Moratorium on Obama threads

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I was under the impression that one had to have, er, a certain, er, status to ride a unicorn?

Given what Obama has been doing to the economy, I respectfully suggest that the above picture must be false.




Oh, and no there won't be a moratorium. There may however, be some thread mergers, followed by bail-outs.

Beat me to it.

Not to mention, then the kids wouldn't be his.

[KukriKhan]

POTUS Obama has progressed nicely (and quicker than many of his predecessors) with the Presidential hand salute:

May 2008, on the campaign trail:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

January 2009, Inaugueration Day; improved, but thumb sticking out:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

February 27, 2009. perfect, for a civilian commander:

[LittleGrizzly]

Not really. You should see how it is around here, especially among the younger generation.

Well maybe Germanys a bit different, obviously you have a few people who get carried away with things, that is true of anything in life but the vast majority are just happy he's replacing "the other guy"

[InsaneApache]

That's something that always fascinated me about the POTUS. Why is he saluting at all, never mind in reply. In the British armed services you only salute if in full uniform, that's because you are saluting the uniform/rank not the guy in it.

So when did Presidents start saluting back to their officers/men?

[Strike For The South]

That's something that always fascinated me about the POTUS. Why is he saluting at all, never mind in reply. In the British armed services you only salute if in full uniform, that's because you are saluting the uniform/rank not the guy in it.

So when did Presidents start saluting back to their officers/men?

Always I believe. The president is the commander of the United States military.

[InsaneApache]

I understand that he's C-in-C but Madge* only salutes back if she's in uniform. If not they get a nod of the head or a little wave.

*Her Britannic Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

[Strike For The South]

I understand that he's C-in-C but Madge* only salutes back if she's in uniform. If not they get a nod of the head or a little wave.

*Her Britannic Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

I don't know then, I just live here.

[Major Robert Dump]

The person initiating the salute only has to be in uniform. Returning the salute is simply a common courtesy and acknowledgment. When I'm not in uniform I only salute the flag, I'll be damned if I'm gonna salute an O5 when he's wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Likewise, when I run into one of my soldiers and we are both in civvies at the mall and they salute me I return it, out of courtesy, then pat them on the back and politely ask them not to salute me when one of us is not in uniform.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Most of the military folk around where I live seem to follow the protocol outlined by MRD.

Here's some official word on USA salute basics.

And here's the word from the first POTUS to return such salutes.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

PRESIDENTIAL TRADITION

I never ceased to enjoy reviewing our men and women in uniform and hope I started a new tradition for presidents. As commander in chief, I discovered it was customary for our uniformed men and women to salute whenever they saw me. When I'd walk down the steps of a helicopter, for example, there was always a marine waiting there to salute me. I was told presidents weren't supposed to return salutes, so I didn't, but this made me feel a little uncomfortable.

Normally, a person offering a salute waits until it is returned, then brings down his hand. Sometimes, I realized, the soldier, sailor, marine, or airman giving me a salute wasn't sure when he was supposed to lower his hand. Initially, I nodded and smiled and said hello and thought maybe that would bring down the hand, but usually it didn't. Finally, one night when Nancy and I were attending a concert at the Marine Corps headquarters, I told the commandant of marines, "I know it's customary for the president to receive these salutes, but I was once an officer and realize that you're not supposed to salute when you're in civilian clothes. I think there ought to be a regulation that the president could return a salute inasmuch as he is commander in chief and civilian clothes are his uniform." "Well, if you did return a salute," the general said, "I don't think anyone would say anything to you about it."

The next time I got a salute, I saluted back. A big grin came over the Marine's face and down came his hand. From then on, I always returned salutes. When George Bush followed me into the White House, I encouraged him to keep up the tradition.

Courtesy of Simon and Schuster

I agree with Kukri. If he's gonna return a military salute, then do so in a crisp military fashion.

[Hosakawa Tito]

POTUS Obama has progressed nicely (and quicker than many of his predecessors) with the Presidential hand salute:

May 2008, on the campaign trail:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

January 2009, Inaugueration Day; improved, but thumb sticking out:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

February 27, 2009. perfect, for a civilian commander:

Hahaha, that first one reminds me of Benny Hill. Guess he's been practicing.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Major Robert Dump]

I got my butt whipped for staying up late and watching that show when I was like 5. Now everytime Obama salutes I'm going to think of spankings.

[KukriKhan]

I understand that he's C-in-C but Madge* only salutes back if she's in uniform. If not they get a nod of the head or a little wave.

*Her Britannic Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As our dear Seamus found:

...he is commander in chief and civilian clothes are his uniform...

Note that Ronnie often substituted "costume" and "wardrobe" for "uniform", throwing back to his actor days.

But yeah, Madge has it right, no acknowledgement at all is actually required of POTUS, and often none is given when entering (for example) a formally-guarded building and the guards 'present, arms!' silently as he enters the facility. They (the guards) wait for him to pass, then resume 'order, arms!'. It would be the same at Marine 1 or Air Force 1, except Ronnie wanted to get personal, and started the new tradition.

[Louis VI the Fat]

This thread is full of win!

[Devastatin Dave]

I understand that he's C-in-C but Madge* only salutes back if she's in uniform. If not they get a nod of the head or a little wave.

*Her Britannic Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Thats because most Brits are sissies...

Oh and thanks Ro-dog for creating nother Obama thread for me to bash Osama Bin Obama!!!

[Strike For The South]

This thread is full of win!

STOLEN !!!!!

Thats because most Brits are homos...

Oh and thanks Ro-dog for creating nother Obama thread for me to bash Osama Bin Obama!!!

UK according to DD

[Lemur]

Let us pray ...

[InsaneApache]

STOLEN !!!!!



UK according to DD

Sounds like a southern boozer. Come oop north for a real pub.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7OKEg1gu4o

[ICantSpellDawg]

Maybe you should have voted for McCain if you didn't want Obama to catch flak or praise to an inordinate degree.

Don't censor reasonable discussion about the president just because he is your guy or "you're tired of hearing it".

Obama is interesting and seems like a Reagan so far (but maybe a Carter)