Huckabee vs. Obama?

The media makes a big deal about Romney's religion because very few American's understand the Mormon religion. Many view it as cult like, and fear that if differs greatly in morals as compared to Anglo-American ethics. Obama's middle name was reported on a little at the very beginning of the campaign, plus as has been stated before he isn't Muslim and has no connections with Muslim or Arabic institutions. American's are also growing more accepting of these cultural differences anyways, Minnesota elected the first Muslim Congressman in the last election who was sworn in on the Koran. Yes, having the middle name "Hussein" could make for some great political satire, but it is really not that big of a deal.

They didn't omit it. They talked about that towards the beginning of his candidacy, or at least, as much as you can discuss the implications of a middle name. Any more and they'd be beating a dead horse, probably make themselves look ridiculous as a news source for dwelling on it.

These days, putting my hand over my heart, and being in the minority of those that do so, is an open defiant gesture, which shows my support of my country, and the principles that men and women have fought and died for over the past 200+ years.

Apparently Barack Hussein Obama (apologies if I offended anyone there) does not believe that it is necessary or prudent to make an overt declaration of his support for America, or his allegiance to it...

The Dalai Lama and Kasur Lodi Gyari, during the National Anthem. (I’ll let you guess which one is which)

Raptor, do you believe that placing your hand over your heart is the only appropriate way to show deference and respect? Or, is the only appropriate way if one is American?

YES!

You show respect. If your religion does not allow that, do what is allowed.

Hand over heart, uncovered.
Salute if in uniform..

If you don't love America, no fence keeping you here.

I threw up a little in my mouth when Obama claimed the Anbar Awakening was due to the Democratic victory in 2006 in the ABC debates.

Again, I was asking Raptor to further clarify his comments but I do thank you for adding your's.

You have got to be shitting me.

Godwin's law. Shut it down.

That picture was taken during the national anthem. Obama didn't place his hand over his heart simply because he didn't know any better. Reports of him being "anti-American" because of this are grossly exaggerated.

Had he actually done this for a legitimate reason, I would view that as a sign of strong leadership and moral character.

The irony in all this is that we created the precedent to the Goose walk -- except it was called the Bellamy Salute, and all children were required to do it during the Pledge of Allegience up to the 1950s.

Didn't know any better? What, he's been in a cave all these years?

I can't vote for a man whose clearly never been to a ballgame. What kind of American is that?

I've been to plenty of ballagames. Almost no one places their hands on their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner, and a good proportion have the audacity to talk.

Obama is considerably younger than the other candidates. That picture signifies a generation gap more than it signifies anything about Obama's political beliefs.

Legitimate reason? Huh?

If he ever took action on important issues, if he had any executive experience, if he had ever served his country in any way, I would view that as a sign of someone marginally qualified.

It's one of the ways outlined here:

Nice job.

United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10

§176. Respect for flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

• (a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
• (b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
• (c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
• (e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
• (f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• (g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
• (h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• (i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
• (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
• (k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Barack Hussein Obama may have a chance to rectify his mistake...

Raptor, thank you for the links and info. But, I ask again, do you believe that placing your hand over your heart is the only appropriate way to show deference and respect?

Good deflection, BTW. You should be a lawyer.

Must be nice to have so many people making excuses for your actions...

Where the hell to do you go see games? The National Anthem at baseball games is one of those few times where I actually am surprised at the respect people show. Yeah, there are the few bozos talking but the MAJORITY of people show respect. Ever seen 'God Bless America' at Yankee Stadium? Its not the National Anthem but that song still pulls on everyones emotional strings and everyone still sings the words (the ones they know) and stand. I guess you only see what you want to see (I'm probably guilty too).

Raptor, (d), (i), and (j) are broken routinely. New England Patriots, anyone?

Who's making excuses? I simply provided the reason why he didn't do it. He has been quoted in numerous news reports since as defending himself by saying that he didn't have his hand over his heart because the national anthem, and not the pledge, was playing, and that he was taught to stand like that and sing during the anthem.

Are you talking about watching it on TV, or being there? Because you don't catch the people whispering to each other on TV, and the camera tends not to linger on the guy telling his 2 year old to shut up.

I specifically said that the majority do not place their hands over their hearts, and that a significant amount of people will talk during these songs. I said nothing about standing silently or singing along. Most people "show respect" in the same manner that Obama was "showing respect" in the above picture.

The above is true, whether it be appropriate or not. Way I was learned as a child, hand over your heart or Scout's saulte was for the Pledge; standing and shutting up, removing the cap, maybe bowing your head, reflecting for a moment was for baseball games.

'Course I know differently now, but, for better for worse, I would argue that a good deal of Americans are simply ignorant as to hand over heart for then anthem.

Then why didn't he sing?

I believe that for a presidential candidate of the United States of America, the only proper way to show deference and respect to the flag is by placing ones hand over their heart, and looking to the flag, and failing that, the source of music.

We can discuss this without name calling

You miss the point. I don't want a president who is like "most people"

50% of the people you meet in life are below average. I'd like to have our President be not like most people, but better than most people. I want a president who honors our customs and traditions not because everyone does it, but because of why it should be done.

You are carrying a lot of water for this guy, but have yet to list one compelling reason why anyone should vote for him. (But that isn't surprising as there really aren't any compelling reasons.)

Being there, and a two year old doesn't know any better ... a presidential candidate should.

Ahhh...the infamous "this recruit don't know" defense, maybe he should enlist and go to bootcamp - because that's the last time that was an acceptable answer for me...

Edit:

If a 2 year old jumped off a bridge, would Obama?

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Looks like Hillary might win New Hampshire.

McCain is already projected to win as well.

That is the Dad's job, teach his son there are times to be quiet and respectful.

If Barak's daddy had instructed him properly, we wouldn't be having this conversation.