President Obama’s Defensive Posture: No Hand Over His Heart During National Anthem–Update

November 13, 2009 / 9:00 am • By Dr. Melissa Clouthier

Go over to Pamela Geller’s place and check this out and then come back.

Why won’t President Obama put his hand over his heart, a sign of devotion, during the National Anthem? Even better, why does President Obama protect the family jewels (symbolically) by interlacing his fingers in front of his crotch when the National Anthem plays?

Does the President feel threatened and therefore feels the need to be self-protective during the National Anthem? Is he just bored and trying to figure out what to do with his hands–anything, but show devotion to his country?

It seems to me that President Obama is not comfortable around any patriotic displays. In fact, it seems that any shows of patriotism make him feel defensive. He seems to want to protect himself from the assault.

Update:

@Techaskew on Twitter noted that it could be just another narcissistic display–that President Obama is taking the National Anthem in as if it’s being played for him. Like he’s the perpetual birthday boy and being sung to every time there’s a big event.

Oh blech. I think that might be more wretch-inducing.

Updated again:

“L’etat, ces’t moi”

“I got your salute right here.”

Via Lucianne

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  • http://explorations.chasrmartin.com Charlie (Colorado)

    Oh, jeez. I just said something about him acknowledging the National Anthem over at JOM and thought I was joking.

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  • filioscotia

    For countless reasons, I am loathe to defend The One, but I have to say that I don’t believe there is a rule or tradition requiring us to place our hand over our heart during the National Anthem.

    It is an optional gesture, but I’ve never done it myself, and I’m not going to criticize anyone else for not doing it.

    It IS traditional to put the hand over the heart when we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but not during the Anthem.

    During the Anthem, we show our respect by standing in silence, or singing along if you are moved to sing, and men wearing a hat should remove it.

    At least that’s my understanding of these communal rituals I’ve done for most of my 66 years on this planet.

  • Lizzy

    If you look at pics of Hitler, he was always protecting the jewels, too.

  • http://paulinhouston.blogspot.com/ Paul_In_Houston

    This is the behavior of a narcissistic adolescent who feels that he is above all that; it’s for others, certainly not for HIM.

    I’ve finally realized that he is ME when I was twenty.

    At age twenty, I was in the Air Force, with some of the absolutely sharpest guys you would ever hope to meet on this planet.

    Yet, we pulled things that demonstrated mind-boggling immaturity and lack of judgment (in spite of what our test scores revealed).

    In my defense, that was me when I was twenty. I’d really like to believe I’ve moved on a bit since then.

    He’s now in his late forties, but still behaves as if we were twenty.

    -

  • http://www.cpringov.com WayneB
  • Allan Allen

    I’ve been telling everybody i know about the time he stood on the dias with the other Democratic candidates in Iowa…no one cares
    they elected this guy, this empty suit, tell me what courses he took in the colleges he attended
    .what he did from the time he graduated from Columbia til enrolling in Harvard…3 years of blankness in his resume…and standing there like a soccer player with his hands on his family jewels…sheesh and now he continues…i have the picture of him being obsequious to the King of Saudi Arabia

  • filioscotia

    To WayneB

    I’m not denying what the Code says. I’m only saying that in all of my 66 years, I’ve never been made aware that I should put my hand over my heart during the National Anthem. I do that only during the Pledge. Now if that’s wrong, then I guess I was raised and educated wrong.

    And I grew up and went to school in East Texas and Houston in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.

    Go out to any big public event. You won’t see everybody doing it during the Anthem. It’s about half and half.

    Come on now people. The One has no shortage of real and legitimate issues we can argue about. This one seems a bit picayunish to me.

    As my old pappy always said, “We’re gaggin’ at flies and swallowin’ buffalos”

  • http://paulinhouston.blogspot.com/ Paul_In_Houston

    To filoscotia:

    You are probably right about what is required, and can argue we are making too much of this.

    I will only say this: it is about respect, and his action (or lack of) speaks volumes.
    -

  • Lucas

    Really? Some folks cover their hearts, others raise their right hands, others keep their hands down. If this is the kind of material you choose to write about, I feel sure that the President is safe in his future efforts.

    And you’re from Houston? As a fellow Houstonian, I’ve gotta say, your ignorance would make Sam Houston doubt the future of his nation. Do you think a great man would have ever written this drivel? Uggh

  • DaveR

    I went to school in the 70′s and 80′s and I remember learning that you take off your hat and cover your heart during the Pledge AND the National Anthem.

    But not “because” it’s law – but to RESPECT those that fought and died for OUR Freedom who were SERVING under our Flag.

    And a PRESIDENT doesn’t know that? You’d think his Handlers (and you KNOW he has a bunch) would bring that up – especially after the incident on the campaign trail, but it seems THEY don’t know it either……OR – he (and they) really don’t care.

  • O Bloody Hell

    Go out to any big public event. You won’t see everybody doing it during the Anthem. It’s about half and half.

    Try noting the average age of your non-respectful half.

  • O Bloody Hell

    .

    Really? Some folks cover their hearts, others raise their right hands, others keep their hands down. If this is the kind of material you choose to write about, I feel sure that the President is safe in his future efforts.

    No, he’s not. Because, unlike YOU, most of us understand the importance of SYMBOLs in human behavior and culture.

    And it’s not like Obama fails to grasp the importance of symbols, either… so you can’t say he does not grasp what the meaning of his display of a lack of respect is…

    I really mean Obama Gets It, even if his drooling sycophants like you don’t:
    THE CULT OF ICONOGRAPHY

    Symbols matter.

    .

  • Mr Hwc

    he doesn’t not (i kno i kno) this ALL the time does he?…i mean there are times when he covers his heart, right?

  • Mr Hwc

    he doesn’t not (i kno i kno) this ALL the time does he?…i mean there are times when he covers his heart, right?