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Semper Latte: Cup Salute Seems To Generate More Attention Than Undeclared War In National Debate

1411505445739_wps_3_Americans_weren_t_amused_It is being called “Semper Latte” and, if this is the biggest scandal that President Barack Obama has to worry about, his Administration is safe. Various people are denouncing the President for saluting his Marine guard while holding a cup of tea or coffee. From CNN to the Daily Mail to ABC to the New York Daily News to the Washington Post to the New York Post to NBC to CBS to countless others, the salute is generating heated comments across the country. YouTube clips show the salute over and over along with multiple postings expressing outrage. My reaction is a bit different. The President has launched another declared war that his aides say could last “years.” However, there seem more debate over this tempest in a tea [cup] than the fact that we are bombing another nation.


The President did not put his styrofoam cup in his other hand while stepping out of Marine One — a breach of military regulations and decorum. He appears to have forgotten the salute as he multitasked with his cup while buttoning his jacket.

What truly amazes me is that the White House released the photo. No one saw the problem and actually viewed the picture as worthy of sending out on the web.

However, it is the relative attention given the issue that is mystifying. Many irate people over the salute are less aggrieved by the war just commenced on the sole authority of this President. Just as there is an appropriate way to salute a Marine, there is an appropriate way to send a Marine to war. The Constitution is quite clear about starting wars and there is far more at stake. We should be at least as aggrieved when our Constitution is being disrespected or ignored as we are the Marine guard this week. Just a thought.

287 thoughts on “Semper Latte: Cup Salute Seems To Generate More Attention Than Undeclared War In National Debate”

  1. The eligible President and Commander in Chief mixes duties; family and official. Which aspect of daily life is more appropriately abandoned and disregarded, the family dog or that essentially liberal, “metrosexual” affectation, the “Latte?”

  2. George Bush topped Obama at the “White House Correspondents’ Dinner” in March of 2004 when he was searching for WMDs under the desk in the oval office.

  4. The Peshmerga female fighters DO put fear in the hearts of ISIS, the toughest bad guys on the earth.

  7. MM, I posted another picture of Bush with is eyes CLOSED at the TMZ link. Weak sauce again.

  8. I can only imagine that any enemy would be terrified of…girls. I am absolutely certain that…girls…put fear in the hearts of the gladiators of the battle field. I know I am afraid of girls. Hillary absolutely terrifies me. It has been reported that Bill has eschewed Hillary for the “Energizer” in pursuit of “safe sex.”

    Bill comically relates the anecdote:

    Lady Astor was giving a costume ball and Winston Churchill asked her what
    disguise she would recommend for him. She replied, “Why don’t you come
    sober, Mr. Prime Minister?”

    The following exchange ensued:

    “Winston, if you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee.”

    “Nancy, if you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

  9. Also what eye contact regarding the Bush doggy salute? LOL!

    Lol indeed! Some who behold appear more observant than others. They see the heart!

    Thanks for posting a great picture of Bush, Annie. It provides a wonderful contrast. Two Commanders in Chief responding to a salute, one conveys respect, the other doesn’t. Similar to conversations that take place here sometimes!

  11. How does anyone know that a second after that picture was snapped Obama’s eyes didn’t meet the Marine’s eyes? Weak sauce and just more silliness.

  12. Annie,

    It can be awkward, but you can salute while holding an object in your left hand.

    The basic form problem isn’t Bush holding his dog and Obama buttoning his coat with their left hands. The basic form problem is Obama forgetting he was holding the cup in his right hand.

  14. Olly, “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Barry Goldwater

    Is that “liberty” the freedom to have money confiscated to fund free welfare, food stamps, affirmative action, quotas, rent control, obamacare, social services, utility subsidies, Medicare, “love/hate crime,” “civil rights,” etc.?

  15. “why wasn’t the group, “Oath Keepers” formed during the 8 long years of the Bush Administration?”

    Speaking for myself, I was ignorant of the proper role of government. I had never read any of our founding documents until 2008. Once I began to study and learn the “first principles” then I was able to see how far removed from “constitutional” governance we had come. Obama is just carrying on the tradition but what he’s doing differently is openly daring anyone to do something about it.

    I actually appreciate his arrogance and disdain for our founding principles. He has done more to snap the apathetic awake long enough to begin learning what American Exceptionalism is really all about. I just regret I hadn’t begun learning this long ago. I can forgive people’s ignorance up to the point they choose party over principle. Then they deserve all the vitriol they get.

    Maybe the organization woke up like I did. Maybe they were active duty during the Bush years and couldn’t form until they retired or were discharged. Maybe they simply hate the willful ignorance on display. If you believe they are racists, then do they hate white people or black people? Or is it possible they just love their country? You’ll have to ask them.

  16. Charlton Stanley: “When we got back in the car, son said, “Heh. That Colonel wanted to jump up all in my $hit for not saluting, but he was uncovered.”

    Maybe Coast Guard sailors have different salute customs, but if your son was a soldier, he’d be wrong.

  18. The doggy salute looks does look incredibly disrespectful.

    It’s all in the eyes! Bush makes eye contact, Obama doesn’t. Mirrors of the soul they are!

  20. *Chief* Because that’s the key word and concept being conveyed. Respect from the guy in charge.

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