Obama’s Dis-Heart-ening Behavior
PJM Roundup: Barack Obama seemed to deliberately decline to put his hand over his heart during the national anthem while campaigning last month. At least one sharp-eyed Iowa blogger noticed it at the time. But it's taken till now for the photo of the incident - and later, a video - to circulate, and the buzz to ensue:
David Online: “Last month Barack Obama gave up wearing an American flag pin. This month it appears he has given up saluting the American flag.”
The Yankee Commentary: “Nobody asked you to sing like Hillary Clinton, but can’t you at least show some respect for the country?”
House of Eratosthenes: “I am ready for my explanation. What was going on at the moment the shutter clicked, that everyone in view has their right hand extended reverently over their hearts, and you’re just standing there like some lowbrow boob? What, they had a false start and you were the only one smart enough to figure out the music wasn’t playing yet? Maybe that’s it, or maybe you were the one slow on the uptake. Or maybe…maybe…you assumed the proper position, and microscopic aliens conspired to yank your hand down off your chest and interlace your fingers together. Or maybe it’s a Photoshop job. Or…I dunno. Fill in your own excuse. But make it good.”
Chatter By Ron Davis: “Does anyone believe that putting a hand over the heart proves “true patriotism”?”
Say Anything: “If you ask me, the real scandal is that god-awful rendition of the national anthem.”
Barack Obama just does not get it. This is one of the reasons why Hillary Clinton will win the Democratic Party nomination. She at least realizes that a serious political candidate has to make sure not to offend a large number of voters. Obama is a left-wing Harvard University graduate and seemingly embarrassed by public displays of patriotism. That is deemed not “cool and hip and with it” by the Cambridge “elites.”
Just saw the video on “Fox & Friends”. Barack Obama is a snake oil salesman. It will be interesting to here him respond to this. Maybe he’ll say “he would show his patriotism in another way.”
Barack Obama is UnAmerican. Not all Democrats are UnAmerican, but are an awful lot of them in that party.
He is a Transi. He will never be President.
Folks, I’m truly no fan of Obama, but the hand over the heart is the proper stance for the Pledge of Allegiance, not the Anthem. Standing silent and still is proper reverence for the Anthem. It’s nice that the others had their hands over their hearts, but let’s not read too much into Obama’s stance. He obviously just didn’t turn around to notice that everybody else was being overly observant.
I love the level of political debate these days. This is humurous, at best.
Brian, your own source contradicts your statement. The last sentence of the Protocol paragraph reads:
Civilians who are citizens of the United States should salute by placing their right hand over their heart.
Brian, in the link you provided, the last line reads
“Civilians who are citizens of the United States should salute by placing their right hand over their heart.[6]”
Just sayin’
I figure we’re lucky he didn’t stick out his tongue and put his thumbs in his ears and wiggle his fingers. That would lock up the essential Progressive/nutroots vote.
Thanks, y’all.
I was never taught this protocol, and when the first few sentences confirmed my original teaching and then the entry started naming special cases, I didn’t read further.
Mr. Obama is trying to represent all of the Americans…
America is a relatively young country that was won after a small group of high-minded individuals got together and fought a bloody war (literally) against what they felt to be a government in which they had no representation.
One of the most unique things about the United States of America, besides it being a union of states that have a lot of say in their own governance, is that we do not align ourselves to a person but to the flag and constitution. Failing to respect either (as in not rendering the proper respect during the National Anthem) is NOT sononomous with being a viable representative of the American people.
We have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, etc… and all of these freedoms are represented by that flag. This seems a silly, trite, moot point… but Mr. Obama did something that should take him out of the running completely… but I bet you that he wins, because I don’t think there are too many people out there who know or care what that flag means anymore.
He has his hand where he believes it to be appropriate. Over his crotch.
With leaders like Obama we’ll soon have a country not worth saluting or defending. I’d trust him in a crisis about as much as I’d trust Ray Nagin.
I grew up in Canada, and I recall being taught to stand at attention facing the flag during the national anthem; I always thought the same general idea applied here in the States (I’ve lived here since ’87, and that’s the way we did the morning anthem outside Cleveland in my last year of high school, which was stateside).
Thus, to me it’s more the standing like a schmoe waiting for a hot dog at a ballgame that kills his vibe than whether Obama’s hand is over his heart. The fact that he’s cupping his balls is just ridiculous.
Incidentally, is “sononomous” a mouse that makes sound?
I’d like to know what the crowd in front of him was doing. It they all had their hands over their hearts too.
Visibly showing respect for the flag may not prove one’s patriotism. But refusing to show respect proves one’s UNpatriotism.
Borrowing from my own blog post this morning, re: Obama:
While it was improper protocol (and anyone who wants to be president had damn well better know protocol), the REAL outrage was the horrific version of the national anthem in the background. It was “sung” by one of those artiste types who screech and warble and couldn’t hit a note cleanly to save her life. She actually made Hillary Clinton’s singing sound good! Yeah, she was THAT bad!
Gov. Richardson and Sen. Clinton: One thumb up for knowing what they were doing. Sen. Obama: One thumb down for NOT knowing what he was doing. For the “singer”: Two thumbs way down and a ball-gag. Go and sin(g) no more, honey.
Yeah, that’s one of my pet peeves. It’s a tough enough song to sing without intentionally botching it up by thinking it’s a scat number. It ain’t “The Star-Spangled Bebop.” Just sing it like it’s written!
You may be on to something Clyde. Could be that Obama didn’t recognize that the song was the Star Spangled Banner. That’s my pet peeve too … Vocalist (ahem) who want to sing the National Anthem in their own “style.”
But seriously, Obama is culturally tone-deaf. Someone needs to play the presidential march around him and see if he perks up.
I’ve noticed quite a few black people taking pride in clearly demonstrating they stand apart from the rest of us when the national anthem is sung or the pledge of allegiance is recited. From time to time the black callers to several radio talk shows I listen to will say things like “your laws…” when speaking about US law. I think Obama is just pandering to those in the black separatist segment.
Forsaking a star spangled lapel pin and holding his crotch instead of his heart during the national anthem; could this be giving truth to the alleged lie that Obama is not a secret Islamist? What is next, refusing to partake of apple pie on the 4th of July?
The video is mostly framed on Obama, Richardson and Hillary, but pans across the other candidates once. All the rest, except for Edwards, it appears, are holding their hands over their hearts.
I may be wrong about Edwards – it’s hard to tell because he isn’t directly facing the camera.
Muslims Against Sharia call on Senator Obama to distance himself from al-Qaeda supporters
With the black Islamic flag of war draped behind him, an individual on You Tube that goes by the name Abdul Hakim Khatab has called for people to support Barack Obama for U.S. President in 2008. The video is titled ‘Barack Obama 2008 spokenword.’ Muslims Against Sharia call on Barack Obama to distance himself from his extremist supporters and to denounce this You Tube video for promoting violence in the name of the Obama for President campaign.
Given Mr. Obama’s idiosyncratic way of showing sincerity in patriotism by not saluting and by announcing why he won’t wear a flag lapel pin, one could wonder how far he would get by demonstrating fidelity in marriage by NOT holding the door for Mrs. O. any more, and by announcing why he shall no longer be caught wearing a wedding ring.
he wants to be president of the USA, but wants nothing to do with the American FLAG or the National Anthem…maybe we should read something into his name and religion…Barack Hussein Obama…a former Moslem…..I wonder what this idiot would do if elected, not fly the flag at the White House?….and people are actually supporting this low lifer ?
I can’t think of a single American who would vote for this idiot. Ted Kennedy got it right the first time: Osama Obama.
Obama is on a stage with Hillary. Hillary views Obama as a threat. Obama knows this. I’m no fan of his but if I were him, I might be covering my family jewels too because I wouldn’t put it past her to kicking me in the crotch while everyone else is looking the other way.
Ive never read such crap from so many retards in my life. No wonder we have had Bush the antichrist in office for 8 years with idiots like you complaining about a CERAMIC pin. Do you wear one? I sure as hell dont. Why dont you all go get upc codes with all your vitals implanted into your forehead so you can just confirm that you are all Americans.
As the guy said above the Hand over the Heart is traditional for the pledge of allegiance not the Anthem. Why dont you look at the next baseball game at how many people have their hands over their heart and how many dont.
You are the most unpatriotic people spewing hate and bullshit all over the place. As Dick Cheney says, “Go F*** Yourself.”
I would never vote for a leftist like Barack Obama. That being said, you put your hand over your heart for the Pledge of Allegiance, not the National Anthem, where it is optional and not really common to do so. In this case, I do not fault him.
Kong, it might help if you read the entire post above. Placing your hand over your heart is proper for both the Pledge of Allegiance AND the National Anthem.
It matters little that many if not most spectators at a baseball game don’t assume the proper stance during the playing of the national anthem, but Sen. Obama is campaigning to be the President and Commander in Chief of our country, he’d better damn well know the proper stance to take during its playing.
Mr. Obama either does not know the proper stance or he is making a statement that he is NOT respectful of the anthem and by extension the country. Regardless of which of the preceding is correct, it is just another example of his lack of Presidential metal.
is this really what we should be focused on? this is clearly an example of looking for something to fit into a narrative.
Protocol? Who gives a damn? This really is clutching at straws from the right. Does nobody realise how ridiculous they sound? The whole charade of uber-patriotism and “I’m more patriotic than you” is a joke in the US. It’s almost like overcompensation. Other countries don’t require these artificial standards foisted upon them. Why can’t people just show their patriotism as they wish? If everyone is required to do it, then it doesn’t really mean anything on an individual level, does it?
This would be trivial had he not forsaken wearing the flag lapel. If the photo were of any other candidate it would not be telling. This (lack of) gesture may be meaningless, but it may not. It is his own fault.
This is just the latest in a series of unforced errors from the Senator from Illinois. He will need some luck to be re-elected to the Senate.
From the time I was in kindergarten, I have protested against “showing my patriotism” through proscribed public rituals. They mean NOTHING about patriotism, and demonstrate only that one can follow the crowd.
Wearing a ceramic pin, slapping a magnet on your car, or denigrating the military service of candidates for public office are not patriotic acts.
Neither is holding one body part a certain way for a certain amount of time while some harpy screeches out a “tune.”
Watching for public displays of patriotism is a bit like reading tea leaves, IMO. And I can’t help but wonder if Saddam had worn an American flag pin, or posed with his hand over his heart during the playing of our national anthem, would he still be alive?
I like the comment about the “lowbrow boob.” We certainly wouldn’t want one of those in the WH, now, would we?
Brian is correct. You DO NOT place your hand over your heart for the Anthem; only the Pledge.
Sheesh, you would think the wingnuts would at least know the Rulebook for Patriotism!
Patriotism:the last refuge of the scoundrel.You Americans are so obsessed with this kind of vacuous nonsense.BTW,the comment labeling Obama as a “Leftist” is as hilarious as it is absurd.Liberals are almost completely shut out of your corrupt power structure.What you call “Liberal” the rest of the thinking world recognizes as “Right leaning moderate”.Here’s a tip:get your heads out the Fox News swamp and learn to think for yourselves.
By custom, tradition, and as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played (The Star Spangled Banner) civilians “salute” the flag or if no flag is visible, the source of the music.
It is proper to hold your right hand over your heart when the National Anthem is being played. Men take off their hats and hold it as a “salute” over their hearts. At the ball park tonight, the players will take off their hats, and face the flag while the National Anthem plays.
It’s a sign of respect. Just like saluting the flag during the Pledge, or saluting the flag when it is being raised. Military personnel render a military salute during these occasions.
But of course, respect is a subjective thing, and not easily defined. One could make the case that Sen. Obama lived outside of the United States during his formative years, and simply does not know or understand U.S. flag protocol and etiquette means.
Funny how the people who have such issues with this photo don’t get all pissy when almost ALL pro stars don’t put their hands over their hearts during the Anthem. For that matter, MOST of the people in the stands don’t do it either. Where is your outrage then? This is just a desperate scavenge for umbrage material, just people looking for something to be outraged against.
yeah the reason he is running for president and studied constitutional law. Oh yeah and taught it, and ran for state rep and US Senator is that he is unpatriotic. You think he couldn’t find something else to do with hhis time. Be honest haters it really is just racism. What a joke , can you even be an unpatriotic Senator? You people think you know what you are talking about that is the saddest part… the book says that you have to have your hand over your heart..duh it’s on his crotch. hehehe. What kind of small minded america do you visualize. America is about national freedom and personal freedom and spiritual freedom. You are actually quoting RULES for how to stand for the national anthem in the USA. Jimi Hendrix didn’t stand with his hand over his heart he played the hell out of it.
please remind me who was it that said the constitution was a goddammed peice of paper?? now thats patriotism republican style
What does the empty suit think about his toddler army of donors?
If dollars grew in diapers, I’d give to candidates,
I’d give them all the limit, at least the fashion plates.
I’d tell them what to vote for, and projects that are right.
If dollars grew in diapers, I’d launder them all night.
If dollars grew in diapers I’d be the finest guy.
I’d teach my kids to donate to the leading pols to buy.
It’s no shame running third, pay off place and show as well.
If dollars grew in diapers, it would redefine the smell.
If dollars grew in diapers, oh what a swell I’d be,
I’d summer in the mountains, and winter by the sea,
On beaches with my honey, and all our kids nearby,
If dollars grew in diapers, you’d never hear me cry.
If dollars grew in diapers, then near a thousand there,
Two thousand in that onesie, three in that underwear.
So give to dear Obama, and give to Hillary,
If dollars grew in diapers, children save some s- for me!
Ok,
You dont wanna wear the lapel pin,
You dont want to be respectful during the playing of the National Anthem.
And you are the only Democratic hope for the nation to attempt to keep our nation from being under a Clinton for another 4-8 years.
Good one loser.
I hope that America votes this guy in to office while I am in Iraq.
Then IF there is still an America when I return in 09……I can decide for myself if I want to return to it!
Mr. Robinson, here’s hoping you’ll get the chance to make that decision.
My son came home in April. He no longer cares for the superficialities of pomp and ritual, having been an actual participant in a war which shames his country.
Thank you, Wolf Pangloss!
BC Buddy,
Wow, you were an incredibly perceptive kid. By the age of 5, you had already formed a deeply philosophical worldview, eh? I supposed you watched the BBC instead of Sesame Street. Probably read Tolstoy in 1st grade, eh?
Geeze, you guys are all so MAD! I’m just trying to figure out who I can vote for! I liked the fresh face and energy of Obama. It gave me hope. I fear Hillary – I don’t trust her – she seems so mean and I can’t believe her – she lies. I respect Mr. McLain; but, haven’t heard any changes from him and it seems things are getting worse if we don’t change them. People are disheartened and don’t speak well of our nation. But, I respect our country and the flag (my dad’s a WWII vet, I’m DAR) and find this very difficult to defend. We need to show our respect for our flag and country. Isn’t ANYONE watching the John Adams series!?!
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/36/usc_sec_36_00000301—-000-.html
check this url , its the LAW , and Osama Obama should know the LAW, about covering your heart during the National Anthem.
IF THIS IS THE LAW, TO COVER YOUR HEART DURING THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, FOR MEN NOT IN UNIF0RM, WHY IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT BARACK OBAMA AND HIS NOT COVERING HIS HEART DURING THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. I WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION FROM OBAMA AS TO WHY HE IS ABOVE THE LAW.
[Please post in lower case. Thank you - the editors]
Obama has no intention of saluting our flag….ever! He has made that very clear. He sees it only as a symbol…nothing more.He said that it “should not matter” whether one saltes the flag or not, because it is JUST a symbol!!!
I will vote for a republican before I vote for OBAMA!!!
Many US laws are declarations, rather than proscriptive/prohibitive guidelines for behavior. Laws designating the national flower, declaring national Leif Ericson day, etc., are such laws, as is the law governing anthem protocol.
US codes, when actually enforceable, contain a section on appropriate penalties and enforcement. The Subtitle, Part, and Chapter of the US law which designate anthem protocol contain no such section. If “nothing is done” regarding Obama’s failure to respect the flag, this is par for course.
While you may find his behavior disrespectful, there is no legal penalty for his actions, and the failure of the government to punish him is in accordance with the law.
Some of you believe he ought to be punished anyhow. Well, if he does it again, maybe he can be; push to change the law. But be ready to snap your hand in place when the music plays, bitches, cuz the law applies to you too.
So what if he didn’t salute the flag. You people really need to get a life and start posting about things that are more important. Get a life.
The hand over the heart issue IS CHANGE!
I have heard this word CHANGE so much lately that I felt the need to say
something… I am sure that some will agree with me and others not at all
—however the following is just the way I see it!
Written on this date 8/12/08.
I have used web mail for this piece so please excuse mistakes you may find
here……
CHANGE
Remember when we were kids and they had those little magic kits. Presto
changeo— we were never quite good enough to pull a rabbit out of a hat but
some of the American people seem to think that is exactly what Obama is capable
of doing.
I have listened to him speak of change…change change change..It is time for
a change. America is ready for a change. That much is true. Our country has been
on a down hill course for quite some time now but
—– C H A N G E—-If we follow this wanna be magician then we will see
change..but the change will certainly not be what was promised…
Our future as a once great nation looks pretty bleak if we continue to follow
this Senator who promises change…We will only think we were on a down hill
course.
Although snake oil was a popular remedy in years past..it would cure anything
and everything and people lined up to get their fix. We still have those
salesmen out there–they are still selling snake oil but now it comes in the
form of promises dispensed by politics…
Obama is personable…Obama can execute a speech very well…he is very good at
following a script and he can make eye contact and instill that false belief
that he is sincere— but when he speaks of wanting muslims on capitol Hill and
mocks the Word and laughs at the Sermon on the mount he not only offends me he
terrifies me!
I think the change that should come about is our nation falling to its
knees…repenting and imploring God to save us. Until America loses its evil
ways and finds its way back to God then we are already doomed. It won’t
matter if Obama makes his way to the white house. It won’t matter if people
regret their choice after the election…it won’t matter because the world
as we know it will be over. In the days of old when there was much confusion and
evil God intervened and so…He will again.
I recently watched the special “HONOR KILLINGS IN AMERICA” —I sat
horrified as I listened to the tapes of the 911 calls as girls were being
brutally murdered in the name of “honor” by their muslim fathers. I
was sickened by the cries for help to the 911 operator and the sounds of
repeated gunfire…two young daughters…dead… I believe this family had once
lived in Oklahoma and then moved to Texas. The murders occurred in Texas and to
date the muslim murderer is still at large..
Another begging for her father to stop stabbing her… and her mother telling
her to SHUT UP as she helped hold her down…then the strangled sounds…and her
father telling her to die..and—-she did. Of course now both parents are on
death row but that will not bring this child back…One might say how could this
happen in America?! Why not?! The muslim movement is the largest movement in
America and while not all muslims condone these so called “honor
killings” – IT HAPPENS —and it happens more often than probably what we
see in the media. Let us not forget that these radical muslims kill in the name
of Allah…as they behead people they yell “GOD IS GOOD.” I am not
stating here that Obama is a muslim…I am stating here that he has embedded
roots in the middle east and I am stating that America had better wake up…It
will soon be too late…and when all is said and done…and the day has
ended….
It will be too late…
During the Gulf War George Michael wrote and produced a song called PRAYING FOR
TIME….these words rang true back then and today even more true. Read the
words..let them soak in…Keep in mind the Gulf war began 8/2/90 and the song
PRAYING FOR TIME was released in 1990!.
GEORGE MICHAEL lyrics – Praying For Time
(George Michael)
These are the days of the open hand
They will not be the last
Look around now
These are the days of the beggars and the choosers
This is the year of the hungry man
Whose place is in the past
Hand in hand with ignorance
And legitimate excuses
The rich declare themselves poor
And most of us are not sure
If we have too much
But we’ll take our chances
Because God’s stopped keeping score
I guess somewhere along the way
He must have let us all out to play
Turned his back and all God’s children
Crept out the back door
And it’s hard to love, there’s so much to hate
Hanging on to hope
When there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it’s much too late
Well maybe we should all be praying for time
These are the days of the empty hand
Oh you hold on to what you can
And charity is a coat you wear twice a year
This is the year of the guilty man
Your television takes a stand
And you find that what was over there is over here
So you scream from behind your door
Say “what’s mine is mine and not yours”
I may have too much but I’ll take my chances
Because God’s stopped keeping score
And you cling to the things they sold you
Did you cover your eyes when they told you
That He can’t come back
Because He has no children to come back for
It’s hard to love there’s so much to hate
Hanging on to hope when there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it’s much too late
So maybe we should all be praying for time…
Until America wakes up there will be other snake oil salesmen..other magic acts
lining up waiting to audition– for the big show..but until then all of us
should be PRAYING FOR TIME…The change is within us…the leader is and always
will be GOD!.
WAKE UP AMERICA—WAKE UP!!!
Pray for John McCain and Sarah Palin
VICTORY 2008