I am a Viet Nam Veteran and yes, I am very patraiotic,

To stand and look like an idiot when we sing the Star Spangled Banner or Pledge allegiance to our flag is without a salute or covering your heart, especially being a candidate for running for president is the most sickening thing I have ever heard of.

How can a man show no respect for the flag of his country?? even think of leading the flag bearers into battle or even think of being a leader of our country, including being a senator? I would say he is very disrectful of our flag and our country.

I have seen the picture, recieved it by an e mail, the same picture showed on this blog.

Obama should be forbidden to even run for an office in our country and maybe expelled. If he can't houor our flag, then he can't honor our fallen soldiers as well?

How is he going to be sworn in if he doesn't believe in our Bible? Place his hand on the Quran?? How repugnant.

This man needs to be dropped from the nomination for the President of the United States.

People of the United States of America, are we going to really try to elect this disrespectful man as our president? Notr in my lifetime will I ever vote for such a disrespectful (citizen??)

Maybe he didn't know. Most of us went to schools where the teacher would make you sit in the corner if you didn't put your hand on your heart for the anthem or the pedge. One of my classmates got in trouble because his mom was a nurse and told him the heart was actually closer to the center of the chest, so that's where he put his hand. Bad move.

Scanning the various threads of discussion about Oboma and his lack of observable respect I find that there are a number of good points and a number of weak ones, both sides of the issue. The fundamental point, regardless of the side, is that it is an "living" tradition to show respect by standing with "attentiveness" and placing one's hand over one's heart. The law matters not. No escuse about not being taught in school (ever attend a sporting event?; Do we forget as a US Senator he has likely said/observed the pledge daily...well when actually in session), no amount of lack of knowledge works. A nation who accepts as its singular head of state someone who can not stand for its good traditions has but itself to question when that leader shows the very people disrespect.