To Mariann Pepitone:

"Kennedy was a highly educated individual.." Yes, he went to Harvard, just like Obama.

"Obama does not have the intelligence." Yeah, he only went to 2 Ivy League schools and was only the president of Harvard Law Review. How could anyone write that with a straight face?

Did you ever notice that all some Hillary supporters ever do is quote polls? They never point to her positions or votes. Could it be that her actions and votes don't jibe with the positions she espouses on the campaign trail and that they really don't know what she stands for?

Time will tell but it seems that the Pledge would more important but that's just me

I love seeing conservatives leave our flag out for months until the flag fades, gets crapped on by birds and finally tears. Then, there are the flags attached to car that are so taddered they have been reduced the threads. Conservatives are special. They can desecrate our nation's flag with appear immunity. Am I the only person in America that's as had it with conservative's hypocrites?

Strange that people commented on Sen Obama's posture and did not comment on the fact he appears to be the only one singing the anthem.

Peter

It isn't just customary to put your hand over your heart when you hear the national anthem, it is part of the US Code (aka law): Title 36 Chapter 3 section 301:

(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 cannot believe something so trivial as this is being so blown out of proportion.

Christ. This discourse is heart-breaking.

How about we focus on TRUE, REAL issues?

Chad,

Chad, the guy is auditioning for the job of Head of State. Knowing how to show proper respect for the National Anthem is kinda a pre-req for the job.

Perhaps this incident will encourage people who have forgotten to put their hand on their heart during the Star Spangled Banner to remember and respect the national anthem. Oboma's not getting elected President, though.

As a Certified Meeting Professional I know that the standard is to salute toward the flag OR the music during the national anthem. I guess I am about as liberal as you can get, however I do have to ask how a senator or a presidential candidate did not know this? Which is worst, Obama's lack of knowledge or John Edwards lack of cross-cultural sensitivity by wearing a coat and tie when every one else in that 3rd world meeting was open collar. Both are now off my radar.

In elementary school all the way thru high school then 20 years in the military, I have been taught to stand at attention hand over my heart, or salute if military, during the singing or playing of our National Anthem, as well as pledging allegiance to Old Glory. And that is the correct way to render our allegiance to the flag or the National Anthem. Anything less is unacceptable! God bless America!

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. — United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171

to Mariann Pepitone, I am 39 years old and, I don't know what schools or sporting events you have gone to but, we have always be instructed to salute the flag accordingly. As a kid, I saluted the flag during the National anthem (hand over heart) and as a Police Officer, I have saluted with right hand to my forehead. As a first generation child of Communist Cuba's immigrants, I have learned to LOVE my country first and foremost. Regarding the post about Hillary's experiance as a lawyer and first lady, LET'S NOT FORGET FILE-GATE and more importantly, her defense of the BLACK PANTHER TERRORIST GROUP as a young LAWYER. She mananged to stir controversy as a junior lawyer and First lady (God help us a Presdient). As a woman, I have no respect for her when she forgave her HUSBAND'S ADMISSION to extra-marital affairs..guess you wanna further your politcal career..what about her LIES about her daughter JUST PRIOR AND DURING 9-11??? And, finally to Mike Johnson about the display of a tattered and worn flag. I agree it is sad...the American flag, when tattered and worn deserves a proper FIRE disposal, with dignity and honor. But my wishes would be WORLDS AWAY from the beliefs of Hillary the future socialist a.k.a. 'just burn the dumb thing and be DONE WITH IT.."

I have been to hundreds of baseball games where they sing the National Anthem. The only people who put their hands over their hearts are the people who wear hats and remove them. Everyone else, including the people singing the National Anthem are standing in various poses showing respect and attention, but not with hand over the heart. I have seen WWII veterans, not in uniform, stand at attention during the National Anthem, hands at their sides. I clicked the photo. Obama almost looks like he is praying. He is being respectful. He is not trying to buck the system. By the way, we should face the flag when singing the National Anthem. Why are all these candidates facing the singer? This is much ado about nothing.

National Anthem Protocol: When the National Anthem is performed in public, it is customary for American citizens to stand and face the American flag, if one is displayed, in an attitude of respectful attention. If no flag is on display, it is customary to stand and face the source of the music in the same respectful attitude of attention as if the flag were on display. People are also encouraged to remove their hats during the performance. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, military personnel, fire service, and law enforcement officers in uniform normally salute during the national anthem from the first note and hold the salute until the last note is played. Civilians who are citizens of the United States often salute by placing their right hand over their heart.

You put your hand over your heart for the pledge. PERIOD

During the national anthem you:

Military: stand at attention and render hand salute

civilian: Place hand over heart, singing is optional.

Bimbobama is a fraud. PERIOD

It is part of the US Code for a person not in uniform to place his hand over his heart. It is not a huge matter reflective of a person's patriotism or qualification to serve.

But, of course, in a presidential race that doesn't matter. Small things have big impacts. Ask Clinton about her campaign stop at a restaurant and the big news her staff's failure to tip made.

On YouTube there is a video of a 7-year-old kid belting out the anthem like a pro. Check it out, then read the comments. Nearly all of them made reference to the people in the background who were fidgeting or did not have their hands over their hearts.

Whether this stuff should matter or not isn't the point. It does matter. Obama should know that. It's not always the best candidate who wins; often it's the best campaigner.

i guess his arms are broke.....

The Flag Code.

§ 171. Conduct during playing National Anthem
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Obama, not dirty tricks. Just you, who turned in your flag blaming others for your failure not to respect the flag, again.

To Ruth Bethinger,

Military members in uniform do not place their hands over their hearts when the Anthem is played - they come to attention and stay that way until the last note dies away. When not in uniform they are advised to stand and place a hand over their heart.

Just thought you'd like to know.

(22-years in the military)

Interesting, I never put my hand over my heart during the National Anthem either. As for that rendition, I could hardly tell that it WAS "The Star Spangled Banner". Incidently, I didn't see John Edwards' hand over his heart either. Funny TIME nor anyone else commented on that!