BLAME-IT-ON-BUSH DEMOCRATS DEFEND OBAMA’S DISRESPECTFUL ‘LATTE SALUTE’

There just isn’t any way one can defend the disrespectful salute Obama gave the Marines as he stepped off his helicopter Tuesday. Obama could have easily placed the coffee cup in his left hand and then given the proper salute. When George W. gave his awkward salute, he did it with the right hand while attempting to cradle Barney, the first family’s pet Scottish Terrier, against his chest with his left hand. Even though Democrats criticized Bush for it, while the salute may have been awkward, it was a proper salute and in no way disrespectful.

OBAMA’S DEFENDERS: BUT BUSH SALUTED WHILE HOLDING BARNEY THE DOG
By Sandy Fitzgerald

Newsmax
September 24, 2014

While controversy is brewing over President Barack Obama's "Latte Salute," arguments are starting over whether it compares to his predecessor's awkward dog-holding salute.

Back in 2001, then-President George W. Bush was roundly criticized for saluting officers while holding his Scottish terrier, Barney, reports Time magazine.

"The dodge didn't last 10 minutes, and ended up revealing a lot more about liberals' lack of appreciation for military culture than it did to excuse Obama's conduct," complained Breitbart's John Hayward in an opinion piece. "For starters, you don't have to know anything about military protocol to see that holding a live animal is rather different than strolling past the Marines with a Styrofoam cup of coffee in your hands."

Further, he said Bush rendered his salute correctly and was "clearly making a real effort to show proper respect."

However, reports Reuters, there is a difference in opinion over whether presidents should return military salutes at all.

President Ronald Reagan started the tradition in 1981, and military aides advised him that returning officers' salutes went against military protocol. Until then, other leaders, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower, did not return salutes, although Eisenhower had been a five-star general.

But after consulting with Marine Corps commandant Gen. Robert Barrow, the two ultimately decided that as chief of the armed forces, the president was entitled to give salutes.

As the arguments about Obama's coffee-cup tribute continue to heat up, Bush's defenders say that he was correct to salute officers while holding his dog in his left arm, as his right hand was still free.