Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec.171, during rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present,
except those in uniform, are expected to stand at attention facing the flag
with the rig ht hand over the heart.

'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking
sides,' Obama said. There are a lot of people in the world to whom the
American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a
war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all? It should be
swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song
'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might
salute it.'