Kelvin sent this photo taken September 17 at a political event in Indianola, Iowa, during [according to the photo caption in Time] the National Anthem. Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin have their hands on their hearts. But not Obama. Does he perhaps believe that, like wearing the flag lapel pin, the hand on the heart isn’t “true patriotism”?
Covering one’s heart during our National Anthem is a sign of respect for flag and country. Conversely, deliberately not doing so conveys, I believe, an utter lack of respect. I think the message from Obama is abundantly clear.