Quote Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown View Post
Suppose he had been the Drum Major of the Band of the United States Marine Corps. Should he have turned his head, met the eyes of the president, and nodded? Or should he have followed orders, "Eyes front, and keep marching".

Now I admit the "offense" was trivial, but then so is failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign on a country road at three AM. But even trivial actions may have consequences; and when they do, the people involved have to suck it up and move on.
I understand your point and can completely see where you're coming from. I really do.

But in this instance, being that he's a civilian, I really can't find fault in what he did. There's no standard of military bearing which he needs to uphold and, due to that, has the freedom of being a civilian to acknowledge someone of import during a situation he may very well never find himself in again.

Regarding your example of the stop sign; yes, it's trivial... however... the repercussions for a civilian doing such a thing versus someone like me, would be worlds different. I'd suffer much stronger and stringent consequences for something so "minor", whereas a civilian may suffer nothing whatsoever. I believe this holds true in regards to the topic at hand.

I think this is all a matter of perspective, really, and I respect your views on it. I simply cannot bring myself to find fault in this gentleman... again, primarily, due to his civilian status.