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

[Are_grits_groceries]

Video of offending gesture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edajDG6pHkA

Drum Major John Coleman offered a quick nod, a fleeting wave and what looked like a wink -- all while keeping stride -- as he marched the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes & Drums past President Barack Obama last week.

Some might call it a heartwarming moment of patriotism during the inaugural parade.

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

"We had gone over and over time and again with everyone in the band that this was a military parade. Protocol and proper decorum had to be followed at all times," said bandleader Pipe Major Mike Engle. "Unfortunately, John chose to ignore that."
http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2009/01/tipoff_drum_major_john_coleman.html

Meanwhile back to important news...........

[liberalhistorian]

1. Jesus H. Christ, how fucking stupid of them.

Given that I lived in the Cleveland area for over thirty years (but not any more, thank God), this stupid shit doesn't surprise me in the least. Nor does it surprise me why Cleveland is so in the toilet.

[Cassandra]

2. Since when are firefighters in the military?

And why can't the "military" acknowledge the Commander-in-Chief?

[Ian David]

3. And why can't the "military" acknowledge the Commander-in-Chief... with their whole hand nonetheless

[Greyhound]

6. That's the point isn't it? they aren't.

The military is required to acknowledge the CinC in the prescribed manner.

I just love your quote, I'm re-watching it now (with Chinese subtitles :( 'cause Hulu only has the first two seasons). Truly a landmark series of an epic tale.

[Cassandra]

12. It's certainly an all-weather quote.

Every time I think it's lost relevance, another meaning crops up. If the Republicans had realized they were Nightwatch, they would have tried to shut down the series.

[samplegirl]

4. Obama would say this is just outrageous.

[Rob H.]

5. A six-month suspension for nodding and smiling at the President

after the President smiled and waved at him? :crazy:

[Lost-in-FL]

7. Rush want's Obama to fail, and guess what?

He still no apology from the station. :shrug:

[originalpckelly]

8. Oh good God, that's outrageous!

I know someone who deserves a six month suspension, and it's not the drum major, it's Pipe Major Mike Engle.

[elocs]

9. My bet is that John would say, "It was worth it".

Any bet that the band's leader is a bitter Republican?

[dazzlerazzle]

10. suspension stupidity

In a military parade, the entire front row would likely have heads turned towards the president and either one or all would salute. Not a very good thing to punish volunteers so severely. Hopefully, bandleader Engle will make the Olberman worst persons.

[TahitiNut]

18. Actually, all except the outermost file would turn their heads at "eyes right!" or "eyes left!"

It's protocol (DD-214) when marching in formation that the troops would be given the "eyes right!" command when passing in review past the reviewing stand. At that command, all except the rightmost file would turn their heads at a 45 degree angle and make eye contact with the senior reviewing officer or dignitary. At the same time, the troops must use their peripheral vision to maintain formation, keeping a proper distance from the rank ahead of them and aligned with the route of the march. The troops maintain this head turn until the command "ready, front!" is given.

(Yes ... I've been there and done that ... many, many times.)

Military bands, however, don't do this due to the instruments they're playing. Instead, the drum major performs a salute on behalf of the entire band.

[tuckessee]

11. Too bad he couldn't follow the simple rules.

I wonder what made Mr. Coleman think he was so special? The rest of the band was able to adhere to protocol.

[ColemanCL]

13. You're talking about my uncle....

And you obviously don't understand that everyone else in the band is busy using BOTH of their hands playing their pipes or drums. So you're telling me that if the president were to wave at you, you would just stare back at him? People like you are the reason that something so minute is blown out of proportion!

[orleans]

19. is he the guy with the long baton?

if anything it shows the appeal obama has--that people feel connected with him--and the excitement that was felt that day overflowed. it also made me think that obama sends the message that he is approachable unlike king george.

i couldn't tell if he winked or not. but the nod and salute humanized and personalized the brief moment--and watching it is heartwarming.

at any rate--it is terrible this man got in any sort of trouble for doing that. it appears his nod and salute were meant with great respect.

was he an obama supporter?

[ColemanCL]

21. uncle

Yes he is.

For as far back as I can remember I have been going to the St. Patrick's Day parade to watch him and my father (who plays the bagpipes) and he has always waved to us like this during the parade. You have to understand that he is swinging his arms back and forth while marching so the momentum from the swinging brought his hand up like that.

My entire family was over his house on Sunday night for dinner and we watched the recording of the parade in slow motion and he did not wink at the president. He has a fuller face and his right eye does indeed close at the same time as the left. We all agree that people are trying to make something out of nothing. Its really unfortunate that this had to damper such an amazing opportunity for him.

[orleans]

22. well, as i said before, it seemed to momentarily humanize everything

and i think what he did was perfectly respectful and acceptable.

it is a shame he got in trouble for doing it--that is ridiculous. i can't imagine obama wanting anyone to be punished over respectfully acknowledging him during that day of happiness and celebration (or at any other time).

like someone else said, about the guy suspending your uncle, how petty.

on edit: by the way--welcome to du.

[Maru Kitteh]

23. I'm sorry your uncle was punished for his respectful and dignified gesture. How petty!

If I'm going to get suspended for something, I want it to be for something as grand as he had the opportunity to do. He has our full support in this house.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. Six months?

That seems a bit excessive for a "rules violation" by a drum major in a marching band.

Perhaps he should be quietly invited to the White House sometime during the next six months. Or would that be making a mountain out a molehill?

[OneGrassRoot]

15. Bullshit. I hope they're called on the carpet big time about this. n/t

[Barack_America]

16. Obama, our President, waved at the guy, who returned the wave...

Was the man not supposed to acknowledge his own President and, considering this was a military parade, his Commander in Chief?

It seems to me that Pipe Major Mike Engle thinks that he is above the Commander in Chief.

[Dukkha]

17. oh please just another bitter Bushie sore loser.

fuck you and your "military" band rules

[PVnRT]

20. Something tells me that this isn't about a nod in the parade

Sounds like a larger power struggle going on, and this was just an excuse.

[Bombero1956]

24. more to this than meets the eye

I've worked with guys like this Engle fella and he sounds like a typical martinet who demands absolute adherence to rules and regs to the detriment of the organization. Engle is probably a nobody fuckup in his department and needs to throw his weight around in the only area he can.

[ecstatic]

25. Update: He has now QUIT due to the band being inundated with angry phone calls

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/27/inauguration.drum.major/index.html?iref=mpstoryview