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Foreign Diplomacy


Posted: Nov 17, 2009

Here is a good article about "the bow."  Next we'll be hearing that the President doesn't follow the unwritten, but oh so official, presidential behind-wiping protocol.  Surprised  8-)

President Obama's bow to Japanese leader has critics bent out of shape

By Associated Press

November 17, 2009, 4:53AM

Foster Klug / Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Some conservative commentators seized on President Barack Obama's deep bow to Japan's Emperor Akihito over the weekend, accusing the U.S. commander in chief of groveling before a foreign leader.

So did he?

View full sizeCharles Dharapak / APU.S. President Barack Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, not pictured, upon arrival at the Imperial Palace on Saturday in Tokyo. Obama's awkward encounter with Akihito - bows are not meant to accompany physical contact - is not even the first time the president, a Democrat in office less than a year, has been criticized for his greeting of a foreign leader.While it may have been an awkward moment, it wasn't without precedent. And it appeared to be well within protocol guidelines that the State Department issues for foreign service officers working in other countries.

U.S. presidents from both political parties have often been criticized for their attempts at culturally sensitive greetings to high-ranking foreigners.

Former President George W. Bush, a Republican, was mocked for holding Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's hand, a traditional sign of friendship in the Middle East, as they strolled together in 2005.

In 1994, former Democratic President Bill Clinton was criticized for almost bowing to Akihito. The resulting image, the New York Times wrote, was of "an obsequent president and the emperor of Japan."

Former President Richard Nixon, a Republican, can be seen in a Life magazine photo from 1971 bowing to Akihito's father, Emperor Hirohito, who ruled when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Obama's encounter with Akihito was a stumble because it mixed a bow with a handshake -- something not normally done. And it wasn't the first time the president, a Democrat in office less than a year, has been criticized for his greeting of a foreign leader. Critics accused him of genuflecting to Saudi King Abdullah at a summit meeting of the leaders of the top 20 rich and developing nations earlier this year.

The current bow comes during a highly charged political moment in the United States. Conservatives are strongly opposing Obama's policies, especially his plan to overhaul the U.S. health care system, and they have seized on any perceived faux pas by Obama, carrying their message on talk radio and blogs.

An online video posted by the University of Connecticut College Republicans juxtaposed a series of upright handshakes between Akihito and other world leaders and Obama's low bow.

Andrew Malcolm, in a blog on the Los Angeles Times Web site, asked, "How low will the new American president go for the world's royalty?"

Obama's bow was compared with photos of former Vice President Dick Cheney giving Akihito a straight-backed handshake and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who oversaw the post-World War II occupation of Japan, standing with his hands on his hips next to Hirohito.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Monday that the bow was "a sign of respect to the emperor."

In an online State Department posting from 2007 titled "Protocol for the Modern Diplomat," envoys are advised to be aware of greeting rituals such as kisses, handshakes or bows and to follow a country's tradition. "Failure to abide with tradition may be interpreted as rudeness or a lack of respect for colleagues," it says. It's not clear whether the guidelines apply to the president.

John Park, a senior researcher at the U.S. Institute of Peace think tank, said it is a respectful tradition for visitors to bow to the emperor in a formal setting.

But, he said: "We're in an environment right now where everything is hypersensitive. Any type of move that you do, there will be some group that sees some sort of message within all that."

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

;

Selective memories - NJ

[ In Reply To ..]
People don't remember other presidents bowing politely. Heck, ask me about our leaders and Japanese heads of state and I immediately think of Bush the first throwing up on the prime minister.

NJ

I knew you would be here.......lol... - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
.

Yes. It is such a shame - the way

[ In Reply To ..]
our President is being picked apart by his own people for all the world to see. It is the American people who need to follow the unwritten rules of protocol and respect.

Obama just embarrassed Japan!. Dont blame that - on us. Look, O is no saint..get real.nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm
Not about blame, it's about self respect. - Whether you have
[ In Reply To ..]
self respect or not shows in your behaviors and attitudes toward yourself and others and the resultant image you project. I'll leave the rest for you to ponder.

Great post. I couldn't agree more. One small, loud (sm) - Nikki

[ In Reply To ..]
fragment of American society is picking him apart, and the entire world is watching. At least the majority of people in our country have it right.

good grief - lunarmod

[ In Reply To ..]
watch your language, what are you a teabagger (obviously . . .) Our president is an astute master of protocol and courtesy. His cultured approach to dealing with other countries is much appreciated by this voter.

Why do you misunderstand? - I am going to have

[ In Reply To ..]
to say, "this is sarcasm" before I write I suppose. I thought it was obvious that I meant the conservatives would be saying that next. I changed but_ to behind for you.

I'm a dimbulb - lunarmod

[ In Reply To ..]
just skimmed it itstead of reading it. Oopsy.

Why would you attack the poster? - That was rude

[ In Reply To ..]
I may not agree with some of the content of the article, but there was no inappropriate language to her post. And to boot, imply a "crude term" that she obviously is not. Shame on you.

shame rejected - lunarmod

[ In Reply To ..]
I find toilet tissue references offensive, but a cuppa tea is a delicacy.

If you would stop worshiping him you might just - be able to see things un-biased

[ In Reply To ..]
Why don't you watch your language. Using such filthy language when you have been told how offensive it is.

Your president is an astute master of protocol and courtesy?????? Shows people just how much you worship him.

He is an embarrassment. You cut down President Bush when he bowed, but not this one? Give me a break. What are you a salad tosser?

It's because when you worship O, you no longer have - a mind of your own, obviously.nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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