Irritated Obama Just Stupid

Back in October, I posted the photo of Barack Obama failing to put his hand over his heart during the national anthem. It was taken in September in Iowa.

Here's the story:

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.

At the time, I asked if Obama was being disrespectful or just being stupid.

Apparently, he was just being stupid.

Obama isn't aware of the proper etiquette to be followed 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.

Obama spoke out yesterday about the infamous photo being circulated on the Internet. He claims it portrays him unfairly.

BURLINGTON, Iowa -- Barack Obama complained on Wednesday about an Internet photo that claims the Democratic presidential candidate didn't hold his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.

"This is so irritating," Obama said when asked about the photo in Muscatine, Iowa.

The photo, which has circulated widely on the Internet, was taken in September during Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's annual Democratic fundraiser. A message accompanying the photo claims Obama didn't observe the pledge.

Obama said the photo was taken during the singing of the national anthem, not the pledge.

"My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2," Obama said, his annoyance obvious. "During the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the national anthem you sing."

Obama, presidential wannabe, doesn't know that you do more than sing.

Now he really looks like a fool.

...A woman also asked Obama about the photo Tuesday night during a town hall meeting in Cedar Rapids, evoking a similar reaction.

"This is the classic dirty trick of the campaign," Obama said.

He added that he's often the target of anonymous criticism on the Internet.

...He advised the woman to tell the sender of the e-mail the real story.

"You don't have to curse them out, just tell them they've got their facts wrong," he said.

Obama has some of his facts wrong, plus he's omitting others entirely.

True, the photo was not taken during the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. It was during the national anthem.

If an e-mail claims the photo was of Obama during the Pledge, that is false.

However, while Obama rightly says the photo was taken during the anthem, he's very wrong about the proper etiquette.

With all due respect to Obama's grandfather, he didn't teach Obama to do the right thing when the national anthem is played.

Obama shouldn't be all that irritated by the supposed misrepresentation of his actions in the photo.
Either way, he is not displaying the proper respect.

Hasn't an aide or someone explained that to him?

It's also shoddy reporting by the Associated Press for failing to note that Obama's excuse for not having his hand over his heart doesn't fly.

Bottom line: I believe that Obama was not intentionally being disrespectful when he didn't place his hand over his heart as he should have. He was just being stupid.

I wonder if now he follows the proper etiquette when the anthem is played. I hope so. He is a U.S. senator. He should know what to do.

When questioned about the photo, Obama should clarify that it wasn't a shot of him during the Pledge of Allegiance; but he should also admit his mistake.