[Steve0113]

That picture has been making the rounds, and it's not what it appears to be. The National Anthem was playing, not the Pledge of Allegiance. I had never heard of placing one's hand over the heart during the National Anthem, but apparently many people have, and have faulted Obama for not doing it in that picture. That's unreasonable.

BTW, I can document this if you like.

[potlatch]

If you have a site URL that tells about it, I would appreciate it. Here in Texas, when the Anthem is played, we do put our hands over our hearts.

Thanks for the explanation!

[InfraRed]

The National Anthem was playing, not the Pledge of Allegiance. I had never heard of placing one's hand over the heart during the National Anthem, but apparently many people have, and have faulted Obama for not doing it in that picture. That's unreasonable.

It's not unreasonable...

-CITE-
    36 USC Sec. 301    01/02/2006

-EXPCITE-
    TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND
                ORGANIZATIONS                       
    Subtitle I - Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies
    Part A - Observances and Ceremonies
    CHAPTER 3 - NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, FLORAL EMBLEM1A\1\ MARCH, AND
                 TREE                              

-HEAD-
    Sec. 301. National anthem

-STATUTE-
      (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.

Here's a video of the event: http://youtube.com/watch?v=N8QCkgg5Kjo

Nobody else on that stage seemed to have a problem with it. Many people have given their lives for our nation and flag. Anybody desiring to become leader of our armed services should be able to muster a wee bit of respect.