Drum major of inauguration pipe band suspended, quits

[Phogfan86]

Acc to an ABC News story that I just saw on Yahoo, the drum major for the kilted pipe band at the inauguration got suspended for six months for nodding and winking at the President when they passed the review stand. He thought this really, really sucked, so he quit.

I understand deportment, poise, yadda yadda yadda, but that's ridiculous.

[McMurdo]

Thread moved to Off Topic.

[duchessofnc]

I agree.. I didn't see his deportment that bad and I saw the video clip of the incident.

[Brother Falldown]

Hmm..... Saw the Clip ( the infamous "wave & nod") simply do not understand the fuss. This is a just a "band" people, albeit a very good, and no one believes for a moment they are a military unit. For Christ sake, this civilian was simply acknowleging making eye contact with the elected learder of the free world.

[Sammac]

I saw the clip.too. The pipe major's reation was way over board. If that band comes to Alma this year I think I'll round up some cousins to boo them!

[medic78]

Mmmm looks to me like he saulted the president. Pipe bands following the tradation he did the rightt hing. had found his pipe band logo on shirts on the e-net and was thinking of getting one not no more will find another FD pipe n drum to support.

[Standard]

Would it have not been terribly rude to not acknowledge the President (what ever you may think of him) after he had waved at you? At least the report I read/saw said that the President waved at the Pipe Major first.

[davidlpope]

The issue in this case was that word was passed prior to the parade that ONLY military units would render a salute to the President. Since this pipeband was NOT a military unit he was not supposed to acknowledge the President but did so anyway.

Does that seem to be silly? Maybe. Was the DM clearly instructed about the protocol that was to be followed and flouted it? Most certainly. The internal relationships within pipebands can be very complicated. My guess is that there is much going on behind the scenes of this situation that have influenced the current resolution.

I don't blame the guy for waving to the President, but it is what it is.

For more coverage about this issue that you will ever want to read visit the forums at BobDunsire where it's been a hot topic.

Cordially,

David

[george7]

Pipe bands are infamous for squabbling. This time it just made big news.

[beloitpiper]

Well, whatever is going on (internally or externally), the DM has my support. I think it is totally ridiculous the amount of attention this is receiving, and hope that he will continue to loyally serve his pipe band.