Where did I say he hates 9/11 victims? Let's not be so reactionary.
I can see that it doesn't bother you, but pomp and circumstance and tradition are parts of the job as well. And he clearly hasn't been trained on what to do, or how to do it. Or worse, perhaps he doesn't care. Because he has something more serious to worry about, perhaps?
Whatever ... I saw it right away. And right away it bugged me. I'll give the guy a break and assume that he didn't feel like it was a big deal.
I think his actions show a lack of etiquette. He has also been shown not having his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. Are these gestures (or lack there of) important, not really. They show immaturity and lack of information. I say this because if he had been briefed on the proper etiquette he would have not tossed the rose he would have placed it on the ground. It shows he has not been to too many of these occasions before and McCain has most likely been to way too many.
Please tell me where I can learn about this guys, because I'm not finding anything anywhere that says it's improper to toss a rose--in fact I've seen it done at numerous funerals.
You've seen it done at funerals where the casket is being lowered into the ground.
You have not seen it done at funerals with the casket above ground. In those instances, if flowers are placed, they are lain on top of the coffin or beside it as people walk by.
Looking at the imagery, it just LOOKS BAD. And it struck me how badly he and Bloomberg looked. Especially in contrast to McCain, who's far older than both of them, and less able bodied, but yet he knelt to lay the flower down.
I have seen roses "tossed" in exactly the way Obama did it plenty of times at memorials like that one. (I recall Kennedy family members tossing flowers onto JFK's memorial.) Many, many of the family members at the very same memorial service tossed their flowers, which certainly lends support to my claim that there is no clearly established rule that any person of grace and maturity should know. I do not think he showed a lack of etiquette, a lack of maturity, or a lack of briefing. I think he demonstrated a different style, shared by lots of other people, and that's just fine. There simply is not one right way to do it.
It's just insulting to insist that there is only one right way to do things and anyone who does anything differently from the way you think is right doesn't know etiquette. It's also quite insulting to insist that anyone who doesn't place his/her hand over his/her heart for the national anthem is immature or ill-informed. I do not place my hand over my heart. It is a personal choice that I should never have to explain or justify to anyone else. And I deeply resent anyone implying it shows a lack of respect for my country or should somehow be considered as a failing that makes me unqualified for elected office.
But, hey, I'm just one of those people who "just don't get it."
Should Obama be elected President, when he visits other countries, he will be participating in their customs and traditions. If he does not follow their etiquette and their traditions, he will greatly offend them and embarrass himself and the United States.
I didn't like the way he behaved at the ceremony. He wasn't rude, he didn't hurt anyone, and if the families weren't offended than no harm no foul. But I think it's a telling comparison. That's why I posted it.
You have every right to not put your hand on your heart. You obviously have something that urges you not to, and it's a free country.
If you're insulted by what my mother said, that's also your issue. She's been a military wife for almost 30 years, so it would be logical for her to not understand why someone wouldn't put their hand on their heart when facing the country's flag.
Anonymous said…
Here's what I saw: Obama took the flower from the black woman standing in the very beginning of this clip, he only spoke with the black woman and did not acknowledge the other people standing there. The moved around the circle to shake hands with the other responders. Obama did not speak with the first responders as long as McCain did. And yes, Obama showed less respect than McCain did by tossing his flower. He showed less respect by appearing to wait in line to shake hands with the responders while Cindy McCain was being given a pin by the responders. That is what I saw, I saw two Presidental candidates, one who knew how to look appropriate and one who didn't take the time to care.
Comments
Sorry for the sarcasm, but seriously? Seriously?
I can see that it doesn't bother you, but pomp and circumstance and tradition are parts of the job as well. And he clearly hasn't been trained on what to do, or how to do it. Or worse, perhaps he doesn't care. Because he has something more serious to worry about, perhaps?
Whatever ... I saw it right away. And right away it bugged me. I'll give the guy a break and assume that he didn't feel like it was a big deal.
But I did notice it immediately.
If Obama has not been briefed for these sorts of events ... that's just irritating.
You have not seen it done at funerals with the casket above ground. In those instances, if flowers are placed, they are lain on top of the coffin or beside it as people walk by.
Looking at the imagery, it just LOOKS BAD. And it struck me how badly he and Bloomberg looked. Especially in contrast to McCain, who's far older than both of them, and less able bodied, but yet he knelt to lay the flower down.
It's just insulting to insist that there is only one right way to do things and anyone who does anything differently from the way you think is right doesn't know etiquette. It's also quite insulting to insist that anyone who doesn't place his/her hand over his/her heart for the national anthem is immature or ill-informed. I do not place my hand over my heart. It is a personal choice that I should never have to explain or justify to anyone else. And I deeply resent anyone implying it shows a lack of respect for my country or should somehow be considered as a failing that makes me unqualified for elected office.
But, hey, I'm just one of those people who "just don't get it."
I didn't like the way he behaved at the ceremony. He wasn't rude, he didn't hurt anyone, and if the families weren't offended than no harm no foul. But I think it's a telling comparison. That's why I posted it.
You have every right to not put your hand on your heart. You obviously have something that urges you not to, and it's a free country.
If you're insulted by what my mother said, that's also your issue. She's been a military wife for almost 30 years, so it would be logical for her to not understand why someone wouldn't put their hand on their heart when facing the country's flag.
Obama took the flower from the black woman standing in the very beginning of this clip, he only spoke with the black woman and did not acknowledge the other people standing there. The moved around the circle to shake hands with the other responders.
Obama did not speak with the first responders as long as McCain did.
And yes, Obama showed less respect than McCain did by tossing his flower. He showed less respect by appearing to wait in line to shake hands with the responders while Cindy McCain was being given a pin by the responders.
That is what I saw, I saw two Presidental candidates, one who knew how to look appropriate and one who didn't take the time to care.