@bombula:"The Emperor is a figurehead with no real political power, just like the Queen of England."Uhm, that's not true for the Queen of England AFAIK.
Did you know that when John Adams was ambassador to Great Britain he had to make a elaborate set of bows to King George III to speak to him?He besmirched the name of the US!
The incline of the spine will have no impact on the heavy amount of debt the US government owes Japan. Yes, our country owes China tons but our country also owes Japan a staggering amount as well.Talk about a bow for weeks and ignore how we were plunged into debt for seven years, principally fighting a country that did not attack us or harbor terrorists in its borders - as opposed to focusing on one that did.Never take in the fact that millions of people got hired illegally to build housing, which artificially inflated the demand for housing and then the whole thing came crashing to the ground when they got laid off and the reality of the fraudulent financial/identity paperwork sitting in banks became apparent.Ignore the fact that the US financial and auto industry collapsed last year, in 2008.Focus on being too nice on etiquette.It is easier to gossip about than if he had flung a few trillion dollars bags of cash at Japan's leader a few years ago, which is in effect what has happened in the past and what is our real problem now.If you do not think that is our real current problem, take a look at Dubia and how its deficit economy worked out. They weren't the only ones going into debt building castles in the sand throughout the 2000's.
You miss a key point. The Emperor bows to no man. His citizens bow to him to indicate his superiority. When Obama bowed, he indicated that he believes that the Emperor outranks him. The handshake was developed in America specifically because it's an affirmation that all men are created equal. IIf you're really interested, you really should read Judith Martin's book about how manners developed in America. It's totally fascinating and you'll never discount the importance of international etiquette again. It's called "Star Spangled Manners." And she's a Democrat, so it's not like it some neocon plot like everything else is. She's also got a wickedly dry sense of humor - I love her.
Closed AccountNov 28, 2009
ell0bo, If you are using huffpo as a news source AT ALL you are a brainwashed monkey regardless of what conservative rags do or say.
rpgmakrNov 28, 2009
@bombula:"The Emperor is a figurehead with no real political power, just like the Queen of England."Uhm, that's not true for the Queen of England AFAIK.
kettekNov 28, 2009
Did you know that when John Adams was ambassador to Great Britain he had to make a elaborate set of bows to King George III to speak to him?He besmirched the name of the US!
ulmanorNov 29, 2009
I think you misunderstand the place of the bow in Japanese culture. Bowing is more akin to a polite greeting than any sign of subservience.For instance:<a class="user" href="http://gojapan.about.com/cs/etiquetteinjapan/a/bowing.htm" rel="nofollow">http://gojapan.about.com/cs/etiquetteinjapan/a/bow ...</a>And, yes, the Emperor also bows. For instance, see 4:58 in this speech. <a class="user" href="http://current.com/items/89637181_emperor-of-japans-birthday.htm" rel="nofollow">http://current.com/items/89637181_emperor-of-japan ...</a>
johnnysoftwareNov 30, 2009
The incline of the spine will have no impact on the heavy amount of debt the US government owes Japan. Yes, our country owes China tons but our country also owes Japan a staggering amount as well.Talk about a bow for weeks and ignore how we were plunged into debt for seven years, principally fighting a country that did not attack us or harbor terrorists in its borders - as opposed to focusing on one that did.Never take in the fact that millions of people got hired illegally to build housing, which artificially inflated the demand for housing and then the whole thing came crashing to the ground when they got laid off and the reality of the fraudulent financial/identity paperwork sitting in banks became apparent.Ignore the fact that the US financial and auto industry collapsed last year, in 2008.Focus on being too nice on etiquette.It is easier to gossip about than if he had flung a few trillion dollars bags of cash at Japan's leader a few years ago, which is in effect what has happened in the past and what is our real problem now.If you do not think that is our real current problem, take a look at Dubia and how its deficit economy worked out. They weren't the only ones going into debt building castles in the sand throughout the 2000's.
johnnysoftwareNov 30, 2009
I think it has been a decade and a half since American public focused on actual policies instead of adolescent concerns.
johnnysoftwareNov 30, 2009
Well, you should have been on Bush's protocol team when he met the leader of Saudi Arabia and bowed to him. <a class="user" href="http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2009/4/6/conservative_blogger_bush_also_bowed_before.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2009/4/6/cons ...</a>
indyatticDec 5, 2009
You miss a key point. The Emperor bows to no man. His citizens bow to him to indicate his superiority. When Obama bowed, he indicated that he believes that the Emperor outranks him. The handshake was developed in America specifically because it's an affirmation that all men are created equal. IIf you're really interested, you really should read Judith Martin's book about how manners developed in America. It's totally fascinating and you'll never discount the importance of international etiquette again. It's called "Star Spangled Manners." And she's a Democrat, so it's not like it some neocon plot like everything else is. She's also got a wickedly dry sense of humor - I love her.