Yes he can. However as president I would hold him to a slightly higher standard than everyone else. As I pointed out it is within our countries "regulations" that everyone should do this if the flag is present. It would seem inappropriate for our president to refuse to follow this whether he has to or not.

I don't know why I'm posting this because some of you wont read it. How do I know this ? because I've posted several portions of it and it was just ignored. But what the heck I'll do it. Some might appreciate it.

http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.



Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.





Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.


Raising and Lowering the Flag
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.


Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.


Parading and Saluting the Flag
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.


The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.


The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

get em tiger

I can probably sue half of the internet retailers, walmart, village fairs and other shopping centers, going by those rules.

I can sue Jessica Simpson too!

I have one similar like hers, gonna sue me too?

Well, It needs evaluation. I need a picture sent to my email address, you wearing that bikini.

Little chilly right now

ummmm I think I have said that, didn't I???? do you think I'm wrong or just disagree?

Fortunately these are regulations and do not have the force of law, as was shown in the many court cases some years back against flag dishonoring practices.

I don't know why I'm posting this because some of you wont read it. How do I know this ? because I've posted several portions of it and it was just ignored. But what the heck I'll do it. Some might appreciate it.

http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

Flag Etiquette

You got no easy way out of this. I need to see this, because you might be violating a code here. Wear it in your room and make a picture.

You must understand the seriousness of this issue.

Your right but isnt Obama the commander in chief? The highest in the military? So should he not held to the same standards of our military's protocol on this subject?

Yes I did, then you said you thought that presidents should. so that is why I asked for clarification. Seem contradictory.

I really don't care though, one is free to be contradictory as well.

Note here that all of this is about the flag. And I think we all know about saluting the flag as being "expected". In a sense a case could be made that saluting when a flag is not present could be dishonoring the flag in the same kind of reasoning used by Christians in saying you should not worship an engraved image.

So if a flag was present, and I think it was, based on the fact that everyone else had their hand over their heart, then I agree. (I think of Hillary as being big on protocol so I suspect she would know and assume the appropriate posture)

Uh-oh scared a you


Don't sue me

Why do you keep repeating the same question over and over?

Your right but isnt Obama the commander in chief? The highest in the military? So should he not held to the same standards of our military's protocol on this subject?

Well the so called commander in chief should be held accountable for a lot of things INCLUDING respect. Yes, it's a free Country and that gives us the right to expect the so called president to respect the very men and women that sacrifice so much more than any one of us has or ever will. I don't expect anything from you or anyone that doesn't voice my opinions as you don't me. You're right it's not complicated, the president of the United States should respect our military. If they salute him why would it be so difficult for him to salute back. He is no better than us and does not rise above the respect that should be given to our brave men and women. And you don't tell me not to tell others what to do, when it comes to any elected official you're damn straight I expect the most from any one of them. Gee whiz.

I read it. All I can say is I have never been fond of ritual made up by people with a vested interest in programing other people. I dont' care what people do with the flag. Some guy somewhere has the flag all over his home, a throw for his couch, etc etc. Why the heck should I be bothered by that? Some one burns a flag, and that ruins me day or my life? Nope...