Why no salute by Obama
________________________________
By Attorney Rees Lloyd
November 26, 2010
NewsWithViews.com
A moment of national pride took place recently in the White House when
an American soldier, Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, received the Medal of
Honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty in combat in
Afghanistan.
Sgt. Giunta became the first living American soldier to receive the Medal of
Honor since the Vietnam War. He is now one of only eighty-eight (88) living
holders of the Medal of Honor.
As modest and self-effacing as he is brave, Sgt. Giunta brought further
honor to himself by his humility in receiving the nations highest medal of
valor. While he made no comment in the ceremony, Giunta said before the
ceremony that he was not at peace with being singled out for the honor as so
many other soldiers did so much. And after the ceremony, he said he would
trade the honor in a moment if he could bring back those whose lives he
attempted to save under enemy fire but was unable to save. He definitely
showed that he was an American in whom America could be proud.
In contrast, there was another first at the ceremony involving the
Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Hussein Obama, in whose conduct
the nation cannot and should not take pride: As far as is known, Obama
became the first President, the first Commander-in-Chief , not to salute the
living recipient of the Medal of Honor after presenting the medal.
It is a tradition in the military for all military personnel, no matter how
high their rank, including the Commander-in-Chief, to salute a holder of the
Medal of Honor no matter how lowly his or her rank. If General David Petreas
was to encounter Sgt. Giunta, it would be the General who would salute the
enlisted man, as a sign of respect for that soldier as extraordinary
bravery, but also to show respect to all those who have received the Medal
of Honor.
At all gatherings of veterans of the American Legion, or VFW, or other
veterans organizations, if a Medal of Honor recipient enters the room,
even a National Convention involving thousands, the proceedings stop to
render military honor to that holder of the Medal of Honor. All veterans
rise, come to attention, and salute. It is a matter of pride, of respect, of
tradition.
And, as far as is known, it is tradition that every President who has
had the honor to present the Medal of Honor to a living recipient, has
shown humility, respect, and national pride in that recipient by
stepping back and rendering a salute.
It was missing in action in the Obama presentation. He is apparently
above all that; like a God, as an editor of Newsweek once wrote.Instead of
rendering the traditional salute, after fumbling as if all-thumbs in trying
to affix the blue-ribboned Medal of Honor, Obama, equally awkwardly, tried
to hug the Sergeant. Yes, a hug for the soldier who remained at attention
with eyes front in military bearing.
But a hug is not a salute, even in the Age of Obama. While there
may be some comedic value in Obama's pathetic display, it was more
emetic than comedic. I didn't write about it at the time, so as not to
distract from Sgt. Giunta's receipt of the Medal of Honor. But days
have past, and it needs to be said.
Why? Is it naught but petty carping of poor President Obama? I think
not. He is the Commander-in-Chief who has in his power the lives of
those who serve in defense of the country, which he himself did not
deign to do. It is pointing out that this man, this professional politician,
repeatedly evidences contempt for America, for America's traditions, and for
Americans who respect those traditions.
It is as if he loathes the nation he was so desperate to lead, and be
loved by, Messiah-like. It is of a piece with his constant misquoting
of the Declaration of Independence by leaving out the words endowed by
their Creator when speaking of unalienable rights.
Perhaps more aptly: It is of a pathetic piece with Obama's penchant for
declining to abide by the U.S. Flag Code when the Flag passes to place
his hand over his heart. Instead, he drapes his arms down and enfolds
his hands at his crotch Michael Jackson-style. It is now mocked as
Obama's crotch salute. But it isn't funny. It is contempt by Obama
for the Flag, for America.
Perhaps it is unfair to criticize this President of the United States
for displaying such contempt for American traditions. Perhaps it is too
much to expect an American President to salute a recipient of the
military Medal of Honor when that president never served in the uniform
of his country; has said that the Rules For Radicals of the
America-hating socialist revolutionist Sol Alinsky are seared into my
[his] brain; who launched his political career in Chicago from the
living room of the revolutionist Weather Underground rich-brat-bombers
Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn; and who sat for twenty years in a pew
of the church of Rev. God D...n America Wright, being marinated in
hate-filled, grievance-filled, self-defined anti-white and a revolutionary
Black Liberation Theology.
Then again, perhaps it is not too much to expect anyone who would be
America's president to at least respect American traditions, including
honoring the Flag, and saluting those who receive the Medal of Honor.
© 2010 Rees Lloyd - All Rights Reserved
REES LLOYD is a longtime civil rights attorney and veterans activist
whose work has been honored by, among others, the California Senate and
Assembly, and numerous civil rights, workers rights, and veterans
rights organizations. He has testified as a constitutional expert at
hearings before the U.S. House and Senate representing The American
Legion.
He has been profiled, and his work featured, by such varied print media
as the Los Angeles Times and American Legion Magazine, and such
broadcast media as ABC's Nightline and 20/20, Fox News In The Morning,
and, among others, by Hannity. His writings have appeared in a variety
of national, regional, and local newspaper, magazine, and other
publications. He is a frequent radio commentator, and a sought after
speaker.*
[*For identification only. The views expressed here are solely Rees
Lloyd's and not necessarily any person, entity or organization he may
otherwise represent. ]
E-Mail: ReesLloydLaw@gmail.com
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