Is The Second Bow A Cover-Up For The First Bow?

President Obama’s 90 degree bow from the waist to the Emperor Akihito of Japan has been met by the mass media with a “so what, who cares–get over it” attitude unlike the uproar caused by President Clinton’s nod to Emperor Akihito back in 1994 . It is inconceivable that this was just a spur of the moment sign of respect from the U.S. President to the Japanese Emperor since advisors to the President brief him not only on the issues, but on protocol including the greeting of dignitaries. Why would an American President premeditatedly make a subservient gesture when as Commander-In-Chief he is well aware that there are a number of WWII veterans still alive? On the heels of Veterans’ Day?  And given his ties to Hawaii, has he forgotten Pearl Harbor? Why would he risk a senseless act of betrayal of their sacrifice? Why would the head of a nation that fought a revolution to stand on equal footing with any man, high-borne or commoner, insult that heritage and undermine the United States’ position in the world community with such an open sign of subjugation?

But As For Me…

Either the President is a royalphile enamored by the trappings of royalty; however, this was not apparent when he met Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, or it was a strategic move to de-emphasize the previous bow to the Muslim Royal King Abdullah. Either way, what do such gestures say to the American public? It doesn’t strengthen his image as a leader of the free world. Instead, it presents the U.S. in a weakened posture among the nations of the world. Nor does it lessen the political impact of the bow to King Abdullah on the 2010 elections–two wrongs don’t make a right.

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Tagged as: 2010 Congressional elections, Bow to King Abdullah, But As For Me.com, Commentary, Obama Bows To Emperor Akihito, Pearl Harbor, Presidential Protocol, Reformed Liberal, Veterans Day, WWII veterans