Obama’s bow a show of respect

I play a great deal of Internet bridge. The official language for bridge players is English, but in playing on the Internet, I collect “hellos” in other languages.

I daily meet a great number of people from other countries. I try the best I can to greet each of these folks in their language. This does a great deal to remove or obviate any feelings of American belligerence. It simply shows a bit of respect on my part for others’ nationality and culture.

This, of course, is what President Obama’s bowing before the emperor of Japan also is. It is the same show of respect that was shown by President Kennedy when he spoke to the Berliners in their own tongue.

 I really think the right-wing conservatives of this country should give it a rest.

 Richard L. Strickland
Mission

Comments

[Smarter Than You]

to paraphrase Jim: When you're getting your arse kicked in the polls the polls don't matter.

The polls are a reflection of where this presidency is today. It has been imploding. He may turn it around; if indecision on Afghanistan or pushing through another expensive entitlement that will add to his already record deficit suddenly becomes vogue. If that upsets your tenuous grasp on Obama’s popularity, I’m sorry.

I've argued often that the House shouldn't pass the Health reform act; not that the delusional Pelosi led cult of Obama wouldn't. Of course, any time you want to address the CMS study on actual costs of the plan passed, I'll be here.

[Kee]

LMFAO...gotta forgive Lib Jim STY, he backed Carter's re-election big time!

Wait, gasp, I will catch my breath and comment more,,,,gasp, gasp, no, no, Lib Jim took me out with his horse crap, sorry STY....

Oh Jeez, you gotta love these morons for comdey relief.......

[Jim]

Wow, STY, you really got me on that one (apologies to you for echoing your lame response).

My point is that predicting Obama's "implosion" at this point may make you sleep better at night, but is based on absolutely nothing scientific. It's all guesswork based on polls, which change. And we know how skewed your reading of polls has been.

Guesswork is fun, but you treat your own predictions as if they're gospel. Given that they're based on your highly partisan viewpoint, your guesses aren't really worth much. You did, after all, predict that the House would not health care reform, based on your cherry-picked polls.

My own guess is that the GOP will pick up a few seats in the House, but not the majority. In the Senate, I think there'll be a swing of two seats, max. This is just based on the number of open seats that lean one way or the other. Which party wins those seats is dependent on all kinds of things (like primary results, the 2010 economy, etc) that haven't quite fleshed out yet. But this is just a guess, which is all you've got as well. Taking current poll numbers and predicting things out a year from now is just silly. That's why we didn't have a Giuliani vs. Clinton election last year, as everyone thought we would in November 07.

We're done here. Have a great weekend.

[jack]

"Face it. Obama is a goof on the foreign stage. He lacks any experience (adult) outside the US. He is not sophisticated or apparently even well read on these matters."

Could be true. Too bad these folks weren't concerned when the exact same thing was said about Bush.

[Smarter Than You]

And Jim, from your link:

"However, Obama, in his eighth month in office, could hit this mark in a shorter time than has typically been the case. If his rating falls below 50% before November, it would represent the third-fastest drop to below majority approval since World War II."

[Smarter Than You]

Wow, Jim, you really got me on that one (apologies to the brothers Davies for the plagiarism).

You want to address the other polls? Of course you don't.

You also managed to neglect Obama has fallen further, faster than any other president (OK, you have the excuse he was artificially high to begin with; but then so much about this President has turned out to be artificial).

[Keith Williams3]

I agree he does lack any intelligence, maybe get rid of Pelosi, she’s the one buzzing in his ear all the time. Maybe an entire new cabinet behind him will make a difference.

[Jim]

According to STY, Obama's "imploding" because Gallup says he just dropped below 50%. I suppose he'll be right up there with other modern presidents who got below 50 in the first year. Famous one-termers like Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, who went on to humiliating defeat in their reelection campaigns.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/122513/Presidential-Approval-Usually-Falls-Below-Timing-Varies.aspx

Thanks for keeping us laughing, STY.

[GTD]

There are certain protocols involved in government and diplomacy. By long-standing practice the American President does not bow (or grovel) to any foreign head-of-state (nor is the American flag dipped.)

If President Bush ever did anything that touched on a breach of protocol he was quickly and loudly rebuked.

This President is foregiven or excused for his repeated breaches (and those of his wife). Blatant errors such as an reference earlier this year to the Austrian language (which does not exist) or the mispronounciation of names are glossed over by the press and the public who were quick to mock the former President as "stupid".

Face it. Obama is a goof on the foreign stage. He lacks any experience (adult) outside the US. He is not sophisticated or apparently even well read on these matters.

[Keith Williams3]

My position is why all the hostility some more than others. Maybe I am taking the long drawn out paragraphs as hate and may be some of the words that say hate with using the letters. I respect everyone’s position on how they feel; I was just raised a certain way and even W Bush didn’t rub me the way Obama rubs some of you.

I voted Obama, for the change I though he would bring, NOT because he is bi-racial, not because he can feel me but because I thought he was a better candidate than John McCain all the John should have picked a different running mate. Anyway I get flack for my opinion about Obama because I critize his ways but I also still support him as president.

[Greghand]

GHMan nothing is coming back to bite me because hes wasn’t my choice. Jazz
Alright Jazz my curiosity is getting the best of me. Who was your choice? I voted Bob Barr myself (libertarian), I didn't like either front running candidates so voting third party made sense to strenghen their presence.

[Smarter Than You]

OK, Jazz, your supposition is then that I "hate" Obama.

Sure, I've disagreed with his policies. Yes, I've called out his mistakes. Affirmative on pointing out the polling that shows an administration, if not in free-fall than struggling to maintain some semblance of credibility. But those are all on policy, not on hate.

I also called out my disagreements with the previous president and wasn't accused of hatred then.

I wouldn't mind sitting down with Obama and having a beer, although I'm not willing to get arrested for disorderly conduct in order to do it. I'd love to be on his cabinet, but since I pay my taxes on time and in full I was never in serious consideration for a post.

I think I might like the man if I, or any of us, really knew him. I'd admit to liking what his election meant in the grand scheme of race relations, but then I'd be accused of tokenism by some of the crazier elements on this board.

So let's agree to disagree on policies and issues. Let's not play the "hate" card unless it's the only thing left to say after being unable to defend the President's policies.

[Keith Williams3]

NOMO you really should stop worshiping him like that, you are the only one who thinks hes all great and knowing; and I don’t think you are using sarcasm.

GHMan nothing is coming back to bite me because hes wasn’t my choice I just don’t hate people and feel the need to wish death and drag his name in the dirt. I will be voting for the best candidate in three years.

[Smarter Than You]

The bow isn't really a big thing to me, Jim. And if Buba had just stuck to putting things in his own mouth we could have avoided a lot of strum and drang.

Since you brought up the numbers for the Republicans, how's that midterm polling looking? What with republicans only being a minority/unimportant party I'm sure they are far behind in those looks into the elective process.

They're ahead? Really? And the other polling shows support for government provided health care has slipped from 66% to less than half of Americans despite the arguments of our current leadership? And Obama was under 50% in today Gallup approval for the first time? And his negative index on Rasmussen is over 10%?

Well damn, Jim, let's go out and have a beer to celebrate that we really don't think the bow in and of itself is a big deal! The real issues are where Obama is imploding.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

No, all should be bowing to him....ALL KNOWING OH GREAT ONE OF HUMANITY OF ALL TIME!

[Jim]

Just when I thought the constant hate directed at our president couldn't get any stupider.

Bowing to royalty isn't unprecedented, as our friends would have everyone believe. Bill Clinton bowed to Burger King all the time.

Okay, that was a joke. But I jest because that's how stupid this whole thing is. Nixon bowed to Hirohito (on US soil, no less). George H.W. Bush bowed before Hirohito's coffin. Eisenhower apparently bowed to every foreign leader he ever met:

http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2009/11/dwight-d-eisenhower-bowing-hour.html

This is the "unprecedented" thing that has them all in a tizzy? I guess we could just have him holding hands and kissing all over foreign leaders like George W. Bush did. Maybe he could even start giving unsolicited backrubs.

Fox "News" have conducted a poll and found 67% of Americans say this is no big deal. I can't wait to hear the knee-jerk reaction that the poll comes from an elite news organization with a left-wing bias. Oops.

I know Republicans are used to being in the 20-30% minority of opinion these days, but they can't even get a break with the public on their phony outrage, let alone the stuff they're really mad about.

[Greghand]

Luckily what you think doesnt matter either so do your self a favor and worry about something that matters!
Jazzman
That statement may come back on you 2010 and 2012.

[Arminius]

If Obama had greeted the emperor in Japanese, this would not have been an issue. However, the president of the United States does not bow to foreign leaders or royalty.

[Smarter Than You]

Wax on, wax off! Miagi-san for President!
(sarcasm font, people. Kate made a great funny)

[Kate]

When he straightened up from his hunch-backed low-bow, Obama presented the Emperor with the administration’s traditional gift. With a hearty “Here you go!” he handed the Emperor a white plastic WalMart bag containing the complete set of Karate Kid DVDs. Score another foreign relations victory for the protocol office of the first Pacific president.