Monday, October 22, 2007

OBAMA: Lack of Respect or Just Stupid?

On September 18, Tom Harkin held his annual Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa.

Every election year, Harkin invites Iowans to meet the democrat candidates to a feast, organized this year at the Warren County Fairgrounds.

For $25, you get a steak and a generous serving of stump speeches.

18,000 people attended the event.

In the photo essay of the steak fry posted on TIME, this photo and caption appear:

Tom Harkin's Iowa Steak Fry


Respect
Senator Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin stand during the national anthem.

RESPECT?

Is that supposed to be a joke?

Obama doesn't look very respectful.

He has a problem with flag pins. We know that.

When he was on the Tonight Show last Wednesday, Obama talked to Jay Leno about losing his flag pin and deciding not to replace it. He considers it a symbol of fake patriotism in some cases.

Obama said:

Now the truth is that I wore a pin right after 9/11.

When I took it off, I lost it.

I didn't replace it even though I have terrific respect for those who wear it because I think a lot of politicians will put their flag pin on and then act in a real unpatriotic manner.

I mean you had Alberto Gonzales wearing a flag pin the whole time he was shredding the Constitution. And What I want people to do is to judge me by how I act.

OK. I'll judge Obama by how he acts.

At Harkin's Steak Fry, he's acting disrespectfully.


Maybe he's not being disrespectful. Maybe he's just ignorant. Is he unaware of proper etiquette during the playing of the national anthem?
§171. Conduct during playing

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. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Looking at that picture, in addition to his flag pin, I also wonder if he has lost his hand and heart and respect for what the flag symbolizes.

Does he consider putting one's hand over one's heart during the playing of the national anthem to be fake patriotism?


(h/t: NewsBusters, Moonbattery, and Dad29.)

14 comments:

August Danowski said...

Shouldn't they all be facing the other way (towards the giant flag behind them)?

Anonymous said...

You and your friends sure draw a lot of conclusions from a single still frame image.
The only context are your words put to a tune of your own making.

A pretty sad America hating tune.

Anonymous said...

General, he's brought it all upon himself by making a stink about the pin.

Anonymous said...

Obama is not stupid. Smear bloggers like you are stupid and embarrassing to this country. You are nothing but republican version of moveon.org like crazies.

You can jump on the same topic hundred times but find no time to condemn bad behaviour from crazies like Ann Coulter! Shows what a prtisan hack you are!!

Honestly, you should take a serious look at yourself and stop this hatred! This is not patriotism...this is sheer stupidity and partisan. Do you get paid for this? Just curious.

Anonymous said...

a picture is worth a thousand words

Anonymous said...

I believe the picture and the caption said "RESPECT". Well, does the word "RESPECT" match the picture??
NO.
Obama is a pop culture candidate.
He isn't qualified to be register of deeds. Nothing personal libs, but the MSM will never call Obama on his mediocre mind and even lesser accomplishments. He is only a candidate because libs are racists. And to prove they are not racists, they act in a completely racist manner. Libs show their love for blacks and Obama specifically by pandering to them/him and not holding Obama to the same standards that they would hold Fred Thompson or Rudy Guiliani. Libs prove that they love black people by treating them as PETS. And they pat them on the head. And if someone DARES to point out Obama's own acts and deeds, these guilty libs accuse others of being exactly what they are. Racists.
It is Racist to back a candidate who is clearly not qualified, expressly BECAUSE the candidate is black.
I'm not sure Obama was being disrespectful purposely, but calling that picture and captioning it as "RESPECT" is absurd.
My 6 year old CUB SCOUT is more respectful, wherever and whenever he see's OLD GLORY.
Only in the liberal world of misfit contrarianism, is NOT WEARING a flag pin showing Patriotism.

Mary said...

August26--

It appears that they are facing a color guard.

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General--

Blame TIME for captioning the photo. The photo essay establishes the context, not me.

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American--

That depends on what the meaning of "paid" is.

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I agree with Dave, "anonymous," and Mickey.

Obama says that he wants to be judged by his actions. I think he's getting exactly what he wants.

Anonymous said...

Meaning of what 'paid' is..? Well, take a wild guess. Or, you can ask other smear bloggers for a 'meeaaning'!! ;-)

Again, there is no surprise - you always act 'dumb' when it comes to tough issues. It's much easier to smear 'other' side, right? Keep doing it!! ;)

Mary said...

I'm not a paid "smear blogger."

The pleasure of exercising my right to free speech is its own reward.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

OK, for the record. I have never been on this site before, I am not political in nature and I am definitely an American through and through. Being a disabled VET I find everything about this issue disturbing. I was taught that taking off my ball cap and placing it over my heart was an act of respect for my country. I couldn't imagine not showing everyone how much I love my home land. This "candidate" sure has put his foot in his own mouth.

Even to this day I get goose bumps listening to the pledge, standing at attention knowing that our fellow friends/neighbors died for that FLAG and the respect IT DESERVES!

Mary said...

Thank you for your service to our country, TBACB.

I don't think of showing respect for our flag as a political act. It's something proud and grateful Americans do.

I consider being born an American to be a great blessing.

I would never show disrespect for the symbol of my beloved country.

Anonymous said...

Those who saw the video say Barak was the only one singing the National Anthem. Is being mute a sign or respect?

Mary said...

Proper etiquette during the playing of the national anthem is in my original post.

Obama needs a lesson on proper etiquette.

To answer your question, being mute can be a sign of respect.