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Obama Bows to Emperor

Critics on the right already weighing in

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 14, 2009 10:03 AM CST

(Newser) – Prepare for another bowing controversy. A photo of President Obama bowing to Japanese Emperor Akihito has surfaced, and it's likely to set off critics on the right—as happened when Obama maybe sorta bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia in April. This time, there's no question about it: It's a deep, deferential bow to the 76-year-old Akihito and his wife, notes the LA Times.

Drudge is playing it prominently, and a blogger at Power Line is on the case: The bow "is of a piece with the substance of his foreign policy. He means to teach Americans to bow before monarchs and tyrants. ... He gives expressive form to the idea that the United States now willingly prostrates itself before the rest of the world."

President Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo Saturday.
President Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo Saturday.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito.
President Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito.
President Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 127 comments
Guava_Jelly
Nov 16, 2009 6:55 AM CST
Yes, new theme here at Newser... If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. George Washington
JChron
Nov 16, 2009 5:13 AM CST
@ Galileo, So what you are saying is, "yes, we do flag opinions we don't agree with." Retard.
lindamae
Nov 16, 2009 4:55 AM CST
Sorry you feel that way. Apparently you are not a Christian since we base our old testement on the teachings of Israel. Jesus was a Jew. That - plus the fact Israel is the only democracy in that crazy part of the world - prompts me to support them. Plus - as a woman - I like the idea that women in Israel don't have to worry about vaginal mutilation or honor killings as do women in the other areas. So far, there are @ 5000 cases of honor killings onhe books. Some from the US and Canada and Germany. Who knows how many have been swept under the carpet in these countries which hate women and want to destroy the western world - or so they say over and over. I believe them.

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