Picture Credit BBC
Way back when I were but a lad, I was aware that my father (ex RAF) and my uncle (ex British Army) would use different salutes if and when they encountered a time when they might be required to give a salute. Much twisting of hands would follow with shading of eyes in a strange almost indefinable dance, and obscure discussion of which was which, and of course which was better. It was all rather confusing and very easy to get wrong.
Here therefore is the skinny on salutes.
British Army (Uncle Tim Captain in the Cameronians).
Raise the right hand to your head by the longest route (to the right of your trunk).Fingers and thumb aligned, palm facing outwards. Bring to a position where the index finger is an inch above the right eye with fingertips almost touching the beret or other head dress.Bicep should remain parallel to the ground. Snatch the arm back down the front of the body (the shortest way).
Royal Air Force (Father a Flight / Lieutenant)
The RAF salute is similar to that of the Army except that it is to be held an inch above and behind the right eye. RAF regulations dictate that personnel should salute: ‘At any time when they recognise officers who are dressed in plain clothes’. ‘When wearing plain-clothes personnel are to pay and return compliments by raising the hat’.
So, it was with interest I was made aware of all the hoo hah regarding Musk and his “Nazi” salute. Frankly it all struck me as somewhat contrived, stretched even, as if the left wing were desperately floundering about post-election seeking something, anything to stick on those vile Republicans that might hopefully please (please) indicate that they were all vile faar right monsters. (We cannot anymore use “Hitleresque” or “Fascist” as these terms have long ago been worn to death by the left at every possible turn and thus are now worthless anymore through overuse).
Of course, now that the footage has disappeared it’s slightly difficult to be certain. Musk does not look like he is giving a Nazi salute, but it does look like he is reaching into his heart and then throwing the contents of his heart out to the audience. I do though fully agree that the optics are utterly awful, and an experienced politician might have done different. But he is hardly alone.
So, when does a Nazi Salute stop being a Nazi salute? Answer when it’s given by a left wing politician. Here are some classic examples.
A gesture Sir Keir Starmer might have best avoided whilst being given a lift by Macron at a French commemoration of World War II. Especially as they are still a tad sensitive about collaboration.
A young Princess Elizabeth later Queen Elizabeth II just having a bit of fun back in the day.
Yeah, that one is fairly conclusive – our Hillary at her best.
None of which excuses people, Musk included not to be so stupid. But to blame Musk alone is going too far.
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