FW: It’s upsetting that this man might be our president.
I’m glad I got this one. I’ve been wanting to spend some time cracking this one open. It’s the one about Barack Obama refusing to put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.
I had heard about this but a picture is definitely worth 1000 words! God save us!!!
Senator Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin stand during the national anthem.
Barack Hussein Obama’s photo (that’s his real name)……the article said he REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE…..how in the hell can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief????
He didn’t refuse to put his hand on his heart and it wasn’t the pledge of allegiance, it was the national anthem.
When questioned about it, he stated that his grandfather taught him that hand over heart is for the pledge of allegiance. During the national anthem you sing. This is was accurate when he was 2.
Title 4 of the United States Code states:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
The National Anthem Code of the United States states:
“On all occasions, in singing the National Anthem, the audience will stand facing the flag or the leader in an attitude of respectful attention.”
Title 36 of the United States Code:
(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.
If you read Title 36 and the National Anthem Code there is a conflict. The National Anthem Code, adopted April 2, 1942 omits the placing of the hand over the heart. Whereas 36USC301, last modified July 7, 1976, states that you should. What does this mean? Technically you should place your hand over your heart. Would I fault him for it? No. This is a lot of research to find two conflicting codes that are ultimately about showing respect.
Also, since his grandpa taught him and he probably didn’t know about Title 36 (it took me 30 minutes to find it with the power of the internest), he taught his grandson the best he knew how. Can we really fault Barack for his grandpa doing the best he could?
In the long run, you really can’t say that he acted disrespectfully, so the point of the email is still completely bogus and created with a political outcome in mind.
References:
it was the National Anthem. Not the pledge:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/169/