So, by now you probably know that Obama didn't put his hand over his heart during a singing of the National Anthem (circulating photo at right), and that FOX made a big deal about it, and that suddenly pundits pretended they toootally had memorized United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171: "During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart" (which no one in the photo is fully observing), and that Obama explained himself. But the issue just won't die.The original video on this is from the middle of September and the Washington Post did a nice debunking of the scandal a couple of weeks ago; so did Snopes.
But a still photo of the scene taken by a Time magazine photographer is still finding its way into in-boxes. In the past week, we received a mass email from an older conservative friend in Texas as proof that Obama is unpatriotic, and several people we know have received similar viral emails lately. The most common message (wrongly suggesting it wast the Pledge of Allegiance, not the National Anthem):
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????
This weekend, we talked to a cousin working on the Obama campaign who said that it appears to be circulating widely now and still doing damage.
We'd like to take issue with the idea that everyone knows to put hand over heart during the National Anthem. We've been to enough ball games to know that most people simply remove their hats (reserving the full hand-on-heart treatment for the Pledge).And we just dug up a photo taken this summer at the Demolition Derby in Delaware County, NY, that corroborates this. The county is conservative and God-fearing and deeply patriotic. We attend every year, and before the cars start smashing into each other, everyone sings the Star Spangled Banner. Here's a photo of the grandstand at that moment.
Note that only a few percent of the attendees have their hands over their heart. Far more have their hands clasped in front of them, just like Obama.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 3)
16. So my question is...what if he's praying? Everyone prays different. Im pretty certain he's allowed to do that above and beyond putting his hand over his heart for any song or pledge. Im just saying that anyone who says "He didnt pose a certain way like I expect everyone else to, so Im not voting for him." is ridiculous. In fact, it even is probably childish. And claiming the race issue, I think is safe to say has been a factor all his life. Thats just his genetics talking. Every time someone ignorant hears him speak of unfair things, BAM, they yell "race card" because he's black, even if they are part black or part anything that they think they can use to relate to him or to claim a deep connection with him. Yeah, because you were basically raised together, right? Oh, and anyone who will vote republican that is democrat now, just deserves to have their voting privileges taken away.
Mad-Man at 3:13PM on Nov 19th 2007
17. Ruth -
Sorry that you were the trigger for this. I absolutely agree with Obama's comments not to mistake the small gestures for the commitment. I would rather have someone who fails to salute the flag, not wear a flag pin, and all the rest of the third-level signals, but has the best interests of the country in her/his mind over the opposite. Personally, I believe most politician demonstrate their patriotism with these gestures and then sell the poor and middle-class down the river with their actions. BTW, the "sell down the river" phrase is deliberate.
alan at 3:23PM on Nov 19th 2007
18. Don -
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10. He's been a U.S. senator for how long now? Do they not recite the pledge before begginning each session? For him to infer he didn't know is bogus. What else doesn't he know about this country and it's traditions? Would he like it if elected if no one called him Mr. President or if the military refused to salute him. He should know the basic premises on which this country was founded. Period
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Did I miss something? The story was about the national anthem, not the pledge of allegiance. I will not begin to speak for the man, but from his earlier comments, I infer that he would rather the military and fellow citizens worked with him rather than made the gestures and worked against him. BTW, how is this about a basic premise upon which the country was founded? The pledge and anthem were written when?
alan at 3:30PM on Nov 19th 2007
19. A simple request...
Will all you idiots who keep saying it was the Pledge of Allegiance please read the article???
It was the Star-Spangled Banner and there is video of Obama singing along while the other candidates just stood there silent with their hands improperly placed on their hearts.
(Note: Hillary even had her hand resting on her breast instead of over her heart!)
Read the article...
Watch the video...
Then post something ignorant and stupid!
Thank you!
FINN at 4:28PM on Nov 19th 2007
20. Well FINN haven't you heard. If something is repeated long enough it becomes the obsolute truth. That's why right wing talking points are so damn important to them!!! Never mind the truth or the facts....
Who are you going to belive, your eyes or the lies??
Patty at 6:28PM on Nov 19th 2007
21. Some Perspective On Ada’s Twisted Logic about That 'Unpatriotic' Image of Obama
Let’s start with the basics, the email is wrong and should have never misrepresented the event, but let’s also recognize that Barak Obama was wrong! United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171: "During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart" is the law and no matter who you are it still applies to you as a citizen of this country. Period, no arguments, that is the way it is written. It is something I was taught as far back as grade school and have done so ever since. Oh but what about all the people in the picture? Well last I checked two wrongs still do not make a right and ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Didn’t your mother tell you not to do as others did just because they did it, and that just because some one did it didn’t make it right! Whether the people in the Demolition Derby picture are ignorance, lazy, or unpatriotic as you suggest is irrelevant. None of those descriptions is acceptable for a presidential candidate and any attitude that mirrors that behavior is also unacceptable. I read his excuse, justification what ever you want to call it. It made no mention of correcting his errant behavior, nor apologized to the American public for his oversight. It portrays the act as acceptable. It is not! Now with that said lets recognized that no one on the stage in the picture is correct. They are not facing the Flag! Each of them has his or her back to the flag, so in reality this picture displays the disrespect for our flag by each one of the candidates seeking to represent you to the world. All I can say about that is let’s hope should anyone of them actually get into the office that they are better prepared and staffed to ensure that they do not treat our global friends and their country’s anthems with the same disrespect that they have our nation.
George at 12:44PM on Nov 20th 2007
22. Many of these comments are ridiculous. Look at the picture. They're not even all facing the same direction. I have received the email about this and have returned them all with numberous pictures of the Senator with his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. Also notice that several of you are confusing the Pledge of Allegiance with the National Anthem. If you don't know the difference, how patriotic are you? Senator Obama is very patriotic, very intelligent, honest, and has more interest in making this country what it was supposed to be than any other candidate. Check out his website and all of his followers. www.barackobama.com
I have never been involved in a campaign before, but this guy is the real deal. It's a shame that one picture, or one comment, or one lie can get so blown out of proportion these days.
Amy at 7:37PM on Nov 21st 2007
23. Why do I have to share a country with people who don't know the difference between the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance? It should be a prerequisite to being able to vote.
Mokele Mbembe at 11:00AM on Nov 21st 2007
24. "it is a telling statement about Obama and he has lost my vote as a result of this." - d baker
C'mon.. he never had your vote to begin with. Am I right?
fabio at 11:14AM on Nov 21st 2007
25. The numerous excuses I have heard for all those people in the stands not putting their hands over their hearts are pretty lame. For all of you defending them.. SHAME ON YOU!
It shouldn't matter if you're running for president or not, and if no-one is looking or not.
I consider myself a non-religious libertarian, and despite being critical of some things the US has done under both D & R administrations, I sstill love this country and I give the flag respect on all occasions if people are looking or not.
If men and women are willing to die to defend our country and flag, my respect is the least I can offer. That's really what it's about. It's respect for the men and women who have served and especially those who gave, as Lincoln said, "...the last full measure of devotion."
If you can't take 60 seconds to stand and show the flag - and all who fought for it - some respect, you're not much of an American.
fabio at 11:27AM on Nov 21st 2007
26. From now on I'm going to cross my hands and sing for the national anthem, Hussein style.
Mokele Mbembe at 11:29AM on Nov 21st 2007
27. #19 - wbigtummy - Move into the 21st century. The communists, especially in China, are our allies. They have always been our allies. The islamofascists are our enemies. They have always been our enemies.
alan at 12:03PM on Nov 21st 2007
28. wbigtummy,
Do you mean to say Obama plans to collectivize all businesses? Nah, OHB wouldn't DO that. If you bring on the hatemongering you'd better back it up.
Mokele Mbembe at 1:26PM on Nov 21st 2007
29. Having spent many years in uniform. I always saluted the flag if on display during the National Anthem, or as it passes by in a parade etc. I always place my right hand over my heart when making a pledge, like the Pledge of Allegiance. It was my understanding that a civilian stood at attention and uniformed military personnel saluted during the Natl. Anthem. Obama was doing as I think he should.
John D at 7:56AM on Nov 29th 2007
30. Essay is typical liberal media bias apologist nonsense... but why bother, it is most likely ingrained .... in fact, you don't even see your left knee jerking anymore as you type.
Someone who is running for office (... even town dog catcher) would have the brains to "know how to respond" to the national anthem being played. Your analogy is so putrid as to not be an analogy.
I hardly expect a rural mom keeping an eye on her two kids aged 7 and 9 to know that they ...(all three of em!)... have to place their hands over their hearts before the cars can begin to race and they can finish their hot dogs.
A candidate for President and Commander-in-Chief who does not know the simplest rules of political conduct .... might really be hard pressed if the had to make a slightly more important decision .... like how to respond to Israel being invaded by a now nuclear Iran. (That of course after, after he permits Iraq to be divided between Iran and Pakistan within the first week of his Presidency.)
A.Y .Rand at 9:57PM on Feb 25th 2008