Punditocracy needs to ease up on Barack's bow
Critics and pundits, for the most part representing the ever-vocal and civil discourse-challenged members of the hard right, are having a field day on the occasion of President Obama having bowed to Japanese Emperor Akihito during his recent visit to Japan. Apparently, the "punditocracy" (thank you Stephanie Griffith, of the French news agency AFP) has come up with some sort of unofficial foreign relations protocol which they haven't had the courtesy of sharing with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, nor her boss, President Obama.
The last time anyone checked, it is common procedure for American tourists visiting Japan, as well as businessmen, to indicate respect for local custom by exchanging bows when meeting. It is entirely up to the President in this instance to determine how to conduct himself and how best to represent the people and government of the United States of America. He has broken no rules or protocols, nor has he disrespected anyone. I did not vote for the President, but I would suggest a bit more generosity towards him. If this is the worst thing President Obama does during his term in office, we are all way ahead.
PETER WONDERLY
Bakersfield
