Obama bows to Japanese Emperor

Richard Masters · 16th November 2009, 05:08 PM

Treason? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...e-emperor.html

I wouldn't call it treason at all, but that's what the extremist conservatives are calling it. On the other hand, it does look a little too eager.

tyr_13 · 16th November 2009, 05:17 PM

Wait, what? Seriously? No joke?

Ziggurat · 16th November 2009, 05:19 PM

One idiot blogger used the word "treasonous". So the hell what?

Bowing is a traditional Japanese greeting, and there's nothing wrong with doing it: unlike with the Saudi Arabia thing, there's no implicit obeisance or subservience involved. So it's not at all an equivalent situation. But it was badly performed and the attempt to combine it with a handshake awkward, and it made him look clueless. Kind of like giving Gordon Brown region-1 DVD's.

Unabogie · 16th November 2009, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Ziggurat

One idiot blogger used the word "treasonous". So the hell what?

Bowing is a traditional Japanese greeting, and there's nothing wrong with doing it: unlike with the Saudi Arabia thing, there's no implicit obeisance or subservience involved. So it's not at all an equivalent situation. But it was badly performed and the attempt to combine it with a handshake awkward, and it made him look clueless. Kind of like giving Gordon Brown region-1 DVD's.

I agree with you totally. Obama embarrassed himself here. He should have puked on him.

Eyeron · 16th November 2009, 05:43 PM

The ****?

Bowing in Japan is a sign of respect, and has nothing to do with treason.

ARubberChickenWithAPulley · 16th November 2009, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ziggurat

Bowing is a traditional Japanese greeting, and there's nothing wrong with doing it: unlike with the Saudi Arabia thing, there's no implicit obeisance or subservience involved. So it's not at all an equivalent situation. But it was badly performed and the attempt to combine it with a handshake awkward, and it made him look clueless. Kind of like giving Gordon Brown region-1 DVD's.

I disagree to an extent: not all bowing is equal in Japan. Bowing as low as he did (basically 90 degrees) is typically done to express subservience, particularly if you do it to someone like the Emperor. It's not something I would expect a foreign leader to do in Japan. If he wanted to bow to show respect for Japanese culture, a shallower bow would have been more appropriate, IMO.

Regardless, it certainly isn't "treason." It's barely even newsworthy.

ksbluesfan · 16th November 2009, 05:52 PM

He was trying to do the proper formal thing, but he blew it.

Is every meaningless gaff going to trigger calls of treason or for impeachment? How silly.

Thunder · 16th November 2009, 06:01 PM

Just another non-issue for conservatives to get excited about....and look stupid over.

Unabogie · 16th November 2009, 06:03 PM

As I wrote in another thread:

Quote:

Modern conservatism. No nit too small to pick.

Seriously, don't you conservatives understand that by ginning up perpetual outrage you are destroying your credibility and your ability to be heard on valid criticisms?

Hyperbole for the sake of political gamesmanship doesn't help your cause, nor does it help the country.

In fact, I didn't even click the link. This nonsense just makes my head hurt.

Then I wrote:

Quote:

If not, then why should I give a crap about yet another manufactured outrage when this one will be forgotten just in time for tomorrow's next manufactured outrage?

Can people really keep this up for eight years?

The Fool · 16th November 2009, 06:06 PM

It seems to me plainly obvious he should have been fitted with some for of wooden frame to limit his bowing angle to that which the Entire spectrum of US Citizens are happy with....personally I'm a 65 to 75 degree sort of guy where emperors are concerned.

ksbluesfan · 16th November 2009, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Unabogie

Can people really keep this up for eight years?

Eight years? This has been going on since 1995.

Thunder · 16th November 2009, 06:10 PM

Forget bowing to human beings, how about the President of the USA bowing before a 2,000 year old wall!!!

This, my friends, is TRUE treason!!!!

Cobalt · 16th November 2009, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by parky76

Forget bowing to human beings, how about the President of the USA bowing before a 2,000 year old wall!!!

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4596271_n.jpg

This, my friends, is TRUE treason!!!!

Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Is no thread immune to something Isreal/Jew/Arab/Etc related with you?

Cain · 16th November 2009, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Unabogie

If not, then why should I give a crap about yet another manufactured outrage when this one will be forgotten just in time for tomorrow's next manufactured outrage

Oh, it almost me long for Katrina incompetence, the Patriot Act, tax cuts for the rich and an illegal invasion based on lies.

Thunder · 16th November 2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Cobalt

Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Is no thread immune to something Isreal/Jew/Arab/Etc related with you?

dude....this is a picture of Bush bowing his head to the Western Wall. no conservatives thought it was treasonous for their love-child to show respect for a chunk of stone.

so why do they care if Obama bows before a politically impotent Emporer?

and by the way, get a grip man.

eeyore1954 · 16th November 2009, 06:25 PM

Clearly a case of the Steve Malzbergs of the world looking for anything to hate President Obama for. When there is nothing there. 17 page thread on the Hannity forum about this "despicable" act

quarky · 16th November 2009, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by The Fool

It seems to me plainly obvious he should have been fitted with some for of wooden frame to limit his bowing angle to that which the Entire spectrum of US Citizens are happy with....personally I'm a 65 to 75 degree sort of guy where emperors are concerned.

Me too. Unless they're in a wheelchair, in which case, neither emperor should bow. To get your head below the level of the wheel-chair emperor's head would take a very supple back, which lots of old people lack.

Its probably just Obama's "step and fetchit" genes that instinctively tell him to bow down low. Its part of the deal with a negro president; same with decent hoops skills, and none for bowling.

It would matter to me if the Japanese asked him to bow down. I wouldn't like being told to do that, but it would come easy otherwise, like being extra gracious when you stay at a friend's house.

eeyore1954 · 16th November 2009, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by parky76

dude....this is a picture of Bush bowing his head to the Western Wall. no conservatives thought it was treasonous for their love-child to show respect for a chunk of stone.

so why do they care if Obama bows before a politically impotent Emporer?

and by the way, get a grip man.

Isn't he praying at the wall that many go to pray at

Peephole · 16th November 2009, 06:33 PM

I wanted to add "bowing for people" to my list of grave offences according to right-wingers (work in progress I started in a different thread about some other nontroversy), but apparently it was already on there! I guess they're at least consistent.

Treasonous acts:

-Having too few female golf partners.
-Giving encouraging speeches to children.
-Reading prepared speeches (from a teleprompter!).
-Fistbumping people.
-Bowing for people.
-Appointing executive branch officials.
-Trying to help American cities win their olympic bids.
-Having a Kenyan father.
-Accepting a Nobel Peace Prize.
-Giving out DVD's with the wrong region code.
-Congratulating Presidential Medal of Freedom winners.

Thunder · 16th November 2009, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by eeyore1954

Isn't he praying at the wall that many go to pray at

oh, so its ok to be submissive to Jewish inanimate objects but not to politically impotent Emporers??????

again, as I said, this whole thing is just another non-issue that makes Conservatives look like bigoted nuts, and will help health-care reform get passed.

tyr_13 · 16th November 2009, 06:40 PM

That isn't even a ninety degree bend! Even if it were, the Emperor is, small. Everyone is supposed to bow lower than the Emperor. If the Emperor was trying to be a dick, he would have bowed lower himself.

The mistake was combining the bow with the handshake. It's hardly a problem worth nothing besides to tell people, "when in Japan, never combine a handshake with a bow."

During most interactions, a small polite bow is enough, but for the Emperor? How is this even a criticism?

Praktik · 16th November 2009, 06:42 PM

This is the kind of story that makes you proud to be not American.

It really is a silly story and it says more about the mindset of the demographic pumping it than it does about anything based in reality.

Thunder · 16th November 2009, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Praktik

This is the kind of story that makes you proud to be not American.

or proud to be one of the many Americans who see how stupid this truly is.

Eyeron · 16th November 2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

How is this even a criticism?

The American President is supposed to be God, subservient to no one, and perfect in every way shape or form and everything must be scrutinized and any error must be blown out of proportion

But I think they're just trying to get back at liberals for constantly ragging on Bush for not being able to say nuclear right. Why this even made it into a movie that he couldn't say the word right.

No, this is not logical.

Praktik · 16th November 2009, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by parky76

or proud to be one of the many Americans who see how stupid this truly is.

Hehe ya, I don't paint the whole place with one brush.

But we all look at ways to root for the home team and sometimes that means mocking other countries or seeing something there that makes you think: "glad that's not something that can happen here."

ARubberChickenWithAPulley · 16th November 2009, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by tyr_13

That isn't even a ninety degree bend! Even if it were, the Emperor is, small. Everyone is supposed to bow lower than the Emperor. If the Emperor was trying to be a dick, he would have bowed lower himself.

Japanese citizens are supposed to bow lower than the Emperor (because they are, at least in principle, subservient), not foreign leaders. His bow was low and slow and... well, pretty much how someone in a subservient position in Japan would bow.

And how would the Emperor be a dick by bowing lower? Heck, he didn't bow at all that I could see.

Originally Posted by tyr_13

The mistake was combining the bow with the handshake. It's hardly a problem worth nothing besides to tell people, "when in Japan, never combine a handshake with a bow."

My father-in-law bows and shakes my hand at the same time, but yeah it's not great form in general, particularly in a formal situation.

Originally Posted by tyr_13

During most interactions, a small polite bow is enough, but for the Emperor? How is this even a criticism?

Because he's not Obama's Emperor, he's the emperor of the Japan. They are dignitaries meeting on an equal footing.

I understand the criticism. I think in principle it's valid. I also think it isn't remotely important. It was, IMO, a minor faux-pas that deserves maybe a small chuckle and that's about it.

MontagK505 · 16th November 2009, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by parky76

dude....this is a picture of Bush bowing his head to the Western Wall. no conservatives thought it was treasonous for their love-child to show respect for a chunk of stone.

so why do they care if Obama bows before a politically impotent Emporer?

and by the way, get a grip man.

Pehaps Bush was thinking "Why do my PR people have me standing here?"

eeyore1954 · 16th November 2009, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Peephole

I wanted to add "bowing for people" to my list of grave offences according to right-wingers (work in progress I started in a different thread about some other nontroversy), but apparently it was already on there! I guess they're at least consistent.

Treasonous acts:

-Having too few female golf partners.
-Giving encouraging speeches to children.
-Reading prepared speeches (from a teleprompter!).
-Fistbumping people.
-Bowing for people.
-Appointing executive branch officials.
-Trying to help American cities win their olympic bids.
-Having a Kenyan father.
-Accepting a Nobel Peace Prize.
-Giving out DVD's with the wrong region code.
-Congratulating Presidential Medal of Freedom winners.

did you forget oogling that attrative girl?

Travis · 16th November 2009, 07:06 PM

I'm beginning to think the ultra-right wing bloggers are actually Liberal plants. Surely the extreme right isn't this crazy? Right?

Upchurch · 16th November 2009, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Richard Masters

I wouldn't call it treason at all, but that's what the extremist conservatives are calling it. On the other hand, it does look a little too eager.

Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor.

...wait for it.

...click on the bunny

Peephole · 16th November 2009, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by eeyore1954

did you forget oogling that attrative girl?

That's more of an item for the made up stuff list.

Thunder · 16th November 2009, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Upchurch

Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor.

sweet Jesus!!!!! Not tricky Dick!!!!!

Peephole · 16th November 2009, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Upchurch

Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor.

...wait for it.

...click on the bunny

First the singing children, now the bowing.

Is he ... the black Nixon?

Better lock up your hotel rooms, Republicans!

Tailgater · 16th November 2009, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by Upchurch

Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor.

...wait for it.

...click on the bunny

I don't care that Obama bowed. I think it was very respectful, even if done wrong. However, those are very different pictures. I'm not even sure he's bowing. They are looking at each other in the eyes.

hgc · 16th November 2009, 07:23 PM

Bow? Meh. Unless Obama mowed his lawn, I don't want to hear about it.

theprestige · 16th November 2009, 07:25 PM

Presented without comment:

Other heads of state greeting the Emperor of Japan.

Barack Obama greeting the Emperor of Japan.

Tailgater · 16th November 2009, 07:25 PM

At least he didn't try to give his wife a neck massage at dinner.

David Wong · 16th November 2009, 07:27 PM

There's no question this started with Clinton, and continued with the other side right through Bush (hey, I saw many a liberal blog screaming HITLER SALUTE!!!! every time George W Bush forgot to raise his hand all the way when he waved) but it's clearly ineffective. Crying "wolf" about every little thing renders the public deaf to the real criticisms when they're due.

And it's clearly ineffective; Clinton got re-elected, Bush got re-elected. It doesn't work, it drowns your message in noise. I don't know why they keep doing it.

It rallies the core 35% and annoys everybody else.

quarky · 16th November 2009, 07:31 PM

I feel blessed that he didn't give the guy a hummer. That would be awkward, for me, as an American, to handle with grace.

Cobalt · 16th November 2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by parky76

dude....this is a picture of Bush bowing his head to the Western Wall. no conservatives thought it was treasonous for their love-child to show respect for a chunk of stone.

Great, not the point.

Originally Posted by parky76

so why do they care if Obama bows before a politically impotent Emporer?

I don't read minds, so I don't know. As someone who isn't a Dem, I couldn't care less.

Originally Posted by parky76

and by the way, get a grip man.

Cute.

16th November 2009, 05:08 PM	#1
Richard Masters Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,030	Obama bows to Japanese Emperor Treason? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...e-emperor.html I wouldn't call it treason at all, but that's what the extremist conservatives are calling it. On the other hand, it does look a little too eager.

16th November 2009, 05:17 PM	#2
tyr_13 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Falconer, NY Posts: 9,666	Wait, what? Seriously? No joke?
	__________________ Circled nothing is still nothing. "Nothing will stop the U.S. from being a world leader, not even a handful of adults who want their kids to take science lessons from a book that mentions unicorns six times." -UNLoVedRebel Mumpsimus: a stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong

16th November 2009, 05:19 PM	#3
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,199	One idiot blogger used the word "treasonous". So the hell what? Bowing is a traditional Japanese greeting, and there's nothing wrong with doing it: unlike with the Saudi Arabia thing, there's no implicit obeisance or subservience involved. So it's not at all an equivalent situation. But it was badly performed and the attempt to combine it with a handshake awkward, and it made him look clueless. Kind of like giving Gordon Brown region-1 DVD's.
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

16th November 2009, 05:43 PM	#5
Eyeron Guest Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,774	The ****? Bowing in Japan is a sign of respect, and has nothing to do with treason.
Eyeron Guest Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,774

16th November 2009, 05:45 PM	#6
ARubberChickenWithAPulley Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,152	Originally Posted by Ziggurat Bowing is a traditional Japanese greeting, and there's nothing wrong with doing it: unlike with the Saudi Arabia thing, there's no implicit obeisance or subservience involved. So it's not at all an equivalent situation. But it was badly performed and the attempt to combine it with a handshake awkward, and it made him look clueless. Kind of like giving Gordon Brown region-1 DVD's. I disagree to an extent: not all bowing is equal in Japan. Bowing as low as he did (basically 90 degrees) is typically done to express subservience, particularly if you do it to someone like the Emperor. It's not something I would expect a foreign leader to do in Japan. If he wanted to bow to show respect for Japanese culture, a shallower bow would have been more appropriate, IMO. Regardless, it certainly isn't "treason." It's barely even newsworthy.
	Last edited by ARubberChickenWithAPulley; 16th November 2009 at 05:46 PM.

16th November 2009, 05:33 PM	#4
Unabogie Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 5,852	Originally Posted by Ziggurat One idiot blogger used the word "treasonous". So the hell what? Bowing is a traditional Japanese greeting, and there's nothing wrong with doing it: unlike with the Saudi Arabia thing, there's no implicit obeisance or subservience involved. So it's not at all an equivalent situation. But it was badly performed and the attempt to combine it with a handshake awkward, and it made him look clueless. Kind of like giving Gordon Brown region-1 DVD's. I agree with you totally. Obama embarrassed himself here. He should have puked on him.

16th November 2009, 05:52 PM	#7
ksbluesfan Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,384	He was trying to do the proper formal thing, but he blew it. Is every meaningless gaff going to trigger calls of treason or for impeachment? How silly.

16th November 2009, 06:01 PM	#8
Thunder Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens Posts: 34,947	Just another non-issue for conservatives to get excited about....and look stupid over.

16th November 2009, 06:03 PM	#9
Unabogie Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 5,852	As I wrote in another thread: Quote: Modern conservatism. No nit too small to pick. Seriously, don't you conservatives understand that by ginning up perpetual outrage you are destroying your credibility and your ability to be heard on valid criticisms? Hyperbole for the sake of political gamesmanship doesn't help your cause, nor does it help the country. In fact, I didn't even click the link. This nonsense just makes my head hurt. Then I wrote: Quote: If not, then why should I give a crap about yet another manufactured outrage when this one will be forgotten just in time for tomorrow's next manufactured outrage? Can people really keep this up for eight years?

16th November 2009, 06:06 PM	#10
The Fool Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 11,558	It seems to me plainly obvious he should have been fitted with some for of wooden frame to limit his bowing angle to that which the Entire spectrum of US Citizens are happy with....personally I'm a 65 to 75 degree sort of guy where emperors are concerned.
	__________________ And what is good, Phaedrus,and what is not good. Need we ask anyone to tell us these things? R. M. Pirsig. (Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance) Lose half your IQ....Ask me how.

16th November 2009, 06:08 PM	#11
ksbluesfan Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,384	Originally Posted by Unabogie Can people really keep this up for eight years? Eight years? This has been going on since 1995.

16th November 2009, 06:10 PM	#12
Thunder Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens Posts: 34,947	Forget bowing to human beings, how about the President of the USA bowing before a 2,000 year old wall!!! This, my friends, is TRUE treason!!!!

16th November 2009, 06:17 PM	#13
Cobalt Tobikan Judan Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,631	Originally Posted by parky76 Forget bowing to human beings, how about the President of the USA bowing before a 2,000 year old wall!!! http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4596271_n.jpg This, my friends, is TRUE treason!!!! Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Is no thread immune to something Isreal/Jew/Arab/Etc related with you?
Cobalt Tobikan Judan Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,631	__________________ professional griefer

16th November 2009, 06:19 PM	#14
Cain Straussian Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,937	Originally Posted by Unabogie If not, then why should I give a crap about yet another manufactured outrage when this one will be forgotten just in time for tomorrow's next manufactured outrage Oh, it almost me long for Katrina incompetence, the Patriot Act, tax cuts for the rich and an illegal invasion based on lies.
	__________________ *Arrested Development* is coming back! Michael (to GOB): Get rid of the Seaward. Lucille: I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.

16th November 2009, 06:21 PM	#15
Thunder Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens Posts: 34,947	Originally Posted by Cobalt Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Is no thread immune to something Isreal/Jew/Arab/Etc related with you? dude....this is a picture of Bush bowing his head to the Western Wall. no conservatives thought it was treasonous for their love-child to show respect for a chunk of stone. so why do they care if Obama bows before a politically impotent Emporer? and by the way, get a grip man.

16th November 2009, 06:25 PM	#16
eeyore1954 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,121	Clearly a case of the Steve Malzbergs of the world looking for anything to hate President Obama for. When there is nothing there. 17 page thread on the Hannity forum about this "despicable" act
eeyore1954 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,121

16th November 2009, 06:28 PM	#17
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454	Originally Posted by The Fool It seems to me plainly obvious he should have been fitted with some for of wooden frame to limit his bowing angle to that which the Entire spectrum of US Citizens are happy with....personally I'm a 65 to 75 degree sort of guy where emperors are concerned. Me too. Unless they're in a wheelchair, in which case, neither emperor should bow. To get your head below the level of the wheel-chair emperor's head would take a very supple back, which lots of old people lack. Its probably just Obama's "step and fetchit" genes that instinctively tell him to bow down low. Its part of the deal with a negro president; same with decent hoops skills, and none for bowling. It would matter to me if the Japanese asked him to bow down. I wouldn't like being told to do that, but it would come easy otherwise, like being extra gracious when you stay at a friend's house.
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454

16th November 2009, 06:28 PM	#18
eeyore1954 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,121	Originally Posted by parky76 dude....this is a picture of Bush bowing his head to the Western Wall. no conservatives thought it was treasonous for their love-child to show respect for a chunk of stone. so why do they care if Obama bows before a politically impotent Emporer? and by the way, get a grip man. Isn't he praying at the wall that many go to pray at
eeyore1954 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,121

16th November 2009, 06:33 PM	#19
Peephole Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,245	I wanted to add "bowing for people" to my list of grave offences according to right-wingers (work in progress I started in a different thread about some other nontroversy), but apparently it was already on there! I guess they're at least consistent. Treasonous acts: -Having too few female golf partners. -Giving encouraging speeches to children. -Reading prepared speeches (from a teleprompter!). -Fistbumping people. -Bowing for people. -Appointing executive branch officials. -Trying to help American cities win their olympic bids. -Having a Kenyan father. -Accepting a Nobel Peace Prize. -Giving out DVD's with the wrong region code. -Congratulating Presidential Medal of Freedom winners.
Peephole Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,245	__________________ 911science Last edited by Peephole; 16th November 2009 at 06:37 PM.

16th November 2009, 06:36 PM	#20
Thunder Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens Posts: 34,947	Originally Posted by eeyore1954 Isn't he praying at the wall that many go to pray at oh, so its ok to be submissive to Jewish inanimate objects but not to politically impotent Emporers?????? again, as I said, this whole thing is just another non-issue that makes Conservatives look like bigoted nuts, and will help health-care reform get passed.

16th November 2009, 06:40 PM	#21
tyr_13 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Falconer, NY Posts: 9,666	That isn't even a ninety degree bend! Even if it were, the Emperor is, small. Everyone is supposed to bow lower than the Emperor. If the Emperor was trying to be a dick, he would have bowed lower himself. The mistake was combining the bow with the handshake. It's hardly a problem worth nothing besides to tell people, "when in Japan, never combine a handshake with a bow." During most interactions, a small polite bow is enough, but for the Emperor? How is this even a criticism?
	__________________ Circled nothing is still nothing. "Nothing will stop the U.S. from being a world leader, not even a handful of adults who want their kids to take science lessons from a book that mentions unicorns six times." -UNLoVedRebel Mumpsimus: a stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong

16th November 2009, 06:42 PM	#22
Praktik Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tee Dot Posts: 4,245	This is the kind of story that makes you proud to be not American. It really is a silly story and it says more about the mindset of the demographic pumping it than it does about anything based in reality.
	__________________ “ it has become my conviction that things mean pretty much what we want them to mean. We’ll pluck significance from the least consequential happenstance if it suits us and happily ignore the most flagrantly obvious symmetry between separate aspects of our lives if it threatens some cherished prejudice or cosily comforting belief" -Iain Banks

16th November 2009, 06:45 PM	#23
Thunder Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens Posts: 34,947	Originally Posted by Praktik This is the kind of story that makes you proud to be not American. or proud to be one of the many Americans who see how stupid this truly is.

16th November 2009, 06:47 PM	#24
Eyeron Guest Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,774	Quote: How is this even a criticism? The American President is supposed to be God, subservient to no one, and perfect in every way shape or form and everything must be scrutinized and any error must be blown out of proportion But I think they're just trying to get back at liberals for constantly ragging on Bush for not being able to say nuclear right. Why this even made it into a movie that he couldn't say the word right. No, this is not logical.
Eyeron Guest Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,774

16th November 2009, 06:47 PM	#25
Praktik Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tee Dot Posts: 4,245	Originally Posted by parky76 or proud to be one of the many Americans who see how stupid this truly is. Hehe ya, I don't paint the whole place with one brush. But we all look at ways to root for the home team and sometimes that means mocking other countries or seeing something there that makes you think: "glad that's not something that can happen here."
	__________________ “ it has become my conviction that things mean pretty much what we want them to mean. We’ll pluck significance from the least consequential happenstance if it suits us and happily ignore the most flagrantly obvious symmetry between separate aspects of our lives if it threatens some cherished prejudice or cosily comforting belief" -Iain Banks

16th November 2009, 06:50 PM	#26
ARubberChickenWithAPulley Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,152	Originally Posted by tyr_13 That isn't even a ninety degree bend! Even if it were, the Emperor is, small. Everyone is supposed to bow lower than the Emperor. If the Emperor was trying to be a dick, he would have bowed lower himself. Japanese citizens are supposed to bow lower than the Emperor (because they are, at least in principle, subservient), not foreign leaders. His bow was low and slow and... well, pretty much how someone in a subservient position in Japan would bow. And how would the Emperor be a dick by bowing lower? Heck, he didn't bow at all that I could see. Originally Posted by tyr_13 The mistake was combining the bow with the handshake. It's hardly a problem worth nothing besides to tell people, "when in Japan, never combine a handshake with a bow." My father-in-law bows and shakes my hand at the same time, but yeah it's not great form in general, particularly in a formal situation. Originally Posted by tyr_13 During most interactions, a small polite bow is enough, but for the Emperor? How is this even a criticism? Because he's not Obama's Emperor, he's the emperor of the Japan. They are dignitaries meeting on an equal footing. I understand the criticism. I think in principle it's valid. I also think it isn't remotely important. It was, IMO, a minor faux-pas that deserves maybe a small chuckle and that's about it.
	Last edited by ARubberChickenWithAPulley; 16th November 2009 at 06:55 PM.

16th November 2009, 06:53 PM	#27
MontagK505 Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Peoples Republick of Kalifornia Posts: 1,800	Originally Posted by parky76 dude....this is a picture of Bush bowing his head to the Western Wall. no conservatives thought it was treasonous for their love-child to show respect for a chunk of stone. so why do they care if Obama bows before a politically impotent Emporer? and by the way, get a grip man. Pehaps Bush was thinking "Why do my PR people have me standing here?"

16th November 2009, 07:03 PM	#28
eeyore1954 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,121	Originally Posted by Peephole I wanted to add "bowing for people" to my list of grave offences according to right-wingers (work in progress I started in a different thread about some other nontroversy), but apparently it was already on there! I guess they're at least consistent. Treasonous acts: -Having too few female golf partners. -Giving encouraging speeches to children. -Reading prepared speeches (from a teleprompter!). -Fistbumping people. -Bowing for people. -Appointing executive branch officials. -Trying to help American cities win their olympic bids. -Having a Kenyan father. -Accepting a Nobel Peace Prize. -Giving out DVD's with the wrong region code. -Congratulating Presidential Medal of Freedom winners. did you forget oogling that attrative girl?
eeyore1954 Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,121

16th November 2009, 07:06 PM	#29
Travis Misanthrope of the Mountains Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tuolumne City, CA Posts: 17,944	I'm beginning to think the ultra-right wing bloggers are actually Liberal plants. Surely the extreme right isn't this crazy? Right?
	__________________ "Because WE ARE IGNORANT OF 911 FACTS, WE DEMAND PROOF" -- Douglas Herman on Rense.com Zingiber Officinale The Humor blog of some not crazy guy

16th November 2009, 07:06 PM	#30
Upchurch Papa Funkosophy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Funky Town (STL, MO) Posts: 23,426	Originally Posted by Richard Masters I wouldn't call it treason at all, but that's what the extremist conservatives are calling it. On the other hand, it does look a little too eager. Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor. ...wait for it. ...click on the bunny

16th November 2009, 07:06 PM	#31
Peephole Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,245	Originally Posted by eeyore1954 did you forget oogling that attrative girl? That's more of an item for the made up stuff list.
Peephole Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,245	__________________ 911science

16th November 2009, 07:08 PM	#32
Thunder Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens Posts: 34,947	Originally Posted by Upchurch Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor. sweet Jesus!!!!! Not tricky Dick!!!!!

16th November 2009, 07:13 PM	#33
Peephole Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,245	Originally Posted by Upchurch Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor. ...wait for it. ...click on the bunny First the singing children, now the bowing. Is he ... the black Nixon? Better lock up your hotel rooms, Republicans!
Peephole Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,245	__________________ 911science

16th November 2009, 07:16 PM	#34
Tailgater Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,212	Originally Posted by Upchurch Well, no conservative President would bow to the Japanese Emperor. ...wait for it. ...click on the bunny I don't care that Obama bowed. I think it was very respectful, even if done wrong. However, those are very different pictures. I'm not even sure he's bowing. They are looking at each other in the eyes.
Tailgater Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,212

16th November 2009, 07:23 PM	#35
hgc Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 13,014	Bow? Meh. Unless Obama mowed his lawn, I don't want to hear about it.
	__________________ Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse assail him and wail him with monster truck force. - Cake, The Distance Was there a second singer on the grassy Knowles? - Stephen Colbert