"Hatoyama Vs. Obama -- The Scandal That Nobody Will Report" (Obama in Japan: My Translation)

Shukan Bunshun Weekly Magazine (Translated to English) ^ | 22 November 2009 (26 November 2009 Edition) | Shukan Bunshun Staff Writers

[okie01]

He seems to attend these highly important summit meetings without doing any advance preparation at all. Fly over, preen for the cameras, insult his hosts, and play it by ear because he’s too smart to need any prepping seems to be his basic method.

I wonder if he takes his Teleprompter to the meetings.

[AmericanInTokyo]

A little of both perhaps.

There is indeed an effort to reduce, or reduce the appearance of, "American Exceptionalism" in foreign policy circles, particularly among the elites. To me, the photograph encapsulates that very succinctly.

[AmericanInTokyo]

The pleasure is all mine, bronxville. You are too kind.

[okie01]

To me, the photograph encapsulates that very succinctly.

Indeed, that is what all the bowing and scraping is all about -- sending a message that America is now submissive, rather than assertive.

There are protocol officers at the State department, at the embassies and there are protocol officers attached to the White House. He knows better. But he does it anyway.

This is a studied effort to reduce America's standing in the world. I wonder if the incessant rudeness and patent incompetence are part of that same effort -- or just another manifestation of Zero's inexperience.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Somebody tried to nail them down on "the Tokyo bow", when they were at their next stop in Singapore. They just sluffed it and laughed it off.

There was a question from the US Press Corps traveling with the White House, very important in my mind, as to if Obama got some protocol advice along these lines to do it. Their answer would tell is a) State Department incompetence--or maybe even a "set up", or b) deliberate effort by Obama to humiliate the USA on the world stage through imagery.

And yet, they laughed off the question.

Or maybe it was one of those "we will have to get back to you on that" kind of Gibbs-thangs. They never did address this. To me it is a pivotal question.

[okie01]

To me it is a pivotal question.

But it's not the kind of question that this press corps is prone to asking. Nor is it the kind of question this administration is keen on answering.

Accordingly, like all "pivotal questions" about this administration, it will remain unanswered (if not unasked).

Three...more...years...of...this...crap.

[Eaker]

Translation?

[Eaker]

If you have a ping list please add me.

Thanks!

[AmericanInTokyo]

I’m not very good about that. Apologies in advance,

[AmericanInTokyo]

Both of them thinking....

Emperor: "Who is this fool?"

Empress: "I think perhaps a shoe salesman?"

[Eaker]

Thanks for both!