National Anthem Rules (what every six year old knows)
May 13, 2008
I have been ignoring most of the crazy stuff Obama says these days, but I could resist posting his explaination of why he won’t put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem:
“My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2,” Obama said, his annoyance obvious. “During the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the national anthem you sing.”
Ethan, my six year old, has become my focus group for things like this so I asked him, “What should you do when you hear the national anthem?” Ethan said, “What is the national anthem?” I laughed and began singing (ug, the range is crazy - an octave and a half! ). He immediately got it and put his hand over his heart. Even my six year old, who after hearing a few notes, knows to put his hand over his heart.
For those of you, like Obama, who are unaware:
United States Code, 36 USC Sec. 301 says that during the playing of The Star Spangled Banner (United States National Anthem) when the flag is displayed, everyone except those in uniform should stand at attention while facing the flag and have their right hand over their heart. Individuals in attendance that aren’t in uniform should remove anything they are wearing on their head with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, with their hand held over their heart. Individuals in uniform should show the military salute during the first note of the anthem and stay in this position until the last note. If the flag is not displayed, people in attendance should face the music and respond as if the flag were present.
The real question for Obama is, “What is the deal? Why do you have a problem with the pledge? Why do you have a problem with the national anthem? Why do you have a problem with the flag?” When you ask Obama about these sorts of things he simply explains, “This is the classic dirty trick of the campaign.” That isn’t an answer. You are making a statement when you don’t put your hand over your heart, what is the statement?
