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Should President Obama have bowed to Japan's emperor?

Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:47 PM EST

Live Poll

Should President Obama have bowed to Japan's emperor?

View Results
  • 68283
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.
    49%
  • 68284
    No. It made him look weak.
    49%
  • 68285
    Not sure.
    2%

VoteTotal Votes: 60257

Results with 844 short comments
Total of 60,257 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

48.6%
Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.
29,283 votes
49.3%
No. It made him look weak.
29,698 votes
2.1%
Not sure.
1,276 votes
Display Comments:
Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

What are these critics nuts, out of work or just plain stupid?!

  • 59 votes
#1
 - m-476960
 - 9:03 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

And conservatives wonder why the rest of the world thinks Americans are arrogant...

  • 58 votes
#2
 - unoservix
 - 9:06 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

I do not like Obama's politics, but this was just a sign of courtesy--there have been people I do not like but I still shake their hand

    #3
     - dogtracks39-1471496
     - 9:09 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    I think he was being respectful and not trying to say that he was lower than the emperor. It is respectful to follow customs of other plac

    • 48 votes
    #4
     - A.J. Simmons
     - 9:10 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    It's a sign of respect. That's how it was taken. Japan does not think the US weak because of a gorram bow. Conservatives are grasping straw

    • 47 votes
    #5
     - Dude-471844
     - 9:12 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    Bowing in Japan is understandable.... thats a custom there and they are close allies. Bowing to the Middle Eastern leaders.... Hell no!

    • 24 votes
    #6
     - zobes69
     - 9:13 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    Not ashamed of the President but I am ashamed that the dumbest among us are taken seriously.

    • 56 votes
    #7
     - triscele-1471513
     - 9:14 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    If you see your nieghbor in the morning, should you wave, or does it make you look weak?

    • 57 votes
    #8
     - byront-1471516
     - 9:14 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    Showing respect is always a good thing and makes dialogue easier.

    • 44 votes
    #9
     - chilled
     - 9:16 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    I've spent over 10 years living in Japan and it actually elevated his stature in Japan to show respect to the Emperor!

    • 52 votes
    #10
     - Hitobito
     - 9:17 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    No. It made him look weak.

    The proper response to the meeting wuth the Japanese dignatary is to return a bow only

    • 20 votes
    #11
     - Occam's Razor
     - 9:17 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    Jesus washed the feet of the diciples, I believe he was on his knees: obama did it correctly!!! to show respect.

    • 46 votes
    #12
     - dale-763548
     - 9:17 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    No. It made him look weak.

    Did the Japanese emperor bow to obama?

    • 29 votes
    #13
     - Lynn-350504
     - 9:18 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    Yes. Remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Respect, respect, respect.

    • 48 votes
    #14
     - Don Sutton Long Beach
     - 9:20 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    If anything, it was classy by Obama. It is better to be humble to your hosts.

    • 45 votes
    #15
     - Gutch220
     - 9:21 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    It's better than getting a shoe thrown at you!

    • 53 votes
    #16
     - ashy1716
     - 9:22 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    Eisenhower and Nixon has bowed before other kings and the Queen of England. As Americans we must learn to respect the culture of others.

    • 47 votes
    #17
     - King Solomon
     - 9:23 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
    Yes. It was an appropriate sign of respect.

    Yawn - total non issue

    • 41 votes
    #18
     - WRLPAL
     - 9:24 pm EST on Mon Nov 16, 2009
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