Drum Major suspended for waving, winking at The President during parade

*lights cigarette and takes a deep puff*

I. Hate. Marching bands. Let's get on with the story...


Tipoff: Drum Major John Coleman is suspended for Obama nod at inaugural parade

Drum Major John Coleman offered a quick nod, a fleeting wave and what looked like a wink -- all while keeping stride -- as he marched the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes & Drums past President Barack Obama last week.

Some might call it a heartwarming moment of patriotism during the inaugural parade.

The band's leader calls it a violation of the rules, captured by CNN. Coleman has been suspended as drum major for six months.

Part of this blog's "modus operandi" is to point out injustices and secrets which lie out in the open. Obama really had nothing to do with this, but the concept of the marching band itself is one of "Strict Observance", like any prison camp or military operation. Marching Band is a debacle. Ever want to put on stupid looking uniforms, march at a single pace down a few blocks while holding a quad drum, (at least 20-30 pounds of extra weight) in either frigid cold or sweltering heat? It's like turning music into a big dumb worm that blares "Land of 1000 dances" right outside your window. You have to go to every single football game and do all these stupid, strict formations in a silly uniform and basically take a huge second seat to the football players. It's really all for attention, I never signed up for Marching Band and therefore eliminated myself from any chance of going to college with my musical endeavors. Chances are this guy knew he was going to be suspended and gave Obama the old wave and wink anyway. "This is what Obama would have wanted", right...

Coleman said he didn't do anything grossly demonstrative: "I looked over, and he smiled and waved. I was just acknowledging the president, who was acknowledging our band."

Obama waved first! What was he going to do, turn his nose up at the president and just keep moving??