NYT: Obama tries out his salute

I've always wondered about this. Since Reagan at least, presidents do seem to return the salutes of uniformed personnel. But is this appropriate? Presidents are civilians and they're never in uniform.



NYT

Obama Tries Out His Salute
By Jeff Zeleny

KAILUA, Hawaii – He’s not the commander in chief yet, but was President-elect Barack Obama briefly practicing his salute on Sunday?

On the first morning of his vacation here, Mr. Obama arrived at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii for his daily workout. As he walked out of the Semper Fit Center, his gray T-shirt soaked in sweat, he lifted his right hand and gave a quick salute to two Marines in fatigues who were standing in the distance.

The brief moment was not captured by cameras. Photographs and video were not permitted to be taken on the military base, according to campaign aides.

... on one hand, I can see Chris' point that he was never in the military so he shouldn't do it. Apparently Clinton didn't?

But on the other hand, isn't Barack going to be mustered into service on January 20th as Commander in Chief? Does that not count? If he can send them off to war ... and more importantly, bring them home, does that not give him the ability to salute?

Members of the military don't normally salute civillians, right? I think there in lies the answer.

But what do I know? The highest rank I ever achieved as Junior in the Girl Scouts. ... For the record, I would have no problem with Barack throwing up the Girl Scout salute even though he's a boy. :)

Where was the media outrage with chimpass and his HALFass "salute"? I'm thinking Obama's was probably a hell of a lot more sincere/respectful