i guess calling the right wing bullshit kabuki this time is redundant, eh?

Apparently the Republicans long for the days when the American president would greet the ruler of the longest continuous monarchy in the world by slapping him on the back and saying, "Hey there Ackky, how're they hangin'?"

I believe the proper protocol is for the president to vomit sushi on the prime minister.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnOnDatqENo

They better pace themselves or they are going to get burned out awfully early on. Remember our own outrage overload with Bush? They are going to peak way to soon if they persist with this silly shit.

Everybody knows proper diplomatic protocol for foreign leaders is to give them backrubs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dfrHT8o-0A

Old Reliable Fox News ran the photo- and then V.P. Cheney, erect, shaking hands with the Emperor. Much snarkiness followed, led by Ms. Cheney.

But my reaction to the photo of the V.P was to recall a solemn ceremony in Normany, when our National Representative to the occasion was dressed like someone doing yard work. . .

Doesn't anyone remember a place called Pearl Harbor?

Al - are you a Christian? Believe in redemption? My relatives died at Pearl Harbor. I've forgiven the Japanese, and I know my history enough to see yours contains short sighted bigotry! -Kevo

Thanks for thr great pics of Ike. They have been distributed accordingly.

It called courtesy and respect. Something the RepoTaliban doesn't understand.

When our leader is a guest in another country he should show respect for that countries cultural practices.
On the other hand I don't recall Daddy Bush or Reagan kissing any other man on the lips, so I kind of think that a Dubya thing.

This is just another in what is certain to be a 4 year bitchathon from the Republicans.

Doesn't anyone remember a place called Pearl Harbor?
Posted by: Al

Of course, but what's your point?
We should nuke Japan, again an kill a couple 100K more civilians? For what purpose?
And do it even though Japan has been a steadfast ally for half a century and is an important stratigic military buffer and jumping off point against N. Korea, China and the former USSR?

Now look, the Rage Machine MUST be stoked. If the mouth-breathers aren't given something all neatly packaged to be furious about, then they get all disappointed and deflated and demoralized, and then they turn off politics entirely and Republicans don't get elected. Or worse, they find something THEMSELVES to get angry about, and if that's, say, executive compensation, or financial industry overreaching, then things get even worse.

So there will ALWAYS be something. Even if it's the failure of Obama's dog to wear a flag pin. ("Does he think his dog is so special? After all, it's not even an AMERICAN Water Dog, so the LEAST he could do is show a little patriotism! And why is he taking time to walk the dog anyway, when our brave soldiers are dying for freedom in Afghanistan?")

Better liberals, please.

Everyone knows the correct protocol when meeting the Prime Minister of Japan is to vomit on him. But not Obama. Oh, no. He's much too busy appeasing people to puke on them like a real man.

I've always wondered about kissing the pope's ring. Do presidents do that? I'd smack that old fool in the face before I'd kiss his ring.

Better conservatives, please.

After the last bowing incident, did you think FOX and friends would miss doing an encore? Please.

Bowing and kissing rings is actually a huge improvement over watching Rethug Retards kissing Limbaugh's ass.

Let's set aside the possibility that this is nothing more than manufactured outrage for political gain.

It would seem to me that the only people who would worry about such things are those insecure and doubtful about their own strength, and would therefore be desperate to project the impression of strength.

But someone confident in his own strength would have no problem indulging the conceits of another, especially in such a trivial matter.

Wow Al-Does anyone remember the revolutionary war? Damn those English or WWII screw those Germans. Hell what about Italy they were on the Germans and Japanese side. What the fuck don't forget Canada they were with the British in the revolution. Mexico,Spain, Panama, Vietnam and what the hell let's not forget those evil bastards in Granada.

I love the fact that he showed the picture of Dick not bowing. It's Dick that's the rude asshole.

You know I bet the wingnuts are going to have a field day over the Asian economic meetings where all the foreign leaders wear the same elaborate costume.

Quick question on protocol.

The president bows to the Japanese when he visits Japan because that's how people greet each other in Japan. So, does that mean that when Japanese diplomats and politicians come to Washington that they shake hands as that is OUR customary greeting?

Oh, DAY@10.15a - wasn't Cheney wearing outdoor wear at the ceremony marking the anniversary of liberation at Auchwitz? Or was he doing the same thing at a ceremony at Normandy, too?

"a little knowledge is a dangerous thing"

And that is all I have about things Japanese. I believe that the degree of your bow is indicative of status. Therefore Obama shouldn't have bowed so low. However, I believe the Japanese will simply see this as 1 allowances have to be made for ignorant foreigners 2 that he bowed at all will be seen as positive and friendly act showing respect for Japan and its people

At least he didn't hold his hand and go tip-toeing off like Bush and the Saudi

At this rate the Right-wing Outrage Manufacturing Machine is going to break before too long.

A joke:

President Obama meets Emperor Akihito. He says to the Emperor, "I bring you warm greetings from the American people, Emperor. I also bring you greetings from my predecessor, President George W. Bush."

The Emperor says, "George W. Bush. Ah so."

Obama says, "I thought you spoke English, Emperor Akihito."

The Emperor says, "I am fluent in English, Mister President."

johnnycanuck, there are several bows in Japanese, e.g., the bow of a superior, the bow of an equal, the bow of an inferior, the bow to show condolence, and the bow to show contrition. But the Emperor gets his own bow (just like his own grammar), and it's very deep.

The president bows to the Japanese when he visits Japan because that's how people greet each other in Japan. So, does that mean that when Japanese diplomats and politicians come to Washington that they shake hands as that is OUR customary greeting?

Generally, yes. Actually, I believe it's a combination of the two -- they bow and then shake hands. At least, that's how the people who visit our office from our Japan offices do it.

I remember Ike coluld not visit Japan due to 1/2 million demonstrating in Tokyo, against his visit. I also remember another Republican President visiting Japan, and puking on a couple of Japanese Officials.

Now a right winger, with a displlay of ignorance, intimates that a Democratic President sould not visit Japan.

Michelle didn't show *enough* respect to the Queen. Now Barack shows *too much* to the Emperor... Can't win for losing, can you? But good to know that the "righties" are so savvy about *something*, even if it's only international etiquette.

Bleh, thank you. Makes sense to me.
Would it have seemed implicitly inappropriate to the Japanese if Obama had given a "bow of equals"?

Since emperor is a head of state but not head of government seems more like showing respect for Japan not its particular government.

Who you calling 'inbred libtards'? All the inbreeders are on your side of the aisle, big dick.

A bow is a bow, nothing more. Typical of conservatives to get hung up on symbolic fluff.

Yes, we remember Pearl Harbor. Do you remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki, conservatives?

The President of the United States of America does not bow to no one. Period. The end. Do libs on this site EVER see a leader/ruler of ANY other country bow to ANY other leader/ruler?

NO; you do not.

Just another wimpy showing from our wimpy far left liberal sissy President. Is it 2012 yet? It can't come too soon for our country as it's in big trouble.

"....then-President Eisenhower in full-on, head-down bows towards Pope John XXIII and Charles De Gaulle."

WHAAAT??? The President of the United States bowed to a Frenchman?? I find that hard to believe. Even if you do have a photograph. It was obviously doctored by some wimpy far left liberal sissy to make Ike looked bad.

Really, Glenn told me so.

Perhaps conservatives would have preferred Obama to fist bump the Emperor and Empress? (ROFL picturing that.)

Hello? Follow the local customs. It's respect not subservience.

I cannot believe cheney would not bow in Japan! Is he holding on to a resentment or just trying to look super tough? Either way it's totally so innapropriate. Might as well have Steven Segal as Vice President. The whole world knows he and Bush were arrogant, overstepping reactionaries setting up their friends in business overseas. Did anyone notice Obama's reception around the world? It's so much better than here! The rest of the world knows more about our country and it's future than we do! Do we really want to be a country of bullys, liars and haters?

Cheney should be in jail. If he runs for President, I will be pissed at wimpy judicial system for not holding him to the fire about torture etc. The guy is wicked, sociopathic and wants to be in full control with all the secrets he can keep....OMG again

It's understandable they'd be upset, when was the last time you saw a conservative who was even capable of bending at the waist. I don't think it's even possible to be a conservative unless you have at least two chins.

Cheney needs to learn before he keels over one day that serving a tour in Vietnam is tough. Not bowing before a gracious host is just being a dick.

Look at the pictures and admit the truth, instead of rationalizing that everything is just "right-wing hysteria over nothing new."

Eisenhower is nodding his head and tilting his shoulders slightly. He's leaning forward to the same degree as the Pope. Same with Nixon upon meeting the Japanese emperor.

B. Hussein throws his entire body forward and bends to 90 degrees in an exaggerated, ridiculous show of deference. He did it for the Saudi king (a.k.a. the keeper of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina) as well. As least he didn't do a hand scrape of the ground this time.

If this is respecting local custom (which it isn't), why isn't the emperor also down at crotch level?

Obama is fit to be a lackey, not a leader. And the readers of this blog and the rest of the liberal pimposphere will continue to respond to each Obama blunder by erroneously claiming that he's correct, and going off on a tangent to spew venom about Bush or Cheney.

Yeah, yeah, I know, Bush=Hitler, but Democrats are only joking when they name Mao as their favorite philosopher.

I can't tell whether You Are Liars is a parody or real troll. The right wing of this country is so far gone that Poe's Law applies to everything they say.

"Better conservatives, please."

The reflexive Right is wrong in this case. Obama's error was not in the fact of his bowing, which is merely a question of protocol, but in his awkward, culturally-incorrect deep bow accompanied by a handshake. The Japanese press have, politely, not widely shown this act, which would seriously undermine the American president's gravitas in that nation.

Obama, as usual, was wholly unprepared for his role. How about fewer Chicago thug cronies and a few more worldy staffers, Barry?

He is just building relationship

ok listen, is america really that ignorant if you do not know about japanese culture please do not comment on this post IN JAPAN THEY BOW AS IF IT WERE A HANDSHAKE OR TO SHOW RESPECT PRESIDENT OBAMA DID THAT BECAUSE IT SHOWED THE EMPORER SINCERITY IN HIS COUNTRY AND A NORMAL GREETING TO ANY PERSON IN JAPAN FOR AMERICA NOT TO BOW WOULD BE A COMPLETE DISRESPECT OF CULTURE(LIKE THERES ANY IN AMERICA) DID ANYONE MAKE A COMMENT WHEN YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO TURN YOUR BACK ON THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND OR YOUR SUPPOSE TO RISE WHEN SHE LEAVES UGHHH... NO (THEY DONT EVEN DO IT IN AMERICA) BUT YET YOU WANT TO YELL AT PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR SHOWING RESPECT TO THE EMPORER UGHH HOW MUCH I DESPISE THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY

OBAMA DID THAT BECAUSE IT SHOWED THE EMPORER SINCERITY IN HIS COUNTRY AND A NORMAL GREETING TO ANY PERSON IN JAPAN FOR AMERICA NOT TO BOW WOULD BE A COMPLETE DISRESPECT OF CULTURE(LIKE THERES ANY IN AMERICA) DID ANYONE MAKE A COMMENT WHEN YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO TURN YOUR BACK ON THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND OR YOUR SUPPOSE TO RISE WHEN SHE LEAVES UGHHH... NO (THEY DONT EVEN DO IT IN AMERICA)