Obama Bow Shows Respect

President Barack Obama visited Japan and met with Japanese Emperor Akihito. It seems that the greeting between these two world leaders has gained more attention than anything else about the visit, especially from conservatives.

Americans, in general, are not very keen on respecting customs in other parts of the world. It is customary in Japan to bow rather than shake hands. A deep bow, as President Obama performed, is one of respect. It’s more than a greeting.

But the president’s bow did not replace a handshake. What this photo shows is mutual respect between two leaders, each respecting the custom of the other.

I have been very fortunate to have travelled abroad on numerous occasions, and I have been embarrassed by my fellow countrymen … and countrywomen, too!!! For example, one evening my wife and I decided to have an early, long, leisurely dinner followed by dancing and a show. We arrived at the restaurant about ten minutes before it opened. The Matre’D stepped up to his desk a few minutes later to check whatever it is they check.

A woman with a definite American accent asked to be seated. She was informed the restaurant was not yet open. Well, Katie bar the door – or, in this case, open the door. The woman went into a rant about having to stand and wait. Now, mind you, my wife and I were seated a few feet away and there were other chairs available for the woman. She simply wanted to rant that her needs were not being met even if those needs were way out of line. (continued below)

The Arrogance of Us

We have a problem in America of thinking the rest of the world should be just like us. We want to set up democracies in places that don’t want a democratic form of government. We want to export capitalism to places that don’t want such an insensitive form of economics and a lifestyle built around corporate greed. However, corporate America does not mind closing down jobs in the U. S. in order to get cheap labor in other countries.

That’s sort of a sticking point with me since one of my former jobs is now being done by someone in Vietnam. Did I mention I was in the military in the early 70’s? Of course I should be over that war by now but – no one else is, either. Anyway, I digress.

A couple hundred years ago or so, there was a country on the other side of the Atlantic that wanted America to be just like them, and pay tribute to them via taxes, etc. A bunch of guys got together and wrote something like, "When in the course of human events you piss us off, we’re gonna kick your ass." I paraphrase.

Sadly, this attitude is not directed at other countries only. We Americans display our arrogance toward one another. I’m right, you’re wrong so we need a law to force you to think like me. I am a white male married to a white female, and we’ve been married since about the time Noah parked his boat. She is my first and only wife. Do I think every marriage should be like ours? Well, I wish everyone would take the marriage relationship as seriously as we do. But I don’t think every marriage needs to be people of the same race or, even, the same sex. It’s none of my business who YOU fall in love with!

Has my wife ever had an abortion? No. We have never found ourselves in a circumstance where that was an option. But some people do find themselves in such a circumstance. It’s none of my business HOW they choose to live and the CHOICES people must make for themselves.

Yes, I am very glad to be an American citizen. I’m extremely thankful that I have the freedom to make the choices I make. Yes, I have made some really rotten decisions from time to time, but I’m glad I have the opportunity and the ability to make ‘em.

President Obama has made a decision to elevate the face of America by showing respect to other countries and other world leaders. I applaud him for that. We all should. But, in his back pocket he has a note that says, "When in the course of human events you piss us off, we’re gonna kick your ass." I paraphrase again.