President Obama’s Umbrella Holding Marine [POLL]

UPDATE 5:30PM
Found some additional information about Marines and umbrellas.

According to Marine Corps regulation MCO P1020.34F of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations chapter 3, a male Marine is not allowed to carry an umbrella while in uniform. There is no provision in the Marine Corps uniform regulation guidelines that allows a male Marine to carrying an umbrella.

3035. UMBRELLAS (Female  Marines). Female Marines may carry an all-black, plain standard or collapsible  umbrella at their option during inclement weather with the  service and dress uniforms. It will be carried in the left hand so that the hand  salute can be properly rendered. Umbrellas may not be used/carried in formation  nor will they be carried with the utility uniform.

Items not expressly delineated as authorized components of the Marine Corps  uniform are prohibited. Male Marines are informed never to carry an umbrella from the earliest phases of training.

It's funny, in an ironic sort of way, if nothing else.
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Before I get started, I'm not sure if this is possible, but it would be FANTASTIC if we could NOT make this political.

Here's a picture of the President giving a speech today at the White House. Does this photo strike anyone else as a little strange? I can't remember ever seeing another president give a US Marine the duty of holding an umbrella over his head. It just strikes me as more "royal" than "presidential". It doesn't mean the president is a bad guy or a bad president...I just found it strange to have a Marine do something like that.

I plead with you...let's NOT make this political. Just your thoughts on the umbrella, please.