Then Obama bowed to an Arab Potentate. This sent the right wing blogosphere and talk show bloviators into a tizzy... and their sense of Americans being "better" and superior was assaulted again-- a few more imaginary inches lost.
On his latest trip to Pacific nations, Obama has bowed to Japan's emperor. The Drudge report's making a big deal about it, just as when Obama bowed to the Saudi potentate. Actually, Drudge links to a benign article in the LA Times, but the right wing echo chamber knows what to do with it. They'll question Obama's patriotism, accuse him of weakening America's image.
It's sad, really, that this will send Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, etcetera into shriveled states of mind, lambasting Obama for failing to stand up hard and strong for America.
I've been describing Beck supporters Beck Brains, but maybe we should take some inspiration from the movie, DEFENDING YOUR LIFE, and call them as the judges in heaven described souls not ready for heaven, as "little brains who live their lives primarily based on fear." And clearly, they are "little" in other ways too. (reference to little brains is about halfway into this video excerpt from the movie.)
Seriously though. America is big and strong enough to be confident enough for its leader to show respect to other nations' leaders, showing deference based on their cultures.
Failure to be able to show such deference is a huge sign of lack of self esteem and self-confidence. Obama is demonstrating the STRENGTH of America and the American character.
Right wingers who attack him for his bowing are showing just how small they really are, in so many ways.