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On President Obama's Bow to the Japanese Emperor, An Academic Friend Writes That Both the Left and the Right Are Wrong
November 15, 2009 2:53 PM
An old friend -- an academic with expertise about the Japanese Empire, and in general a supporter of President Obama -- sends me the following note, relating to photographs of President Obama bowing to Emperor Akihito of Japan.
"This picture shows two things," my friend writes.
"1) The 'right' is wrong about Obama's bow.
"2) The 'left' is wrong about Obama's bow.
"His bow is neither (1) unprecedented nor (2) a sign of cultural understanding.
...
"Obama's handshake/forward lurch was so jarring and inappropriate it recalls Bush's back-rub of Merkel.
"Kyodo News is running his appropriate and reciprocated nod and shake with the Empress, certainly to show the president as dignified, and not in the form of a first year English teacher trying to impress with Karate Kid-level knowledge of Japanese customs.
"The bow as he performed did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms....The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak looking American president and, again, in all ways, he unintentionally played that part.
"BTW, Obama's bow at Suntory Hall was much better. Correct angle, slight bow. His hands were wrong but the physical tone was correct and appropriate.
It sounds to me as though he was attempting to show an appreciation for the culture but was not well informed on how to do it. I'm no Obama fan but it just sounds to me as though he just botched it, not that he was intentionally showing weakness or submission. I'd liken it to a batter without timing or adequate hand-eye coordination. He knows what he's supposed to do(Swing the bat and hit the ball) but it doesn't turn out the way he expects it to when his time comes.
Originally posted by 317258186
So Obama botched something as simple as a bow, when millions of visitors does it right, and you STILL TRUST this man to lead a NATION?
What makes you think he won't botch the health care reform, the foreign policy, and the whole she-bang?
He botched it all right, all of it.
The Japanese themselves are embarrassed and refuse to watch this clip, I AM embarrassed and had to turn away every time it's played. Again, those of you who think it's just a sign of respect, well, I guess now I know whey Japanese thinks foreigners are crude and rude, because you have ZERO idea about the subtlety and nuance of asian culture.
Obaka, a new term for the tool of a prez, embarrasses his host country, and even perceived as mocking the culture when he does things like this.
Incompetent study even at such matter, he proved once again, he is just an empty suit.
Get this clown and his draq-queen-wife out of USA and to where they belong; Cuba, China, or Kenya. IF those countries even want them there ruining and apologizing on behalf of citizens there to the rest of the world.
I leave you with a chinese proverb: "The most dangerous person is a naive person with the best intention."
edited for spelling.
[edit on 16-11-2009 by 317258186]
[edit on 16-11-2009 by 317258186]
Ojigi (bowing) is an essential part of Japanese daily life. People bow when saying hello, thanking someone, apologizing, saying good-bye and introducing themselves. Although shaking hands (akushu) has become accepted as a form of greeting, many Japanese still are not used to it.
Originally posted by 317258186
Respect can be shown in simple and DIGNIFIED way without the possibility of being misconstrued as GROVELLING by, yes a shallow bow or a handshake. But that's not what he has done is it?
Next time you greet a Japanese, why don't you give him a deep bow, practice what you preach, hypocrites.
you are completely right.
Obama is this and that blah,blah, but he has manners. and i respect him gor that.
first US president that isn't hillbilly after long time
Originally posted by Max_TO
Does this matter ? Does this bother anyone to have there leader bowing to Royalty ? Is this , the bowing president , the only president that has bowed to royalty while holding office , or were there others that have done so but nothing was made of it ?
I could be wrong but I think I can remember Presidents bowing to the Pope on occasion , no ?
latimesblogs.latimes.com
(visit the link for the full news article)