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OH.MY.GOD

Obama barely nodded to a Saudi and the Right Wing had a meltdown. Our commander in-chief gives a military salute to an officer of a despot. But they're cool with that.

Are Presidents barred from returning the salute of a foreign military officer?

- Doc

I don't think it is that big of a deal. It's clearly a slip-up due to his lack of preparation / incompetence. The propaganda video N. Korea was able to produce based on the whole affair is a bigger deal in terms of soft power concession. I wouldn't mind that either if something was gained in exchange for it, but nothing was.

You know that state media would lose their god damn mind forever if a Democrat did this, and it's hard not to think about that.

Doctor CamNC4Me wrote:Are Presidents barred from returning the salute of a foreign military officer?

- Doc

He's not barred from pulling down his pants and doing the chicken dance, but I wouldn't advise it.

Hawkeye wrote:OH.MY.GOD

Obama barely nodded to a Saudi and the Right Wing had a meltdown. Our commander in-chief gives a military salute to an officer of a despot. But they're cool with that.

There were higher standards for Obama, and all the other presidents. We all have very low expectations for Trump, and he hasn't surprised anyone.

That video clip might be my new favorite scene from this season of "America." I appreciate the writers putting it in, but I think Chaplain still did it better though.

Hawkeye wrote:OH.MY.GOD

Obama barely nodded to a Saudi and the Right Wing had a meltdown. Our commander in-chief gives a military salute to an officer of a despot. But they're cool with that.

This is an OMG moment for you?

He didn't give a salute, he returned a salute. It's a courtesy upon greeting akin to civilians shaking hands. He's totally within boundaries to return a salute of an officer of a friendly nation and under the circumstances, his returning the salute was totally appropriate.

Honestly, what would you have had him do, Hawkeye? Flip the officer off?

Try to calm down and find a more important fish to fry.

Doctor CamNC4Me wrote:Are Presidents barred from returning the salute of a foreign military officer?

- Doc

No, they are not. Do I get a prize?

Jersey Girl wrote:He didn't give a salute, he returned a salute. It's a courtesy upon greeting akin to civilians shaking hands. He's totally within boundaries to return a salute of an officer of a friendly nation and under the circumstances, his returning the salute was totally appropriate.

Umm ...

The commander of the US military saluting a general of a hostile military is a protocol faux pas. The best part of the exchange is Kim Jung Un's surprised face over it. I don't care much about the symbolism and protocol nature of things like this, but the, "actually this is good" takes are quite something.

Trump screwed up. His total unwillingness to prepare for things probably is part of that. It's not the end of the world, but there's a reason it appears in N. Korean propaganda now. Just take the small lump and move on. But move on knowing that if this were Obama the whole of right wing media would be using it to prove he is a clandestine traitor and there might even have been Congressional hearings over it.