Your opinion on Obama not saluting flag or pledging alligiance.?

Question

Pic of Obama, Hilary, etc. on net. All with hands over hearts and saying pledge of allegiance except Obama.
Do we really want someone like that for commander-in-chief?

Answer 1

I would love to have a link to that one!!! I dont like Obama at all, he is all for amnesty and thats his down fall.

Answer 2

Here is the link everyone seems to want.

The picture is authentic. It was published in Time magazine and was taken 9/16/07 at an event in Indianola, Iowa where six Democratic presidential candidates appeared. It was Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's annual "meat and greet." The fourth person in the picture is Senator Harkin's wife, Ruth. Not seen in the picture are three other candidates who were standing out of view on the right side of the platform, Senator Chris Dodd, Senator John Edwards, Senator Joe Biden.

At question is what was going on with Senator Obama? His critics are circulating the picture and saying that he is not respecting the flag or the national anthem, especially since the protocol, according to the United States Flag code, is that civilians should have their right hands over their hearts and that they should be facing the flag. His supporters are saying that this little lapse should not be held against him since there have been plenty of other events at which he has saluted the flag---so it did not mean that he would, in principle, avoid doing it.

Some supporters have suggested that perhaps the picture does not tell the whole story and that he may have raised his hand shortly after it was taken.

An ABC News video, however, shows that Senator Obama did not salute at any time during the anthem and that everybody else on the platform did.

A spokesperson for the Senator told Fox News that it was ridiculous to suggest that Obama was making any kind of a statement and that sometimes "he does and sometimes he doesn't place his hand over his heart during the national anthem."

Answer 3

What's not to like about Obama? I haven't seen this picture, so I don't believe it to be honest. I would take Obama any day over Clinton. Hillary just changes the subject and points at how bad Bush is. And, while she may be correct about many of Bush's shortcomings, she at least could answer a question once in a while. She keeps claiming that the Demos and so different than the Repubs, and when in fact they are all the same. And that is what Obama keeps saying. I'd rather have a realist, and someone who is straightforward as President than someone who dodges questions, points to the faults of others, and makes false promises just to get elected.

Did you hear how Hillary said every child born in the US will receive money when they are born, but she never said where the estimated 10 billion will come from? She says things that sound really good and nice now, but she has no plan to carry them out. She's a politician's politician, thats for sure.

Answer 4

While he DID peak my interest in the beginning, Obama has not proven himself to me as a candidate...but it has nothing to do with formalities. It has to do with his stances on numerous subjects. Who he is and what he believes, and what he could feasibly influence/do for this country that so desperately needs a breath of fresh air.

He has a very good point - we have millions of people talking good games and few walking them. What's more important in an individual: that they have strong, solid ideas for the advancement of the United States, or that they take part in ridiculously overmerited customs? Obama feels that his words and ideas are being overshadowed by the formalities and expected behaviors of a candidate, and that his ideas do not need to be muddled in with a bunch of trivial nonsense.

When you live in a country that allows it's people to burn it's flag, publicly scrutinize it's government, and even overturn said government if it fails to properly serve it's people, it seems that we're looking a little too deeply into things that don't really matter.

The US is (ideally, and originally) about the freedom of choice. If Obama or anyone else chooses not to salute the flag, it has absolutely no bearing on their capabilites as a leader. I may not agree with what the man says in some arenas, but I totally support him on this one.

MAY not be the WISEST move for a candidate that already has to fight MUCH harder to win any fraction of the conservative vote...but that's his judgement call. In my eyes, he is well within his rights, and it should just be left at that.

Answer 5

I was raised to believe that simply standing quietly at attention is sufficient to pay respect to the American flag during the National Anthem. I know many people that are extremely patriotic and do no more than that. Usually I too place my hand over my heart during the National Anthem. Sometimes I do not. However, irregardless of whether I place my hand over my heart or simply stand at attention, I always cry sincere tears of pride and joy at being blessed enough to have been born in America.

Answer 6

I live in Illinois and will not be voting for Obama.
I don't think an Illinois based politician should be
the new President of the USA and in charge when there
is blatant controversy over the current Governor's
actions and known criminal activity of the last
Governor. Illinois needs to be a bit more on track
before it can be in charge of the United States.

Answer 7

Oh, come now. That would be political suicide. He would not do that. He does love this country or he would not be a candidate. My guess is the photo is touched or he was the last to raise his hand. Strange that the New York Times or none of the major newspapers carried that photo. What exactly is your source... I'd like to see how credible it is and research the photographer.

Answer 8

If that's true, he's made a big mistake. Although, photos can be taken out of context. Perhaps Obama was the last to put his hand to his chest at that exact moment.

Answer 9

Look here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp

I don't like him, but agree that the photo could be misleading. He does refuse to wear an American pin on his lapel though.

Answer 10

Good for him. Obama is right not to kow tow to some distorted nationalistic "pride" nonsense. I don't stand for the National Anthem when it's sung here in the UK. What a pointless waste of time.