I agree. He thinks it makes him look cool and quite frankly, he's too stupid to know (or ask) what the proper protocol is. Let's not forget that Melania had to push his arm up to remind him to place it over his heart for the Pledge of Allegiance, or that he saluted a North Korean general.
The NFL stands for the National Flyover League. No games happen without heavy military presence in America today. I've been a sports fan for a very long time but the blunt-forced marriage between the war machine and sports has ruined most games for me. I did not watch the 2025 Super Bowl, which marks the first time since the event first took place in Los Angeles on January 15, 1967 that I have not watched the contest. The good news from the Super Bowl is that the game overshadowed the militaristic presidential intrusion by everyone's account.
Given the man never was in uniform other than to cosplay at a boarding school… whatever. Having spoken to many a flag officer on the subject, they have all said to me they find the idea of the President saluting to be idiotic and a political stunt. One flag officer remarked that since most have no idea how to do it properly, they might as well not try.
"You know that reminds me of when I was first in this job and some of those men in uniform would salute me as the Commander in Chief. Having been in the service, I knew that you don't salute when you're not in uniform. And it was bothering me. I'd try to nod to them, but they'd just stand there with that salute. And, finally, one day I said to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, I said, ``You know, there ought to be a regulation that if the President is the Commander in Chief, that he ought to be able to return those salutes.'' And the general said, ``Well, Mr. President, I think if you did it, no one would say anything about it.'' [Laughter] So, I now return the salute."
9/11 is significant in that it is the first time something was done to us that actually reached us where we live, that while significant, pales in comparison to what the US has done to others in distant places over centuries. It allowed us to play the innocent victim and let loose calamities far from our borders. It was in our minds a kind of beginning of history, because we, who we recognize as human, were injured and mighty justice was needed. "Are you with us or against us?" said Sheriff Bush as he set out to destroy.
Then came the publication of the photos of every victim on 9/11 along with a personal story for each, oh how human they were!
In exactly the same way, Oct 7 was for Israelis the beginning of history heralded by being the victim, exactly as they want to see themselves in whatever they do, disregarding the entire history of Zionism taking the land and evicting the real victims, the Palestinians, from their homes and homeland. Just as we let loose horrors while feeling righteous about it after 9/11, so did the Israelis let loose slaughter and demolition in Gaza thinking it glorious.
Then came the publication of the photos of the hostages taken on Oct 7 with personal stories for each, this followed by the same for each member of the IDF that died while conducting the slaughter of Gaza, each photo a smiling soldier, what a loss of humanity, never mind what they were about when killed.
As we had Sheriff Bush, the force of good, Israel has had Netanyahu, proclaiming the Palestinians, "the forces of darkness", both men making their statements while dripping with self-righteousness and more than willing, eager, to let loose the incredible military power each has to have might make right.
Theater of the absurd, intended to sway the audience to go along with horrors visited on the anonymous enemy as a repulsive horde, no individuals deserving a photo or a personal story because not human. As saints are named and lauded for what each has done, so is the enemy anonymous, as would be the henchmen of Satan.
You’re building a house of cards with suppositions and conjecture in your mind and passing it off as objective observations. That some folks lap it up lessens both the writer and reader.
You know, sometimes I think Loki was right on the money with his speech on the Avengers. Americans love few things more than bragging about freedom while begging for a nice strong leader.
After multiple assassination attempts this past year on Trump’s life and the death of Americans, who came to hear him speak, the Secret Service is clearly not trusted to keep the president nor innocent Americans around him safe. This may or may not have something to do with why Homeland security is at the Super Bowl along with a military presence. But I’m sure the families of those who have fallen during this past years assassination attempts do not find this overkill.
Many Americans will find Trump’s presence as part of his popular appeal – – brave to be out among the public and a type of victory to celebrate the day with the majority of Americans.
The earlier comments about Regan and his respect for the soldiers shown by his saluting them is the impression to many as Trump putting America first.
Today’s headlines include $59 million spent this week on housing illegal aliens in New York City luxury hotels. Many in Western North Carolina spent last night in a camper with below freezing temperature. Most Americas appreciate DOGE revealing wasteful spending as our country spends far beyond our revenues annually.
Please report more on the bombings and Somalia and the bombs and Israel as I believe Americans need to hear about this as well. Military country is not a great one!
It seems when the substance cupboard is bare, there’s always spectacle.
Truer words never spoken.
I immediately misinterpreted this as implying someone had cut off the "go packs" of Ambien, Adderall, etc.
As one does when considering substance(s) and this administration.
I will be hitting the substance cupboard myself quite a bit...
Self-care
Trump has no respect for the flag or the National Anthem. He is gesturing to make himself special.
I agree. He thinks it makes him look cool and quite frankly, he's too stupid to know (or ask) what the proper protocol is. Let's not forget that Melania had to push his arm up to remind him to place it over his heart for the Pledge of Allegiance, or that he saluted a North Korean general.
The NFL stands for the National Flyover League. No games happen without heavy military presence in America today. I've been a sports fan for a very long time but the blunt-forced marriage between the war machine and sports has ruined most games for me. I did not watch the 2025 Super Bowl, which marks the first time since the event first took place in Los Angeles on January 15, 1967 that I have not watched the contest. The good news from the Super Bowl is that the game overshadowed the militaristic presidential intrusion by everyone's account.
Given the man never was in uniform other than to cosplay at a boarding school… whatever. Having spoken to many a flag officer on the subject, they have all said to me they find the idea of the President saluting to be idiotic and a political stunt. One flag officer remarked that since most have no idea how to do it properly, they might as well not try.
Apparently the practice of returning salutes from military personnel began with Reagan.
https://www.jsonline.com/picture-gallery/news/2017/02/02/photos-why-do-presidents-salute-military-personnel/97414930/
and has attracted controversy over the years as well:
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/14/opinion/a-senseless-salute.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/opinion/01winfrey.html
Reagan's explanation on why he started it:
"You know that reminds me of when I was first in this job and some of those men in uniform would salute me as the Commander in Chief. Having been in the service, I knew that you don't salute when you're not in uniform. And it was bothering me. I'd try to nod to them, but they'd just stand there with that salute. And, finally, one day I said to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, I said, ``You know, there ought to be a regulation that if the President is the Commander in Chief, that he ought to be able to return those salutes.'' And the general said, ``Well, Mr. President, I think if you did it, no one would say anything about it.'' [Laughter] So, I now return the salute."
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/remarks-and-question-and-answer-session-student-body-providence-st-mel-high-school
Love the history explanation behind the salute! Thank you for sharing this!
We’re screwed.
9/11 is significant in that it is the first time something was done to us that actually reached us where we live, that while significant, pales in comparison to what the US has done to others in distant places over centuries. It allowed us to play the innocent victim and let loose calamities far from our borders. It was in our minds a kind of beginning of history, because we, who we recognize as human, were injured and mighty justice was needed. "Are you with us or against us?" said Sheriff Bush as he set out to destroy.
Then came the publication of the photos of every victim on 9/11 along with a personal story for each, oh how human they were!
In exactly the same way, Oct 7 was for Israelis the beginning of history heralded by being the victim, exactly as they want to see themselves in whatever they do, disregarding the entire history of Zionism taking the land and evicting the real victims, the Palestinians, from their homes and homeland. Just as we let loose horrors while feeling righteous about it after 9/11, so did the Israelis let loose slaughter and demolition in Gaza thinking it glorious.
Then came the publication of the photos of the hostages taken on Oct 7 with personal stories for each, this followed by the same for each member of the IDF that died while conducting the slaughter of Gaza, each photo a smiling soldier, what a loss of humanity, never mind what they were about when killed.
As we had Sheriff Bush, the force of good, Israel has had Netanyahu, proclaiming the Palestinians, "the forces of darkness", both men making their statements while dripping with self-righteousness and more than willing, eager, to let loose the incredible military power each has to have might make right.
Theater of the absurd, intended to sway the audience to go along with horrors visited on the anonymous enemy as a repulsive horde, no individuals deserving a photo or a personal story because not human. As saints are named and lauded for what each has done, so is the enemy anonymous, as would be the henchmen of Satan.
The commander in chief is the highest rank in the military. He is perfectly correct to salute the flag and/or return the salute of a subordinate.
The president is commander in chief of the armed forces, not the country. In a civic setting like that, it's odd.
Doesn't matter does it......just patriotism.
You’re building a house of cards with suppositions and conjecture in your mind and passing it off as objective observations. That some folks lap it up lessens both the writer and reader.
You know, sometimes I think Loki was right on the money with his speech on the Avengers. Americans love few things more than bragging about freedom while begging for a nice strong leader.
And Ivanka doesn’t lift a finger, much less salute!
After multiple assassination attempts this past year on Trump’s life and the death of Americans, who came to hear him speak, the Secret Service is clearly not trusted to keep the president nor innocent Americans around him safe. This may or may not have something to do with why Homeland security is at the Super Bowl along with a military presence. But I’m sure the families of those who have fallen during this past years assassination attempts do not find this overkill.
Many Americans will find Trump’s presence as part of his popular appeal – – brave to be out among the public and a type of victory to celebrate the day with the majority of Americans.
The earlier comments about Regan and his respect for the soldiers shown by his saluting them is the impression to many as Trump putting America first.
Today’s headlines include $59 million spent this week on housing illegal aliens in New York City luxury hotels. Many in Western North Carolina spent last night in a camper with below freezing temperature. Most Americas appreciate DOGE revealing wasteful spending as our country spends far beyond our revenues annually.
Please report more on the bombings and Somalia and the bombs and Israel as I believe Americans need to hear about this as well. Military country is not a great one!
Poor White House pooches - first Biden and now this!