DALLAS – U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama side-stepped a pointed query about abortion on Saturday by “mega-pastor” Rick Warren during a televised forum.
Asked at what point a baby gets “human rights,” Obama, who strongly supports abortion rights, said: “… whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity . . . is above my pay grade.”
Q: How many steps does each Honor Guardsman take during their walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns and why?
A: 21 steps, in reference to the 21-gun salute, the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary.
Q: How long does the Honor Guardsman hesitate after his about-face, before he resumes walking the other direction?
A: 21 seconds; for the reasons as listed above.
Q: Why are the Honor Guardsman’s gloves moist?
A: To prevent loss of grip on the rifle.
Q: Does the Honor Guardsman carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and, if not, why not?
A: He carries the rifle on the should away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
Q: How often are Honor Guardsmen changed?
A: Every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Q: What are the physical qualifications for an Honor Guardsman?
A: The individual must be between 5’10” and 6’2″ tall, a waist to not exceed 30″. Honor Guardsmen must commit two years of their lives to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.
Further, after two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 pins presently worn. The Honor Guardsmen must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or forfeit the wreath pin.
The shoes worn by the Honor Guardsmen are specially made with very thick soles in order to shield them from heat and cold. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe to make the loud click heard when Guardsmen come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniforms, and Guardsmen dress in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty, an Honor Guardsman cannot speak to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 noteable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetary. A Guardsman must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Those persons would include President Taft, Joe E. Lewis and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy (the most decorated American soldier of WWII). Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniform ready for duty.
The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).
BZ
. . .about Obama and other issues.
James David Manning, PhD, Pastor of the ATLAH World Missionary Church in Atlah, New York, dares to say what few blacks will. Is he mad or courageously insightful?
BZ
Supporters of Hillary Clinton are planning a number of rallies at the Democratic national convention in Denver to express their disappointment with the party’s presidential primary process.
Some of the Denver Group’s goals are at odds with those of the Democratic Party, The Hill newspaper reports. It wants an open convention, with Hillary’s name placed in nomination, as well as a genuine roll call vote with Clinton as a legitimate candidate instead of what it calls a “coronation” of Barack Obama.
Clinton backers in Denver will hold signs reading, “Denounce Nobama’s Coronation,” according to the Denver Post.
