Why is he bowing to the Japanese Emperor Akihito?

Reuters photo ^ | 11-14-09

[thecodont]

Every action he has taken overseas is made with the intention of diminishing our prestige abroad or insulting an ally.

And perhaps inviting attack from an aggressor.

God in Heaven, help our nation.

[dagogo redux]

Priceless!

[Chgogal]

So, Obama managed to insult the Royal Family, the Japanese population (by definition) and the people of the United States in a matter of seconds.

Everyone tells me Obama is soooo smart!

Unbelievable.

[Rational Debate]

I posted a minute ago asking for pointer to video - and then before my post showed up, I’d kept reading down the comments and found this post referencing the video link on hot air - so please ignore my first post, and thanks for the reference, I’ve seen the video now.

[Candor7]

Yep, dumber than dirt. Or a fascist by design.

It will mean a loss of influence in the Pacific Rim. China will take the field, and give Japan a really hard time.

[mojitojoe]

One of three possible reasons, which have all been speculated on earlier on this thread:

1. Covering for his bow in Saudi Arabia
2. Apologizing for being American
3. Too stupid to know better, or listen to advisors who know better

_____________________ #1, advisors told him to do it.

[WVNan]

Why don’t those young Japanese who speak English come on and join FR? We love having foreign Freepers to help connect us to the “conservative” world.

[mojitojoe]

I think he kissed his hand. I wish Sarkozy would spill the beans.

[jveritas]

It is just unbelievable. The man has an IQ of less than 100. Yep, he is the smartest President ever, what a stupid joke.

[mojitojoe]

[Candor7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J3y0TY7MlI&feature=player_embedded

[Candor7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J3y0TY7MlI&feature=player_embedded

[TigersEye]

Think the Chinese will miss this?

No, they're waiting for their kow-tow.

They were already expecting it in the political sense. After this if they don't get a major kow-tow politically and publically they are going to be very upset.

Think the Chinese will miss this?

No, they're waiting for their kow-tow.

They were already expecting it in the political sense. After this if they don't get a major kow-tow politically and publically they are going to be very upset.

[mojitojoe]

[TigersEye]

LMAO toooooo funny. Too dang true too.

[Electric Graffiti]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....LMAO.

[mojitojoe]

LMOA!!!! Why is his head bobbing and bobbing. He bowed, what? 15 times?

[Candor7]

Notice how the empress won’t even look at his face, and how Obama gestures to go inside first. Bad, bad, form. She should be the hostess, leading the way. OOOOoooooch!

Obama took over like an idjit, and din’t let them extend hospitality.

Obathing has less class than a garbanzo bean.

[Candor7]

Snagged.

[thouworm]

SW, Wow! Interesting thread. Thanks for thread & ping SW; and C7 & AIT, thanks for illuminating posts from your unique vantage point. Always an education here at FR.

First impressions:
1) committed a colossal blunder in effort to recast Saudi bow
2) had to have over-ruled state protocol advice

After watching video several times, I think I counted 10 bows. Empress was clearly embarrassed but nevertheless trying to put Obama at ease. To top it off, instead of taking her cue to enter the room, Obama extends his arm, as if to say,”ladies first.” Lol. She was immovable however, and he enters ahead of her. The Empress has much grace. The Emperor received much information.

That subsequent scene caused me to think 1) he arrogantly permitted no protocol briefing, or 2) he was trying to control them.

Candor7:”A man with an exploitative plan, while thinking his posturing disguises his method.”

While bowing and scraping before the world as an apologetic representative of an “evil” America that he is compelled to sadistically punish into submission, Obama arrogantly perceives himself as “ubermensch” -— on this occasion, “Declaring himself “America’s first Pacific president” (a description that somehow ignored Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, two Californians) [NYT].”

“I am America’s first Pacific president...” I assume, by that statement he means, “I understand you. You can trust me” -— meanings that, because of the bow, must be regarded with deep suspicion by the Emperor.