a shut off notice on my light bill, no television and no place to go. i do no
December 11th, 2009 3:14 PM
I don't think, you should bow to any one, "but God" in heaven.The texas work-force denied my un- employment benefif's again.they did not, send me, my payment request, until- late ,after the, last periods.they said they need more in- formation.i gave them my work searches and i sub- mitted-my- work-searches, with the, texas work, -"force too". They did not, fine nothing in my work,wrong with me, and they said, their were things, about me, that are not, true about me, in the past. People and ,my family ,are going around, and telling people, not to hire me, or give me,any- assistance, with any food , diet coke or peanut butter.I-am, 'lactose in- tollerant', and do not eat,no sweets, "but peanut-butter", my mother is sending my dad over to just give me coffee, hot dog, wieners and soups, and also. as well crackers.I-have to have other stuff too,also as well fruits and fruit juices. my rent is sky high ,and i have a shut off notice on my light bill, no television and no place to go. i do no
November 21st, 2009 6:42 AM
I am from Japan, and I must say that I'm pretty shocked by all the fuss they are making over one bow. What these people don't understand is that bowing in Japan is a regular form of greeting. It is not the kind of submission or subservience that the western world thinks it is.
I myself bow almost every time I greet an older person or a guest, or even people I see on business. It is perfectly normal.
As a Japanese, I don't see anything strange in Mr.Obama's bow. He is merely greeting the emperor the Japanese way, respecting our culture. Shouldn't that be a good thing?
The emperor he bowed to is not the war criminal who caused millions of people to be killed in WWII... the present one is without any political power, he's just a symbol.
I'm disgusted and yet at the same time amused that Americans would be arguing about something so small.
November 18th, 2009 12:34 PM
The only embarrassment that should be felt here is by those who have made this such a big deal. I work at an international conferense center in Geneva and exactly today I saw non-Japanese delegates greet Japanese deleagtes the same way.
First of all, this article is stupid.
Secondly, how much credit may i give it coming from a 'gossip' webpage-just goes to show every corner of America is so desperate to grill the best thing thats happened to them since Bill and that intern-whats her face-Monica.
Thirdly, this articale is stupid. Is the Twilight convention over? and there nothing left for the author to pulll out of their ass. And I stick to that comment because the article was posted by 'free britney'
what/who would americans be if they didnt ooze Sensationalism!
November 18th, 2009 6:40 AM
ITS A SIGN OF RESPECT PPL..He mayb the president of USA but the man has respect for other leaders as well... in japan they always bow down to the emperor.. he is just being respectful...
November 18th, 2009 4:11 AM
Wow ignorant people commenting here. Had it been a greeting bow all would be fine but it was a bow showing he is below the Emperor and the Emperor did not return the bow. Why was it no other World leaders who met with the Emperor bowed except Obama? Why did the Japanese media cover it up so they would not be embarrassed with the people thinking they have a weaker ally in the US.
November 18th, 2009 3:28 AM
I can't believe they even made an issue out of it. So negative and aggressive. I think they need to get out of their little bubble and explore different cultures, perhaps that will help make them more understanding, tolerant and peaceful . Cultural respect and compromise is what the world needs. I agree with Takae ‘since when is the US the world?’ Very disappointed with these attitudes.
November 18th, 2009 1:34 AM
The comment made by Andrew Malcolm is very ignorant. Narrow minded people are very dangerous with words. America has an open minded President, who is open to other cultures and respects them. That should be something to be proud of and not moan or complain about. I cannot to believe that his show of respect towards Japan's Emperor has made such headlines. As a South African I'm shocked to see you still have people who live in such close minded bubbles.