You can see the video, here, Obama doesn't cover his heart for any moment of the Anthem. (WARNING: The person singing the pledge really butchers it and you might go deaf listening.)
When I was a kid I would always cover my heart, even when the other kids didn't. (Cool kids don't salute their country in high school.) Sometimes they picked on me, but I have never been ashamed. That story might sound silly to you, but I still love my country.
Does anyone know if Obama has mentioned this? Was he tired and not thinking, did he forget because he had a lot on his mind?
Some find this distressing while others say it is not a big deal, what do you think?
6 comments:
I would have to know lots more about the picture before I made a judgment. Any number of things could be happening, and in today's world of photoshop, who knows...
However, I think that expectations of patriotism are way overblown, especially in election time. For the last 1 1/2 years of debates, it seems like somebody has gotten criticized every time for not wearing a flag pin, as if a flag pin is the only way to show that you love your country.
As for me, I do not cover my heart when singing the national anthem. I rarely sing the anthem. And I most certainly do not pledge allegiance to the United States of America. I don't do (or not do) these things to be the cool kid. I do (or not do) this things, because I pledge allegiance to God alone. Lots of other people and entities have my loyalty, but not my ultimate loyalty. If my country gets involved in something I believe is morally wrong, I have no allegiance to it. And right now, I believe this country is involved in so many sinful things that I simply cannot sing its praises.
Now if we're talking about thanking specific people, like WWII vets, or George Washington, or some Puritan founders, than I'm all about singing.
Actually, you are only supposed to cover your heart during the pledge...but people usually do during the National Anthem as well.
Adam, I am in agreement with Brian. It is just that I expect a higher class of political commentary from you.
I feel I should mention that this is part of a video. The video shows the entire anthem and he never covers his heart.
I'm open to all kinds of interpretations. I posted this to see if it bothers people or if they don't think it is a big deal. I haven't used this to attack Obama, only to ask my readers for their input since it is making waves in the blogoshpere.
A U.S. President is duty bound to put the interests and security of the U.S. first. Especially as commander-in-chief. Will a "citizen of the world" do that? Especially when he takes no interest in honoring his country by saluting the flag, or showing any kind of respect for that flag? If he wins, I hope so, but if I were a betting man, the bet would be on "no".
As a Boy Scout leader, we were trained that you stand at attention when the National Anthem is presented. You put your hand over your heart (or salute, when in uniform) only when you recite the Pledge of Aliegence. Obama is doing nothing wrong in this clip. His other foul-ups, bleeps and blunders are aproching Legendary status as we speak.....
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