Respect for what? Why should I respect an unelected head of state whose ancestors were violent enough to keep hold of power? What has the unelected head of state ever done to deserve a bow? And we are talking about unelected heads of state in this post.
It would be respect for the people of the nation they represent. In this case the Japanese people. That is now basically what he is there for, or at least I'm not aware of him having any power.
I still would not bow as a sign of "respect" unless it were mutual. Like a handshake. But the Emperor of Japan bows to no one. So it would always be unequal. And yes you state for the people of Japan. But I see no proof that Obama's bow is for the people of Japan.
Also, apparently Obama didn't need to bow and he didn't bow properly. For the Emperor of Japan, 15 degrees. Not 45. And apparently the Emperor of Japan doesn't expect to be bowed to and shakes hands with everyone. So why does Obama feel the need to bow? And not even correctly! Analysis plus video of Emperor shaking hands with everyone!
Why is the bowing a big deal?
- 17/11/2009 11:57:29 AM
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Again?
- 17/11/2009 12:07:09 PM
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Indeed. They should be worried about idiot politicos who call the Queen "vermin"
- 17/11/2009 01:16:22 PM
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Funny how one can campaign for an election victory for months, or years...
- 17/11/2009 02:03:10 PM
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This time it is because he did it AGAIN.
- 17/11/2009 01:23:56 PM
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~dies laughing~
- 17/11/2009 01:37:44 PM
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- 17/11/2009 01:53:48 PM
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- 17/11/2009 01:53:48 PM
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I don't recall either the Saudi king or Japanese emperor bowing AT ALL.
- 17/11/2009 02:13:31 PM
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Personally, I would never bow to the Emperor of Japan or the Queen of England. They shit
- 17/11/2009 02:03:14 PM
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I bow to people all the time
- 17/11/2009 02:41:36 PM
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That is your prerogative that you feel the need to bow as a sign of "respect".
- 17/11/2009 03:21:53 PM
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For me
- 17/11/2009 03:39:47 PM
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While I understand your perspective,
- 17/11/2009 04:24:36 PM
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Couldnt it be respect as a sign of acceptance?
- 17/11/2009 04:38:02 PM
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Some of us voted for someone your size.
- 17/11/2009 04:39:30 PM
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The person her size managed to win in France
- 17/11/2009 08:27:32 PM
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- 18/11/2009 01:30:21 PM
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- 18/11/2009 01:30:21 PM
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if it is a sign of repect why did the emperor not return the bow?
- 17/11/2009 06:27:56 PM
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The Emperor shook Obama's hand. That's a sign of respect in our culture.
- 17/11/2009 06:57:16 PM
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Your reply shows some ignorance of Japanese protocol between the Emperor and foreigners.
- 18/11/2009 12:53:55 AM
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If the protocol is "thou shalt not bow to the Emperor, foreign dude"
- 18/11/2009 11:39:31 AM
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Hey, it was Tim's argument that the people of Japan would be upset and that one must bow
- 18/11/2009 01:22:02 PM
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I think you're overstating the meaning of a bow.
- 18/11/2009 02:37:22 PM
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And I think you're defending the undefendable.
- 18/11/2009 02:55:15 PM
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Re: And I think you're defending the undefendable.
- 18/11/2009 03:12:08 PM
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Look, Tim gave some justification other than respect. He was disproven. End.
- 18/11/2009 03:40:34 PM
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How tall is Obama? *NM*
- 17/11/2009 10:02:46 PM
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He's 6'1", 187 cm *NM*
- 18/11/2009 04:17:06 AM
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That's freakishly tall? I'm 6'1. It's tall, but not REALLY tall. I was expecting 6'5 or something. *NM*
- 19/11/2009 10:28:01 PM
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It's probably freakishly tall when you're half a person like Camilla. *NM*
- 19/11/2009 10:29:02 PM
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I think the whole fuss about the level of respect for the President is strange, considering
- 18/11/2009 11:58:42 AM
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This is a very good point.
- 18/11/2009 01:25:25 PM
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Ah, I was assuming it was picked up by the UK media after a fuss in the US. *NM*
- 18/11/2009 02:54:38 PM
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Conservative blogosphere, supposedly, but then what *don't* they whine about... *NM*
- 18/11/2009 02:58:14 PM
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Liberals are not happy with it either.
- 18/11/2009 03:44:01 PM
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well, on some issues, he has to contend with the very fractured democratic caucus in both houses
- 19/11/2009 08:02:44 PM
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Man, I was all excited. I thought this was going to be about the cello. 
*NM*
- 20/11/2009 12:52:11 AM
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*NM*
- 20/11/2009 12:52:11 AM
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