There are a couple of misconceptions going on here, probably from those without a military background. The president doesn't "get to" salute anyone. The salute is rendered from the inferior to the superior, who is then obliged by custom to return the salute. Not because the big cheese used to be in the military, but because he is serving currently, as Commander-in-Chief. It's not a privilege. It's something he is expected to do.
That said, this stupid salute garbage is about the lamest criticism of Obama I've seen yet. Why must we fire up the outrage machine for *expletive deleted* it that doesn't matter?
No, this is a valid criticism. Maybe not the most substantive criticism, but valid. On the one hand, yeah, I've noticed that officers sometimes find constant salute-returning to be a chore. So I can understand why the Obama would get lackadaisical about it. Still, it is an affront to the Marines who serve him directly, and military personnel generally. It is also telling of his attitude toward the little people who have agreed to give life and limb, if necessary, for their country and for him personally.
So is it on the level of Benghazi? Not even close. Is it as absurd as this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAvq12Sa3VE No. After all, even Commies aren't vile enough to put dijon mustard on, well, anything. Or ketchup.