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Celtic Radio Community > Politics & Current Events > Drum Major Punished


Posted by: CelticRadio 28-Jan-2009, 07:35 AM
During the inaugural parade in Washington, a Cleveland Ohio pipe band major nodded and waved to President Obama after the president smiled and waved to the pipe band.

Apparently this Pipe Major is in hot water and has been suspended for 6 months from the band. Read the full article here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28888959/

What does everyone think? Should he be suspended or is this a bit much for a Pipe and Drum band?

Posted by: Camac 28-Jan-2009, 08:06 AM
I remember seeing the incident with the Fire Dept. Pipe Band and at the time I remember saying you shouldn't have done that mate. It broke protocol and decorum in the ranks. The punishment seems a bit excessive though I think a small fine for charity would be more appropriate. After all a Fire Dept. Pipe and Drum Band isn't a Military Band where the Pipe Major would have been stripped for it.

Camac.


Posted by: JayHenson 28-Jan-2009, 08:34 AM
I think that when the POTUS one of, if not the most powerful man on the planet, waves at you and smiles, it would be gut reaction to acknowledge that direct recognition regardless of station. It is like the people who are very self-possessed and dignified suddenly acting stupid and juvenile when they meet a celebrity. I agree with the small fine for charity but nothing more. I did not see the incident but am I to understand that it was a fire dept. band? was this man a fireman, one who bravely goes into burning buildings to save lives? I am sure he can be forgiven a moment of celebrity stupidity.

Posted by: Patch 28-Jan-2009, 09:02 AM
The Cleveland area must be blessed with an unusually high number of pipers. In my area they are rare and pipers who own pipes are even more rare. Most use pipes owned by the corps. The instructor for several pipe corps in my area was dismissed after being jailed for multiple instances of spousal abuse. (I took lessons from him) I do not know who they use now.

My vote was NO.

Slàinte,   

 Patch    

Posted by: MacEoghainn 28-Jan-2009, 09:14 AM
If the President initiated the exchange then it would have been discourteous for the Pipe Major to have not acknowledged the wave. Even if this had been a military band any salutes or interaction initiated by the "Commander and Chief" should be properly and courteously responded to. The fact that this is apparently a voluntary extracurricular activity for the Cleveland Firemen makes this excessive disciplinary action look even more foolish.

Posted by: flora 28-Jan-2009, 10:12 AM
Who decides the sentence? Is there written rules for such events? It does seem harsh. But it was stated that they were warned that that behaviour should not happen.

Seems like there is more going on then just whether it was right or not because of the statement "bridges have been burned."

Flora

Posted by: stoirmeil 28-Jan-2009, 12:35 PM
What a shame! A direct presidential greeting is an honor and I agree it would be impolite and a little rigid to ignore it. Why not let the President call it? smile.gif

Posted by: Sekhmet 28-Jan-2009, 03:23 PM
Courtesy dictates that if your PRESIDENT, not Ronnie Mertz from down the block, has already dropped protocol and waved to you...you wave back.

Slap him on the wrist if they must, but anything else is excessive.

Posted by: Camac 28-Jan-2009, 03:43 PM
By Protocol the President who is also your Armed Forces Commander in Chief should not have waved to the Pipe Major in the First place merely acknowledge his salute by a nod of the Head or a return salute.


Camac

Posted by: Sekhmet 28-Jan-2009, 05:56 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 28-Jan-2009, 04:43 PM)
By Protocol the President who is also your Armed Forces Commander in Chief should not have waved to the Pipe Major in the First place merely acknowledge his salute by a nod of the Head or a return salute.


Camac

Exactly. When *he* drops it, all bets are off.

Posted by: Rindy 28-Jan-2009, 08:29 PM
I think this is awful! Poor man. I think President Obama should pardon him. I can see both sides to this one though. They can't be waving and such to just anyone but it was the President hello. And who waved first? And how did he know it was him he was waving at and not the guy over there? *just being silly*

This will be an interesting one to follow.

Slainte

Posted by: Jillian 28-Jan-2009, 09:19 PM
I say he broke protocol and punishment by community service to teach fire safety and hand out free smoke alarms to those unable to buy them.

Jillian

Posted by: lschillinger 29-Jan-2009, 11:14 AM
Wow, I hate to be negative, but it goes to show you what happens when someone is kind enough to donate their precious time for a good cause. And I agree with everyone else. The president broke protocol first, and you can't be rude!

Posted by: Nova Scotian 29-Jan-2009, 09:03 PM
I don't think he should get any kind of punishment at all. However none of us really know both sides of the story. ie. How did he react when it was addressed to him?

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 30-Jan-2009, 11:35 AM
I would bet, he already has a dozen requests to join other bands in the local area.

Rock on, Mr. Coleman!

Posted by: Camac 30-Jan-2009, 12:21 PM
Gentlemen I have a problem trying to figure out why your President, who is a civilian, salutes the Military. I know he is your Commander in Chief but he is a civilian and as such is not entitled to render a Military Honour. Our G.G who is the Queens' representative in our system is also our Commander in Chief and unless he or she is a retired Military Officer appointed to that position can not render a Salute. Even Her Majesty (who is also C in C) unless she is wearing the uniform of an honouary Colonel of a Regiment cannot salute at the Trooping of the Colours or any Military function.


Camac.

Posted by: Dogshirt 30-Jan-2009, 11:08 PM
36 lashes and 4 days in the stocks!


beer_mug.gif

Posted by: davehardy0101 20-Feb-2009, 12:57 PM
I think the punishment was uncalled for. Looks like an informal salute to the President to me. A reciprocal recognition, like returning a salute, is appropriate.

Posted by: MacEoghainn 20-Feb-2009, 03:17 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 30-Jan-2009, 01:21 PM)
Gentlemen I have a problem trying to figure out why your President, who is a civilian, salutes the Military. I know he is your Commander in Chief but he is a civilian and as such is not entitled to render a Military Honour. Our G.G  who is the Queens' representative in our system is also our Commander in Chief and unless he or she is a retired Military Officer appointed to that position can not render a Salute. Even Her Majesty (who is also C in C) unless she is wearing the uniform of an honouary Colonel of a Regiment cannot salute at the Trooping of the Colours or any Military function.


Camac.

There may be some kind of presidence dating back to previous Presidents (possibly even George Washington) that we are not aware of, or some little know federal law that allows this. I know federal law was recently changed to state: "—that veterans are now permitted to render a hand salute when the U.S. flag is raised and lowered, passes in review, during the Pledge of Allegiance, and during the playing of the National Anthem".


usaflag.gif

Posted by: Camac 20-Feb-2009, 03:33 PM
MacEoghainn;

Here the only time a vet can render a salute to the colours is if he is a Legion Member and in uniform. You yanks have one custom I must commend you on and it is I believe that your National Colours may never touch the ground. We have that also except in one instance. If His/Her Majesty (and only them) is reviewing Troops on Parade and passes the Colours while doing so the Colours must be dip to the ground as he/she passes. I personally don't like that. A Nation comes before a Monarch.


Camac


PS: I'm a Monarchist but I do not put them above my country. They are sevants of the Nation not the other way around.

Posted by: rpeirson 25-Feb-2009, 07:21 AM
I have to agree he broke rank and that is uncalled for in parade formation. Punishment harsh but that is there method. This should help show others what it means to be in an honor position like that and respect tradition

Posted by: rstanley 25-Feb-2009, 01:13 PM
A Fire Department Pipe & Drum Band is NOT a Military Band and should NOT be held to the same requirements as a Military Band. I AM a a Drum Major, and D/M's regularly salute parade organizers and distinguished guests. Why should a Drum Major NOT acknowledge a wave from the President??? Why should the President NOT wave or salute a civilian Pipe & Drum Band, or anyone else for that matter??? What is the problem??? Why should a Military P&D Band NOT salute the President??? I always thought if you were in the Military, you SHOULD salute the President of the United States!!!

The band overstepped their bounds by suspending him! They should reinstate him immediately, with full apologies, and I think a letter from the President to that band is in order!

What the H#&& is happening in this country, when an act of respect to the President gets you in major trouble???

Rick Stanley
D/M

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