Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is saluted (Caption)

yahooophotos | 07/22/08 | yahooo

[TornadoAlley3]

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is saluted as he steps off an osprey upon arriving at Marka Airport in Amman, Jordan, July 22, 2008.

[Non-Sequitur]

Considering he is the head of the military, I think it's a great tradition.

The Naval service does not salute in civlian clothes or uncovered. I don't know of any service who's members salute in civilian clothes. The president is saluted because he is commander in chief. It would be more proper for him to acknowledge the salute but not to return one.

[Non-Sequitur]

I think the President as Commander in Chief should be able to return a salute. At least if he had served himself. Obama doing this however would be ridiculous. Just like everything else he does.

Well if you think it's proper for one commander-in-chief to salute then you have to approve of all of them. I couldn't imagine what a Hillary Clinton salute would have looked like. No doubt if Obama wins and tries to carry on the tradition that Reagan started then he'll wave his hand in some fashion that vaguely resembles a salute.

[Non-Sequitur]

No. If I recall correctly the custom is that you hold the salute until the person is out of your line of sight or you would be out of their’s.

[WayneS]

No.

But it IS a U.S. Marine helicopter from which B. Hussein is disembarking, so...

[waxer1]

I agree. It is not directed at Obama. It is directed to the person coming out of the plane.

[kabar]

My mistake. Now that I see the full picture, it is clear that the person saluting is US. He clearly has a connection to the cockpit judging from the wire attached to the plane and his earpiece.

[tatsinfla]

good point. otherwise since obama is by him already he would have ceased the salute.

[tatsinfla]

well if not looks like he hasn’t changed clothes.

[polymuser]

His head at the moment is tracking left, into the bird, and not on BHO. (Or, maybe the hand is low because he’s actually covering his mouth.)

[A.A. Cunningham]

SOP for politicians, Secretaries, ambassadors, etc.

[A.A. Cunningham]

That’s a United States Marine, not a soldier. Big difference.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Why is he being saluted?

He's an elected official.

Why is he not returning the salute?

SOP is only for the Commander in Chief to return a salute.

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is saluted as he steps off an Osprey upon arriving at Marka Airport in Amman, Jordan, July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Young (JORDAN) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (JORDAN)

[A.A. Cunningham]

Obstructed by the helicopter?

Tiltrotor, not a helicopter.

[HeadOn]

“Saluting is generally prohibited in field conditions, as it could help an enemy identify officers.”

Perhaps THAT was the reason for the salute....

[gathersnomoss]

And you all thought we were in deep shiite with BJ in office.

[Allegra]

What a MO-ron. You don't pick up the saucer like that to sip chai.

The Iraqis were probably silently snickering.

By the way, look how girly Obama's hands are.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Hussein as a Senator, or as a civilian should definitely NOT be saluted.

Wrong. Your lack of practical military experience is exposed, yet again. Reading Clancy novels doesn't make one an expert on military protocol.

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060318-N-7286M-006 Coronado, Calif. (March 18, 2006) - United States Senator from Arizona, John McCain and his wife pass through sideboys as they arrive as distinguished guests for the 21st Annual Coronado Salute to the Military Ball held at Hotel Del Coronado. The sideboys were comprised of 10 Sailors of the year for Coronado based commands. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel R. Mennuto (RELEASED)

051207-N-4204E-055 Pensacola, Fla. (Dec. 7, 2005) - Pearl Harbor survivors make their way through sideboys from Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) at the National Museum of Navy Aviation for a ceremony in their honor on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Mark A. Ebert (RELEASED)

[gathersnomoss]

Barry is a young boy, leave him alone. Wait, what? Ok, a young black boy. Now, I am no longer a racist honky pig.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Wrong

[A.A. Cunningham]

That’s a United States Marine, not a soldier.