POLL: Did President Obama diss the Marines by saluting with coffee cup?
Depending on your point of view, President Obama will either be seen as the worst President in our history; or a guy who can’t win no matter how hard he tries – if he tries at all!
And this time, the hubbub has to do with his non-salute of two Marines with a coffee cup in hand while exiting from the Presidential helicopter.
I’d seen the headline and had this discussion with a couple I customarily see during my Dunkin Donuts coffee run in the morning.
One of them, who’d been an Obama supporter, claimed that the President turned out to be the biggest disappointment she’d ever encountered.
All over a salute – or in this case – non-salute!
And while I thought it to be somewhat disrespectful on the President’s part – and perhaps even contemptuous – it’s not like the awkward salute hasn’t been given before.
One might remember the salute President George W. Bush had given to members of the military upon exiting the Presidential aircraft.
According to this: he to was criticized for saluting Marines while holding his dog, Barney.
it is not appropriate for the President of the United States to return salutes from uniformed military personnel because, although the President holds the title of Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. armed forces, he is not himself a member of the military, nor does he wear a uniform. The tradition of U.S. presidents' returning salutes is a fairly recent one which began with the administration of President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
I feel that it would have been proper for him to give the cup to one of his aides – especially if he were looking to post this to Instagram – instead of looking like he’d just gotten off the D train.
Actions do speak louder than words.
But in the long run, since it’s not, as state above, appropriate for the President to return a salute from uniformed military personnel – why make a fuss?
Just sayin'
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