Morning Newsdome: Obama’s Asian persuasion November 16 2009

>> President Obama met with Japanese Emperor Akihito on Saturday as part of his first Asian tour, but made the inexcusable mistake of incorrectly bowing. The president bent over and shook the Emperor’s hand instead of bowing with a “slight arch from the waist and hands at his sides.” Obama must have forgotten the ancient Bush tradition of vomiting in the laps of Japanese heads of state. (ABC News)

>> Perhaps in an effort to regain the respect of Asian nations, Obama invited fellow Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders to a 2011 summit in Hawaii where the heads of state will likely be dressed in traditional “flowered shirts and grass skirts” ... That one’s for real. (Reuters)

>> More news that lobbyists (and their money) are running D.C.: the New York Times found emails proving Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche had their talking points published in the Congressional Record under the names of 42 representatives. But actually, this could be positive news of bipartisanship . The listed names were of 22 Republicans and 20 Democrats. (the New York Times)

>> Universal Studios removed the black actors from overseas posters for the movie Couples Retreat, saying they wanted to “simplify the poster to actors who are most recognizable in international markets.” Also recognizable in international markets? Blatant racism. (Daily Mail)

>> And lastly, disappointing news out of Atlanta: the city’s leading gay publication Southern Voice and the magazine counterpart David shuttered today to the surprise of readers and staff. Fear not, though, as Atlanta gays will never run out of things to say.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)