Video: 46 handshakes, one bow
posted at 1:00 pm on November 15, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
It didn’t take too long for the Left to defend Barack Obama’s bow to Emperor Akihito yesterday by claiming that the President was merely showing cultural sensitivity to the Japanese emperor by deeply bowing. There’s a couple of problems with that argument. First, American Presidents do not bow to monarchs, or at least they didn’t through the first 43 Presidents and the 220 years they served as the US head of state. Perhaps a few of them might have done so out of cultural sensitivity when traveling to foreign nations as private citizens, either before or after their terms in office, but not when they represented the United States of America. Even the New York Times knew better than that in 1994.
For those arguing that such a policy merely propagates American arrogance and that Obama wants to “change perceptions,” this video by the UConn College Republicans points out the second problem. Heads of state do not bow and show obeisance to one another, regardless of whether either one is an American President. The UConn group reviews 47 different greetings to Emperor Akihito and various heads of state, including a few from fellow Pacific Rim countries with similar cultural sensitivities, and doesn’t find a bow among them:
I can’t wait to see the Left chastising these world leaders for their cultural insensitivity. They’d better include Akihito in that condemnation, too. As yesterday’s video clearly showed, Akihito knew better than to return Obama’s bow.
Maybe some of those rushing to offer apologias for bows should have taken their cue from the White House last April, when they attempted to deny that Obama had bowed to Saudi King Abdullah at all.
Blowback
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This is what happens when kids with no dads are raised by Hollywood.
ClassicCon on November 15, 2009 at 5:39 PM
LOL. Maybe Gordon Brown dug deep into his American DVD collection and returned a copy of ‘Karate Kid’ to the White House, and now Nobama is learning international protocol from Mr. Miyagi. Wax on, wax off!!!
joejm65 on November 15, 2009 at 5:40 PM
I don’t know how else we account for his fascination with the emperor’s equipment.
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Certainly the Bow heard around the world.
fourdeucer on November 15, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Hey…. I have an idea!
Let’s elect Barack Hussein Obama as President of the United States!
… What could go wrong?
Seven Percent Solution on November 15, 2009 at 5:42 PM
maybe he was comparin the shieks’ equipment with Tojo jr’s
flyoverboy on November 15, 2009 at 5:43 PM
I’ve been thinking about this bow and I’m wondering now whether or not Obama did this one very intentionally just to mitigate his reflexive, reverent bow to the Saudi king.
“See guys! I bow to all these king types—not just the Muslim ones!”
Possible.
IrishEi on November 15, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Yeah, but Obie heard “whacks”….
Fighton03 on November 15, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Fixed.
Del Dolemonte on November 15, 2009 at 5:46 PM
If I was the international community I would take the election of Barack H Obama as a signal from America “You all can go wild you can do anything you want” The seat Leader of the Free World, is basically vacant.
That’s the message I got from that bow.
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Seriously, Dr. Evil. It scares me to death to think what this President’s response would be if something serious happened in Iran or N. Korea. Umm…er…ahh..
Vera on November 15, 2009 at 5:49 PM
FIFY.
Actually, what happened was the emperor just happened to be standing between Uhhhbama and Mecca when the call to prayer was sounded.
I looked in some Japanese newspapers and didn’t see a photo or mention of it.
darwin-t on November 15, 2009 at 5:53 PM
I think he’d be fine if there is a true attack. I think this is more an internal political FU move.
Just my 2 cents.
He’s battling against the Jimmy Carter label.
AnninCA on November 15, 2009 at 5:53 PM
All this bowin is just to stay in shape for the ass kissin comin for Iran, N. Korea or any other non white nation that needs it
flyoverboy on November 15, 2009 at 5:53 PM
you are too nice
flyoverboy on November 15, 2009 at 5:55 PM
oooppps that o you are too nice was for anninCA
flyoverboy on November 15, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Speaking of handshakes. Here, take my hand. Isn’t today a wonderful day? C’mon, don’t be shy. Yeah, you…C’mon. What are you waiting for?!? Let’s be friends in this troubled world. No need to fear. You are not alone. *apacalyps skips down the road picking daises on the side*
apacalyps on November 15, 2009 at 5:57 PM
I have more respect for a fist bump
CWforFreedom on November 15, 2009 at 6:00 PM
and losing.
Fighton03 on November 15, 2009 at 6:00 PM
I hope you are right because I am with Vera on this one. If he is just indulging his Ego, he is so out of his depth as a President of the United States of America.
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 6:00 PM
*nah* he’s not evil. He’s just another sick cookie president.
He’d come through in case of direct attack. But come through on a long shot?
No. He’s all about his legacy already. He’s made a pivotal choice, I think, this week.
He’s decided to go with the Jesse Jackson black president “think.”
He’s done with placating.
He’s mad.
Just my 2 cents. But I think America has ruffled his feathers beyond his coping ability.
This bow was his answer. “I won.”
I really do think it’s that simple.
AnninCA on November 15, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Probably because the Japanese are too polite to point out the major gaffe that it was. If Obowma’s little stunt was noteworthy in a positive way, the Japanese press would have hailed him. And Akihito would have bowed back if even a little.
So much for the Left’s notion Obowma was doing something positive.
Liam on November 15, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Oh yes, I agree. I think he is clueless about the true legacy he’s accruing.
He’ll die unhappy.
AnninCA on November 15, 2009 at 6:03 PM
I think what we have here is a failure to communicate. The Anointed One mistook the meaning of the Japanese phrase “Yo soko mo dickoo.”
Dhuka on November 15, 2009 at 6:05 PM
No, her stock did not rise. No answer would suffice — and no response, not even
, especially after we now see him wearing one at every venue thereafter. Nobody’s stock rose by that answer, not even his own. In fact, every time I see his picture and he’s wearing the pin, I think “What a hypocrite! Now he wears the pin but apologizes for his country every chance he gets!”.
Now we have the “how now, brown bow” moment, and what can he say to take it back? “The strain of the sprain caused my back to declaim?” No other President will ever do this again, unless we have been conquered by another country.
unclesmrgol on November 15, 2009 at 6:06 PM
What would have been perfect was if the emperor quickly turned around and stuck his ass in Uhhhhbama’s face, but the emperor has too much class for that.
It’s just a matter of time until some other leader does it though.
darwin-t on November 15, 2009 at 6:07 PM
So he really isn’t especially bright?
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Obama’s isn’t a chess player he isn’t a very good checkers player. Obama: I jumped you now king me LOL!
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 6:10 PM
It has already been done.Just not as graphically
flyoverboy on November 15, 2009 at 6:13 PM
We have a President with little to no sense of history except those twisted viewpoints by the likes of Reverend Wright.
tullius on November 15, 2009 at 6:14 PM
OT but worth posting.
I tire of those using the DOW’s rise as an indication that Obama’s economic “plan ” is working.
Ignore the dow
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/learn-how-to-invest/why-investors-should-ignore-the-dow.aspx
CWforFreedom on November 15, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Just like those who voted for him.
Del Dolemonte on November 15, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Obama sure is something
/
http://chrisofrights.blogspot.com/2009/09/picture-still-paints-trillion-words.html
CWforFreedom on November 15, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Man-oh-man the groveling fool is hilarious; this video really puts him in perspective! How low can bow-wow-bama scrape? Hope & change? Grovel and deranged…
jgdp on November 15, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I do honestly think this move is his undoing.
Over 200 years and 43 presidents?
He has clearly marked his territory as radical.
He apparently wishes to be a Jesse Jackson with an approved accent.
We now arrive at reality.
AnninCA on November 15, 2009 at 6:42 PM
It’s not only un-American, it’s not proper diplomatic protocol as all the other greetings to Emperor Akihito demonstrate in the video.
Worse, Obama’s behavior promotes a very strange form of political correctness in which deference and “cultural sensitivity” is to be shown to certain people and groups, but not others. So we all have to pay attention to follow along to determine who gets deferential treatment and who doesn’t:
One bows with bended knee to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
On bows very deeply at the waist to Emperor Akihito of Japan.
But one doesn’t bow any other head of state, including His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, Sovereign of the Vatican City State. Instead, Obama shook Benedict’s hand, which as is perfectly proper for any head of state or non-Catholic to do when greeting the Pope. And I say this as a Catholic.
So, Obama is creating a very strange set of politically correct precedents that I hope no other president or American citizen follows.
Loxodonta on November 15, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Most of his voters were ObamaZombies… strangely, with absolutely NO desire for brains. I repeat. NO desire for brains.
Key West Reader on November 15, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Here is my own personal take. I simply do not have “white guilt.”
I think that could be because I’m terribly liberal on social issues.
I’ve never gotten anti-abortion folks. Never will. They strike the same chord within me as Obama’s bow.
Just a wierdo off-shoot that I have to accept and live with.
AnninCA on November 15, 2009 at 6:45 PM
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Thanks for the vote.
.
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Let’s look at Obama’s attitude towards his own team:
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- Pre-election: No confrontation during legislative efforts (but we’ve known this since Summer 2008) , no “stand-up and be counted”, not even image risk on his part.
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- Post-election: “I won”, apologies to the rest of the world for US existance, return of bailout money not permitted but there will be pay cuts/bonus denials/new regulations, Ostracism of Fox News, etc. Everyone is in danger, Friends and the Loyal Opposition alike.
.
Note Obama’s change on legislative action: formerly: lots of “present” votes; now: Pelosi and Reid are his lackeys, and all wins are Obama’s and all losses theirs.
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Yet no valued accomplishments. See the SNL skit. Look at the poll numbers for Obama/Pelosi care, Then there’s Cap & Trade. Obama’s legacy (so far), but Pelosi, Reid and friends will pay the price.
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Even Iraq and Afghanistan are in danger of becoming losses. Obama has the power to prevent this, yet he seems unable. America’s servicemen and America will pay the price.
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Now look at the way Obama behaves powerful people who are nominally equals, or are not required (by law, rule, custom, acquaintence or other) to obey him: Open hand, Bow, cringe and scrape. Negotiate with petty tyrants (Hugo “Curious George” Chavez, the Burmese dictators, the Iranian mullahs, …) I can hardly wait to see Obama deal with Kim the Well-Fed-Yet-Short.
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Obama is starting to look like a monstrous, and little, bully.
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Not one who will at least try approximately equal opponents, to see who’s tougher, but a little one who either has his patron/underlings do his fighting (and potential loss and suffering) for him, or cozies up to the opposing team, to try to work out some sort of deal where, no matter what happens, he’s on the winning side.
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This is particularly important: Obama expects his patron/underlings … wait, Obama has no patron (right?). The underlings … wait, this is America, and Obama was elected President, not Mugabe (right?). Obama should be seen to be able to direct his government, to agree with and support friends, to negotiate with some opponents and defeat the rest if necessary. No need for underlings to “fix” things.
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But from what we’ve seen of Obama, close friends will be treated shabbily (an iPod of speeches?). If the other team is sufficiently independent (friendly, like Japan or Honduras, or unfriendly, like tHugo or M. Achmedinejad), Obama will abandon his side (maybe just a little).
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And as we’re seeing in Afghanistan, if things get rough and if the fix isn’t in, Obama will
foldflee.Arbalest on November 15, 2009 at 6:57 PM
I do honestly think this move is his undoing.
Over 200 years and 43 presidents?
He has clearly marked his territory as radical.
He apparently wishes to be a Jesse Jackson with an approved accent.
We now arrive at reality.
AnninCA on November 15, 2009 at 6:42 PM
When everyone in the world respects the office of the President of the United States except the current office holder.
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 7:00 PM
What the hell, Ann.
Please explain how a) being prolife has anything at all to do with white guilt and b) how fighting to protect the lives and rights of unborn humans is in any way like Obama bows.
Seriously, what the hell?
Vera on November 15, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Yes he can!
That too. And let’s not forget his own very narrow, extreme and self-serving ideology.
Who wants to write the psycho-biography of this child? Yuck.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
That’s the source of his acts of deference, bragging and bullying, the poor little child.
Loxodonta on November 15, 2009 at 7:11 PM
By the time he’s done, he’s going to make us want Carter back… and that is a SCARY thought!
Khun Joe on November 15, 2009 at 7:12 PM
In all fairness Joe Biden did say “Mark My Words Gird Your Loins” I didn’t take that literally, that Obama would be bowing to said Loins. Who knew?
Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right.”
Oh Joe say it ain’t so.
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 7:16 PM
.
Look, I thought Joe was simply plagiarizing again or something.
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Besides, my groin protector wrinkles my suit.
Arbalest on November 15, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Demanding answers to such questions is proof that you are part of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.
Good job!
Loxodonta on November 15, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Obama “I Started A Joke”
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Warped world view of his place as an American President.
Warped.
Starlink on November 15, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Ann, I had thought of you as a leftist troll. Are you beliefs shifting? Or have you always been a conservative dissident? This worries me, because I too am a conservative dissident and perhaps I too have come across as a troll.
Anyway, I’m glad you’re here!
thuja on November 15, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Could be worse. He could have said “Godzilla”!!!
jdkchem on November 15, 2009 at 7:46 PM
There is video of him bowing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu0A86TkwA0
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 7:51 PM
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I suspect your link. Try mine at the top of page 2 of this thread.
Arbalest on November 15, 2009 at 7:57 PM
He’d come through? You’re basing this on what? This dude can’t make a snap decision to save his life. How long did he take to decide to take action regarding the pirates? He’s STILL not made a decision on Afghanistan. Still can’t figure out what to do with Gitmo, despite make a “decision” the day he started the job. I fear for our lives if this guy has to actually DO the job of CiC.
Fed45 on November 15, 2009 at 7:58 PM
+1
cmsinaz on November 15, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Maybe because he didn’t think we should have achieved victory in WWII, this was his way of taking the surrender onboard the USS Missouri back?
txmomof6 on November 15, 2009 at 8:05 PM
That was some good groveling, you think Obama had to take lessons than? LOL!
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I think the International Community aught to spot us, you know call our last election a Mulligan, and wait till we have a do over. This one doesn’t count, surely our contribution to WWII by itself has earned us a do over?
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 8:16 PM
.
Tragically, I think it comes naturally, partly from forgetting his childhood upbringing, partly from living in am environment where the concept of “social equal” was either unknown or a liability, and partly due to a lack of culture. GQ suits and pants with sharp creases just aren’t enough. The interior from a ’74 Rivera is straight out.
Arbalest on November 15, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Forgetting his childhood upbringing? Can you elaborate? Because that’s all he talks about. It seems that’s what he bases his whole viewpoint on. And why he is such a pitiful President and human being.
Fed45 on November 15, 2009 at 8:37 PM
more appropriate to president f@ck up.
Fighton03 on November 15, 2009 at 8:47 PM
BO to the rest of the world: Butt out!
chickasaw42 on November 15, 2009 at 9:00 PM
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Obama’s books, probably ghostwritten by Ayres, seem unreliable vis-a-vis his childhood. The events may be true, but I suspect many are distorted just enough, for effect. I wonder if the truth will ever come out.
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However, his maternal grandmother didn’t seem particularly radical. Given the times (the 60’s and 70’s; Obama’s pre-teen and teen years), it seems that she raised Obama “right”, as the term was understood then.
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Obama’s later years, from age 20 on, and exposure to radicals, seems to be a better explanation for his behavior.
Arbalest on November 15, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Hey, he ran on “change” and nobody can deny that this is “change”. He’s just keepin’ one of his campaign promises.
darwin-t on November 15, 2009 at 9:16 PM
What is creepy is how he can bow that far the other direction with nothing breaking.
ClassicCon on November 15, 2009 at 9:25 PM
According to a commenter on Huffington Post.
As of July, we owed Japan more than $700 billion.
As I recall we rebuilt Japan after WWII so I don’t see any need for Presidential Ball gazing. Would we owe Japan 700 Billion Dollars if our Congress hadn’t passed Porkulus? Porkulus that has produced zero, nada, zip in the way of job growth.
Dr Evil on November 15, 2009 at 9:28 PM
This really is making ill, see our president groveling to other foreign officials.
docdave on November 15, 2009 at 9:35 PM
To “get” it is really simple. Anti-abortion folks just don’t want pre-nascent human babies to be wantonly killed. (And we REALLY don’t want our tax dollars to pay for it.)
Of course, you can disagree.
marybel on November 15, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Me-thinks you just described a community organizer. Give speeches (Just Words) to incite others to do your dirty work while doing very little and taking no persoanl risk and if it doesn’t work its others fault.
Always strive to be liked, thus able to deflect blame or criticism.
The day the media turns on this moron is the day things will get very ugly perhaps including playin the race card, callin out his union orgs(which he did during townhalls) and pitting Americans against each other (he is good at it) he will need to run to find a way out he cannot take responsiblity!
dhunter on November 15, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Oba Ben Dover with his ass cheeks flappin’ in the breeze sure presents a great image of presidential importance. What have we done to deserve this spunk stain? This idiotic fool is a walking cancre and an embarrasment to everyone capable of breathing!
jgdp on November 15, 2009 at 11:02 PM
O’Baama: Our Idiot President
Jaibones on November 15, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Obama’s aim is to set himself apart from the pack, but did he stop to think that perhaps this would make Akihito feel a bit awkward?
kit on November 15, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Obowma is a political fool who uses silly gestures to curry meaningless favor with strangers, or childishly insult those with whom he needs to work with. He really is much too immature for the position; he has no idea what he is supposed to do.
ray on November 15, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Here’s an interesting question.
http://rsmccain.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-if-he-really-wants-to-be-impeached.html
Dr Evil on November 16, 2009 at 12:02 AM
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Yes, among other possibilities, but you may have identified the correct selection.
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I’m not sure if the media will ever turn on Obama. They’re heavily invested in his sucess, they like/are Leftists, and they all have union worries.
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I think that the combination of:
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– the Job Responsibilities of President
Unemployment is growing, spending is out of control, Iran has or soon will have real ICBMs and Afghanistan must be dealt with now. There are no good reasons for these things to be allowed to happen. Why is Obama touring the globe? Will talks with dictators, who have no international reach, be his only success in his first year in office?
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– Public Opinion (and outcry)
Who wants to pay double / face benefit denial / go to jail beacuse of Obama / Pelosi Care? Who wants to lose their job and pay $8/gallon beacuse of Cap & Trade? Who liked the ACORN-sponsored voting help? Who liked the Townhalls with extra SEIU attendence? Who liked hearing their Congressmen say they condescended to the Townhalls?
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– an opposition Congress
2010 is not too far off, and it looks bad for Democrats. By June 2010, I expect that Congress will turn on Obama, as many Democrats realize that they will not be re-elected otherwise.
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. . . will cause Obama to melt.
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Currently, how much time does he spend on date-nights / golfing / other recreation? When these things end, the bully will come out in a very ugly way.
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I think you’re right, we will see more and more of the community organizer approach. But at some point . . .
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Look for more pressure on Congress, or more precisely, (buried) legislation to give the Office of the President more (emergency) power. There’s already something recently found in Waxman-Markey(?).
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Look for things to get publicly ugly starting in June 2010.
Arbalest on November 16, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Ha so.
Johan Klaus on November 16, 2009 at 12:14 AM
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I think McCain’s close.
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McCain makes a series of interesting points, but the possibility of impeachment-as-exit-strategy makes litle sense to me. It isn’t clean, it isn’t inconspicuous; rather, it points the finger of blame and guilt. Not a typical con ploy.
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Reworking McCains thoughts just a little, to suggest that nothing-short-of-impeachment-will-stop Obama-and-he’s-banking-that-it-won’t-happen, makes more sense to me. Push until impeachment is either the only other option, or no longer legal.
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Fortunately, right now there seems to be too much publicity and too much push-back, and not enough time to pass the required (emergency) laws.
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Watch for legislation to regulate blogs and TV/cable (Fox).
Arbalest on November 16, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Ah! good points. Thanks!
Fed45 on November 16, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Bill Ayers. He’s done it before.
91Veteran on November 16, 2009 at 12:56 AM
If he is doing some Bag Ogling for $700B, what is he going to do to the Chinese considering the amount of their financing of the debt?
91Veteran on November 16, 2009 at 1:03 AM
Holy crap! Every day it seems the President sinks to a new low. He’s consistent on that I guess.
Yakko77 on November 16, 2009 at 2:42 AM
The One: “Did you see it? I did it for you”
Anderson Cooper: “Sure did, thanks, it was great. I have it on slo mo…”
DamnYankee on November 16, 2009 at 2:47 AM
Um, Ann, there’s already been a true attack. Does the name Nidal Malik Hasan ring a bell? Is it fine that Obama is already telling Congress to stay out of it? Yea, I’m sure he’d be fine Ann. /s off
galvestonian on November 16, 2009 at 5:14 AM
I nearly happily choked on the grape I was chewing!
But seriously, this bow tops most other embarrassments that Obama has done. It is not just a huge protocol anomaly, it has cast such a dark cloud of shame on the American presidency. Other world leaders must be laughing derisively at this shocking “maid in Japan” bow.
mz.josephine on November 16, 2009 at 5:41 AM
It doesn’t simply run, it gallops.
ya2daup on November 16, 2009 at 6:56 AM
Amateur.
Static on November 16, 2009 at 7:32 AM
Obama needs a Protocol Czar…
albill on November 16, 2009 at 7:45 AM
This girlie man makes me want to puke. And I am embarrassed in front of the whole world that they know we have people STUPID enough to make him a president of the United States!
patriotparty1 on November 16, 2009 at 8:47 AM
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