Respect the Office

Published on January 5, 2005 By Gideon MacLeish In Politics

I am not a fan of George W. Bush's policies in most areas.

I can't say I dislike the man, I've never met him. Frankly, he seems like he'd be a halfway decent partner for quail shooting or cards, or some such activity.

But I WILL defer to what I have been taught since I was old enough to have an opinion on such things, and that is that a certain respect for the office is my DUTY as a citizen of this country.

While the 2000 election may have been questionable, it doesn't change the fact that George W. Bush won enough other states to make his place as the US president at LEAST as valid as Bill Clinton's notorious "plurality" in 1992. Further, the 2004 election, conspiracy theorists aside, seems to have been definitively decided for Bush (where were all those "popular vote" whiners from 2000?). And as such, Bush is deserving of my support and loyalty through his tenure in office.

I will criticize the policies that I feel are inept and inane, but I will remember that the man is the elected leader of this country, and, no matter how I may feel about that, my respect for the Democratic process must keep me from trying to subvert the will of the majority, no matter how misguided I feel it may have been. In criticizing Bush's policies, however, I hope that I can provide some viable solutions, as I feel no criticism is complete without them.

It's my hope that a few more of my countrymen will at least attempt to show the same level of respect for the office.

Comments (Page 1)

whoman69

on Jan 05, 2005

Lack of respect for the office began Jan 21, 1993. Republicans are getting the barbs thrown back that were aimed at President Clinton well before Whitewater and zippergate even hit.

The Republicans complain about Clintons plurality against a strong 3rd party opponent. Their candidate only received 37% of the vote in 1992. If you want to argue that 53% of Americans voted against the President, note that 63% of the public voted against their candidate.

Moderateman

on Jan 05, 2005

thats right!!! just like the military if ya do not respect the man respect his uniform...

drmiler

on Jan 05, 2005

Respect the Office

By: Gideon MacLeish
Posted: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 on gideon's trumpet
Message Board: Politics
I am not a fan of George W. Bush's policies in most areas.
I can't say I dislike the man, I've never met him. Frankly, he seems like he'd be a halfway decent partner for quail shooting or cards, or some such activity.
But I WILL defer to what I have been taught since I was old enough to have an opinion on such things, and that is that a certain respect for the office is my DUTY as a citizen of this country.
While the 2000 election may have been questionable, it doesn't change the fact that George W. Bush won enough other states to make his place as the US president at LEAST as valid as Bill Clinton's notorious "plurality" in 1992. Further, the 2004 election, conspiracy theorists aside, seems to have been definitively decided for Bush (where were all those "popular vote" whiners from 2000?). And as such, Bush is deserving of my support and loyalty through his tenure in office.
I will criticize the policies that I feel are inept and inane, but I will remember that the man is the elected leader of this country, and, no matter how I may feel about that, my respect for the Democratic process must keep me from trying to subvert the will of the majority, no matter how misguided I feel it may have been. In criticizing Bush's policies, however, I hope that I can provide some viable solutions, as I feel no criticism is complete without them.
It's my hope that a few more of my countrymen will at least attempt to show the same level of respect for the office.

Like the man said you don't have to like the man, but you will respect the office. My nephew and I had a little tiff over Xmas. I don't remember how the conversation got started but my comment was something along the line of, "he's your president". To which my nephew repled " He's not my president, I didn't vote for him". To which I shot back "Are you an american"? And I'll say it to ALL of you! If you consider yourself an american then by god he's your president! He is a duly elected offical! You are not required nor are you expected to agree with evrything he says or does. But you will give him the respect due his office. I mean, christ I'm a republican and a right-wing conservative and *I* don't agree with everything he says or does.

thatoneguyinslc

on Jan 05, 2005

Remember this when you think of what the right did to bubba. Lest we forget. I actually like bush 2.1 on a personal level. Seems like an ok guy. I respect the office as well. But i think that there is a world of difference between respecting the office and the guy sitting in the chair.

dharmagrl

on Jan 05, 2005

Frankly, he seems like he'd be a halfway decent partner for quail shooting or cards, or some such activity.

That made me laugh, Gideon....good enough to play Texas Hold Em' with,but running the country...not so much, eh?!

But i think that there is a world of difference between respecting the office and the guy sitting in the chair.

Ooh, good point!

Yes, there is. Especially when the one sitting in the chair engages in activities that tarnish the repuataion of the Office.

Moderateman

on Jan 05, 2005

Reply #2 By: whoman69 - 1/5/2005 3:33:25 PM
Lack of respect for the office began Jan 21, 1993. Republicans are getting the barbs thrown back that were aimed at President Clinton well before Whitewater and zippergate even hit.

The Republicans complain about Clintons plurality against a strong 3rd party opponent. Their candidate only received 37% of the vote in 1992. If you want to argue that 53% of Americans voted against the President, note that 63% of the public voted against their candidate.

come on whoman whats this got to do with "respecting the office"?

Moderateman

on Jan 05, 2005

Reply #5 By: dharmagrl - 1/5/2005 7:08:43 PM

Yes, there is. Especially when the one sitting in the chair engages in activities that tarnish the repuataion of the Office.

such as????????/

cactoblasta

on Jan 05, 2005

That's an interesting cultural difference between Australia and the US. From birth we're raised to be suspicious of politicians and to be completely cynical about their every motive. It's practically a given that you will despise and loathe your political leadership, even if they share your views. To not do so would seem strange, and practically akin to treason - definitely unAustralian. It's probably a result of the convict past.

It always requires a mental shift in gears for me to understand an American's seemingly naive viewpoint on politics. Articles like this help the process. I never thought that someone could have respect for an official purely because of office before I started commenting and writing on Joeuser. It's a real learning experience in multi-culturalism (to drag out yet another god-awful cliche).

Moderateman

on Jan 05, 2005

Reply #8 By: cactoblasta - 1/5/2005 7:58:57 PM
That's an interesting cultural difference between Australia and the US. From birth we're raised to be suspicious of politicians and to be completely cynical about their every motive. It's practically a given that you will despise and loathe your political leadership, even if they share your views. To not do so would seem strange, and practically akin to treason - definitely unAustralian. It's probably a result of the convict past.

It always requires a mental shift in gears for me to understand an American's seemingly naive viewpoint on politics. Articles like this help the process. I never thought that someone could have respect for an official purely because of office before I started commenting and writing on Joeuser. It's a real learning experience in multi-culturalism (to drag out yet another god-awful cliche).

hm naive???? do not think so........ btw i have unblacklisted you so you can beat me up some more k?

whoman69

on Jan 05, 2005

come on whoman whats this got to do with "respecting the office"?

so we only have to respect the office when a Republican is in power?

whoman69

on Jan 05, 2005

How about getting a blow job from an intern under the desk in the oval ofic, then lying to the entire world about it? I'd say that kind of tarnished the reputation of the Office a little.

As I stated earlier, the disrespect began well before Kenneth Starr got a hard on to find whatever he could.

UBoB

on Jan 05, 2005

That's an interesting cultural difference between Australia and the US. From birth we're raised to be suspicious of politicians and to be completely cynical about their every motive.

This is a Canadian trait as well. In our case it's not due to a convict past but just our natural disposition to be cynical about everything, (not just politicians). We love being cynical. I think part of it is our need to hold onto our British roots

. In a country that can drop to 55 degrees below zero (C.) in some places during the winter, our cynicism keeps us warm.

dharmagrl

on Jan 05, 2005

Yes, there is. Especially when the one sitting in the chair engages in activities that tarnish the repuataion of the Office.

such as????????/

How about getting a blow job from an intern under the desk in the oval ofic, then lying to the entire world about it? I'd say that kind of tarnished the reputation of the Office a little.

UBoB

on Jan 05, 2005

so we only have to respect the office when a Republican is in power?

As an outsider I have often noticed in the history of US elections that some (not all) invariably proclaim a need for everyone (Republicans and Democrats) to rally behind the President once all that election business was over and settled..........unless, of course, the President ended up being a Democrat.

dharmagrl

on Jan 05, 2005

As I stated earlier, the disrespect began well before Kenneth Starr got a hard on to find whatever he could.

Oh yeah, absolutely.....don't think that I'm slamming on Dems for disrespecting the office, the GOP's done their fair share of that as well.

This disrespect is a totally bipartisan gig.

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