I just saw this on MSN:
http://www.slate.com/id/2177887/?GT1=10636

Apparently a picture was taken of Barack Obama during the national anthem without his hand over his heart and chaos ensued.

That's a point in his favor, as far as I'm concerned. I've refused to put my hand over my heart for so long that it's not even a conscious statement anymore.

An interesting note from the article:

So, does this mean that it's against the law to sit down for "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a baseball game? Technically, but you won't get in trouble. Though the procedure for listening to the national anthem is spelled out in the U.S. Code, you can't be punished for breaking the rules. That would likely be considered a violation of the First Amendment. For instance, the Supreme Court ruled that Jehovah's Witnesses had the right to skip the pledge.

(Slate (http://www.slate.com/id/2177887/?GT1=10636))

I like the fact that they mentioned a baseball game. Those are among the most disgraceful (http://bdhilling.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/48-of-american-men-dont-know-the-words-to-the-anthem/) displays of patriotism around.

What "chaos"?

Well, I have a problem with them trying to point to this like he was caught burning the flag under a skewered bald eagle. Some of the conservative bloggers have gone nuts...

It's a shame he gave a response that was, technically, incorrect. He could have seized on the First Amendment angle and turned it into patriotism.

I have to admit, conservatives in general are giving off an encouraging vibe. Part of me wonders if the muddling, middling menagerie of GOP candidates being unable to do anything right is some sort of Rove ruse, but the sense of panic about the right wing is too big for the Incredible Sh@thead to coordinate. There's something definitively organic about this stench of fear.

Apparently a picture was taken of Barack Obama during the national anthem without his hand over his heart and chaos ensued.

Yeah, let's all slay that bastard. At least Bush still had his hand on some part of his body during the National Anthem. ;)

http://www.tensionnot.com/images/images/slideshow/Weird_Pics419.jpg

- N

Yeah, let's all slay that bastard. At least Bush still had his hand on some part of his body during the National Anthem. ;

- N

It's an honest mistake--he thinks that's where his heart is. :rolleyes:

...or maybe he felt a little "gassy" that day. :)

Its worse than that, he heard the national anthem and felt like puking up, it sickens him.

Yeah, let's all slay that bastard. At least Bush still had his hand on some part of his body during the National Anthem. ;)

http://www.tensionnot.com/images/images/slideshow/Weird_Pics419.jpg

- N

Ah hah, that's proof that Bush is really a Gray overlord from the Zeta Reticuli;)

Whats does it signify anyway? That guy in the background looks like hes reaching for his wallet.

Whats does it signify anyway? That guy in the background looks like hes reaching for his wallet.

Probly adjusting his radio reception for the football game.

There is no law that states that you must put your hand over your heart

and there are no penalties for not doing it as well. It is guaranteed in the

first amendment that you have the right NOT to put your hand over your

heart if you are in protest over something or for any reason .

What about putting your fist in the air?

What about putting your fist in the air?

There's nothing wrong with that either, no laws against it.

That's a fantastic photograph, both in and out of context.

At least Bush still had his hand on some part of his body during the National Anthem


That guy in the background looks like hes reaching for his wallet.

Actually, I was wondering about the dude staring at the president's ass. Maybe Ganymede is right about gas. Maybe Bush farted at that very moment, and the guy is like, "Whoa! What did he eat this morning?

He missed the orientation.

There is no law that states that you must put your hand over your heart

"http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode36/usc_sec_36_00000301----000-.html

TITLE 36 > Subtitle I > Part A > CHAPTER 3 > § 301

§ 301. National anthem

(a) Designation.— The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.— During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) 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; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) 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."

Personally, to me, big deal what happened. I've no problem with patriotism except when it's overused as Tiassa mentioned in ballgames and whatnot as it tends to lose it's value and importance. Only the Pledge of Allegiance do I really care about, and Obama places his hand over his heart during that. The National Anthem though is just overused. The same with that now god-awful Lee Greenwood song "Proud to be an American", ugh, I'm so sick of that one!

- N

Tiassa:

I've refused to put my hand over my heart for so long that it's not even a conscious statement anymore.


You can always fuck off back to China, if you're not happy with your adopted homeland.

Yeah, let's all slay that bastard. At least Bush still had his hand on some part of his body during the National Anthem. ;)

http://www.tensionnot.com/images/images/slideshow/Weird_Pics419.jpg

- N

heh reminds me of Diogenes of Sinlope's reply to a passerby, who was giving him shit for whacking off in public - "Would that I could relieve hunger, merely by scratching my belly...".

Tiassa:


You can always fuck off back to China, if you're not happy with your adopted homeland.
Yeah well... Aw he's banned? The staff won't let us have any fun.

Well insert jab at hilariously over the top American patriotism here then.

"http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode36/usc_sec_36_00000301----000-.html

TITLE 36 > Subtitle I > Part A > CHAPTER 3 > § 301

§ 301. National anthem

(a) Designation.— The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.— During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) 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; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) 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."

I note that the language is 'should' and not 'must'. Seems to me more like a standard but not a compulsory one.

I note that the language is 'should' and not 'must'. Seems to me more like a standard but not a compulsory one.

Yeah, I know, I find that odd. Why even be in the law books then. Imagine: You SHOULD NOT commit murder. You SHOULD NOT commit theft, etc. ;)

- N