I'm sorry, but I don't see anything wrong with respecting the people and the culture of the country you're visiting. The one remark I agree with in this article is...

What should we make of this? Is it trivial to worry about what on its face could easily be interpreted as nothing more than a polite gesture by our president to respect the culture of a country?

We've been seen as the bullies of the world for at least the last eight years. We need alliances folks, wake up! If you find this bit of respect embarrassing, I can't imagine where you were living during the last administration!

ahhh.... The meek shall inherit the earth. I believe it! I absolutely believe in respecting other countries and other cultures.