Why Does Obama Bow Like a Weakling?

I apologize; for my post came a little late. I was referring to the meeting with H.I.M. Emperor Akihito.

[edit on 13-4-2010 by Darcia]

Originally posted by Matrix Rising
reply to post by David9176

 

That means nothing.

We are not talking about Bush.

This is why people who are political sheep are truly sad. When Bush was in office I went after Bush for a lot of things. I didn't like his big borrowing and spending and his decision to go to Iraq.

With that said, this has nothing to do with Bush.

So Democrat sycophants, stop bringing up Bush when you can't defend Obama.

"political sheep"? That's a new one.

It sounds as though you are the political sheep here.

When did you become so blinded as to think that politicians had any real bearing on your life anyway?

I for one used to be well into politics, and even stood for election a number of times.

I then woke up, and realised that it is a lot of pomp and plenty of circumstance.

None of it means anything, except to those suffering mental delusions.

Politics is nothing, it means nothing, and should be disgrearded.

If you really want to make a difference, get out into your community, do something wonderful. Help the old lady up the road get her shopping home. Give the little lad next door a hand fixing his bike. Drop a food parcel round to the family that can't afford to eat this week... That is where change comes from - YOU!.

Get this deluded notion that politicians are going to fix things out of your head. Only people like us can change things. Only our actions can change things.

You is where it needs to start, and others will see your example, and do the same.

It's not rocket science.

Obama bowing... what a joke! Get off it, it's wasting time, and all the while you are doing nothing to improve your community.

Peace.

reply to post by Darcia


No problem. Bowing is a acceptable form of greeting in Japan.
I have no problem with Obama bowing to the Japanese Emperor, especially when you consider the Emperors age.



[edit on 4/13/2010 by Sparky63]

Thank you Sparky. Indeed, bowing is a different matter in China, it can be hard to know when the right moment arrises and also how deep a bow should be. It also changes on the region and local customs, so I cannot push forward an opinion on Obama and the Chinese president. However, such matters really are not a major concern, and there are far bigger issues that need to be looked at. I do not understand why everyone cares so much on this topic.

reply to post by Darcia


I only know this because I have about 200 Chinese employees in Beijing and have traveled back and forth for about 10 years.

Before that I was clueless as to the differences in Chinese & Japanese culture. I am still fairly clueless about Japanese etiquette.

As a scholar of Confucius I am well versed in Asian culture, and my homeland shares much with them. However the vast extent of the world’s traditions can make it hard for anyone, so I would not blame the president but instead his cultural advisor for any mistakes made.

[edit on 13-4-2010 by Darcia]

I just saw Obama on the evening news going on about the dangers of Uranium, and how much damage a ball of uranium the size of a apple could do. So why then did just about every round fired off in Iraq contain depleted Uranium. What a hypocrite.

Bowing to a Chinese person, especially when your in the presence of higher up officials, is seen as almost the highest form of respest...


If you knew that, you wouldn't have made this thread.

I would do excactly the same in his shoes, so just give the guy a break.
People are losing respect for everyone now-a-days, so it's nice to see some respect is still going around.

EDIT: And also, if the biggest dig at Obama you can come up with is the way he bows and how often he does it, just goes to show you're REALLY running out of Ideas to bring this guy down.

[edit on 19 13uTuesday10 20 by vanhippi]

This is probably so old now, but this is the most annoying thing about Americans. YOU are not the be all and end all in the world. President Obama is just RESPECTING the traditions of the fellow countries that he is hosting. Bowing is just the same as a hand shake in some cultures.
Seriously, stop thinking because your leader seems to be weak, it means that you're country is weak. He knows what he's doing. This man Knows more than you will ever WANT to know. The land of the free is just that, if you just let it.

Originally posted by Darcia
In international relations the correct hierarchy is that emperor outranks president. Not just that fact, but Obama was on the emperor’s homeland, thus even more respect is required. The United States is not, contrary to what many believe, the most powerful nation in the world, and has no more rights than any other to violate court protocol. Bowing is a sign of reverence, if you fail to accept other nation’s cultures then do not be concerned when they do not invite your president back for diplomatic talks. Do you wish your president to be treated as a child, or as an adult? I apologize for my sharp tone, but some of the comments written here are most distasteful and show a lack of respect for both culture and proper court protocol.

WRONG! They were in Washington, D.C.!

Because he bowed you ASSUME that he is in China?! You have proven the point many have made here.

Seriously, what made you draw that conclusion that they were in China. I'm curious as to why you thought that.

edit to add that I see where someone also responded to this.

[edit on 13-4-2010 by Freenrgy2]

Originally posted by samstone
This is probably so old now, but this is the most annoying thing about Americans. YOU are not the be all and end all in the world. President Obama is just RESPECTING the traditions of the fellow countries that he is hosting. Bowing is just the same as a hand shake in some cultures.
Seriously, stop thinking because your leader seems to be weak, it means that you're country is weak. He knows what he's doing. This man Knows more than you will ever WANT to know. The land of the free is just that, if you just let it.

Gaaaa! This is crazy.

What tradition? Read the MANY posts here that have already addressed bowing as part of Chinese culture. And, he DIDN'T DO IT RIGHT! If the guy was going to honor traditions, surely he would know how to perform a proper bow, wouldn't he?

And IN CHINA, bowing IS NOT THE SAME AS A HANDSHAKE.

Leave your bias at the door and get the facts. It's like the blind leading the blind in here.

reply to post by Freenrgy2


Jesus H. Mary. What the hell is wrong with you people.

There are countless more important things.

Police State
Unconstitutional laws
Pedophilia in the church
Socialism on the horizon
Obama may be the antichrist..

AND YOU'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT HIM BOWING. AND YOU GUYS KEEP FURTHERING THE ARGUMENT.

No one should take any stance on this. I haven't I keep trying to reiterate, there's way more important crap to argue about.

THAN BOWING.

I'm American, and do you know what his bowing signifies to me? NOTHING. He bowed, and IDC because he's doing more stupid crap that actually effects me.

I'm going to take all of your soapboxes away until you learn to adequately use them.

Originally posted by Janky Red


[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/files/8199cc230c94e130.jpg[/atsimg]

I am really thinking someone got pregnant from this little rendezvous

Maybe if Obama give a reach around to Kim Jung

You moron, Bush was just locking lips, but he was not bowing, Bush was not weak enough to bow...

bowing is way worse

Originally posted by Janky Red

Originally posted by Janky Red


[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/files/8199cc230c94e130.jpg[/atsimg]

I am really thinking someone got pregnant from this little rendezvous

Maybe if Obama give a reach around to Kim Jung

You moron, Bush was just locking lips, but he was not bowing, Bush was not weak enough to bow...

bowing is way worse

And so what if the Iron Sheik gave him a gold necklace for a couple of pecks, its a free country. At least he's not weak!

Originally posted by David9176
Imagine if this was Obama.....what would those angry at Obama for bowing to Asian leaders say?

[edit on 13-4-2010 by David9176]

But Obama was just being weak

POTUS bows to no one

He probably thinks he is being polite and this will make foreigner leaders respect him. But there is a line between being polite and a sad attempt.

Originally posted by mryanbrown
I'm American, and do you know what his bowing signifies to me? NOTHING. He bowed, and IDC because he's doing more stupid crap that actually effects me.

What's stupid is the blatant support of a man who is destroying this country, coming in here supporting this "bow" because he's just showing 'repect'. But hey, show a picture of him sticking his finger in the Canadian PM's face and surely I've taken that out of context. Since when is pointing a sign of respect towards anyone?

And despite the numerous posts from those (including me) who would find fault with any POTUS who bows and posts detailing Chinese culture and bowing, you all still seem so intent to defend this as nothing more than an inocculous gesture of respect. BULLOCKS!

I'm going to take all of your soapboxes away until you learn to adequately use them.

I'd like to see you try.

P.S. I was bored and this was the most interesting thread today.

[edit on 13-4-2010 by Freenrgy2]

reply to post by Matrix Rising


It definitely IS a sign of weakness.. I could understand a slight bow, a nod of the head to show respect .. but a full on bow like this is.. well it's really weird. Politics aside.. I have to wonder WHY he does it? Was it something in his bringing up that he was taught to bow to everyone? Or perhaps he doesn't understand the subtle art of bowing? And it IS an art form.. there are certain levels you sometimes MUST and sometimes NEVER exceed when bowing, or else you show submission, disrespect, over respect etc.

For instance.. you NEVER bow lower than your counterpart of an equal station .. so bowing lower than any foreign leader is ignorant. Bowing to a major is so incredibly stupid I don't even know what to call it.. someone of a lower station bows to you, you don't bow to them?? It would be like a General walking into a barracks, while the men are at ease the General is at attention saluting and calling people sir.

I think he just lacks experience in dealing with foreign leaders.. no doubt he thinks he's doing something cool or correct.. he's acting like a complete tool. Bowing to the Chinese.. that's worse than the first lady trying to hug the Queen of England.

reply to post by Janky Red


The funnier video is at the bottom, at the end "Bush shaking his groove thang" .. freaking hilarious. Ah.. at least Bush was a riot to watch .. but even he sometimes held hands with princes, for long strolls at the ranch.

Don't think he ever bowed at a 90 degree angle though.

i'm afraid i could do little more than scan the last few pages.
i wouldn't say that i'm any friend of president obama, but i have a speck of maturity and can understand diplomacy when i see it.

as far as i can understand it, most people here seem to think that president obama (yes, i will honour that title) should plough into any country he pleases without fear or favour, ignoring that countries traditions wherever possible? ..he will NOT BOW TO ANY??

and he WILL be accepted? are you mad?

he is practising diplomacy. not a terribly american trait, if this thread can be believed: to ignore diplomacy and respect of other peoples traditions.
i don't believe that this is the way of the majority of the american people.

if the OP is to be believed, america should just disregard the laws and beliefs of any and every country and just dig-in.
i hope that makes everyone proud, maybe this is the attitude that has brought such a great country to its knees?

i will apologise for calling immaturity on this thread tho..we all been there.