American leaders don’t bow before foreign dignitaries. This is to emphasize the fact that although these leaders may be revered and adored as superior to a common citizen in their own country, in America, we recognize no such distinctions.
The President of the United States personifies and represents the entire country of 300 million people, our Constitution, our Republic and it’s Democratic ideals.
When he makes a state visit, he carries the weight of over 200 years of history, dedication to equality and liberty and the rule of law, not men, with his person. America, in his person, bows to no one.
In bowing to the Emperor of Japan and various dignitaries in China, Obama demeaned our country, our institutions and his own office. Why? We think he did it to show his own urbanity and adherence to custom we poor back-woods bastards can’t appreciate nor understand.
He did it to glorify himself and show his dedication not to the American people and the country at large, he did it to show America’s willingness (with him as it’s leader) to kowtow to foreign nations in the pursuit of some false “international comity”. By prostrating himself, he symbolizes America prostrating herself before the world, to pay obeisance and beg forgiveness for past, supposed, indiscretions and sins.
All this is also in pursuit of his own glorification, as the great uniter and elite international statesman at the expense of American interest and ideals.
When you bow to one potentate, you show your ass to the rest of the world and everyone behind you. Obama’s bow not only inclined his head toward the Emperor, he cocked his ass at the rest of us. Our values, our history, our beliefs, our entire way of life.
Note it well. It’s not the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last.