CNN.com. "John Coleman resigned from the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes & Drums a week after the parade in Washington. Publicity about his suspension had gotten to be too much, he told CNN affiliate WEWS."
The complete article describes that the rules of participation in the inaugural event by this Ohio marching band were to be conducted under full military rule, i.e., don't look at the President, don't wave at the President, don't even acknowledge that the President is there.
During the parade performance, Mr. Coleman broke this rule when he made eye contact with President Obama, nodded and (according to the powers that be) he gave a slight wave. On the way home in the band's bus, Mr. Coleman was put on a six month suspension for his actions. Mr. Coleman is so humiliated by the media attention and the treatment he has received from his peers, he has resigned as drum major of the band.
Right? Wrong? Is the punishment too harsh? Is Mr. Coleman's decision to leave the band too extreme? Your thoughts, please.
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Comments: 24
and yes i think the suspention was way too harsh. a couple of weeks a month MAYBE but not six months that's just mean.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/27/inauguration.drum.major/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
I thought it a bit harsh, and I may have done the same by reflex action alone if the Prez waved at me, but I guess that is why I'm not in parades, LOL.