Obama bowed to someone. Everyone freak the fuck out.

[NonCon]

Source (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/obama-emperor-akihito-japan.html)

This photo will get Democrat President Obama a lot of approving nods in Japan this weekend, especially among the older generation of Japanese who still pay attention to the royal family living in its downtown castle. Very low bows like this are a sign of great respect and deference to a superior.

To some in the United States, however, an upright handshake might have looked better.

Maybe I'm under-reacting, but this seems like the perfectly logical and respectful thing for Obama to do. Fox News, of course, is making a big stink about it, making even less sense then usual, and pissing me off.

Fox News on the Event (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/16/obama-draws-bow-japanese-emperor/)

[Aerozord]

In Japan you bow to the pizza guy when he hands you your food. Its not viewing someone as superior its just common respect. I dont see why these people think we have to force every society to greet people as we do.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Why is it that anyone even cares what the worlds worst news network has to say?

[BitVyper]

Obama is showing that Americans AREN'T culturally ignorant? Quick! Call the Superfriends!

He clearly doesn't represent American ideals.

[Marc v1.0]

Didn't Bush bow to anyone while he was in Japan? Did they forget that?

What am I saying, of course they 'forgot'.

[Mr.Bookworm]

We nuke them, our President gives them a perfectly respectful culturally appropriate greeting 65 years later. Everyone wins.

[Fifthfiend]

New blog idea: "What incredibly trivial shit are right-wingers freaking out about today?"

Should be able to do like twenty, maybe a hundred posts a day.

[CelesJessa]

Checking this thread here lulled me into thinking people are generally intelligent and agree that this is not a big deal, but then I checked this super conservative forum I ghost around sometimes and people are legitimately pissed off.

Oh shit guys, the President is being culturally sensitive!

[Aerozord]

sounds like something to put in that new sub-forum Fifth

[Megaman FTW]

You guys aren't getting the real picture here though. Obviously this is undeniable proof that Obama is not just any American president, but a communist robot spy built to infiltrate our society and slowly work its way to the rank of president during World War II. Now that it has achieved this mission, it is reporting back to its makers for further instructions on how to spread its VILE COMMUNIST TAINT through our free society!

edit: COMMUNISM!

[Azisien]

We nuke them twice, our President gives them a perfectly respectful culturally appropriate greeting 65 years later. Everyone wins.

Edit for specification!

[Wigmund]

These are the probably the same people who got pissed off when Obama bowed to the Saudi King, forgetting that Bush held his hand like they were best friends in kindergarten. But, this is Fox News and the right wing we're dealing with - so my expectations can't go any lower.


edit: COMMUNISM!

Sorry, had to fix for proper emphasis.

[Bells]

So, if Obama goes to Italy and kisses the president in the face as a sign respect and friendship, people will say he is Gay and america is now a Muslim Homo Country?

Really, after that piece on the Dailyshow where they showed FOX cutting footage from one demonstration to make another one seem bigger.... why do people give a shit about anything FOX says?

[Wigmund]

Really, after that piece on the Dailyshow where they showed FOX cutting footage from one demonstration to make another one seem bigger.... why do people give a shit about anything FOX says?

Because there's a sizeable portion of this country that are complete dumb fucks that believe Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck.

[Megaman FTW]

Sorry, had to fix for proper emphasis.

I appreciate the effort, but if we're going to try and emphasise this, lets do it properly.

http://forum.nuklearpower.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7031&stc=1&d=1258425186

[Julford Hajime]

Likewise, Obama's latest bow has critics fuming. One blogger called the act "treasonous."
One of their sources in the article is a blogger. That's adorable.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

One of their sources in the article is a blogger. That's adorable.
Proof that they're idiots...

Seriously though, why does ANYONE even care what this wanna-be news network thinks? They hate every country in the world and believe America is the ultimate nation. They attack anyone who looks at them funny (even children). Their very exisitence make humanity looks like a bunch retarded monkeys.

Them shutting up for long while is one of the greatest things that could possibly come from that global black out causeed by the Solar Flare that's suppose to come in 2012.

[MasterOfMagic]

As usual, the comments for the article were priceless:
WTH? Will this man ever stop bowing and scraping to foreign leaders. What is wrong with him? Wait I know, he is a narcissistic, psychopath with delusions of grander and bent on destroying the United Sates of America as we once knew it: a free country.
Emphasis mine. I nearly fell out of my chair.

[Bells]

Proof that they're idiots...

Seriously though, why does ANYONE even care what this wanna-be news network thinks? They hate every country in the world and believe America is the ultimate nation. They attack anyone who looks at them funny (even children). Their very exisitence make humanity looks like a bunch retarded monkeys.

Them shutting up for long while is one of the greatest things that could possibly come from that global black out causeed by the Solar Flare that's suppose to come in 2012.

Here comes the sad part... when you start talking crap, and people start paying attention, usually you start talking crap louder and more blatantly to keep them listening...

Thus... Fox News

[Ryanderman]

It actually ticks me off a bit that he bowed, to both the people he's gotten in "trouble" for bowing to. I've always thought American Presidents had a policy of not bowing to anyone. A symbolic representation of all people being equal. It's a meaningless symbolic representation that may or may not have been entirely a figment of my imagination, so Obama breaking it is not the big deal it's being made out to be, is perfectly acceptable, and in no way reflects negatively upon his ability as a President.

But it does tick me off a bit.

[Kepor]

It actually ticks me off a bit that he bowed, to both the people he's gotten in "trouble" for bowing to. I've always thought American Presidents had a policy of not bowing to anyone. A symbolic representation of all people being equal. It's a meaningless symbolic representation that may or may not have been entirely a figment of my imagination, so Obama breaking it is not the big deal it's being made out to be, is perfectly acceptable, and in no way reflects negatively upon his ability as a President.

But it does tick me off a bit.

I don't know that there was a policy, so much as each president has had his own ideas on foreign relations and such. Obama is probably one of the most internationally engaged presidents we've had, and certainly the most within recent years, so probably he seems a bit of a contrast to his predecessors.

Personally, I have no problems with him bowing to the Emprah Emperor because it shows cultural awareness and sensitivity while, at the same time, everyone is aware that Obama is outside that system.

[Aerozord]

It actually ticks me off a bit that he bowed, to both the people he's gotten in "trouble" for bowing to. I've always thought American Presidents had a policy of not bowing to anyone. A symbolic representation of all people being equal. It's a meaningless symbolic representation that may or may not have been entirely a figment of my imagination, so Obama breaking it is not the big deal it's being made out to be, is perfectly acceptable, and in no way reflects negatively upon his ability as a President.

But it does tick me off a bit.

see if they said something like this we could atleast not view their statements as monkeys rattling cages and flinging poo

[Kyanbu The Legend]

see if they said something like this we could atleast not view their statements as monkeys rattling cages and flinging poo

But they'd still be screaming...

[Aerozord]

my point is Ryanderman has a legit point. Not saying its right, but its not wrong either. The way he put it, Presidents before didn't bow because they believed the act was against american values, not to go against those of another country.

I personally still feel its ok to bow, anyone that knows about international travel will tell you atleast attempting to follow their customs is respectful and should be done as you are representing your nation. If a tourist is expected to show such courtecy I think the President should

[POS Industries]

So, if Obama goes to Italy and kisses the president in the face as a sign respect and friendship, people will say he is Gay and america is now a Muslim Homo Country?
Oh...

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/bush-saudi-king-249x300.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/bush-saudi-king-3.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/BushSaudiKing.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/BushkissestheKing.jpg

...I think we're already way within the borders of Muslim Homo Country.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Oh...

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/bush-saudi-king-249x300.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/bush-saudi-king-3.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/BushSaudiKing.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/BushkissestheKing.jpg

...I think we're already way within the borders of Muslim Homo Country.
I demand that you E-mail that to Fox News at once! Weekly!

[Ryanderman]

my point is Ryanderman has a legit point. Not saying its right, but its not wrong either. The way he put it, Presidents before didn't bow because they believed the act was against american values, not to go against those of another country.

I personally still feel its ok to bow, anyone that knows about international travel will tell you atleast attempting to follow their customs is respectful and should be done as you are representing your nation. If a tourist is expected to show such courtecy I think the President should
Yeah, it's not about me being right or wrong. It's just my gut feeling opinion. To which I would, in no way, try to hold the President.

I feel that the President is among other things a symbol of the country, and that as a symbol, he should symbolically not bow to anyone. He can be polite and show respect in other ways. Ordinary Americans, tourists, however can bow as much as they want without bothering me. They aren't symbols.

But again, that's just me, and I don't support Fox News or the outcry they're leading about this. I'm content to be annoyed a bit and move on.

[bluestarultor]

It actually ticks me off a bit that he bowed, to both the people he's gotten in "trouble" for bowing to. I've always thought American Presidents had a policy of not bowing to anyone. A symbolic representation of all people being equal. It's a meaningless symbolic representation that may or may not have been entirely a figment of my imagination, so Obama breaking it is not the big deal it's being made out to be, is perfectly acceptable, and in no way reflects negatively upon his ability as a President.

But it does tick me off a bit.

See, no, it depends on the country. Japan has bowing as an everyday sign of respect. Bowing over there is perfectly normal, and him bowing is probably the best thing he could have done to show he's there on friendly terms. A simple handshake over there would indicate a much more strained relationship to the people, which is NOT the image we want to project.

Now, if he were bowing to, say, the English royalty, that is a major faux pas. A bow in Europe is a sign of fealty, which would indicate America is beneath them. There's a totally different meaning behind it. Japan = respect; Europe = submission.

[01d55]

New blog idea

Sadly, No! (http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/26472.html)

[Mirai Gen]

It actually ticks me off a bit that he bowed, to both the people he's gotten in "trouble" for bowing to.

This is a legit point, but keep in mind Obama went to Japan. Visiting Japan and refusing to respect the leader isn't much different than going to someone's house and tracking mud into their living room.

New blog idea: "What incredibly trivial shit are right-wingers freaking out about today?"
I'm actually kind of curious - were they this crazy back during Clinton? I was far too young to pay attention to politics during his reign, which I admit was because most of my political experience was limited to "OMG MONICA LEWINSKY!"

[Ryanderman]

This is a legit point, but keep in mind Obama went to Japan. Visiting Japan and refusing to respect the leader isn't much different than going to someone's house and tracking mud into their living room.
Point taken. Still rubs me the wrong way. But it makes sense.


I'm actually kind of curious - were they this crazy back during Clinton? I was far too young to pay attention to politics during his reign, which I admit was because most of my political experience was limited to "OMG MONICA LEWINSKY!"

"OMG MONICA LEWINSKY!"

[Mirai Gen]

Well, besides that.

[Mac]

Well, it could be worse. He could have gone over there and said,joke taken from Conan.

[Sithdarth]

Having been a part of a traditional Martial Arts style for about 9 years now in which the rei, or bow although a better translation might be salute, is a regular part of the goings on I probably have a slightly different perspective on the matter. In Japan the action is a greeting and farewell as well as a sign of respect at least while standing. If he'd gotten down on his knees and put his forehead to the ground that'd be something more in line with a European bow.

To be brutally honest though he pretty much mangled it though. He went a little to deep for a bow between two people of roughly equal stature although that could just be an attempt to be more courteous. If that was a good or bad idea is completely up to how sensitive the Emperor is to cultural differences. The looking down thing might have been a bigger mistake as that might be taken more as a sign of deference. I know that at least in the martial arts context you never look away from the person you are bowing to at least in part for obvious reasons. I'd like to say at least some of that would carry over when two people of equal stature, especially two heads of state, meet but that's probably just me. I'm not sure if the Emperor still identifies with the Samurai in anyway though so the whole looking down thing could be totally insignificant.

Just the perspective of someone that does this like a billion times every Tuesday and Thursday night and occasionally on other days as well. Its pretty much just become second nature and I've got to force myself not to rei compulsively to people I respect and when entering or leaving the offices/houses/ etc or people I respect. It really gets ingrained into after awhile.

[BitVyper]

I know that at least in the martial arts context you never look away from the person you are bowing to

That's not entirely accurate. That seems to be the popularized version, but at least where kenjutsu is concerned, looking up while bowing is considered pretty rude and possibly a flat out offensive action. Although when you're fully armoured, you bow completely different anyway since a regular bow would result in a very comical scene.

I've heard the eyes-up bow attributed to Bruce Lee, but I don't know how accurate that is. It would make sense though, since it's so widespread in western martial arts. There's nothing wrong with it or anything, just that as far as I am aware, it would be offensive in this case. It's probably different in other countries though - Japan isn't exactly the main influence on western martial arts.

Edit: Of course, the rules with all this stuff are a lot more lax in the twenty first century, so it probably wouldn't be that big of a deal anyway.

[CABAL49]

I am no specialist about Japan, but they sure do seem Angry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRB2wFhXIPs) about Obama.

[Aerozord]

bowing in martial arts is a sign of respect with no real meaning. Its like waving when you say hi. It is just a pointless gesture. In any real world (by that I mean any time when martial arts would be used in the real world) situation you dont bow period because the martial arts are designed to incapacitate, often by killing, the person attacking you. There is zero reguard for tradition, respect, or honor. Its why just about all martial arts have techniques designed to hit someone in the balls. Its fight to the death, if you are worried about offending your opponet, well I doubt he'd be trying to kill you if he wasn't already upset.

Long winded as that was, my point is using martial arts gesture is probably a poor way to go.

What I learned while there is traditionally a very deep bow is appropriate. However in modern times this is almost never used. Now its often just a slight bow of the head and little more. How deeply you bow merely shows how formal things are, and in no way shows submission.

[BitVyper]

bowing in martial arts is a sign of respect with no real meaning. Its like waving when you say hi.

Pretty much, yeah. But that's how it applies in most other places unless you're in some kind of formal meeting/function/whatever. Doing it wrong is still awkward at best - like trying to kiss the hand of your friend's brother instead of shaking it when you meet him. Yeah, it doesn't really mean a lot, but it's just weird or offensive if you do it the wrong way. Another good example would be the classic backwoods hick trying to give an upright, modern businessman a spitshake.

A lot of westernized martial arts have waaaaay over-emphasized the importance of the bow, so I'm right there with you on this one. Japanese people don't carry around protractors to make sure that they're bowing properly.

Long winded as that was, my point is using martial arts gesture is probably a poor way to go.

I've also studied the masculine form of tea ceremony, which is all about decorum. God help you if you do something wrong there.

Its why just about all martial arts have techniques designed to hit someone in the balls.

My favourite thing about the jo staff is that this is what like, 90% of the techniques do.

Its fight to the death, if you are worried about offending your opponet, well I doubt he'd be trying to kill you if he wasn't already upset.

Not true. There was a whole culture of duelists, so fighting someone to the death without being particularly upset with them could definitely have happened (and is documented as having occurred). If someone were actually trying to kill you out of anger, there's a good bet that you'd forgo the bow anyway. Chances are, they probably weren't really in the mood for decorum at that pont.

All of that said, bowing in Japanese martial arts follows the same basic tradition that it does elsewhere, but you're right, it's not that important an aspect of them.

[Mirai Gen]

Having been a part of a traditional Martial Arts style for about 9 years now in which the rei, or bow although a better translation might be salute, is a regular part of the goings on I probably have a slightly different perspective on the matter. In Japan the action is a greeting and farewell as well as a sign of respect at least while standing. If he'd gotten down on his knees and put his forehead to the ground that'd be something more in line with a European bow.
Sithdarth I think I can say you are being incredibly, pointlessly analytical.

[BitVyper]

Sithdarth I think I can say you are being incredibly, pointlessly analytical.

Oh, if he's done something blatantly wrong, I'd say it's worth pointing out. The president should really be getting prepped on this stuff before he meets with foreign leaders. But this doesn't seem like the sort of situation where it would have been a big deal even if he did do something ever-so-slightly wrong.

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/56052061.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F4700B53A919437894C7C 40F8A0B49D77CA9FF06BF04B24B4128C

[Mirai Gen]

Oh, if he's done something blatantly wrong, I'd say it's worth pointing out.

Well yeah, but in this case he's doing something right and the only people who think he's doing something wrong are the "Omigod how could he bow in servitude to a foreign power?!?!?!" by the rightwing nuts.

I completely do not see the point in saying "Well, technically, he didn't do it right, kinda, in a way."

[synkr0nized]

Some people like to talk about subjects and slight tangents that come up in a conversation.

[BitVyper]

Well yeah, but in this case he's doing something right and the only people who think he's doing something wrong are the "Omigod how could he bow in servitude to a foreign power?!?!?!" by the rightwing nuts.

I completely do not see the point in saying "Well, technically, he didn't do it right, kinda, in a way."

The point is that he's the face of your country and people already percieve Americans as ignorant of other cultures. That said, yes, this particular situation is making a mountain out of a molehill, and even if he made a slight mistake, I doubt anyone who matters noticed or cared. I also doubt it even qualified as a mistake if he did, because the bowing thing isn't nearly as strict or important as people make it out to be (except in one or two very specific situations).

But if he actually does make an error, then it probably ought to be pointed out - I just don't think any slight difference in angle really qualifies as an error here.

Edit: I think POS and Smarty have the right idea - this thread should be less about bowing, and more about bromance pictures of the presidents. Where's Celes when we need homoerotic art?

[Fifthfiend]

I mean honestly the President shouldn't be bowing to no fuckin' Emperor or whatev and he looked stupid doin' it, it's just that at this point the hoopla surrounding it just becomes part of the mass of complaining about every completely trivial thing Obama says or does on account of the huge mess of people who will take basically any excuse to continue hating the fuck out of him.

[Sithdarth]

That's not entirely accurate. That seems to be the popularized version, but at least where kenjutsu is concerned, looking up while bowing is considered pretty rude and possibly a flat out offensive action. Although when you're fully armoured, you bow completely different anyway since a regular bow would result in a very comical scene.

I've heard the eyes-up bow attributed to Bruce Lee, but I don't know how accurate that is. It would make sense though, since it's so widespread in western martial arts. There's nothing wrong with it or anything, just that as far as I am aware, it would be offensive in this case. It's probably different in other countries though - Japan isn't exactly the main influence on western martial arts.


The particular style was founded in 1952 by a guy who had pretty strong ties to the Japanese Royal family. I'm not saying its impossible but I doubt he had much of an effect at the age of 12. Of course there is also the point that in general all of our formal etiquette is ridiculously formal and rigid. Like when a rei is done from a formal seated position in the beginning and end of class there is a specific way the hands go out and come back and there is also a proper way to sit down and get back up. There is a whole story behind exactly why its that way as well. It might have relatively little connection to how things are actually done.

Sithdarth I think I can say you are being incredibly, pointlessly analytical.

Hello my name is Sithdarth have we met?

[Fifthfiend]

I'm just gonna throw this out there and see how it hits y'all.

Sithdarth/Barrelpants buddy-cop duo.

[Mr.Bookworm]

I'm just gonna throw this out there and see how it hits y'all.

Sithdarth/Barrelpants buddy-cop duo.

Wouldn't work. They would shoot each other inside of ten minutes.

[Sithdarth]

Wouldn't work. They would shoot each other inside of ten minutes.

Isn't that the point of buddy-cop duos? Like at the beginning they're all about hating each other and then eventually through the shared experience of bad guy ass kicking they grow to respect and even grudgingly like each other.

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

I'm just gonna throw this out there and see how it hits y'all.

Sithdarth/Barrelpants buddy-cop duo.

Am I the by-the-books family man, a hardened veteran doing one last job before retirement or the radical young rookie, careworn and fancy-free, doing what it takes to get it done, trying to make some difference in the world.

[Mr.Bookworm]

Isn't that the point of buddy-cop duos? Like at the beginning they're all about hating each other and then eventually through the shared experience of bad guy ass kicking they grow to respect and even grudgingly like each other.

Yeah, but you two would be going for a homicide before the opening titles are over if we stuck you in a car.

Am I the by-the-books family man, a hardened veteran doing one last job before retirement or the radical young rookie, careworn and fancy-free, doing what it takes to get it done, trying to make some difference in the world.

You're the young gung-ho jerk with a heart of gold, and Sith is the grouchy old-timer who has seen it all.

[Fifthfiend]

Basically I figure they show up at a crime scene and Barrelpants starts going on about how getting murdered is so bourgeoise and Sithdarth starts analyzing the victim's toenails for scientific proof of poor character.

[Magic_Marker]

Am I the by-the-books family man, a hardened veteran doing one last job before retirement or the radical young rookie, careworn and fancy-free, doing what it takes to get it done, trying to make some difference in the world.

You are the douchy grad student who was kicked out of the ivory tower and decided to devote his life to stamping out crime for some unexplained reason.

Also terrorists kidnapped your daughter.

[Mirai Gen]

Hello my name is Sithdarth have we met?
Point. Analyzing toenails, and all.

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

how getting murdered is so bourgeoise

The sad/scary thing is that this is totally an argument I have actually made at one point in my life.

[Meister]

I wish it would have been a martial arts context. Not because I'm longing for strained relations between Japan and the US but because interactions between politicians should always carry the possibility of violent one-on-one fistfights. Y'know, put something personal on the line for them.

[Fifthfiend]

I wish it would have been a martial arts context. Not because I'm longing for strained relations between Japan and the US but because interactions between politicians should always carry the possibility of violent one-on-one fistfights. Y'know, put something personal on the line for them.

Every meeting of heads of state should be like that one scene in Get Smart.

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

The problem with that is that within a month we'll be Russia's bitches.

[Aerozord]

I just want to say if he didn't do it perfectly, the Japanese are rather understanding of that kinda thing.

I've also studied the masculine form of tea ceremony, which is all about decorum. God help you if you do something wrong there.


while in japan I did participate in one. There were alot of details and everything but long as you tried to follow it all they were tolerant.


Not true. There was a whole culture of duelists, so fighting someone to the death without being particularly upset with them could definitely have happened (and is documented as having occurred). If someone were actually trying to kill you out of anger, there's a good bet that you'd forgo the bow anyway. Chances are, they probably weren't really in the mood for decorum at that pont.
.
then it isn't a martial art. Martial means for war. Martial arts were created for the purpose of killing your opponet. Duels evolved from training, they are not serious fights. I admit its symantics, but if its not ment to kill, then its not martial

[Krylo]

People killed in duels all the time, Aero. In fact, that's what they were.

[POS Industries]

The sad/scary thing is that this is totally an argument I have actually made at one point in my life.
Well, murder is pretty generic and overrated.

It's also really popular among the lower classes of the United States. Sort of the American Idol of crime.

[Wigmund]

I wish it would have been a martial arts context. Not because I'm longing for strained relations between Japan and the US but because interactions between politicians should always carry the possibility of violent one-on-one fistfights. Y'know, put something personal on the line for them.
Every meeting of heads of state should be like that one scene in Get Smart.

Does Bush 41 vomiting on the Japanese Prime Minister count (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnOnDatqENo)?

People killed in duels all the time, Aero. In fact, that's what they were.

Just ask Andrew Jackson, he loved 'em.

[Corel]

The problem with that is that within a month we'll be Russia's bitches.

Did Putin actually offer Sarkozy those Judo lessons in the end? I like to believe suplexes can solve all of lifes' problems. Especially Political ones.

[Masaki-kun]

In Japan you bow to the pizza guy when he hands you your food. Its not viewing someone as superior its just common respect. I dont see why these people think we have to force every society to greet people as we do.

Incidentally, I've heard Japanese pizza is horrible and they put funny toppings on it. Not like, particularly Japanese ones. Stuff like corn.

[Krylo]

I've had pizza with corn on it.

It wasn't terrible.

[Aerozord]

Incidentally, I've heard Japanese pizza is horrible and they put funny toppings on it. Not like, particularly Japanese ones. Stuff like corn.

Real issue I found is Japanese have trouble with the idea of "plain". Food is rather preset and its served how its served. Still they do have more traditional western foods. Japan has the best burgers

[Magus]

After totally kowtowing to the Emperor of Japan (pretty sure his head bashed off the floor a few times, kind of like one of those birds you put the water in and the heads go up and down), inviting them to repeat Pearl Harbor, or, worse yet, unleash upon us their demonic culture or cheap, American-business destroying vehicles, he better not follow this up in the future by kissing the Queen of England's hand or something, as we all know that in British culture that is like saying, "Please, Great Britain, destroy us, utterly, and take us, your forlorn Colonies back into your enlightened bosom."

Note: Totally don't know if you kiss the Queen of England's hand.

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

If you want to come back, the Empire will totally take you back. You don't even need to kiss the Queen's hand or anything. Special one time offer.

[POS Industries]

If you want to come back, the Empire will totally take you back. You don't even need to kiss the Queen's hand or anything. Special one time offer.
And with our most famous symbolic gesture bastardized by these retarded Tea Party protests, we are left with no means to refuse your offer!

Will a Rage Against the Machine song do? It's all we've got left.

[Premonitions]

And with our most famous symbolic gesture bastardized by these retarded Tea Party protests, we are left with no means to refuse your offer!

Will a Rage Against the Machine song do? It's all we've got left.

We could throw Terry Pratchet in the water.......