5point2 .. "There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov, column in Newsweek (21 January 1980)
Question:
Where were all those loud-mouthed hysterics when George W. Bush was holding hands and kissing the lips of the head of state of Saudi Arabia? Seems his fans didn't see anything wrong with George engaging in the customs of the Saudi Muslims when George was president. No president that I can remember ever kissed a head of state on his lips and walked hand in hand with him. But George did, because it is showed respect to his Muslim BFF. That behavior is customary and polite in Muslim culture. And George obliged.
The rightwingers are having apoplectic fits because Mr. Obama acknowledged a customary greeting in Japan. Mr. Obama did exactly what George W. Bush did, vis-a-vis respecting a local custom.
But rightwingers can't grasp the essential the truth of the matter.
George W. Bush kisses a Muslim leader on the lips and holds his hand, showing deep, loving, and humble respect for a Muslim custom.
*crickets* from the politically correct Right.
Mr. Obama shows respect for a Japanese custom, and the rightwings' heads explode.
Here's what the rightwingers, who are howling over Mr. Obama's show of respect, did not know and did not bother to research. This makes them look like ninnies:
Richard Nixon bowed to Emperor Hirohito--you know, the guy who was the head of Japan when it attacked the US at Pearl Harbor? Nixon BOWED TO HIROHITO when he visited THE UNITED STATES! Dwight Eisenhower BOWED to Charles DeGaulle during a state visit. And George W. Bush BOWED TO POPE BENEDICT, who is a head of state. And finally George W. Bush bowing to a Communist Chinese head of state. http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced_majority_portal/2009/11/nixon-establishes-protocol-by-bowing-to-hirohito.html .. see Nixon ..
So please, rightwingers, spare us your spittle flecking anger. Get upset over something important, like the millions of Americans without health care, and the thousands of veterans dying for lack of health care.
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