There He Goes Again

Such excellent paving-stone work your people do here

Remember when we were told (by the same people who breathlessly assure us the President is not chain-smoking) that he didn’t bow to the guardian of Mecca? Well, now it’s “Tenno Heika Banzai!” from the Nobel laureate.

The silver lining is that this dispels the concern that President Obama had some particular sense of fealty to the King of Saudi Arabia. He instead clearly believes it is his role as Chief Executive and head of state of the United States of America to abase himself, on behalf of the nation, before any male monarch (a hug from Michelle being good enough for the Queen of England).

As usual with any gaffe or gaucherie on the part of The One, the excuse-makers are out in full force. We are told that such behavior is customary, or at least customary in Japan. A photographic compilation of the monarch of Japan meeting heads of state, their spouses, and others, tells a different story. Likewise an examination of how other US Presidents have greeted Japanese monarchs.

The worshipers of “The One” counter that this groveling somehow gains benefits for the United States by replacing the image of ignorance and arrogance held by world media and academic elites during the Bush years. Unsurprisingly, no such benefits are forthcoming, and the specter of Jimmy Carter is looming like that of Jacob Marley as Generic Winter Holiday season approaches.

Of course, in Japan, and evidently in Indonesia, where the President obviously spent some very formative years, children are often trained to do this self-abasing in the presence of “important” people. Since young Barry didn’t stay around long enough to get the rest of the lesson, Horatius will provide it here: when you yourself get to be an important person, you don’t bend over like that any more.

And a kowtow before the Dragon Throne to boot

As we have noted before, it is clear that President Obama is sorely suffering from a distinct lack of top-pay-grade guidance and advice. It becomes even more evident that we need to know whether the protocol officers of the Department of State are not explaining proper ceremonial behavior to the head of state. This groveling to male monarchs (and Communist Chinese Premiers) is now a pattern, and is quite unbefitting. Perhaps the Secretary of State has some ulterior motive in allowing it to go on?

Horatius