John F(lipper) Kerry

06 MAR 04. NY Times. David M. Halbfinger.

Throughout his campaign, Mr. Kerry has shown a knack for espousing both sides of divisive issues. Now with the general-election campaign under way, President Bush and Republicans are already attacking Mr. Kerry for precisely this characteristic.

In fact, this trait, perhaps a natural one for a diplomat's son [see this recent ACE post], seems to have been ingrained in Mr. Kerry's personality as far back as when he volunteered for duty in Vietnam after expressing doubts about the war as a college student — and then returned home and helped lead the opposition to the war.

Who taught you how to salute, Sailor? Do it right, or don't do it at all.

A little refresher training:

How to Salute: Raise right hand smartly until the tip of your index finger touches your headgear slightly to the right of your right eye. Keep fingers extended and joined, palm down and to the left, wrist (forearm) straight. Upper arm should be parallel to the ground and the forearm should be at an angle of 45 degrees.

To get really anal retentive, I don't think any civilians not in military uniform [other than those in the chain of command in the Department of Defense and the President (the Commander in Chief)] are supposed to render hand salutes, but I've not been able to find an authoritative source on that. (Pls. comment if you know for sure or have a link.)

To lighten up a bit, Francis, we all render hand salutes from time to time. As a civilian, I tend to only salute to show someone they are being too bossy, while uttering the words "Yes, Sir!" But I do strive to click my heels, stand at attention, and execute a sharp salute when I do so. It makes the feedback all the more dramatic. Some throw sloppy salutes (somewhere between a salute and a wave) as a form of casual greeting, which is no big deal, I guess.

If you're not familiar with the origin of the salute, you might want to read this.

Perhaps he's not saluting

Murdoc has surmised JfK might not be saluting at all (saying he can't be that big a "wanker".) I don't know.Take a look at how he's bracing to catch a football pass:

This game looks like it's more his speed.

I don't think he's looking for an overhead bin, as he's got commoner lackies to take care of his luggage (and probably hasn't flown outside First Class (where the attendants take your bags at the door and hand them back to you at the end of the flight) since he married his first rich wife. I suppose he could be blocking the overhead lights (you know how blinding those lights are on airplanes) to see someone seated. I guess we can give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he knows how to salute correctly (at least until if and when he's seen saluting incorrectly -- although he's not in a position to be saluting as a civilian at all, as I understand tradition).

Touching story of President Bush saluting a disabled vet

I don't have the link handy, but I recently read of President Bush visiting a severely disabled vet in a hospital. President Bush stood at attention and rendered a proper salute (contrary to protocal, which says the junior rank iniates the salute). He held it a long time, and the vet slowly tried to raise his arm to return it (until told he didn't need to). Then GWB slowly lowered his hand. It was a touching moment in which the Commander in Chief expressed subordination and appreciation to a soldier. Even though there were no camera recordings, someone wrote it up in the media. No doubt, his opponents would chaulk it up as just another photo op moment, another misuse of imagery for political purposes. I find that reaction extremely cynical. I believe the loss of nearly 600 lives in Iraq weighs heavily on GWB's heart, and he thought long and hard about the cost before committing the troops. Is your glass half empty, or half full?

Ron (a commenter) suggests a left-hand salute for vets

That's a great idea, as long as its widely understood as a special salute which honors the military and vets. It would not violate the tradition etiquette that civilians not use the hand salute (only the hand of the heart salute for the national anthem and to show respect for passing caskets of fallen soldiers, passing POWs and disabled vets, and such), and it would show one's pride at having once served one's country. Please promote this idea wherever you can, if you agree. If not, please comment why.