Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on November 16, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
A while before people began debating Barack Obama’s obsequious bow to Emperor Akihito, he had created a controversy over the lack of respect demonstrated during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. Lucianne.com had it on her site last week, and a number of Hot Air readers sent it to me over the weekend:
Presidents do not normally salute except to return a salute, because they do not wear a military uniform. However, they do usually put their hands over their hearts instead, as one can see the other civilian on the dais doing. President Obama appears not to know what to do, which is yet another indication that Obama needs a better protocol office.
Update: Reader Paul A forwards this from FactCheck, which says that the reason Obama was not saluting was because the others on the dais were saluting him while the band played “Hail to the Chief.” Be sure to read it all; it does appear debunked.
Got an Obamateurism of the Day? If you see a foul-up by Barack Obama, e-mail it to me at obamaisms@edmorrissey.com with the quote and the link to the Obamateurism. I’ll post the best Obamateurisms on a daily basis, depending on how many I receive. Include a link to your blog, and I’ll give some link love as well. And unlike Slate, I promise to end the feature when Barack Obama leaves office.
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Yep, some heads should roll and he could ask George W. for a recommendation.
Sloan Morganstern on November 16, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Obama set out to be the best Democrat he could be. Apparently that meant becoming the most clueless of them all.
backwoods conservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Confused and dazed…
right2bright on November 16, 2009 at 8:09 AM
This isn’t the first time this has happened. The Joker knows exactly what he’s doing.
SagebrushPuppet on November 16, 2009 at 8:09 AM
where’s a protocol czar when you need one?
sheesh!
===
love the new icon for OOTD
cmsinaz on November 16, 2009 at 8:09 AM
No heads will roll, but many heads will continue to shake.
backwoods conservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:10 AM
The messiah is above protocol, silly mortals.
Blarg the Destroyer on November 16, 2009 at 8:10 AM
By the way Ed – I love the new AOTD graphic with the prostrate obamas!
singlemalt_18 on November 16, 2009 at 8:10 AM
These actions are clearly intentional. And, they do not pass by unnoticed by Americans. And, sadly, they do not pass by unnoticed by our enemies either.
Impeach. Now.
Shiny_Tiara on November 16, 2009 at 8:10 AM
This is at least the second time around for the bow and the crotch salute.
“make a fool of myself once, shame on the protocol office; make a foll of myself twice, shame on, um, uh, I inherited the problem.”
forest on November 16, 2009 at 8:11 AM
What are the chances that the people in the protocol office are Chicago hacks who have some connection to Daley? Now, if it were the state flag of Illinois or some Chicago banner or such, then Obama would be doing hand stands.
EMD on November 16, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Hope this photo goes viral.
Any excuses from our Liberal friends……????????
yoda on November 16, 2009 at 8:12 AM
You are all completely wrong. He didn’t have to show respect. Because it wasn’t about paying respect to the flag. It was about the flag paying respect to
himHim.J in STL on November 16, 2009 at 8:13 AM
it makes my heart hurt when dear leader does crap like this…
no respect for this country…none whatsoever
cmsinaz on November 16, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Why would a POTUS need a protocol office to know that you put your hand over your heart when the national anthem is playing? You’d think he wasn’t raised as an American. Oh wait.
elduende on November 16, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Obama sux.
And he’s a retard.
jaime on November 16, 2009 at 8:14 AM
He knows what he is doing…
ladyingray on November 16, 2009 at 8:14 AM
MSM spin:
This was the first time a 1/2 blackj president stone cold dissed the military. So it was historic and stuff.
angryed on November 16, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Protocol office? Good God, it’s common sense.
publiuspen on November 16, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Appears Obama is merely protecting the family jewels in a overtly militaristic setting. /s
coldwarrior on November 16, 2009 at 8:15 AM
I wouldn’t doubt that in Barry’s mind every salute, bow, and hand on heart, is all about him.
anniekc on November 16, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Shameful.
Disgusting.
Reprehensible.
OmahaConservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:15 AM
I guess Obama never went to a football game, or baseball game in his life to notice 50K people in the stands with their hand on their heart during the anthem.
What a pile of sh*t this man is.
angryed on November 16, 2009 at 8:16 AM
I don’t think this is a result of clueless behavior. After being in the Illinois state legislature and the US Congress he could not help but know flag etiquette by now.
This is on purpose. I’m just not sure what the exact message is supposed to be, and to whom it is being sent. It is, though, ominous.
Yoop on November 16, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Zero is above everything. He’s making up new rules as he goes along. Bowing to other foreign leaders and not putting his hand over his heart. At least he should be standing at attention.
Brat4life on November 16, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Over and over again, it is becoming very apparent that his man was not raised in the same manner as most Americans.
kingsjester on November 16, 2009 at 8:18 AM
therein lies the problem…
cmsinaz on November 16, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Putting his hand over his heart would indicate a love of country. As Dr. Krauthammer and the Powerline guys have noted, Obama has a deep hatred of the racist, imperialist, capitalist US. It does not deserve to be powerful or successful. (And his policies are designed to change that power and success.)
His entire upbringing, from his lefty parents, grandparents, and education soaked him in anti-Americanism. The only saving grace, as his wife commented, of this country is that it elected Obama, making her proud for the first time.
A man who listened to Revrund Wright’s “G*ddam Amerikkka” for two decades cannot put his hand over his heart in affection and loyalty.
It’s intentional.
Wethal on November 16, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Yes. Obviously it was photo shopped.
/s
Yoop on November 16, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Bingo
NoFanofLibs on November 16, 2009 at 8:21 AM
“President Obama appears not to know what to do”
Possible, OR he chose to not show respect.
Amadeus on November 16, 2009 at 8:21 AM
The hippie slut of a mother must have been anti-American, or typical whitey grandma.
OmahaConservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:21 AM
If he had done what was in his heart, he would’ve flipped the bird.
TXUS on November 16, 2009 at 8:24 AM
I’m guessing that Barack Obama was never taught to place his hand over his heart during the National Anthem.
rockmom on November 16, 2009 at 8:25 AM
You would think that someone would be instructing him on these things a priori.
I think it speaks more to the ineffectiveness of his handlers.
blatantblue on November 16, 2009 at 8:26 AM
OmahaConservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:21 AM
It’s obvious. His parents were radicals. His grandmother was radical. His neighbor , Mr. Davis, was radical. His Pastor and church are radical racists. Finally, one of the mantras of his campaign and subsequent Presidency was to Radically ChangeAmerica. He does not share the belief system of average Americans.
kingsjester on November 16, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Patriotic Americans have no use for a protocol office except when they visit other countries. There is no need for a “protocol office” when you are attending a truly American ceremony. There is a need for training and timing, but not a show of patriotism. That is, the assumption is that you arrive with some degree of patriotism, respect and awareness of the state of the fallen. It is clear from the photograph that the training, timing, patriotism, respect, and awareness may not be “in order” on the dais.
ted c on November 16, 2009 at 8:27 AM
You think anyone had to “instruct” George W. Bush on how to show respect for the country and office?
publiuspen on November 16, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Assuming facts not in evidence…
Obama’s “handlers” are on the precise page of music both they and Obama appear to want to be on. Thus, Obama’s “handlers” are being quite effective.
coldwarrior on November 16, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Juxtapose the bow and the clasped hands photos.
Two pictures worth a thousand words.
ted c on November 16, 2009 at 8:29 AM
This is a Military thing, Obama hates the Military, thus the intentional show of disrespect, nothing more, nothing less…
doriangrey on November 16, 2009 at 8:31 AM
Isn’t there a non partisan protocol office for the president, one that has continuity from administration to administration to help ensure that the new guy knows what to do?
“During this ceremony, Mr. President, when the national anthem is playing, put your right hand over your heart. Next week when we travel to country X that has a king/emperor all you do is shake hands; remember that Americans do not bow.”
He has to have been told how to act and when. Either The Whine thinks He knows better than professional protocol officers and does what He wants, or else He is deliberately snubbing.
rbj on November 16, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Geraghty, NRO 8/25/08.
Wethal on November 16, 2009 at 8:32 AM
More importantly, there isn’t a point in any ceremony I can think of when the POTUS shouldn’t be saluting or rendering honors in some way- Unless of course the filthy lying coward thinks that Veteran’s Day is all about him because he intended to go into the military at one point and since he would obviously come out a war hero, the ceremony was all about him.
highhopes on November 16, 2009 at 8:32 AM
You got that one right. The Liberals and the administration are going run out of excuses one day…..nah, they’ll always have an excuse for the President dissing the United States and our military.
yoda on November 16, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Hey, I have some protocol advice for the Conman-in-Chief:
Put your right hand on your heart, with your left hand behind your back, index and middle fingers crossed.
Buy Danish on November 16, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Duh. He thinks that they are saluting him and his awesomeness.
Dingbat63 on November 16, 2009 at 8:33 AM
http://paeditorsblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/10-things-nobel-peace-prize-laureate.html
This tells you all you need to know about the O’s actions. Marxist magazine is the source, and he is following it.
congma on November 16, 2009 at 8:34 AM
nope
GWB was in the military
I’m talking about everything as a whole
You’d think someone would say
“Okay we need to prevent these things from happening over and over.”
blatantblue on November 16, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Giving the benefit of the doubt to Obama, I still think it is worse than a weak protocol office. He never really thought about gratitude or pride or patriotism until the last year and a half. He is childlike, unaware of the sacrifice of others and not appreciative. I pray he is not resentful and that he is simply, totally unprepared to function as commander in chief. A lack of humility in the face of this event may simply be a lack of maturity and that’s the best case scenario.
clorensen on November 16, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Wrong DG, this is an American thing. The filthy lying coward does not know what it means to be an American and he hates those of us who stand up for America instead of ascribing to his universal government mindset. Shorthand- Obama hates America.
highhopes on November 16, 2009 at 8:35 AM
When I see the flag or hear the National Anthem, I get a tingle, a thrilling sensation of intense pride, and automatically remove my cap and place my hand over my heart. My love and respect for country comes only second to my Savior, Jesus.
0bama is an abomination.
OmahaConservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Amen OC!
cmsinaz on November 16, 2009 at 8:36 AM
I for one am sick to death of our feckless racist media. The only reason they are happy with this guy is that ‘this is the best a black president can do’. The bigotry of low expectations…
We conservatives expect more from our President, black or white. This guy is no American, and perhaps the electorate will start there next time…
Carolina Kat on November 16, 2009 at 8:36 AM
Like the bow, this is not the first time he has done this. Therefore, like the second bow, I am convinced this is not just ignorance.
Kafir on November 16, 2009 at 8:36 AM
can’t give it to him….he’s done this one too many times
cmsinaz on November 16, 2009 at 8:37 AM
They want these things to happen over and over, they are sending a message… The exact same message they were sending by keeping Gen Mcchrystal waiting 70 days before they would even talk to him.
doriangrey on November 16, 2009 at 8:38 AM
So what about that photo from the campaign where he was also holding his crotch when all others on stage had hand-on-heart. There a conspiracy going on here? :-0
I honestly think this man refuses to salute the American flag. Except, of course, when draped on a coffin for a media event to make the rat bastard traitor look “Presdiential” by butting into private family grief with cameras in tow.
highhopes on November 16, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Standing with hand over heart at a Friday night football game in Texas with the flag flying across the evening sky is as close to heaven as it gets. I always thank God at that moment for those who fight to make men free.
publiuspen on November 16, 2009 at 8:38 AM
He makes me sicker and sicker everyday.
beachgirlusa on November 16, 2009 at 8:39 AM
I’m not so generous in my assessment of the filthy lying coward.
highhopes on November 16, 2009 at 8:40 AM
When I first saw this photo, it reminded me of the other time he was caught doing this, at some campaign rally with Hillary and others–who clearly knew what to do. When the first photo of “no hand on heart” came out, he gave some lame, professorial excuse that his grandfather had taught him to put his hand over his heart for the Pledge of Allegiance and to “sing” for the National Anthem.
As always, he’s never wrong, it’s always someone else’s fault. He’s teaching his daughters the same lesson–she got a poor grade on a test because the study guide didn’t match up with the test. When will our long national nightmare be over?
labwriter on November 16, 2009 at 8:40 AM
He still doesn’t. Except with contempt, apparently.
beachgirlusa on November 16, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Heh heh heh I believe that is spelled Obamanation…
doriangrey on November 16, 2009 at 8:41 AM
This isn’t about ignorance or the inefficiency of the protocol office, it’s the toddler-in-chief acting out again to get his way. Even if he didn’t do it as a student or refused to do it under the guidance of Rev. Wrong, the SOB has been to enough sporting events in his lifetime to get the general drift of patriotism.
sherry on November 16, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Obama doesn’t know what to do just like Jeremiah Wright doesn’t know that the well-known phrase is “God bless America”.
LibTired on November 16, 2009 at 8:42 AM
I don’t know what Gen McChrystal thinks about all this dithering but, IMO, there should come a point when he offers up his retirement letter as a show of no confidence in the dithering coward that is more interested in worldwide apology tours than the fact that American troops are getting killed while he is out there on the party circuit like some sort of Eurotrash playboy.
highhopes on November 16, 2009 at 8:43 AM
You are correct. This was not a mistake, especially not after the flap in Saudia Arabia. This was done 100% on purpose.
Johnnyreb on November 16, 2009 at 8:43 AM
No. They’re happy because he’s an America-hating commie like them. Race is just a weapon to cow the opposition.
LibTired on November 16, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Unlike Obama, Gen McChrystal is a genuine patriot and isnt about to leave his men hanging in the wind to get screwed. I seriously doubt he will retire to show a vote of no confidence, more likely he will find a way to win to embarrass The Won…
doriangrey on November 16, 2009 at 8:47 AM
How could anyone not know to put their hand over their heart at the very least. What a buffoon!
skatz51 on November 16, 2009 at 8:49 AM
I’d cut him a little slack. He probably just forgot what side his heart is on. right or left?
RepubChica on November 16, 2009 at 8:49 AM
OmahaConservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:50 AM
This quote applies to pretty much everything he does, or tries to do. I suspect it will be the epitaph on the gravestone of his Presidency.
jwolf on November 16, 2009 at 8:50 AM
He apparently doesn’t have one.
beachgirlusa on November 16, 2009 at 8:50 AM
When can we start talking about his IMPEACHMENT????
screwauger on November 16, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Here we go with the Protocol Office again. They are Obama’s lackeys and minions. Any screw-up on their part still belongs to him. Criminetly, you’d never let Bush off the hook for this idiocy.
I appreciate what you do, Ed. You have one of the very few sites where we can see this idiot’s callous disregard for America in all it’s ignominy, but damn Sam, stop giving that f***tard a pass. He doesn’t deserve it.
SKYFOX on November 16, 2009 at 8:55 AM
I was out of pocket all last week. Are all our Trolls still around? I saw Blitzer yesterday, but that’s it.
What was that old ’80′s song? “I’m turning Japanese, at least I think so…”
kingsjester on November 16, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Okay, it’s official…he’s a moron.
Barb Dwyer on November 16, 2009 at 8:56 AM
I asked my 11-year old what one should do during the National Anthem and he responded with “Stand with your hand over your heart.” No excuses for BO.
VaGal on November 16, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Yes, they’re still around, they tend to congregate almost exclusively in the Palin threads.
beachgirlusa on November 16, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Sadly, the people here at HotAir (especially Ed and Allah) give Obama too much credit.As horrible as it is to think and/or say it, all of the stuff that Obama has done can only lead us to one conclusion and that is that Obama hates this country and he’s destroying it on purpose.
Rush says he hates saying it, but he can’t just ignore what’s going on.It should be the same with everyone. That’s why this country is pretty much on life support right now. People are afraid to question the motives of authorities and leaders, when it’s those people that need to be questioned the most. I know we don’t want to “be like” the libs when Bush was in office, but that doesn’t mean we can’t connect the dots and tell the truth.
This president has been slapped on the wrist and treated like he’s just an infant and doesn’t know what he’s doing because he’s black and we don’t want to be labeled a racist. Look how Obama ran his campaign… he knows exactly what he’s doing.
MobileVideoEngineer on November 16, 2009 at 8:57 AM
That this f-wad leftist represents our beloved country makes my blood boil.
OmahaConservative on November 16, 2009 at 8:58 AM
A+
beachgirlusa on November 16, 2009 at 8:59 AM
This is part and parcel with the flag pin flap from the campaign- he doesn\’t like the flag, and is not patriotic, but doesn\’t want to get caught out and lose face, so he comes up with some lame spin that appeases folks for the moment and then goes back to business as usual. It works because no one wants to even entertain the idea that this guy really is what he seems- so unamerican that he doesn\’t like the flag, apple pie or mother. But the really interesting thing about this thread is the main argument about Obama is thus: Is he doing it all on purpose or is he an empty suit? Either way it is terrifying to think about.
Kristamatic on November 16, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Hand over my heart for the National Anthem? I think I had this down by around 3 years old.
katy the mean old lady on November 16, 2009 at 8:59 AM
+1
OmahaConservative on November 16, 2009 at 9:01 AM
He’s an empty suit with a purpose, a bad one.
beachgirlusa on November 16, 2009 at 9:03 AM
I only take my hat off or place my hand over my heart for Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama.
Holger on November 16, 2009 at 9:04 AM
lol Well, I’m a native of ‘Bama and I don’t even do that.
beachgirlusa on November 16, 2009 at 9:07 AM
C’mon people. That’s how they pray at Rev. Wright’s church.
Mojave Mark on November 16, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Add Rocky Top to that List.
Holger on November 16, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Ed,I have to disagree w/you,that he did not know what to do????!!! He knows very well what he is doing,he does not respect this country or the flag or what it stands,why salute?…. Lets not be naive here,I know it’s hard to believe that our president has his own agenda to take this country down to third world level,but study what he has done since being in power….If he wanted to get us out of debt he would drastically cut taxes,if he wanted us to stay strong militarily,he would do everything in his power to support them,instead he is taking them out at the knees.
ohiobabe on November 16, 2009 at 9:14 AM
I don’t think there is an Office of Protocol anymore. I think Miss Manners would do better than Obama.
vcferlita on November 16, 2009 at 9:16 AM
sniff sniff sniff
wag tail
roll over
wag tail
bluegrass on November 16, 2009 at 9:17 AM
This of course does not apply to MackDaddy, but FYI to all Veterans:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2040095/posts
The Zero in Chief could have at the very least could have placed his hand over his heart. Very disrespectful.
If an armed revolution is the result of all this march toward Marxism, we know to which “side” the Military show their loyalty. Not to the Won; he is not loyal to them.
davidk on November 16, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Damn right he does.
RadClown on November 16, 2009 at 9:18 AM
He knows by now, or has no excuse not to. Either way, he simply doesn’t care enough to show appropriate love and patriotic respect for the nation he leads.
Also, I heard about him on his Asia trip doing another “first” theme: “The First Pacific President.” Wha?
Love the graphics too. Maybe the “bow” pictures will go viral!
cs89 on November 16, 2009 at 9:22 AM
and this has the added bonus of TOTUS being prominently featured…I blame TOTUS!
Ann on November 16, 2009 at 9:23 AM
roll over
show belly
get up jump
bark
wag tail
bluegrass on November 16, 2009 at 9:24 AM
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