Despite the fact the US was pouring money into Egypt and they were considered a US friend in the region Reagan sidestepped this question by sending Nixon, Ford and Carter to Sadat's funeral in 1981.

The issue here is politics. Obama is never running for anything again, so reelection is not something he needs to think about. Reagan was in his first term, so reelection was something he had to think about.

The larger question is does the US want to retain friendly relations with a country? Is it in our national interest? If so then a President has to do what they have to do, but they don't have to give their political opponents a gift while doing so. Reagan knew this and his hands were tied. Obama knows this and his hands are untied.

Why anyone would waste their energy in pointing out flaws in Obama is beyond my thinking. He has escaped the reach of politics, and while Republicans may scream Impeachment the only reason they would have for doing so is to raise funds from those who cannot see beyond the horizon.

On the Castro handshake.

I spoke to a political consultant about this and asked what Obama had to gain. He pointed out that the handshake was not for the consumption of the American people but for the consumption of the Cuban people. And while Obama had nothing to gain from this handshake he also has nothing to lose. His critics are still going to be critical and if not of this then something else.

If anyone in Cuba has ever wondered if the US would like better relations with their country then this handshake is a message to them that the answer is yes. Raul Castro is not going to be swayed by this gesture, and it would be interesting to hear his comments on this act. After all, he has said a great many negative things about all US Presidents, so how can he explain to other Cubans what he was doing being all buddy-buddy with one?

But the Cuban people will at least know that the US President feels no hate towards them, and when your goal is to end a Dictatorship you have to start with changing the perceptions of the people.

I see the TMZ internship is paying off...

Inferring such things about Obama, the Danish Prime Minister and Michelle Obama from a still picture is the kind of incredible leap that one would expect from a gossip page writer... I think you can do better.

...and....Photographer on Michelle Obama's reaction to selfie: 'Photos can lie'

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Seems like a valid conclusion.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

The link you post is nothing more than a lame attempt at putting up a weak defense. Clowning or flirting around is inappropriate behavior at a memorial or funeral service. The fact that you seem to think it IS appropriate speaks VOLUMES.......

Ever been to a Catholic wake? Granted, many of the guests probably won't remember the drunken selfies the next day, but it's strongly therapeutic.

About the only time my family and family friends gets together in large numbers is at funerals and memorial services. That's the case here. It’s normal to enjoy each other’s company and that is supposed to be part of the experience.

Get over it or enjoy your snit, if that's what it takes to brings you a measure of happiness.

When my mom passed away three years ago in a sense it was the most happy time in my life. For the first in a long time the entire family and friends were together again. There are no rules too mourning. Personally I think it should be a celebration of the persons life instead of the self pity of the ones left behind.

And from the photographer who took the picture: "All around me in the stadium, South Africans were dancing, singing and laughing to honor their departed leader," Schmidt wrote. "It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid."

So too answer your original question the etiquette at this memorial seems to have to have been to have fun and celebrate the men's life.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Where did you see that?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

It flashed before my eyes as I switched between Tea Party news outlets. I KNOW Im SURE I saw it for real and it wasn't a hallucination. I will now spend my time acting on the fact that I know that picture exists, but I can't find it anymore because the MSM has surpressed it.

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The fact that you think it is not speaks to your culture. Try going to an Irish Wake, but be ready to party.

I once went to a funeral for a Pentecostal preacher. It was among the brightest celebrations I have ever attended. The man had been called home; his race was won! Why would anyone be unhappy about this? The entire time was spent remembering his life and celebrating that he had been an excellent example to others throughout his life.

No one was crying, and there were over 3,500 people there.

Damn, now I have seen it too, can't get it out of my mind!

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

I don't think you can set such a blanket rule.

My late brother was the funniest person I've known. One of the last times I saw him was at our grandmother's funeral. My brother, a few cousins, and I were pall bearers. My brother was joking around as we carried our grandmother up the long, steep stairs to the church. It got to the point that my cousins and I worried about losing our grip because we were all starting to laugh. I finally said, "Eddie! Please be quiet." He laughed and kept his mouth shut until the service was over. It was perfect. Our grandmother would have loved it. In fact, the funniest thing I ever heard our grandmother say was at one of my uncle's funerals. It's too personal to repeat here, but I still laugh about it 25 year later. She was a funny girl.

I didn't follow the coverage of the Mandela service, so I don't know whether Obama acted inappropriately, but your blanket rule is all wet, IMHO.

This. there is friendly banter with someone of the opposite sex and then there is overt flirting. I don't know your background but where I come from when a man carries on to that extreme with someone of the opposite sex, especially a hot blonde, his wife will make da** sure he sleeps on the couch for a month!!!!

do you have a video of him flirting? or are we all looking at a picture of a guy leaning over towards the center to take a group shot and smiling with two other people? Just trying to figure out if we are all using the same source material, because if someone is honest with themselves and looks at that pic, there is no way they can say anyone is flirting or not.

This is getting ridiculous. Ive taken numerous group pictures with attractive women in the group, and guess what, we were all smiling, so I guess by your standards everyone was flirting with the girl in every instance that they smiled for a picture.

next you will be telling us the flash from Obama's camera was designed to steal her soul.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.