Obama "speechless" about reaction to Japan bow

[HopeOverFear]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/23/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5749826.shtml?tag=stack

President Obama's bow to Japan's Emperor Akihito in Tokyo earlier this month ignited anger from some conservatives who complained, in the words of blogger Donald Douglass, that the United States "now willingly prostrates itself before the rest of the world."

Now the president is responding – kind of. The Atlantic quotes "a US government official who was on the trip" who says the president was left "speechless" by the controversy.

"Obama's attitude was, this is an elderly gentleman in a country where this kind of greeting is customary," said the official. "It does not seem extraordinary to show this kind of gesture to him."

"The Fox News poll said that 67 percent of Americans thought was a good thing for him to have done," the official continued. "When the president heard that some people had complained, I'd characterize his reaction as: The notion that the United States is somehow humbling or humiliating itself by showing respect for a local custom, when it is transparently the most powerful country in the world, leaves me speechless."

As criticism of the president for the bow bubbled up, media outlets noted that anger over what some see as excessive presidential deference to a foreign leader is nothing new. President George W. Bush was criticized for holding the hand of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, while Presidents Clinton and Nixon took heat for bows or near-bows to the Japanese emperor. Mr. Obama has also been criticized for genuflecting to Abdullah.

[Cha]

1. I can see why Obama was speechless..

the thought that some have so little confidence in the United States that they quiver in fear when the President shows respect to a foreign leader is mind boggling.

[RKP5637]

2. I was speechless too that anyone was upset... their ignorance stunned me. n/t

[Politicalboi]

3. It's more embarrassing for Obama

It's like having brat kids at home, and they keep calling you at work to complain. The US is a dysfunctional family.

[PBS Poll-435]

11. Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!

(Sarah, Marsha, Liz)

[winyanstaz]

4. Well of course the right wingers were upset....after all..

everyone knows its ok to kiss the mouth of the Saudies, especially after the majority of the attackers on 9-11 were Saudies....but whatever you do..never ever bow to an elder statesman in a nation that honors each other by bowing....
All right-wingers know that Obama should have given that old guy some tongue instead....that is what any right-winger would do......didnt Obama learn anything from Bush???
:(
You know???
Jebus weeps when you right-wingers do this kind of crap.

[NYC Liberal]

5. Bush wasn't criticized for the hand-holding in and of itself...

It just was the perfect symbolism for his cozying up to the Saudi royal family, which is what he was really being criticized for.

Respecting a local custom is in no way a bad thing!

[SPedigrees]

6. Mr President, meet stupid.

Unfortunately this 33% came free with the 67% of Americans with brains, and you've been elected to lead the whole motley crew. Good luck with this.

[Gman]

7. There's the 30% again

the 30% or so that thought it was not a good thing to have done.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. People who were annoyed by this are unquestionably the dumbest motherfuckers on Earth

[firedupdem]

9. +1 That's it, in a nut shell n/t

[otohara]

10. I Was Still Bowing For A Week After Coming Home

from Japan.

Not having been to Saudi Arabia, I'm not sure if kissing and holding hands with your host is common, but bowing is part of every day life in Japan.

Ugly American syndrome is rampant in the GOP.

[SPedigrees]

15. Never having been a 'huggy' person myself, and prefering to avoid shaking hands

I find the bow a more than welcome alternative. I wish we would adopt this custom here.

[ClarkUSA]

12. It wasn't just Republicans. There were the usual suspects here who attacked our President as well.

Of course, the irrational hatred on both sides of the aisle was negated by a big majority of Americans who approved of his bowing.

[HopeOverFear]

14. Yep.

[ksoze]

13. The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.

- Steven Wright.