The significance of a bow: 1. bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting 2. bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect

Once again, the news circuits are buzzing with video of President Obama bowing to the Chinese leader Hu Jintao. This isn’t the first time Obama has bowed to a foreign leader. If you recall, there were outcries from US nationalists when he bowed to the Saudi king…and then again when he bowed to the emperor of Japan. Is bowing really that bad? I think it’s more of a show of respect…IF that is how peers normally greet the respective individual. Since Obama is a peer to these foreign leaders, he should act accordingly.

I, however, don’t agree with him bowing if bowing is something only done to show subservience in the particular culture. Do your homework, Mr. President.

This video is the one being aired on news outlets today:

In this meeting last year, I think both leaders were bowing to eachother:

watch the other bows

amazing depiction of the truth #imjustsaying

I think he deserves it for the same reasons that the prize committee determined: “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” citing his fledgling push for nuclear disarmament and his outreach to the Muslim world.

Although the accomplishment seems pre-mature and unwarranted, I believe that “hope” and “promise” are worth acknowledging (look at Former President Bush for instance; no hope). When you grasp the magnitude of Obama’s potential, it is clear why the Norwegian Nobel committee couldn’t help but use this award as a call for action. I believe the prize will give the Obama Administration an even greater sense of accountability for the vast array of their global agendas.

More Plus Bonus Video