Comments for New Law Authorizes Veterans' Salutes during National Anthem

New Law Authorizes Veterans' Salutes during National Anthem

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:41:42 -0600

Just in case you hadn't heard.

Comment from Justthisguy on 2008-11-01

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:19:32 -0600

Hey, I very properly sat during the national anthem, lots of times, when the other high school's band was playing it. Our band director stood and did a sword salute for all of us. I wonder if high school band directors are even allowed to have swords these days, let alone leave them lying about the office for the kids to play with. (This one had no edge, to speak of.)

Comment from Consul-At-Arms on 2008-10-31

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:08:54 -0600

I've quoted you and linked to you here.

Comment from bc on 2008-10-31

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:35:23 -0600

I'm with Bill T. on this one.

Comment from htom on 2008-10-31

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:16:49 -0600

Good grief. It's been so long that I've forgotten the rules. And I'm going to have to practice. Oh, wait, I don't have to, I can do the hat - in - hand - over - the - heart thing. That's easier. Must go practice, though, for when someone wants me to demonstrate.

Comment from BillT on 2008-10-30

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:38:07 -0600

I remember the good ol' days when what wasn't prohibited *in writing* was permitted.

Now it's flipped so that whatever isn't permitted *in writing* is prohibited.

The plethora of lawyers with which we are plagued means that there are innumerable lampposts in dire need of decorating...

Comment from Kevin on 2008-10-30

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:28:17 -0600

Let's approach this in a different manner....

Active duty folks have their regs/protocol to follow. No problem with that.

However, once I'm out and a civilian.... them regs no longer apply and I sure don't need another friggin' law giving me permission to do... well, just about anything that doesn't harm another person or their property.

I sure as hell don't need a law 'giving me permission', much less direction on how to salute my own nations flag.

A pox on people who state; "Y'know, there outa be a law". This mentality is the reason why we are the most litigated and litigious society on Earth. This mindset is why we have to have law libraries.

The 10 Commandments and the 10 Ammendments seemed to work pretty well, til'....

"Y'know, there oughta be a law"...

And, if it's a law... then you break that law.... whaddya mean there are no punitive provisions? If not, then why make it a law?

To me, this fails the common sense test.

As a side note, I don't care for brandy, however I DO enjoy a daily snog of small batch bourbon or single malt scotch, with either a cigar or my pipe.

And, I have "smacked" the guy sitting down during the National Anthem. Y'know, there oughta be a law and call the ACLU.

Bah.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-10-30

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:21:49 -0600

Yeh, I've been a violator, I admit.

Comment from BillT on 2008-10-30

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:19:40 -0600

Law catches up with custom.

*heh*

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-10-30

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:39:35 -0600

There isn't really an enforcement mechanism, Kevin. The previous regs technically didn't allow us to salute the flag. Now they do. For those of us who are kinda rule-bound and chafed at not being allowed to do something we were once authorized to do, it's a nice change.

Methinks you are reading this rather harshly. All it says is - you, dude, can salute now instead of (as you formally were supposed to do) do the hand over the heart thing.

That's all it says.

It doesn't have punitive provisions to whack that never-served fellow next to you (who's unlikely to salute, anyway.).

Here, have a brandy and go get a nice fat cigar outta that walk-in humidor you've got. You are wound *waaaaaay* too tight.

Comment from Kevin on 2008-10-30

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:16:33 -0600

Have we really come to this? A LAW is needed for a veteran to salute the flag? I understand why protocol regs would be drawn up for active duty personnel, but for veterans/civilians a... law is required?

What's the enforcement mechanism for the law? A Flag Police Emergency Response SWAT team?

What's the penalty for breaking the law?

All that is not permitted is forbidden...

To paraphrase Blazing Saddles; "Permission? We don't need no stinkin' permission!"

And to quote Hee-Haw; "Saaaaaa-lute!"