What a goof…
Barack Obama bowed to Japanese Emperor.
The LA Times reported:
Very low bows like this are a sign of great respect and deference for a superior.
To some in the United States, however, an upright handshake might have looked better. Remember Michelle Obama casually patting Britain’s Queen Elizabeth on the back during their Buckingham Palace visit? America’s royalty tends to make movies and get bad reviews and lots of money as a sign of respect.
Obama could receive some frowns back home as he did for his not-quite-this-low-or-maybe-about-the-same-bow to the Saudi king not so long ago.
Here’s Obama’s other bows to the Queen of England and another waist bow to the Saudi King:
So will the White House deny he bowed here, too?
Power Line adds: Obama’s breach of protocol is of a piece with the substance of his foreign policy. He means to teach Americans to bow before monarchs and tyrants.
More… Here’s the way it’s done–
Cheney greets the emperor.
Hat Tip Zim
Still More… The NY Times blasted Bill Clinton for almost bowing to Hirohito. What will they say now?