Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:48:04 -0400, "LTG Bill Ginn" USAF ret:
Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played. (http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3759803 : you have to watch the ad before you can watch the video of Obama listening to the National Anthem.)
According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.
"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides," Obama said. "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial* and less bellicose.⁺ I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it."

WOW. The above came across my email desk so to speak. I can't say I'm all together surprised considering some of the other things that Obama has said but this one takes the cake to this day. Wow. If this man is elected as President of the USA he will be the COMMANDER IN CHIEF of the United States army-all branches. Yea, I'm pretty sure that I want my CIC to TAKE SIDES.

*parochial: ¹of or relating to a church parish ²of or relating to a parish as a unit of local government ³confined or restricted as if within the borders of a parish: limited in range or scope
⁺bellicose: favoring or inclined to start quarrels or wars synonym: belligerent.
Definitions from Merriam Webster on-line.