Fox News' media critic claims Obama's bow offended "a lot of people" - own poll disagrees
November 23, 2009 11:50 am ET by Eric Hananoki
What, exactly, is the point of Fox News Watch, Fox News' purported media criticism show?
On the show's November 21 installment, host Jon Scott told viewers, "I had better be accurate on a media criticism show." He's not.
We've noted that Fox News Watch routinely gets facts wrong, while excusing or ignoring criticism of its own network. Recently, the show falsely claimed that President Obama watched an HBO documentary about himself instead of election returns - days after Fox News apologized for starting the incorrect story. (Fox News Watch has yet to correct the record on its program.)
There's a special irony in having Jon Scott host a media criticism show. Scott has been repeatedly caught cut and pasting GOP talking points and press releases as his own research. After one Jon Scott cut and paste incident, Washington Post and CNN media critic Howard Kurtz blasted Scott for failing to apologize "for using partisan propaganda from the GOP without telling your viewers where it came from."
On November 21, Fox News Watch took on Obama's bow and Scott painted it as upsetting "a lot of people":
SCOTT: There was the announcement that he made as he got ready to jump on the plane that he was going to hold a jobs summit. This, after it came out that unemployment is, what, 10.2 percent now.
ELLIS HENICAN (Fox News contributor): That's right. Uncomfortable news. And you do anything you can as a politician to bury it.
To me, what was a little disappointing about the coverage was it didn't have a lot of discussion how it is, when we see our banker, always an uncomfortable situation, and it was the kind of silly stuff. It was the bowing and the political hits back and forth and the buried fact. I wish we had a discussion about the other stuff.
SCOTT: Symbolism did matter. I mean, the bowing did offend a lot of people.
RICH LOWRY (Fox News contributor, National Review editor): Yes, I find it offensive. I believe it's an offense against smaller "R" Republican manners for any president of the United States to bow to a foreign potentate. Look, this is a classic narrative story where a Republican -- you know, Nixon can do it, and it's not a big deal. But Obama does it, because the idea's out there, justifiably in my mind, that he's a weakling abroad, that he has an overly submissive attitude towards foreign countries. And that's why it was exploded. And kudos to the blogosphere, which was onto this way before the mainstream media.
Scott claims that "the bowing did offend a lot of people." But Americans overwhelming say that Obama's bow didn't offend them - according to a Fox News poll. 67% of Americans view Obama's bow as appropriate, while 26% view it as never appropriate. Even a majority of Republicans (53-40) view Obama's gesture as appropriate. Shockingly, Scott never mentioned the poll.
Daily Kos' Jed Lewison wrote, "Perhaps Fox should change their slogan: we report and you decide, but only if it's something that we think will make you hate President Obama." Indeed, when given a chance to note Fox News' polling days after its release, and while discussing public perception of that very topic, Scott - Fox News' designed media critic - claimed the opposite of what his own poll found.
Then again, with Fox News' own history of deception and inaccuracy, maybe Jon Scott is a 'perfect' fit as Fox News' media critic.
They're turning the Republican Party into it's own special religion. When they're not condemning unbelievers to varying horrible judgments, they're busily fighting amongst themselves in an effort to root out heresy and purge anyone who deviates from the party line. The few fortunate faithful who make small enough lapses to be forgiven end up kissing Bishop Limbaugh's ring, or Rupert Murdoch's backside.
I'm so glad they're not in control of government, and so appalled that they hold sway over the media.
I have a feeling that many conservatives feel the same, showing once again how small this fringe radical movement really is, and how far off from the center they really are.
And "A Lot" is very relative. Maybe a thousand people are offended by somebody bowing, which doesn't seem like "a lot" in a nation of a few hundred million, but if a thousand people were coming over to your place for Thanksgiving, that would be "a lot".
What are you trying to say, "old man"? Now that y'all wanna criticise Obama, you've willing to take down Nixon with him?
1. The President's bowing actually breaks protocol. Prior protocol has been that American dignitaries shake hands & occasionally offer a very slight bow. Not a deep one that breaks eye contact & suggests subservience.
- The State Department & New York Times also agree according to the June 14, 1994 Times article "The President's Inclination: No, It Wasn't a Bow-Bow"
2. The video shows Emperor Akihito approaching President Obama with his arm extended for a handshake. Our President breaks protocol again by bowing & shaking simultaneously, abnormal in Japanese culture.
Plus, Emperor Akihito did NOT return the bow. Had he returned the bow, this would have been a positive display of mutual respect. Because he did not, this becomes a disturbing show of one-sided deference inappropriate for our President in the face of a foreign leader.
I sincerely wish that this time the foreign official our nation's leader bowed to had returned the same courtesy & respect. Bowing is a common gesture in the Japanese culture, & one the Emperor should have initiated or returned without hesitation (especially as he's the 1st Emperor not considered divine).
The first incident (with the Saudi King) may have been impulsive or simply a poor decision by President Obama & can be easily overlooked. Everyone makes mistakes. But Americans NEED to know that our President is building relationships of mutual admiration, not simply kowtowing from a subservient position and constantly apologizing for past mistakes while ignoring all the good America has simultaneously done.
Name one thing he's done right besides having the pirates holding an American hostage, shot...
There is actually a quite extensive list that has been published on reputable news sources, but you wouldn't believe them because you don't want to, OMIBF.
I don't listen to hate radio. beside randi rhodes was taken off real radio. I can't find any left-wingnut hate radio shows on the radio any more, the left-wing hate radio shows seem to be gone? hmmm
Retired people form the bulk of AM talk radio audiences. Working people are working...
Oh, and progressive radio is alive and doing very well. Randi Rhodes is as almost as bad as Limbaugh and Beck. I listen to both hate talk radio and progressive radio on occasion just to see where idiots like you get your "facts."
I'll repeat, try getting your news from responsible, reputable news sources . . . . wherever you're getting the crap you post here is neither responsible nor reputable and I really doubt they are actually "news" sources.
I've create more jobs than obama and I don't have 787 billion to throw to my friends...
Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB [the families used to have to pay their own way.]
The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act [FOIA requests were systematically ignored under Bush Administration]
Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
New federal funding for science and research labs
States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
New funds for school construction
US Auto industry rescue plan
Housing rescue plan
The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
Expanding vaccination programs
Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
Closed offshore tax safe havens
Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
Lower drug costs for seniors
Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
Improved housing for military personnel
Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
Increasing student loans
Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
Established a new cyber security office
Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
Improving benefits for veterans
Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports [Much of the BS regarding global warming that you are fed Fox and hate talk radio and probably believe came from rewrites such as this under the Bush administration.]
Making more loans available to small businesses
Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
He has repaired diplomatic relations with the majority of the world which were very badly damaged by the Bush administration.
There's a lot more, but I think you get the message. Personally, I don't agree with some of the things he's done, but some I do. I daresay you won't agree with any of them and will deny loudly than any of these things are accomplishments. As I said above, you won't believe anything because you don't want to . . . that's fine.
BTW, It is not the President's job to "ram through whatever he wanted with the huge majorities he has in the House and Senate." You might want to dust off your copy of the Constitution and read the responsibilities and duties of the different branches of our government. Contrary to the belief foisted upon this country under the last administration, the President isn't the "boss of everyone" [as my children said when they were small]. He is simply the head of the Executive Branch . . . he has specific duties . . . he can request that the Congress do certain things, but he has no Constitutional control over them. Give the Constitution a read, you might be surprised.
Well done,bintx. Also a good point that these qualify as accomplishments, even if one doesn't like all or any of them. You raise the level of debate for another know-nothing poster.
In the meantime, Fox watchers need to wake up and accept the fact that the station from which they get their news is lying to them over & over again. And what's worse is you know it. Which is probably why you take opportunities like this to point out what the President's done wrong instead of what's wrong with the network from which you get your news.