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Fire Department Drum Major Quits After Being Suspended in Obama Nod
Drum Major John Coleman of the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums band has quit the group following his initial suspension from the band for six months after a nod and wave at President Barack Obama during last week's inaugural parade.
Coleman's resignation from the band, first reported by the Plain Dealer earlier today, comes after becoming the center of a nationwide firestorm on whether the initial suspension was appropriate -- or over the top.
"There are too many bridges burned with the pipe band, too many hurt feelings on both sides," Coleman told the Plain Dealer, fire inspector for Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Here's a story from CNN.com about the original suspension, including an interview with the man at the center of it all (well, not Obama but...)
What are your thoughts on this? Should he have been suspended for breaking 'military parade protocol'? Should he have quit (granted, the press was substantial -- but the outcry was mostly over him being suspended)? What would you have done if marching by the newly minted President?
Some more links:
Coleman's resignation from the band, first reported by the Plain Dealer earlier today, comes after becoming the center of a nationwide firestorm on whether the initial suspension was appropriate -- or over the top.
"There are too many bridges burned with the pipe band, too many hurt feelings on both sides," Coleman told the Plain Dealer, fire inspector for Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Here's a story from CNN.com about the original suspension, including an interview with the man at the center of it all (well, not Obama but...)
What are your thoughts on this? Should he have been suspended for breaking 'military parade protocol'? Should he have quit (granted, the press was substantial -- but the outcry was mostly over him being suspended)? What would you have done if marching by the newly minted President?
Some more links:
- Statter 911: Drum Major Waves Goodbye for Good
- Plain Dealer: Drum Major John Coleman quits pipe and drum band afte...
- Caught on Video: Ohio firefighter suspended as drum major after ack...
- Video: Interview with John Coleman
- Plain Dealer Interview with Coleman BEFORE the Inauguration
- CNN: After suspension for nodding at Obama, drum major quits
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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I cannot believe how anyone can even think there was a breech of discipline here... The elected President of the USA looks directly at you, the guy who is representing the entire band, says howdy and ackowledges Obama's point and wave.
I don't believe he really wanted to quit but did so because he was concerned about the repuation of his band and impact on his department. Sounds like a pretty cool guy to me who's only sin was being a nice guy who acknowleged the President and his family.
It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice...
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Hopefully, the right thing is to bring this guy back and suspend the band director for bringing disgrace and embarrassment to the fire service. What a shame...
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It was internal politics but the actions of the band leader were so ridiculous that now the whole world is asking questions and wondering why someone would overreact this way. What's really troubling is that some of the responses on this forum actually lend support for this decision...
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there's that twisted Aussie sense of humor again... cheers Mate!
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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Well why else would everyone over react to such a minor issue?
I'd be pissed if he didn't wave to me!
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Permalink Reply by Firefighter Nation WebChief on
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All:
Keep the discussion on the topic. Don't come in and rant about Republican or Democratic or some other off beat political nonsense against Obama, for Obama, for Bush, against Bush, etc. Doesn't have anything to do with the topic..so don't hijack the thread!
Thank you :)
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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I sincerely believe this issue has been blowen way out of preportion. That being said I have two issues bothering me, why do none of the members of his band have his back do none of them support him even if they don't support his actions?
Secondly, and this really does disturb me ,why isn't there this much reaction to safety issues brought up on this site? There have been some very important issues brought up by some very informed people that haven't recieved a third of this response.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin on
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WOW!!!!! Do they get paid to do this? Suspend me now cause I would of done the same thing. This was not a sad day. It would of been different if this were a funeral. But it was not.
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Permalink Reply by Aaron Smith on
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this is just about stupid. He acknowladged his "commander in cheif" and he's got suspend over a freakin simple wave? This is sad how much news this gets compared to stuff that reall matters.
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Permalink Reply by Shelly on
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A suspension is a little over the top. Would he have been in just as much trouble if he had ignored the President? It's not like he gave queen's wave, just a slight nod and movement of fingers on a hand that was coming up in his stride/march. I understand protocol, but come on..........it was the PRESIDENT!!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by brad on
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MY GOD WHAT ARE PEOPLE COMING TO NOW DAYS
ITS NOT LIKE IT WAS A LIFE OR DEATH THING
HIS SUSPENSION IS THE MOST IGNORANT AND BLOWED OUT OF PREPORTION
KRAP I HAVE EVER HEARD OF
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With all the things going on in the service today, layoffs, budget cuts, injuries..... Give me a break, who cares if he waved at the president.
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