Splotch on Biden's head

[LostinRed]

I just saw a clip of President Obama and VP Biden announcing the commerce sectary. Biden had a splotch on his head. Did he hit his head on something?

[elleng]

1. In church,

on burned Palm frond.

Ash Wednesday.

[busybl]

18. this comes up every year

[Starry Messenger]

2. Yes, on a priest's finger with ashes.

It's that time of year again for Catholics. :D

[Bicoastal]

3. There aren't many Catholics on this site, are there?

For the billionth time today: it's Ash Wednesday. It's traditional.

[Withywindle]

4. I know where you're coming from, but let's be fair

We've just had 8 years of a "president" who kept showing up with mysterious facial bruises that were part of the tradition of Village Idiot and/or Skid Row Drunk. We have PTSD.

[emilyg]

9. He never did it on Ash Wednesday.

:hi:

[Withywindle]

12. No, he didn't, did he?

Pity he was too stupid to figure out that was the one day a year he could get away with it. And the Tuesday night before is when you're almost supposed to tie one on.

[grantcart]

5. will it heal?

lol

[genna]

19. Some Methodists receive ashes on Ash Wednesday too.

[Avalux]

6. It's Ash Wednesday. Biden went to church today - that mark is palm ashes.

They were placed there by a priest and the custom is to no wash them off but let them wear off on their own. :hi:

[targetpractice]

7. It's endearing how many times this question is being asked...

I was standing in line at Kinko's on Ash Wednesday...

A Catholic man approached the counter after making self-serve copies. The cashier chuckled, "Dude, you have toner on your forehead!"

[emilyg]

10. I was told numerous times today I had a dirty forehead.

[leftofthedial]

8. It's a burn. He accidentally smiled while looking in the mirror.

[LostinRed]

11. Sorry I'm a heathen

I just Googled it and I am now well versed.

[lame54]

13. He was biking with Bush

[appleannie1]

14. He is Catholic. It is Ash Wednesday. The Catholic Church still does that doesn't it?

[elf]

15. in Germany.......

the Catholics get a ash cross on their forehead on "Ash Wednesday"

[Frank Booth]

17. That's what happens in the US too.

It just gets smudged easily.

[Jennicut]

16. Lutherans do this as well

[ChiciB1]

20. As A Once Hard Core Catholic, I Can't Tell You How Many People Have

made some kind of comment to me about this. Not that they know I used to be a Catholic, just because they were wondering.

Guess religion just ain't what it used to be! Could be that I'm so far out of touch with religious types, but if we are such a religious nation then why don't more people know about Ash Wednesday??

No, I'm not being facetious and not using sarcasm either, it just seems that there are less religious people than when I grew up. So, I'm a Boomer.... what do I know??

Just sayin'!

[WinkyDink]

21. I think we can go beyond "less religious people" to "less knowledgeable people".

[ChiciB1]

22. Well, I Didn't Want To Be Go Far Beyond What I Said, But I DO Agree With

what you say. I have LONG been distressed by not only the lack of knowledge of many individuals, but also the APATHY I see from far too many people.

Again, I most heartedly agree with you and am glad you added your comment. Thank you!

:toast: :fistbump:

[Eryemil]

23. Sorry but this is hardly the stuff worth setting aside mental real-sate for

Call me an elitist but this is I can think of a hundred thousand things more worth knowing.

[SoxFan]

24. What does the pink triangle stand for?

I've never set aside "mental real-sate" for it.

:sarcasm:

[Eryemil]

25. It's was prison tag used to identify male homosexuals in Nazi concentration camps

Like most symbols it means many things to different people. It is however generally accepted to be one of the main symbols of the gay rights movement.

Unless I am mistaking the tone, the person I replied to was lamenting the fact that people don't know about this voodoo nonsense and said it in such a way as to imply that they might be badly educated.
I was merely pointing out the fact that it is hardly something worth knowing unless you're a Catholic.

That you would even compare the very real, very recent history of the symbol to my left to what basically amounts to religious hand-waving nonsense is telling enough.

[Jennicut]

27. Or a Lutheran. I go to a very progressive church and we have Ash Wednesday as well

I think it all depends on if you are Catholic or Lutheran, then it matters to you. If people ask, its no big deal. My church is great, very accepting of all types of people and my husband is the church choir director and organist there. Not all churches are so closed minded. Unfortunately, Catholics are bleeding people from their ranks with the intolerant views at the top of the church.

[Eryemil]

28. Ok, I'm mollified.

You've sapped the righteous anger out of me.
But I'll be back, angrier than ever.

:bounce:

[Jennicut]

30. LOL. Its okay, the right wing churches and the Pope are out of touch with reality.

The majority of church going people in the United States want more tolerance and acceptance, not less. We have a female Pastor that fills in on occasion, we have gay members of our church. Anger is a good thing if it gets the churches to change.

[greguganus]

26. Fake. n/t

[Arugula Latte]

29. Obviously, it's a mark left in a ritualized ceremony honoring Arthur Ash...

Those who are unmarked with ash will be burned by the fiery racket strings of retribution.

Sheesh. People don't know their superstitious rituals anymore.