Barack Obama: No Hand on Heart During National Anthem?
Tuesday October 30, 2007
A couple dozen folks have forwarded me a photo showing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama neglecting to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem at Senator Tom Harkin's Steak Fry event on September 16 in Indianola, Iowa.
The accompanying email text reads:
Barack Hussein Obama's photo (that's his real name)... the article said he REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE... how in the hell can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief????The photo, taken by Danny Frazier Wilcox for Time magazine, is authentic. An ABC News video confirms that the picture was snapped during a rendition of the national anthem.
The claim that Obama "refused to say the Pledge" at the event is unsubstantiated. There is no record of the senator refusing to do so on any other occasion, and there are photographs and videos showing Obama reciting the Pledge at various events.
The implication, obviously, is that failing to display the proper hand-over-heart etiquette proves Obama is unpatriotic and therefore unfit to hold the office of president. Some have even speculated that it was an intentional gesture of dissent on the candidate's part, to which an Obama spokesperson replied on Inside Edition, "Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't [put his hand on his heart]. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous."
Not that it will make a difference to some, but Obama's campaign was quick to supply photos of Obama properly saluting the flag on other occasions which can be viewed at MediaMatters.org.
Poll: Has your opinion of Obama been affected at all by Internet rumors?
1) Yes, a lot. 2) Yes, a little. 3) No, not at all.
More Barack Obama rumors:
• Is Barack Obama a Muslim?
• Does Barack Obama Belong to a Racist Black Church?
Comments
Whether Obama does sometimes repect our country and traditions by placing his hand over his heart shows he is not repectful of the country he wants to lead as the president. Never should he hold the highest office of the USA. He should never been elected as senator, either.
What video? Where can one find this video? Stuff like this gets passed around and it could be used to state a lot of things. I could say Gov. Richardson is pandering to the camera by facing it instead of the flag and that is more real than saying Obama did not saing. If you will note, each person’s mouth is closed. Ah, technology, where one person can tell a lie, and the next 100 can repeat as a truth.
Barack Hussein Obama -
His failure to place his hand over his heart speaks volumes about his idelogy as well as his character. “Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn’t”… Isn’t that special?!
Barack Hussein Obama isn’t fit to hold public office in this country. His failure to pay tribute to our flag (not to mention his brazen attitude) about it is demeaning and degrading to America. This goes hand in hand with his decision not to wear an American Flag lapel pin. He’s FINISHED.
Do I question his patriotism? ABSOLUTELY… and so should you.
other countries have elected dubious leaders, why not usa??/
true, it does seem a little strange that a man who wants to lead a country wont partake in its commmon rituals, but you know what?
thats his constitutional right.
so whether he does or doesnt is completely irrelavent because hes not being disrespectful while not saying the plegde, so i dont really see a problem here.
The things Obama activly supports and does far outweighs the negative things that Bush does and positive lies he tells. How many pictures of Bush lieing do we need to see to know that he lies?
Yeah, Obama is unpatriotic ‘cuz he doesn’t have his hand over his heart and someone wrote it was during the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Must be true, I saw it in an email. But what about the pictures of our President reading a book upside down, or our president, looking through, binoculars with the caps on them. Those must be true too, I mean, I saw it in my email…
Any person who does not respect our county’s flag should not be president of our wonderful country and should not be allowed to0 hold any public office. In fact he should not even be a citizen! What kind of degenerate leader would he be! WOW! I’m glad we are shownthis now!
INFIDELS…I dare you to question my patriotism! Oh yeah, I did Hillary last night and Bill did cleanup on us both afterwards.
I can’t understand B.Obama. He knew when at a public function, all eyes would be on the candidates during the Pledge of Allegiance. Whether he meant his lack of “hand on his heart” to be a statement or not was his choice, but he also knew what this choice would mean to Americans. Boo to him.
I don’t put my hand over my heart or say the pledge for very personal reasons but love my country very much. You can’t judge a person’s loyalty by such a gesture.
Maybe Barack wants to point out the ludacracy of people claiming he is unpatriotic while we have a president in office that goes against the constitution on a daily basis. Maybe we should be more concerned with actions where they count. I’m sorry but I’d much rather have a leader who doesn’t place his hand on his heart but also doesn’t pump trillions of dollars into a useless war than a president who places his hand on his heart but laughs all the way to the bank (with my money!).
Pretty crazy. Who cares. Surely it’s more important to judge his qualifications and policies.
For those of you who think this is no big deal, consider this: When we place our hand over our heart, we are not swearing allegiance to a red, white and blue bed linen. Many people have fought and died for what the flag represents. For our leaders not to recognize and honor that sacrifice is insulting and gives insight to their idea of our national sovereignty.
I don’t believe there is anything wrong with it. I don’t think a simple thing like the pledge of allegiance is a big deal. And the petty comments about his middle name are absurd. I know plenty who do not pledge their allegiance, because their allegiance is first and foremost to God. You don’t blindly follow a country, you follow your heart, and if someone is president, they should be worried about the right path to take, not tradition.
According to the photo, Obama is twice as tall as Hillary. Should we believe that also?? A single picture doesn’t tell a story.
While I am not in any way a supporter of Obama, I need to clarify something. Placing your hand over your heart during the National Anthem is not proper protocol. The hand should be placed over the heart only during the pledge to the American flag.
I don’t really like the man, but I’ve been wrong too. As some others here have been. I was taught in school to salute during the pledge but not during the anthem. Until now, I thought that was correct…
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.
usflag.org
I get it right next time at soccer, VB, BB, football.
Always learning, Keith
Desi -you don’t think such a ’simple thing as the Pledge of Allegiance’ is a big deal?? Many of us DO, however. Many of us still get a lump in our throat, and our heart beats a little stronger during the National Anthem, and many of us DO proudly solute the Flag of the United States of America.
To many of us, it IS a big deal. It shows pride in ones’ country, and a willingness to follow and defend its’ tenets, what it stands for.
If he is blase’ about it, why should we believe he would be serious about defending the constitution?
If you want to talk about disrespecting the flag you can easily find numberous photos of Pres. G. W. Bush stepping on a flag emprinted carpet, standing over a flag decorated cake, etc. All of these are in direct violation of the United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag. Is anyone getting their panties in a wad over these?
I don’t like Obama, but this whole picture is blown way out of proportion. Don’t worry though,I don’t think Obama will be our next president anyway.
When did Bush lie? If MSNC or CNN told you that: you should question it!
IF somebody tells you something atrocious, and you stick up for it (Obama and no USA dedication — only IF he feels like it), YOU should question that! Maybe he won’t feel like doing certain things IN office.
When in doubt: the bum goes out.
As a decorated veteran who defended this country for 24 years and would do so again if called upon, I find this to be outrageous. I have seen young men and women seriously injured or dead because this country asked them to stand up and they did. Why the hell does a presidential candidate think he can honor the flag only when the mood strikes him? How disrespectful to every one of us who stood up when asked. I want a president that knows what is like to be in harms way, so that they understand what they are doing when they send our young men and women to fight a war or conflict. I want a president who will stand up and salute the flag that I and many others have stood and many given their lives for. I respect this country and her veterens because if it weren’t for them, where would our beloved country be today?
The fact that he did not properly salute the flag during the National Anthem, intentionally or not, does not make him unfit for the Presidency. His political views and policy goals are what make him unfit for the Presidency. I’d like to see more said about his ridiculous policy ideas and less about where his hand is or how he dances.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, well he needs to make it alltimes yes if he wants to get all time votes
Wow! Everyone wants to condemn George Bush? First of all, whomever voted for a president who reads books upside down or tries to see something through binoculars with the caps on, should really question what it was that made them vote for him in the first place. My view on this picture of Obama; it is good that we see this now, not after he wins office! There are too many people that paid the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to give us the ability to be whom we are. Why on earth should anyone hold public office that doesn’t respect our patriotism? Yes, as an American, Obama has the right to do it “sometimes” but, as the President of the United States of America, you must hold a higher standard and set presendence for your followers. How could you even think of putting another person in office that is so “whishy-washy” when it comes to principles this country was founded on to begin with? Save yourself time and energy…one less candidate to worry about in my book!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp
you can see the video at the bottom of the page, he clearly doesn’t put his hand over his heart for the entire song.
During rendition of the national anthem—
when the flag is displayed —
all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
§302. National motto
References:
U.S. Code
Army Regulation 840-10
Navy Flag Regulations Navy NTP-13B
So Barack is sometimes patriotic, and MediaMatters, the far left place that dishonestly created lies about Rush’s and O’Reilly’s comments, has pictures where he has put his hand on his heart. MM has zero credibility. They are flat-out far left partisan liars.
It is already apparent that Barack does not have what it takes to be prsident, now that the focus has shifted from the pretty-face phase to substance.
I will forward this picture to everyone I know.
I find it purely indicative of the American People’s distrust of government in general when I see people’s ridiculous comments that it’s ok for Obama to lie when GW does it all the time. So, you’ve accepted that they are all going to lie and you use that to defend Obama’s lack of respect. What a crock. As usual with liberals, you will use any excuse at hand to defend lack of respect for this country. God bless the USA.
What integrity? How did this person ever get to be a political figure in MY country. if he wants to be a Commander in Chief, then he needs to go back to his own land, his own people. Why would we even consider taking a chance of placing this individual or any other of his descent in our highest office. i have come to learn that you can not trust any of them. If this person, were to become President of the United States, we would never have “America the Free” again. I love my country and I have never been a hater of people, however, circumstances change and they made me change when they took so many innocent Americans away from us. HE is not to be trusted.
Many people do not place their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem. It is not a rule. Most sing along or stand respectfully at attention, which it appears Obama is doing during the playing of the National Anthem. Clinton & Harkin are close-mouthed and Richardson is singing along. If it was indeed during the pledge of allegiance, how about picking on the women with their mouths shut. Come on news people -get your stories and photos straight and quit giving the American public something to gripe about. Everyone in the photo was showing respect in their own proper way, something the public would do well to try to emulate.
When you disrespect the flag, you disrepect me. Not a big deal? All you who think that this is not a big deal are mis-informed. This is a huge deal. This man is paid by my tax dollars and yours, yet he apparently thinks the rules are different for him. To come to attention, place your hand over your heart (when not in uniform) during BOTH the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem - is expected, is proper and is the LEAST any of us can do for our country. I for one am tired of all the PC comments of how this isn’t a big deal, that isn’t a big deal. At what point do we say Enough? Some things are a big deal.
I attended the same private school in Hawaii as Obama. Every morning at about 7:50 am the national anthem was played over loudspeakers throughout the campus while members of the ROTC raised the flag. - Every day.- Students from grades 1-12 were expected to stand still in silence while the anthem played. We were not required to put our hands on our hearts. Consider this for what it’s worth. Two cents worth from a conservative Republican.
Man, are there are a lot of stupid, gullible people in this country….No wonder George W. Bush is our president.
Here we are, faced with a military-breaking, budget-draining quagmire in Iraq, and people are too stupid or lazy to take the time to really educate themselves, so instead they focus on these utterly fake issues stirred up by propagandists.
Yep, we deserve what we get in 2008. Based on a lot of the comments here, we are simply too damned dumb and intellectually lazy to survive as a superpower.
I have to laugh at the people who post their coments here without even reading this article sdaying it was all a lie and fake. Those people are the same type of people who FORWARD TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW. just mindless followers being used by the people who make these lies..
He says he is Christian. I do not keep up with him politically, so I will not speak on politics. I will speak on the fact that “sometimes he puts his hand over his heart, and sometimes he does not”! The hand over the heart is respect for our flag respect for our country. Someone that wants to lead a nation needs to have respect for it. If he does not have respect for a country (all the time) that he wants to represent. How do we know that he does not respect his religion enough to admit he is Muslim? How do you know that because he says he is Christian that he is not truly a Muslim? Maybe he does not respect Allah like Muslims should. Just like he does not respect our country enough to put his hand over his heart all the time while the ANTHEM is played? Someone who wants to lead a nation needs to respect the nation. He may just maybe “be Christian” but it is hard for me to take in when he disrespects our flag like a Muslim that is anti-American would and not just Muslims anyone anti-American. I have no respect for any man that claims to be an American and does not respect the flag that has been through so much. Anyone that wants to put me down is more than welcome to. I am just stating how I feel about him saying he is “Christian”.
This is the most important thing people can find to argue about in this presidential campaign???
The ‘rules’ have changed over the years, and depending on where you live(d) in the US. I remember boys when were told to salute, and girls to put their hand over their heart. Anyone else remember that?
Who gives a rat’s you-know-what. This type of talk is always bogus, anyone who believes it is proof of the saying there is a sucker born every minute. At least he can speak better than a 10th grader, unlike our current C-I-C…
I am always amazed at how ignorant and mean-spirited people who consider themselves religious and conservative tend to be. And how can I take them seriously when some of these folks can’t even spell and make complete sentences in their posts. I guess I know who they voted for in 2004.
The major problem here is that he doesn’t understand how important symbolism is. Remember, this action comes on the heels of his public display of not wearing a flag lapel pin anymore. It’s not an isolated incident. Substance is important but a president that doesn’t understand symbolism has no depth of understanding of the people he wishes to govern.
I can’t wait to see what life will be like under Barak “No more USA” Obama or Hillary “I am THE bitch” Clinton is like…..NOT! Ya’ll complain about GW, but wait until we have to pay for the Demonazi’s sins……… Not enough ice in the universe to cool hell down if that happens.
I’d like to respond to Nicholas who brought up the idea of religon. What does religion have to do with putting your hand over your heart during the national anthem? If I’m not mistaken, America was based on religous freedom and whether Barack Obama is a Christian or a Muslim has no influence on his “patriotism” or his decision to put his hand over his heart during the anthem.
Why does it matter what religion he is? And just to clarify, Obama is not a Muslim and I don’t believe he claims to be. He is in fact a Christian. There are numerous people in this country with Muslim names but are not practicers of the Islamic faith.
Perhaps you should do your research on the Democratic candidate before accusing him of making false claims.
It looks like he is using a sporting event anthem stance.
Hey Darren (comment 16), it’s called perspective. The photographer is standing closer to Obama than Hillary. This causes communist one to appear larger than communist two. Four years of college and a photography degree say I’m right. Contrary to what your liberal comrades want you to believe, not everything is a conspiracy.
If you look carefully at the picture of Barak Obama without his hand over his heart, Hillary Clinton and the lady to the right of her have shadows that do not match with the other things in the picture, and there is no shadow cast by the flag, leading me to believe that this picture has been faked.
“If you look carefully at the picture”, Diana, you will notice that everything on the stage is in fact casting the same shadow. The reason you can’t see the flag’s shadow is because it is behind the flag. Also, “If you look carefully”, Barack is spelled with a “c” and the “lady to the right” of Hillary is Ruth Harkin, whose name appears in the caption. Again, not everything is a conspiracy.
I find it interesting that so many people have chosen to pin-point this incident. There are criminal acts being committed in the our country every day and it is in my opinion that this man is being spot-lighted because of the color of his skin and not his civil servant track record. He has stated as well proven his allegiance to his Country of birth. He, in no way, no more than anyone else, had a choice in his name as it has been amplified to imply something heinous. For those still evolving from the sludge of ignorance, he is of bi-racial birth to a White mother and a Black father, something else he had no choice in. He followed all of the proper ‘hand signals’ when they swore him into office as a Senator and when he was an attorney…where are those pictures? How many adults are leading by example for our children today with God being ushered out of our schools are structured when the Pledge of Allegiance is being said? Or taking the needed steps to address why our ever growing mexican population can come here…documented or not…and raise their country’s flag ABOVE the flag of the country that houses, medicates and feeds them and their newly American born children. Where was this uproar and passion by our opiniated God-loving liberty loving Americans? Must be somewhere in our court system…nope. Non-Higher Power believers took their passion there and had very little resistance in having God, Seals and Flags removed. This man was put into office by tax-paying voting constituents of White, Black, Asian, Latin, and whatever combo of people Illinois may have and is doing a great job so far….and it didnt take the ballots getting lost in Florida for the opportunity! So on your next lazy day, when the anthem is playing and you choice to ’sit this one out’, remember you too are still an American!
Let’s see. W. is faithful to his wife and correctly salutes the flag. But he is responsible for the death of over 4000 Americans and thousands of Iraqi and making the Middle East a quagmire. So he’s more moral and a more competent, patriotic President?
wah wah….he didn’t put his hand over his heart wah wah…..but its ok for bush to break the law with illegal wiretpping, spying on US citizens, etc etc etc…..if thats not good enough, how about all the repuke rednecks that won’t take off their s**tkicker cowboy hats or gomer baseball caps when the anthem is played……repukes are so full of it…..
ps keep your kids out of the bathroom stalls there are repukes on the loose…..
Racism, bigotry and religious intolerance are alive and well in our great country. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so the “I hate Obamas” in this land will pile on with a vengenance just as the “Hillary is a BITCH” group or “Mitt is this or Rudy is that” crowd does to discredit a candidate. Hate and vilify whom you want folks and send your email garbage to all your friends, which may include me. No matter, because when it comes time to vote, I will attempt to cast mine for the man or woman, white or black, Republican or Democrat who I believe is best qualified to lead our nation.
I don’t understand how some of these comments can say it’s alright for a person who wants to be President to, all BS aside, REFUSE to show respect to the flag by placing his hand over his heart. And, if he doesn’t recite the Pledge of Allegiance, why? He says he’s a Christian… Does the phrase ‘One nation, under God’ bother him? What else does?? Pity… I grew up reciting the pledge every morning in school… I think it would do us good to return to that moment of respect… If you’re not comfortable with it, there are other places on the face of the earth that will gladly allow you in….
I’ve seen one comment that you can’t judge a person’s loyalty by a gesture. Not true - actions speak louder than words and can give great insight into a persons character.
I’ve seen other comments comparing Bush to the Senator - fact is that’s not the question. The question is, is a man who is asking us to place out faith in him to lead our country and Military forces as Commander in Chief worthy to do so if he doesn’t even respect the pledge to our country, or those who do.
I say he’s unfit to lead - and the comment, sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn’t speaks volumes.
Love the way rightwingers will use any means, other than a candidate’s policies or proposals, to claim s/he is unfit to lead America. I’d much rather have a president who doesn’t always put his hand over his heart when the anthem is played and who is smart enough not to lead us into the morass that is the occupation of Iraq, than one who does put his hand on his heart, and who is dimwitted enough to squander American lives and tax dollars on a pointless war.
A few years ago, an apparently authentic photograph showing Bush autographing a small American flag was circulated. His actions were in direct violation of established flag etiquette, yet I’ve heard nary a peep from rightwing hypocrites about it. Go figure.
While not mentioned in any of the Barack related comments, Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1- The Flag, Sec 4. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery; specifies that persons not in uniform shall place their right hand over their heart during the pledge. There is no statutory penalty assessed for failure to adhere to the code, however it becomes apparent that those so failing are ignorant of the law, and that is no excuse for any of us, especially those who wish to be officials on high office.
People make mistakes - of omission or commission. I must say it was a foolish error whether intentional or unintentional for a man who wants to serve a nation mostly filled with people who would take offense to his failure to make a small, effortless gesture which to the vast majority is almost considered a sacred act.
Those of you that do not see a problem with this are probably the same type of people that would desicrate our flag. And beleive in God We Trust should be removed from our government facilities and currency. Are you really that lobotomized by the left.
I suppose some of you prefer your leaders with their hands in your pocket or in someone else’s pants. I don’t care where the Senator’s hand is during the pledge - it’s a ritual, a facade anyone can (and they do) adopt, signifying nothing. It’s superficial and doesn’t tell us anything.
I’m amazed at how many of the commentors apparently did not read the article. The photo was not taken during the pledge. It was not taken during the pledge. It was not taken during the pledge. It was the National Anthem. However, they are still writing about the pledge. I guess you hear and see what you want to.
A PICTURE OF GEORGE BUSH NOT PUTTING HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!
Click on the link and you are going to see something that will hurt your soul. It is a picture of George W. Bush putting his hand over his STOMACH not on his heart during the national anthem. Oh my god George W. Bush is SOOOO unpatriotic. What is he trying to say? That our Americans are obese? Or is it that our hearts our REALLY located where our stomachs are? Or maybe he is showing where he hides his weapons of mass destruction.
Get real guys. If you are going to slam Barack Obama for not having his hand over his heart then you guys better be slamming everyone else in this country. Including your president. I can hear it now: “The man who is leading our country and representing us to the rest of the world is not putting his hand over his heart? OMG how dare he!”
Sometimes I say the Pledge without putting my hand on my heart. Not very often, but sometimes. It doesn’t mean that I’m not patriotic. I wonder how many people even know why we PUT our hand over our heart? In any case, it doesn’t mean he isn’t patriotic. Let’s decide whether or not to vote for him for other reasons, like whether or not he has enough experience, and look at the things he actually does for the country.
Ok I need to put one more comment on this thing. It makes me so sad to see how gullible and easily influenced people are. And there are some people who find that silly chain e-mail more believable due to the fact that he is black and has a Muslim name. Don’t try to deny it people because it’s true! Not for everyone but for some people their true racism and prejudice is rising up to the surface because of this. That saddens me… It shows that people are stilled bigoted in this country.
I’d like to know where in the Constitution is states that we must place our hand over our heart during the National Anthem. Personally I believe that, considering some renditions, the appropriate place for ones hands is so that the fingers can be in the ears.
As for Mr. Obama’s name: is he required to change his name because he is running for a Federal office?
Title 36 or the U.S. Code, which states the following:
During a rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed (A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; (B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart;
By that standard, everybody in the picture (Obama, Richardson, Clinton, and Ruth Harkin) was infringing the Code, as they had their backs to the flag. On the other hand, the Code refers specifically to “Patriotic and National Observances.” We welcome the opinion of protocol experts, but we are not sure that a steak fry qualifies as a “Patriotic Observance,” even in Iowa. Since the steak fry was awash with flags, it is quite possible that the aforementioned political candidates were facing the flag and had their backs to the flag at the same time.
As I read these comments about the good Senator not willing to respect the flag unless he feels like it, and the apparent approval these actions meet with from some of the other folks comments it really makes me think that this country has had a severe memory lapse.The flag is a symbol of our country, and all the good things it stands for.If you really think it doesn’t matter that this man, who aspires to lead this country, doesn’t have the patriotic sense to salute our flag,when he know’s this will go out around the country, then you must wonder what other lapses he may knowingly allow to happen if he is elected President.Many of the comments decry the “quagmire” we are currently in Iraq. We haven’t even been there as long as we were involved in WW II.We have less casualities in 4 years than they had in 24 HOURS on the Normandy beaches in France in 1944.Read more history and watch less MSNBC or CNN.If you want to talk about a quagmire maybe you should think about all the other conflicts this country has had to endure to protect the freedoms we all enjoy as Americans.And I suppose maybe you might remember that we were attacked first.Unless you believe some of these celebrity liberal crackpots who say we did it to ourselves
Do you people really believe that this is a matter of supporting our country “if you feel like it”? This is our country.It’s far from perfect,no doubt,but consider the alternatives worldwide.In a lot of places in the world your anti-government/anti-president comments would secure you a spot in a mass grave with a bullet in your head.Hundreds of thousands of good men and women have died to protect and preserve that flag and all that it stands for,he should’ve shown his respect if for no other reason than to honor that sacrifice.A man like that, whatever his political plans are, doesn’t need to be a President. For those of you that don’t think this lapse of respect for our flag and what it represents matters then think about these places for a minute or two….
Pearl Harbor
Guadalcanal
Belleau Wood
Chateau Thierry
Bastogne
Monte Cassino
Midway
Chosin
Khe Sanh
Manila
Iwo Jima
Arlington
Gettysburg
Shiloh
Okinawa
Saipan
Beirut
Remagen
St. Lo
Tarawa
Antietam
Concord
Lexington
Bunker Hill
Anzio
And the list goes on…..
I think him not putting his hand over his heart is appauling. It shows he really does not have any respect for the american flag or the values that it represents. Every one can now see that he has another agenda in mind if he becomes president. I would not vote for this man to lead anything but his back to where ever he came from.
The hand over the heart is a civilian’s version of a salute. Men in uniform salute. Men in hats remove hat, placing it at left shoulder so hand is over heart. Civilians put their hands over their heart. It dates back to the day the Pledge was written and other than being UNAMERICAN, there is NO REASON to not STAND properly during the Pledge of Allegiance or the National Anthem!
You would vote for someone not born and raised in this country? Their are alot of lies out their and all about money too. Do you know foreiners are trying to take over this Country, think about what is going on long and hard!!!
Thank goodness we live in a country that gives citizens, as well as political candidates, freedom of expression. However, various comments made about the actions of our current or past presidents are not relevant to the discussion about the actions of Mr. Obama. As a presidential candidate, his actions must stand on their own merits, or the lack of them. As citizens and registered voters, it is our responsibility to observe these candidates and determine their appropriateness to hold an office. If a candidate is inconsistent in what he/she says or does, what type of message does that send to us?
Some commenters say placing your hand over your heart doesn’t matter. If it doesn’t matter, then why is there such a debate over it? Bottom line, it obviously does matter to a lot of people. Afterall, that is a symbolic gesture that citizens make to show loyalty and respect for this country. One good thing that has come from Obama’s action has been to raise the discussion about the protocol for doing this during the Pledge or the National Anthem, or even during both just to be patriotic.
Isn’t it curious that we as citizens aren’t sure what is appropriate protocol? Is that an education issue? I guess that is a topic for another day, but we need to learn what is appropriate before we can say for sure that Obama blew it or not. If he is wishy-washy about it himself, then he probably doesn’t know either!
If so many people are not sure about Obama’s religion, he needs to clarify that for us. Public speculation will not help his campaign. If he chooses not to, what message does that send?
Some commenters say his religion doesn’t matter. If it doesn’t matter, then why is there such a debate over it? Bottom line, it obviously does matter to a lot of people.
And, thank goodness we have the right to vote. But, with that comes responsibility. Hopefully, voters will educate themselves and see past someone’s physical appearance, gender, and ability (or not) to charm the public. Hopefully, voters will demand that a candidiate disclose the reasons for making certain personal choices, in addition to the reasons for taking a particular stand on issues that will impact us as a nation. Hopefully, voters will be proactive (before the election) rather than reactive with negative comments (after ballots have been cast). And, if you don’t vote, then should you even participate in the discussion?
If we aren’t part of the solution, then we must be part of the problem. If we don’t hold candidates - and elected officials - to certain expectations of leadership and accountability, then we are negligent as citizens. We need to remind these people that they are there to represent us and to make decisions that will make this country better and stronger. What characteristics do you want to see in your representative? If you don’t see those traits in a candidate before the election, I doubt that you will see them after voting that person into office.
Oh for crying out loud! Only a few people realize that Obama is showing respect for the NATIONAL ANTHEM, NOT the Pledge! (Read the caption again will you?)
What IS tremendously important is how things can get blown out of whack! I’d bet most of the people who have written critizing Obama don’t ALWAYS place their hand over their heart when they hear the National Anthem…do YOU? How about when your local TV station signs off or comes on playing the National Anthem, do you stand up THEN in the privacy of your home and place your hand over your heart?! Come on! Get a life! If we can have presidents who cheat on their wives, why can’t we have one who sometimes doesn’t place his hand over his heart when he HEARS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!?
Ever think his fingers might have had barbeque sauce on them and he didn’t want to mess up his shirt?
Oh, and by the way, I’m not an Obama supporter. I’m just tired of people spreading lies to support their point of view. Why not just say you don’t like the man and his politics?! Why lie?! Sheesh!
More racist, Republican-inspired hate! Shame on them!
Having been taught from childhood by my parents (Dad’s a WW II vet), my school, 4-H and various other organizations to stand respectfully at attention (and to take my cap off if I’m wearing one) during the playing of the National Athem, but not to place my hand over my heart–that jesture was reserved for the Pledge of Alligence, which was (and is) the actual swearing of an oath, I find it amusing, appalling and educational how irrational right-wing nuts can get over an simple act of respect by an individual they oviously hate. Their comments are not about respecting the flag (many of their comments actually are disrespectful to the very freedoms and Constitution it represents). Their about slandering a man they don’t happen to like.
Think about this for a moment (if you can): When it becomes illegal to burn the American Flag in political protest, it will no longer represent freedom.
I have always been taught to stand with respect and my hand over my heart to our National Anthem. I have no problem educating those around me if needed. My husband and I both had grandfathers and other relatives who LAID THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR YOU! Thank them all and thank God (same God whether you are Christian, Jewish, or Muslim) that we can all live in a country where we can express our opinions freely without fear. We should take every opportunity to remember how we got where we are today. We should all show respect and honor every time we see our flag or hear the National Anthem. It makes a huge difference to me that a candidate for President of the United States does not show proper respect for our National Anthem. The candidates can all practice slick lines to recite - it is the moments they are caught “off-guard” that may reveal their character. No one is perfect, but our National Anthem and our flag are the ultimate symbols of our country and our freedom, and the price that was paid by others for our freedom! Let’s all work to honor our great country every chance we get.
I said all along from the first time I heard his name I would not vote for him just for that simple reason. Call me ignorant and a racist all you want.
He has a snowballs chance in hell of getting elected President of the United States!
THIS IS A DOCTORED PHOTOGRAPH!
1. NOTICE NO-ONE IS FACING THE FLAG.
2. THE FLAG IS PERFECLTY FLAT AND HANGING Magically IN MID-AIR
3. Nobody isn’t their actual height:
• Barack Obama — Height: 6′ 1˝” in the photo he’s 6’9” - the top of the 34” folding chair should be at wrists
• Governor Bill Richardson height 6’ in the photo he’s 7’4”
• Hilary Clinton Height: 5′6′’ in the photo she’s 4’3”
• Ruth Harkin Height: in the photo she’s 5’4”
“He sometimes does, and sometimes doesn’t..” I’m sorry but if you are going be the Commander in Chief you better know American traditions and abide by them 100% of the time…a President isn’t just a politician but the Commander of the entire military and should abide by all rules, regulations and traditions of the military and the United States….Barrack’s pathectic attempt at presidency is insane…who would vote for this man??? No respect for those who made this country what it is today!! If thousands upson thousands of men and women can die to make this country free then he should at least make an effort to place his damn hand over his heart and show some respect….what a loser!
Someone needs to ask him if he is elected president,what bible will he want to be sworn in on. Given his back ground,I do wander. Does anyone think he is for America or running to bring it down?
After reading the many varied opinions, I can absolutely, without any doubt say, God help our country. I remember when I was younger and in school, there were these little clicks (groups of people), who if you were friends with this one group you were not suppose to talk to the other group. I hated it then and I hate it now. I talked to everybody, which didn’t go over real well with some of the people, but after awhile I noticed alot of the other people realized how much better it was to get along and we had some really good years in that school, we may of had differences, but we had our school and community in common. We, as a nation, have our differences, but we have one flag and one nation. We need to pull together if we are going to survive, as our world is changing and a house divided will not stand. Whether you are Democrat, Republican, Independant, Libertarian, Green Party or any other affiliation, you are first and foremost an American. So if you feel strongly about an issue that is your decision, but you’ll not ever convince anyone you are right and they are wrong by name calling, all you will do is create hard feelings. Obama’s mind may have been somewhere else, I know everyone can relate to that. Our President may make mistakes, but so do I. I remember him in my prayers, as this is my country he’s leading and I love it. Let’s pull together, not apart, and find some common ground. I think it is better to dwell on the positive and let go of the negative. Vote for who your heart leads you to vote for, but make sure you make an well informed decisions. Watch the debates and listen, truely listen, then cast your vote. I’m glad I was blessed to be born and raised an American, in a country where I can worship God and voice my opinion and read yours.
WHY not just come out and say you don’t want a Black president, or a minority president, YOU NEO NAZIS!!! Why should any minority swear to any flag that stands for every discrimination, racism, and injustice he/she has ever endured because the constitution can be applied in any way White leaders wish…?? “With liberty and justice for some…” that is the correct ending…AND REMEMBER, as far as UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION goes…Minorities had to FIGHT to have it amended to include them, so you’ll excuse my cynacism at not being considered fully human but only 3/4ths….
During the times Barack opts to NOT hold his hand over his heart is, in my mind, his way of being defiant, disrespectful and categorically unpatriotic. If he ever says he doesn’t mean to disrespect the USA, to me, that’s pure fiction and definitely a Freudian Slip if there ever was one!
I don’t know what is going on in the lives of some people. But, it sure looks to me like they are putting a lot of energy into showing their ignorance, closed minds and racism. I am not giving an opinion of this stupid bit of “stuff” (I am a lady, so will keep it clean).
Tha reason is - I was not there in person to see just what was what, and I am sure not a single one of you were there either! In my 79 years I have learned not to make statements unless I can prove them, or I preface them with “in my opinion”.
I give kudos to comments made by Robert (36), JT (39), Rachel (40), SL Campos(48) and Ruby (70), to name a few. They are using good common sense. Some others of you are running around like Chicken Little - “the sky is falling” - remember that one? Just think about it!
I am not afraid to say the I (a white 79 yr. old widow stand behind Barack Obama. I read his wonderful book. I can usually tell which peope have or have not read it by some of the things they say. So many mis-quotes, isn’t it a shame!
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Oh it’s relevant Sara. Watch and see just how relevant it will be at the polls next year.
This whole thing is a great example of how the right wing works. Cherry pick the facts and add an outright lie (Obama didn’t have his hand over his heart during the Pledge Of Allegience), then when the lie is revealed, making the whole charge suspect (it was the National Anthem, not during the Pledge) and the whole truth is shown to be other than the allegation (here are some other pictures of him with his hand over his heart), ignore the totality of the facts and start another argument (What? He doesn’t put his hand over his heart every time?? Then he’s not patriotic enough to be President!!)
I’ll wager that the lie that the picture was taken during the Pledge was added because most people don’t know that it is proper to put your hand over your heart for the Anthem, which would make this seem like less of a crime.
If only people in this country were as interested in substance as in symbols!
Well now lets see…
Whoever sent you that is as ignorant as they are saying everyone else…when we were in grade school we were taught that you put your hand over your heart for both, when some of us were in scouts were taught the same….when some of us were in the military we were taught the same just different ways for uniform and non uniform…go to a ball game and look at all the ignorant people…we should teach our kids the law and to show respect for both the pledge and anthem so that the people who have worked so hard to build and keep this country free can be honored. Your source is ignorant as proved below…
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. — United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171
or a good resource…
http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/usflag/flag_code.html
That’s my beef I have with you liberals is that you think because you say so…it is so. That is not the way the founding fathers set it up… take the time to do it right or don’t do it at all…eh?
However if I were there and had to listen to this awful rendition of the anthem I may have not noticed it for what it was either…listen to it…that ought to be against the law!!!!
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Obama_doesnt_put_hand_over_heart_1022.html
As an outside observer I find this very sinister and Orwellian coming from the supposed ‘Land of the Free’!
“Sometimes he, sometimes he doesn’t…” doesn’t cut it for me. I need a leader that’s 100% respectful of my country and 100% patriotic. I don’t care if you agree or dis-agree with what the actions of the country under one president or another. This person must always be an American and honor our traditions and ceremonies.
Dear Gringos, I understand your current president is undoubtely a “real patriot”, and I pressume he certainly puts his hand over his heart and surely sings the anthem as loud as he can, so if those are the signs you reach in your candidates, it´s no wonder the poor perception the world have of your country today.
Here’s the US Code. It says the law in the United States is that you put your frigging hand over your frigging heart when the frigging national anthem plays. Is that too difficult a concept for you Democrats to follow? I’m sure Nancy Pelosi will now try to get it changed……
Typical Right-Wing Wacko desperation tripe! Probably comes from a madrassa run by the Swift Boat Veterans or some other bilge boys. Let’s not discuss policy or performance!! Oh, noooooo. That’s far too time consuming and tiresome. Let’s instead draw convenient, disproportionate conclusions from a photo that represents 1/500th of a second of a 2 hour public appearance. This is a perfect microcosm if the intellectual poppycock that earned this country eight years of “W”. So…sometimes he puts his hand on his heart and sometimes he doesn’t….”Dagnabit, Cletus! Get a Rope!”
If Barack Obama is a Muslim, maybe he is exactly who we need in office. Since the USA wants to police Muslim countries and tell them how to live, it would be appropriate for a Muslim to be heading the operation. Frankly I think Americans focus too much on trivial things like where someone’s hand is placed, rather than focusing on the things that matter ie: the amount of homeless people in our country, abused woman and children, lack of medical for the majority of our citzens, neglect of our elderly, lack of education for our children, drug control, gangs, graft etc. etc.. I don’t care about where his hand is placed during the pledge I worry where the current administrations hands are placed as they send our boys to fight a war that can’t be won, so they can make money selling their tanks, jeeps etc. and making huge profits off high oil prices.
Senator Obama wants to lead this country as its President; yet, he apparently does not understand the responsibilities of a leader. In his failure to properly display the respect of the flag whose country it represents, he has demonstrated that he is not fit to lead this nation as a senator, let alone, its President. Many tasks that a leader is expected to demonstrate are symbolic in nature, but they, nevertheless, are important to the effectiveness of that leader. It is obvious to me that Mr. Obama never learned that important lesson. Vote for him for President? Not on your life!
First off …. We are at war , a future leader who is not patriotic would only cause more lives lost to the war. Second this was during the NATIONAL ANTHEM … That’s right the song we sing for our fallen heroes, Its not about constitutional rights its about respect, and in the ARMY which he would be commander and chief of , We had to learn the national anthem and pay respect to it. As the leader he too would have to follow this, as should all Americans. And personally I believe if you don’t respect the Flag and the country you should perhaps travel a little more so you realize how good you have it in a nation that cries every time it gets its feelings hurt and is full of greed. Remember who died so you can have ur freedom.
Today I received a email with picture with an additional comment that he was sworn in using the Koran not the Bible. Does anyone know if this is true??
First off, what is a steak fry? Second, this was not during the pledge but the national anthem. A lot of people don’t put their hand over their heart during the anthem but do during the pledge. This is not a big deal, and I am not even a democrat!!!
The photo appears to me as an altered photo. When the people are compared to certain items in the photo and background there’s some discrepancies. Regardless of who supposedly took the photo, it’s not accurate as far as I’m concerned. Some of the media has been known to alter photos. And, I do not like either Osama or Hillary as potential candidate.
You know lots of people don’t place their hands over their hearts and it has nothing to do with not respecting the traditions of our country. I have served this country going on nine years fought in Iraq, Afghanistan, and did the force protection thing in Kosovo and I don’t do hand over my heart thing nor say the pledge. Why you ask, because I don’t. I respect the fact that he is standing there not doing it and getting judge rather than doing it just to please a bunch of fake as patriots who think he should just to please them. even me being the true patriot that I am who fought and still serves without any complaining thinks that what he is doing is wrong. This is what makes America the place that it is.
You got to be kidding me…. Is he an American? Or is he a pretender? He is not a Contender for the President of our great Nation! This man honestly scares me!
Even if he did say the pledge…no pin, weird, no hand over heart, scary
Yeah, I’m thrilled.
http://www.pensitoreview.com/images/photo-george-bush-finger.jpg
Here’s a link to Sen. Obama’s explanation of this silly non-event:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071107/ap_on_el_pr/obama_photo_2
Here is a link to a clip of the video at the Steak Fry (cut and paste): http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Obama_doesnt_put_hand_over_heart_1022.html
As you can see, Mr. Obama is mouthing the words of the National Anthem, while it is being sung by the woman. He started mouthing the words at “gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there…” and when the camera came back to him, he was mouthing the words “and the home of the brave”.
He showed his respect, by facing the woman who was singing the anthem, singing along and then clapping when she finished. The fact that he did not have his hand over his heart, doesn’t mean a thing. That is his choice. This is America, where people do still have choice. Many people do not hold their hand over their heart during the National Anthem (just go to a major league baseball game and look around while the Anthem is being sung).
Just read Mr. Obama’s comments to the incident for yourself (cut and paste):
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071107/ap_on_el_pr/obama_photo_2
Some people sing, some don’t during the national anthem. But during the pledge, yes I do put my hand on my chest so as to be respectful to my country. And I don’t necessarily like to wear pins on my clothes either. So what’s the big fuss about? Our future president was maybe singing and forgot to put his hand on his chest. Woopee,doo. Give the man a break. If you can run this country all by yourself, how come you’re NOT on the presidential campaign, why are you not being elected to be future president.
According the video on ABCNEWS.COM - http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3759803
it was during the playing of the National Anthem. Still, I’m retired Navy and when the Anthem is played - you place your hand over your heart. I think, even more unfortunately, is the caterwailing of the “singer” with her horrific rendition.
What drivel! The amazingly stupid idiotic issues Americans concern themselves with. Iraq with upwards of 4000 American soldiers dead, an economy on the brink of a recession, global warming, gas prices rising, immigration, U.S. human/civil rights violations, illegal wiretapping, the unpatriotic Patriot Act, Cheney and possible impeachment… and all that is talked about on ‘News’ networks is Obama not putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem? you got to be f***king kidding me. Get a life and an education you all. Focus on some real issues.
it’s real easy to call anyone who doesn’t vote for the black person a racist. Means he doesn’t have to have any qualification to be president. And for everyone trying to say the pic is fake, well, Obama says it isn’t… so it probably isn’t.
Just sayin…
OMG you people are killing me! First of all, the photo is real, not doctored. I’ve seen the video on tv, CNN, Fox News, they all showed it, long before it was on this website.
Secondly, regarding the comment that Obama should go back to his own country. Yes, he should. Except, oops, here he is. Because, duh, he is an American you dopes! I mean, HELLO??? Did you all forget that in this country it is REQUIRED that you be BORN a US citizen to ever become president of the US??? (Sorry Ahnold…) I guess the man is so brilliant that he managed to find some loophole in the constitution. Look, everyone is hung up on his name. I admit, I am in no hurry to elect someone who has a name that sounds like people who want us dead. But he is an American. An inexperienced American who has no business being Pres of this country, but an American nontheless.
What’s the big fuss over Obama not putting his hand on his heart? We elected “W” after he went AWOL from the Texas Air Guard and lost his piloting credentials. Now, he’s the head of all our armed forces..
If those of you all upset over a hand not on the heart had thought about “W”’s actions, we wouldn’t be in the situation our country currently is in.
Oh good grief. People should grow up. This “hand-over-heart” silly litmus test for “patriotism” is beyond stupid. Many of us don’t always jump to place our hands over our hearts every time we hear the national anthem nor do we expect our politicians to always be so formal. Those who scream the loudest about manic “patriotism” are simply redneck jingoists who like to make a huge, blustery, obnoxious display of their so-called “patriotism.” Give it a rest. There are many more important things going on in this country than to nitpick every single movement made by every single candidate. We have George W. Bush now, for heaven’s sake. No one but Romney could be worse.
The courtesy of silence and attention to the flag during the national anthem is indeed the only Requirement. He fit the bill.
Interesting.
I’ve been to countless baseball games, and out of thousands of people, I might see a hand full with their hand over their heart during the national anthem.
I also find it funny that the none of the meida personelle or on lookers were even paying attention to the person singing. Should we track down the journalists, and refuse to read their news papers or watch their news? Should we find the random by standers and interogate them about their political pasts?
Comon people. Whether you like Sen. Obama or not, you have to admit that this photo is a pathetic attempt to find the man non-patriotic, and anti-American.
Obama is a fraud as a senator and an insult as a candidate for president. Theres simply no way around it.
Your either respectful of our country or your not, There is no sometimes.
Do you think that sometimes he’d support a kkk lynching, and sometimes he wouldnt?
Give me a break.
All senators and representatives should know flag and anthem etiquette - as should all citizents. Ignorance of flag and anthem etiquette is inexcusable, especially for presidential-hopefuls, and offensive to thousands of citizens. This is a major part of American culture, not a fly-by-night trend! It’s a shame that this wonderful country has so many irreverent, uncaring “citizens.”
Proper antehm etiquette requires those present to stand and face the flag or music (if the flag isn’t present) upon the first note. Those in uniform should offer the military salute; men should remove their headwear, and hold it with their right hand over their heart; those not wearing headwear should place their right hand over their heart; all should remain in this position through the last note. Non-US citizens (those not US born or naturalized) should stand during the song.
Get more info from the Army Institute of Heraldry.
Obama, didn’t salute the flag, big deal. I am sorry that people feel that is a slap in the face. It is the act of a honest man. one that will not conform when it is popular. One that will stand up when the time is right. he is a great leader and should be president. For we need a man that will stand up from the popular idea. Not cower behind lies and false hoods.
all I can say is woopy do, build a bridge fellas
The fact that he’s ashamed to be seen with his white grandmother who took care of him while growing up. The fact that his name is Hussein, Does this ring a bell. He’s not worthy to hold an official U.S. office. Just think of how many Muslim terrorist he’ll welcome to this country. After all, he’s got Muslim blood in his body and blood is thicker than water! We will definitely not vote for Barack Hussein Obama! I don’t think he’s a trustworthy person to begin with!
So Obama made a mistake and didn’t salute. not Putting your hand on your heart during the anthem doesn’t make you unpatriotic. He did make a mistake though since he is a political candidate. It’s just another “red meat” email for the right wingers to say a liberal is Unpatriotic. If you go to a ball game not every person puts there hand on their heart. Does that make them Unpatriotic? I think not. Just because we aren’t yelling Go USA at every opportunity doesn’t make us less Patriotic. I don’t support Obama because to me he’s an empty suit but there’s no proof that he is unpatriotic. Just because a rightwinger says he is doesn’t make it so.
right, wrong each to his own opioion I don’t care EXCEPT for the fact the after being born and raised in America and for 70 years had a good life (and the majority of us do)I think it is only right to salute our country and support it.
If y’all look (and listen) to the video on youtube you will see Obama singing the National Anthem why he didn’t put his over his heart is amazing. BUT something else, what was disgusting was the way the National Anthem was being sung. I don’t like, nor appreciate, someone improvising on something as important as that song and further she didn’t have a good voice anyway.
The point is, as a nation, we need to get back to the basics and collectively agree to agree on the way to salute the American flag and give respect when the national anthem is being sung.
Remember,if the freedom you have in America were to be taken away (and you had to live in countries like Iraq) how would you feel then.
oh no! he didn’t put his hand over his heart during the NATIONAL ANTHEM (not the pledge of allegiance) FIRE AND BRIMSTONE WILL RAIN DOWN UPON US!!! REPENT SINNERS, REPENT! KEEP TOSSING DIRTY SLANDER AT ANYONE NOT ON THE REPUBLICANS SIDE! REPUBLICANS FOR LIFE! SCREW THE PRESIDENCY…WE NEED A NEW REPUBLICAN DICTATOR BECAUSE OBAMA DIDN’T PUT HIS HAND OVER HIS HEART. who the f cares, you idiots
Charliemac and others who strongly beleive in symbolism,
Not everyone needs a symbol as a means for showing respect to their country or any other treasured value for that matter.
I am a Female veteran of the first Gulf War. I do not fly a flag outside my home and I don’t take offense at others not placing their hands over their hearts for the National Anthem.
I see Americans and the freedoms we enjoy so differently that most Americans. I UNDERSTAND very intimately what we have here, because I have experienced the opposite. The memory that haunts me and keeps me grounded is that of a young woman came up to me in a Saudi market place in the middle of the desert, only her eyes visible through the black cloth that covered her in the 100-degree heat. She seemed so awed with me. There was little English she could speak or understand. But her eyes said so much more than I needed to hear. She wanted what girls and women in this country take for granted. She wanted freedom.
It was not MY decision that allowed me to be born an American.
So for me, flying the flag the way so many Americans do who have no idea how fortunate they are to be American, is the equivolent of FLAUNTING the flag, of saying too bad you wretched schmucks weren’t born here.
But I am also not blinded by my GRATITUDE for having been so blessed as to have been born in this country instead of Saudi Arabia or some other restrictive nation. I do not follow any president blindly. And I do not chose a president based on whether he uses symbolism to show patriotism. Those men who fought to attain and later to retain our freedoms here did so to also provide us the freedom to think for ourselves. I am eternally grateful to those who made that sacrifice and to their families.
But I would rather elect a president who uses his action to show his love and dedication for this country, rathere than someone who merely knows all the protocols that other people feel makes him patriotic.
Many people are placing far too much stock on a gesture that really has little to do with whether or not Obama would be a great leader. When judging a candidate, how about looking at their credentials, words, history and enthusiasm for change rather than a gesture which truly means nothing.
The great thing about living in America is that we have the freedom to choose and Obama, like all of us, has the right to choose to not put his hand over his heart. It’s an empty gesture anyhow and I’d rather focus on his words and actions than where his hands are. So many people get their panties in a bind over the most trivial of things in an attempt to derail a strong candidate.
Let’s focus on the things that matter instead of things like pins and hand gestures!
Hey, I’ve got a bumper sticker that says, “I support the troops.” All you phony Americans who perform community service and donate to charities and just pretenders to my awesome American-ness!
What a waste of time. He is still one of the best candidates to run this country. I guess this is all you Retardicans can dig up on him! Pathetic. Get to the real issues! Oh wait, I forgot, You lose on all the real issues. Now I understand why this crap is so important to you!
I guess Phil is going to start throwing food or something next!
“A waste of time…” is a liberal House and Senate dragging the same issues in front of committees that everyone knows will not (should not) be passed anyway. Tax dollars at work I guess.
The video is very subjective. It’s unfortunate that so many people think this is no big deal, of course many people think “Hitlery” Clinton would make a great president too! Where is this country going? Our Constitution is rarely used and political figures take The Pledge of Allegiance and The National Anthem for granted. It appears that people are so concerned with changing our country that they’ve forgotten what makes the United States so great! It will eventually be too late to learn from these mistakes!
I now understand, while reading over this web page, why I’m not a liberal…I’m so very grateful!
Anyone who doesn’t see a problem with not saluting our flag or showing gestures during The National Anthem or The Pledge of Allegiance needs to realize just what they are taking for granted! I have never seen (in the united States) anyone not salute the flag during The National Anthem or The Pledge of allegiance. What’s “pathetic” as described above, is how many people want so badly to make excuses for Obama (we all saw the same video) only because they hate Republicans. How weak is that!
Think about it: it’s a photograph. He might have raised his hand to his heart a split second later. But while I’m here, lest get to the root of the commentary here against Obama: how far has the past eight years of mindless, patriotic BS advanced the integrity of this nation of 280 million nationally and internationally. Nationalism is a BAD thing. My grandfather was alive and served in the German army during WWII and he used to tell me about the perils of patriotism and xenophobia. He said they were hoodwinked with guilt and false pride. Obama is an intelligent and conscientious leader, that’s much better on both accounts of the jerks that hijacked out land in 2000 and 2004.
I think Obama, like everyone else, should raise his hand to his heart. It is, after all,o something he was probably raised doing. Addressing the fact that sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn’t gives me the idea that he is patriotic whenever he feels like it. “President Obama is due to address the nation today whenever he feels like getting out of bed.”
To Dave:
President Bush read the book right-side up. You should watch FarenHYPE 9 11, which features the teacher who was present on that morning.
However, I do like Whoopie’s joke about the president waving to Stevie Wonder!
Obama is a muslim by birthright. Therefore as a muslim, he is the enemy of america. Get rid his jihad loving ass out of power immediatley!
Now I understand how Gore (IQ=190) could loose to Bush (IQ=90), judging from the comments above it seems that 85% of politically interested americans are dimwits…
Political patriotism has (post 9/11) been reduced to the ability to appear in the vicinity of flags, veterans and bibles, and to a lesser degree to act in ways brave and beneficial to your country.
I have enough troubles with politicans being not only liers, opportunitists looking for more power and mostly not some one I’d bring home to dinner, Obama has booted me out of his ‘camp’ for ever… I was shot at, and my generation was spit on for serving our country and supporting these freedoms for people like him and all the other liers and cheats that surface on the public feeding trough. I don’t have to like it, and I don’t. But our guys are still dieing all over the world for the same bunch of “leaders”, the names just change… JMHO
Casper makes an interesting point, Al Gore has an IQ of 190 and is still one of the biggest policical flops in History! What’s more is the reference to patriotism post 9/11.
You are condescending to people who actually expect our political representitives to adhere to US protocol! That’s what is wrong with patriotisim today! We have idiots like this, outwardly assuming political stances taken by other’s because we may not agree with their weak ideology. Obama not follow US potocol is what’s relevant. Your points are weak at best to have such condescension in your tone!
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.
Even the smallest child is quick to put his/her hand over the heart when pledging the allegiance to the flag. It is clear That Obama’s heart is somewhere else when remembering to put the hand over the heart becomes an effort to be remembered. It is only a symbol of our respect and love for our country. What country does Obama love? Or better, what country would he like to love?
IT REALLY WORRIES ME WHEN A COUNTRY AS GREAT AS OURS IS MORE WORRIED IF HUSSEIN(A TRADITIONAL AMERICAN NAME) SINGS OR EVEN KNOWS THE WORDS TO UOR NATIONAL ANTHEM RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE; THIS MAN HAS’NT GOT THE EXPERIENCE TO OPERATE A LEMONADE STAND AND HE IS A SERIOUS CONTENDER FOR THE PRESIDENTACY!!! COME ON ALL YOU KOOL-AID DRINKING LIBS. ATLEAST TRY TO REMEMBER J.F.K. WHEN LOOKING FOR A NOMINEE AND STOP TRYING THE SHOCK SALE OF A WOMAN OR A BLACK BOTH OF WHOM WOULD REPRESENT A DAMN GREEK TRAGEDY TO THIS COUNTRY. MORALS.MORALS.MORALS. WHERE DID THEY ESCAPE TO? DID YOUR NEW SPEAKER REMOVE THEM WITH ALL THE DIGNITY THE OLD GUARD HAD. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR BECAUSE SOMETHINGS ARE NOT REVERSABLE,AND YES I AM REFERING TO THE ELECTION OF THIS LOW DOWN,NO COUNT UNPATRIOTIC,MAN. OR FOR THAT MATTER HIS EVIL COUNTERPART WITCH HILLARY.
I am conservative and consider myself very patriotic. I was raised by my liberal parents and attended public schools when I was young. I was taught to place my hand over my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance and to stand at attention facing the flag for the National Anthem. I have stood at attention without placing my hand over my heart at schools, many sporting events, etc simply because I honestly didn’t know I was supposed to place my hand over my heart. I absolutely will going forward. I would like to say that I think Obama is a good guy. I don’t think he hates our country or is unpatriotic. I absolutely wouldn’t vote for him because of his views on several issues but I can see why liberals like him. Although, I find it odd that he didn’t take time to determine the proper etiquette to follow for these moments that are sure to be recorded while he’s running for public office. I’m surprised his support staff is stating that he places his hand over his heart for the National Anthem when he “feels” like it. I think claiming that he didn’t know would have been a much easier explanation for everyone to accept.
This may be the most be the sadest thing I have ever heard. There are people who feel that Barak should not president over not putting his hand over chest during the national anthem. That is completely retarded. Lets completely forget about his political policies and concentrate on whether or not he puts his hand over chest. Because thats how in America Presidents are elected not on polices or views but on whether or not they put their hand over there chest during the national anthem. Grow up. thank god this is all he’s doing, he could be a bumbling idiot who reads books upside down to small children during a national disater.
From the The Book of Etiquette by Emily Post states:
The National Anthem
Everyone, even very young children, should rise and remain standing during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It is not easy to sing, and you need not do so if you do not have the necessary range or “ear,” but you must stand quietly until you hear “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
If you are on the way to your seat at a sports event, or in any public place, when the strain, ‘Oh say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,” sounds, stop where you are and stand at attention until the end. Don’t talk, chew gum loudly, eat or smoke during the singing of the anthem.
No where does it state that it is mandatory to place the hand over the heart while it is being played.
I learned this over 60 years ago when we were involved with WWII.
Preston
First of all, I wonder how accurate that photo is. Almost anything can be done with PhotoShop these days (I should know, I’m a freelance photo editor) and it isn’t too difficult to edit a photo like that. One simple enough way would be to take two photos, from the same angle, one before the pledge starts (with Obama’s hand down) and another during (with the other’s hand over their hearts), and copying Obama without hand-over-heart onto the second photo. A bit of editing to make it look natural, and voila!
Secondly, the question here is more than whether he puts his hand over his heart during the pledge. If the photo is real, the question is why didn’t he put his hand over his heart while he was on stage at a statewide event in front of an audience?
Is it a urban legend, or truth, that Obama is a closet Wahabi Muslim (radical sect) & has covered with joining a Christian church. Also, is it truth or fiction, when taking office he refused to place his hand on the Bible & took his oath with hand on the Koran. And suppose the slips of showing unpatriotic moves are just that, slipups - chinks in his “political face”. Does this guy have a deadly hidden agenda, or are these suspicions unfounded? Hmmmm. Bears some research, I’d say, before anyone casts a vote in the upcoming election.
The pledge of alliegance and the national anthem are two totally different things. The pledge is the pledge and the national anthem is a song. However, either way it has been a long held AMERICAN tradition to place the hand over the heart for either event. Any reason given to only do it “sometimes,” is not a reasonable answer. So, is it still bad if I speed, but only do it sometimes? or what about giving respect to the military, can I salute my officer only sometimes. yeah sure you could only salute sometimes, but then you would just have a marine boot up your ass when you didn’t. We’re talking about giving respect to an officer versus giving respect to your entire country and the dog that lives here. There is no excuse for lousy, or lazy men running for office of the USA to not be able to beat good ol’ Hilary Clinton to the fastest draw of the saluting hand.
So was it the pledge of alleigance or the national anthem?
Ok, so this is how The United States elect thier leader. Apparently it doesn’t matter what their views are on healthcare, wellfare and umemployment, the hand must be on the heart. No wonder you always elect jackasses…
One might say he shows “strong character” by his personal convictions. I say to you this man has no right to serve the People of the United States of America! If he has no regard for our National Anthem and what it stands for, who does he serve — the ACLU?
It’s always been tradition to place your hand on your heart during The Pledge of Alligiance but when did it become necessary to place your hand on your heart during the National Anthem? Growing up we never did and I’m sure we would have been told to had it been proper.
Think about this- do you fold your hands every single time you pray? If you sit in some other position, does it not count?
And for those who are so caught up in details that my above main point doesn’t get to you, you might respond better to the technicality that this incidence wasn’t during the pledge, it was during the anthem, when the point is to listen, not act.
sure can tell who has served their country and who hasnt! When ever in a public situation the MC/speaker will announce please face the flag as the Anthem is played, some salute, some put their hand over their heart, others do nothing, depends on training. Same with a U.S. flag passing by in a parade, training and patriotism shows. The allegiance has probably been more standardized thru out the U.S.
Regardless of his ‘foreign schooling’ he wants to be the commander in chief, he should learn what is correct and do it, its hard enough to command respect, without displaying outright disrespect for the country. And I’ll say here as I always say, no one has the right to serve in public office unless they have served their country first.
I am appauled by this picture. What was he thinking. Shame on us if he ever gets elected into presidency. If one is to proud for any reason to not put there hand on their heart while reciting the pledge of allegiance, they have no busines running for president. What a total lack of respect and I don’t care who you are. I AM AN AMERICAN AND PROUD OF IT.
The picture was taken during a rendition, albeit botched, of the NATIONAL ANTHEM not the pledge of allegiance. Maybe my years of schooling and scouts have served me wrong but you do NOT place your hand on your heart during the National Anthem. Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.
The President of the United States must be a leader, and his/her patriotism to the country must NEVER be in question.
I am appauled by this hoax email and embarrassed that family members don’t check out an email before they send this off to others. I replied “to all” who were sent this email with me because I fell it’s racist. It took me 2 minutes to find out it was a hoax. Some racist, unintelligent person was angry I replied to him when I replied to everyone. He even sent me a red-faced yahoo smiley at the end of his email letting me know that he did not appreciate my email informing him it was a hoax. I inclueded a website showing him it was a hoax. Now, if it were true wouldn’t it be all over the news? Poor Mr. Obama, and all who are treated in a racist way when he has dedicated his life to public service. I’d like to know what the racist do to help their fellow man. I am not a Barack Obama lover; in fact, I am voing for John McCain, but I am sick to death with having to put up with emotional creeps who want to “believe what I want to believe,” and they’re annoyed that I showed them the truth. Still, another family member sent the same email out to me later, and he had erased the first family member’s request to know if the bogus email was true. I have little respect and am ashamed that these people are my relatives.
After all, this man is not playing the race card saying it’s time a black man get in to the president’s office. I am glad about that because the truth is he isn’t a black or white man biologically or spirtually. I wish him all the best!
ummm first of all saying that obama didn’t put his hand on his heart is considered to be raciest is just stupid. Just because i think barak is the antichrist doesnt mean im rachist grow the f up! I dont go around saying people are racist twords white people when they say they hate busch! By the way everyone voting for obmam is stupid! and me saying that doesnt mean im racist so SUSSSIE or what ever your name is stop playing the race card its really annoying!
After wataching the video of Senator Obama at the event, I do not think that he refused to be a patriotic American. I said refused. As you look at the video you can clearly see him singing along with the song, nodding, (not as much as Hillary) but his overall body language was in agreeance with what the song represents and his history as an American. My only suppose is that he just got caught in the momment and but he was still very reverent and even clapped and nodded good job to his collegues. So, he’s a person who made one honest mistake. Were the others being non-American for not singing? I mean really. I do understand that someone would notice this and even question. I don’t think it’s necessary to say that he’s not worthy of being our President. We knew that Gerogy wasn’t worthy on the secong time around. He had a real chance to prove that. Barak hasn’t done enough in my eyes to prove that he’s not worthy. He deserves a chance and I actually don’t think that he’ll let us down.
So this gentleman feels he can put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem when he feels like it, and leave his hands down by his zipper when he feels like doing that?
And he thinks we will let him get away with that kind of disrespect for our flag and our nation?
Then he is an idiot, unfit for office!
He hasn’t been elected President, and already he is acting as if he is above the rules that the rest of us gladly follow.
We already have a President who thinks the rules don’t apply to him. We don’t need another of that ilk in the White House.
Barack Hussein Obama is a self-acknowledged active member of the Trinity United Church of Christ. This is an all-black “Christian” church whose website clearly states that their members must, among other things support an allegiance to Africa (not the USA). That’s why he hesitates to show the traditionally accepted demonstration of allegiance to the United States of America, which is the hand over the heart. His heart belongs to Africa - - first and always. Is this man the kind of person you want running THIS country? Perhaps he should run for office in Africa.
It’s no wonder we have Shrub as a pres for 8 years. People are so easily dupped into believing anything. the picture is during the National Anthem at Tom Harkin’s BBQ. Most people do not put they hand over their heart during the Anthem. This is very common. Clinton and Richardson are the ones not following convention in my opinion.
I noticed someone said that Obama doesnt have to respect our Flag by saying the pledge or placing his hand over his heart because that is his Constitutional right. Well, you know that might be true for an average person but NOT for a SENATOR or someone that wants to be OUR PRESIDENT. If he doesnt appreciate America than he needs to GET OUT!!!
We are learning about this in social studies class and its unfair to believe rumors when you haven’t even checked to see if they are true. How is it that SEVENTH GRADERS know this and adults don’t? Check your sources!! Don’t judge!
First of all, NO Obama is not Muslim. He is a Christian. and NO, Obama was not sworn in on a copy of the Ko