Is this Obama slandering e-mail true?

Question

I got an e-mail with a picture of Obama, Clinton,and some other big shots standing in a row, with everyone's hand over their heart except Obama. They said Obama refused to salute the flag or say the pledge. I think the picture was doctored or taken out of context. I mean, what kind of an IDIOT would run for president and not salute the flag?

I don't want your opinion on whether or not to salute the flag, I just want to know if anyone has proof that this is true.
ONLY answer if you are 99% sure or have a reliable source saying whether or not this is true.

Good lord, people, I don't want your opinion on Obama, I just want to know who can tell me if this is true and what is their source!!

Answer 1

It is not true. I've seen this before; it's not new. To my knowledge it is not doctored but it is deceitful because it was a still frame taken from a video. If I filmed you and 5 of your friends standing in a row beginning to recite the pledge, there's a good chance I'd be able to get a still frame out of the video that appeared to show one of you "refusing to salute the flag" because not everyone would put their hand on their heart at the exact same time.

Seriously, if Obama refused to salute the flag/say the pledge (same thing), there would be no need for a picture; it would be all over the news media with comments/explanations from him and a whole host of other viewpoints.


I also did some research: Lacy (your first response to this question) is incorrect. Snopes.com does address this question with reference to THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. There are different customs, and it not inappropriate (although sometimes customary) to stand with your hand on your heart for the national anthem. Most people I know do not, although one is ALWAYS to put the hand on the heart during the pledge. At the end of the snopes.com page it specifically said that there has been no verification that obama has refused to do it during the pledge.

Since you're interested enough to ask the question, please do read snopes.com yourself; here's the link:

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

I stand by my first instinct about the whole still frame vs video ~ a still frame does not indicate whether it is the national anthem being sung or the pledge being recited; two very different things. In the picture you got look to see if they look like they are speaking. If not, it is likely not the pledge.

Incidentally, if you look at snopes.com and watch the video on that page, it shows all of the dem candidates. It is unclear whether John Edwards has his hand on his heart. Then again rumors of unpatriotic behavior work better against a black guy who was falsely reported as having attended a Muslim extremist school... that's a lot easier to believe then white-bred John Edwards, huh?

The video of this occurring was taken at the steak fry. For goodness sake, we heard all about Romney dropping a steak on the ground and putting it back on the grill (a woman working there quickly disposed of it.) That was in the news for weeks. Regardless of the actual placement of his hand during this, if there was real concern about his patriotism it would be "real" news, not email hype.

Answer 2

I am always wary of e-mails of a political nature during elections, as we never seem to know the source. The picture circulating of Obama claiming that he was refusing to recite the pledge of allegiance and that he intentionally failed to cover his heart in respect for the flag prompted me to do a little further research. Surely if it were completely true it would be a concern to all and very disrespectful, however it seems that some of this story is taken out of context and some of it is just totally untrue. It would appear that there is no clear cut etiquette when it comes to the performance of the "National Anthem" other than to stand and remove ones hat. Surely most political figures would go the extra mile but I wouldn't take it to seriously. These type of spun yarns are produced about all candidates regardless of their party affiliations. Always remember it ain't true just because you saw it on the Internet.

Answer 3

This is what his representative said: We have thousands of picutures of Obama saluting the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The reason he isn't wearing the flag pin is that all the politicians are wearing them for politics only in an empty manner. He said he would put it on again once all of the troops are home safely.

Answer 4

I was in a focus group in may about Obama and the 21/2 hours we spent going over all the campaign commercials and background materials and there is no way he would not salute the flag or recite the pledge . He is an American, he works within the system and he has had to take the pledge of office in Illinois and Washington dc

Answer 5

Someone sent me this same email and I am thinking it had to be taken out of context or maybe the camera caught him before he put his hand up??? I mean why on earth would he refuse to say the pledge? That would be idiotic. I hope you get a valid answer here because I would also like to know what the story is behind this photo.

Answer 6

I've heard these all before. They are true! and Palin would make a great president. She is so over qualified. After all, she is a hockey mom and Putin and other world leaders would tremble at the thought of having to deal with her. In fact she's been spying on the Russians for years through her bedroom window.

Answer 7

I heard that I could have as many wives as I want if he or Mitt is elected and that's cool with me and the ladies. I also got one that showed Hillery saluting like Nazi and it had that her real name on certificate is Hitlery, did anyone get this e-mail?
Then I saw one that said Dennis K has a trophy wife, yea a trophy wife.

I also saw a magazine at the Piggly Wiggly and it had a picture of Bush shaking hands with a space alien, yea a spaceman. Did anyone see this, I saw it a while back. i'm going to the Piggly Wiggly this week and will check that magazine, maybe it's inside and I will look in Jet too. Take care.

Answer 8

No, it is not true at all. The picture is taken out of context.

I don't like the man at all, but no, he didn't do that.

I am refering to him refusing to salure or say the pledge. That is just bull.

And who cares if SNOPES had it? They are just a website.

I couldn't care less if he did or not. I'm not basing my vote on whether a guy can recite the stupid pledge or salute to a flag! If you are, then please do not vote!

Answer 9

The photo was taken during the playing of the National Anthem, not during a pledge of allegiance. It was even "reported" as such on Fox (Hannity & Colmes http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,304723,00.html ).

Also http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp

The video: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Obama_doesnt_put_hand_over_heart_1022.html

The "pledge of allegiance" claim is false, and probably written by someone who saw the photo, rather than the video, and could ignorantly only think of one context when the candidates would have their hand on their hearts.

Answer 10

I read from the Wash Post that it was the national anthem. Whatever it is, Obama is like a little kid trying to make statements like this. Who cares. Mr. Militant hasn't got a chance anyway.