In case you missed this groundbreaking and world-changing news story, President Barack Obama bowed to Japanese Emperor Akihito. Exactly. What’s the big deal, right? Well, let’s have a look at what some people are saying.

Conservative pundit, William Kristol:

“I don’t know why President Obama thought that was appropriate. Maybe he thought it would play well in Japan. But it’s not appropriate for an American president to bow to a foreign one.”

and

“I’ll bet if you look at pictures of world leaders over 20 years meeting the emperor in Japan, they don’t bow.”

William Bennet, former Secretary of Education in the Regan years:

“It’s ugly. I don’t want to see it…We don’t defer to emperors. We don’t defer to kings or emperors. The president of the United States – this coupled with so many apologies from the United States — is just another thing.”

As Graham Gillete points out in his article for the Des Moines Register, after bowing to the body of Japanese Emperor Hirohito (who was in power during WWII), George H.W. Bush said:

“I’m representing the United States of America. And we’re talking about a friend, and we’re talking about an ally. We’re talking about a nation with whom we have constructive relationships. Sure, we got some problems, but that was all overriding — and respect for the Emperor.”

Hmmm…interesting huh? Remember Bill Kristol, who just can’t understand what President Obama was thinking? As Gillete writes:

It should be noted that Kristol served as chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle when President Bush bowed to the dead Emperor.

Well, would you look at that? What a coincidence. He must have forgotten. Also, I bet that’s the only other time that anything like this ever happened though, right? Oh, wait. No it’s not.

Richard M. Nixon’S Northwest Trip & Meeting With Hirohito In Alaska (1971)

You can find the source here.

George W. Bush Holding Hands with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah

George W. Bush Grabbing German Chancellor Merkel From Behind (2006)

Oh, but President Obama wanting to show a little respect to the Emperor of Japan with a customary greeting, in the hopes that he may repair America’s image overseas? That’s unacceptable!