Drum Major John Coleman is suspended for Obama nod at inaugural parade

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2009/01/tipoff_drum_major_john_coleman.html
by Michael McIntyre/Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday January 26, 2009, 5:30 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edajDG6pHkA

...The band's leader calls it a violation of the rules, captured by CNN. Coleman has been suspended as drum major for six months...


Coleman said he didn't do anything grossly demonstrative: "I looked over, and he smiled and waved. I was just acknowledging the president, who was acknowledging our band."

Engle, who said other pipe bands complained about Coleman's gesture, said even sneaking a glimpse was out of bounds.

"He has to abide by the rules," Engle said. "It had to be done."

COMMENTS (12)

[phleshdef]

1. Whatever. I hate rule-sy crap like that.

[KittyWampus]

8. marching bands and color guards are competitive. I was in a color guard many moons ago.

And the movements are highly choreographed.

In a football game, you don't say you hate rule-sy crap when a flag is thrown.

[phleshdef]

12. There is no reason to believe he interrupted the choreography.

I could give 2 shits anyway. Marching bands and football teams serve no importance beyond entertainment.

[Wednesdays]

13. It's sort of like "excessive celebration" after a touchdown of a lifetime

I'd say he feels it's worth the 15-yard penalty.

[AllentownJake]

16. The people who took it seriously were a joke

God I hated those people when I was in band

[LibDemAlways]

21. I'm with you. Who cares if the guy glanced briefly

Obama's way. This was a Presidential Inaugural Parade, not a competition. Some people ought to get a life.

[madaboutharry]

2. I can't stand A-holes.

This is the kind of bullshit that I find so disturbing.

[patrice]

3. ?

[crim son]

4. Question: Is Engle a repug?

Curious.

[KittyWampus]

10. No, he's essentially the same as a football coach. Marching bands & color guards compete

according to set rules.

[AllentownJake]

17. No he's not a football coach

Band directors like to think they are :rofl:

[crim son]

18. I do understand that.

I was sort of kidding, though the man must have a political affiliation.

[AyanEva]

5. What a silly rule!

[Fleshdancer]

6. It was worth the suspension

I think it's pretty stupid too, but the man now has a great story to tell for the rest of his life. If I were him, I wouldn't regret a damn thing.

[onehandle]

7. That's pretty much a universal rule. Marching bands are about precision and unity.

Obama should pardon him.

[Saturday]

9. ROTFLMAO. nt

[Marrah_G]

14. Damn you !

You took my pardon joke.....

:cry:

[Mad_Dem_X]

11. Six months for NODDING?

I can maybe understand a brief suspension, but six months? Come on!

[FormerDittoHead]

15. That's nothing! Republican Congressmen are starting impeachment hearings on Obama!

Rules are rules! :sarcasm:

[boobooday]

19. Wrong! Stupid!

How could you not acknowledge? I watched the video and it was very dignified and hardly noticable.

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

20. Simply showing respect for the position...

That should trump all their silly rules...and never be penalized. It's that kind of authoritarian, legalistic thinking that has gotten us into the mess we're in today.

[cherokeeprogressive]

24. "...showing respect for the position...should trump all...rules"

Sounds a little authoritarian to me.

[WinkyDink]

22. I'd rather be booted out than to have NOT looked over! I bet the DM will be sorely missed!

[NashVegas]

23. Sometimes, Violating the Rules Is Worth It

A suspension isn't a life or death sentence.

[hedgehog]

25. "this was a military parade"

That's news to me, I thought it was a celebration of Americana!

[slampoet]

26. And this is why marching bands DONT have the musicians. 90% of the goodplayers in our school GAVE UP

music classes altogether rather than be forced to do Marching Band 4 days a week every fall, Every basketball game for every friday of the winter AND have to leave their summer jobs and vacations to do 4th of July or face being suspended.