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 2)

Myrrander

on Jan 05, 2005

Well, I'm pretty sure Gideon didn't mean this to be a Clinton vs. Bush debate.

I mean, the same office that Lincoln and FDR held was also held by Warren G. Harding and Jimmy Carter.

It doesn't mean we can't respect the office, and give support to the person in it, criticize when needed, cheer when merited.

I'm no fan of Bush, but he stepped up and sent American troops to help in Indonesia plus money. That's a good act. I would think any person in that office would have done the same. So even though I don't like the man's politics, he honoured the integrity of the office and all of us citizens by using America's resources to help people in need. So I would be remiss if I didn't step up and say "I respect that. Thank you."

You all know I'm one of the more critical people around here, but I agree completely with this article. Gideon isn't saying have blind faith and loyalty in whatever person is in the office, he's just saying respect that it's a tough job that requires decisions that affect millions. So you have to respect that. America is the best system of government to come around, not perfect, but pretty damn good, and I count myself lucky to live here.

Moderateman

on Jan 05, 2005

Reply #11 By: dharmagrl - 1/5/2005 9:37:34 PM
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.

awwwww man this comes hard for me. as I am republican now..but my guy bill did good for the economy arggggggg

Far as I am concerned anyone that wanted to impeach him should have had to pass a lie detector test. as In have you ever had an affair? gotten sex at work stuff like that.

but yeh a second but YOUR RIGHT!! he did dishonor his office.. but you also being a fem know that when a giys brains {penis} is doin da thinkin da penis wins most times....

Moderateman

on Jan 05, 2005

Reply #12 By: whoman69 - 1/5/2005 8:45:14 PM
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?

never said that nor did I intimate that.....

drmiler

on Jan 06, 2005

Reply #7 By: Moderateman - 1/5/2005 7:44:38 PM
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????????/

I believe she was talking about Slick Willie and his lying under oath.

drmiler

on Jan 06, 2005

Reply #13 By: whoman69 - 1/5/2005 8:48:12 PM
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.

This is pure BS! Clinton did himself in! Kenneth Starr may have started it, but did they ever get *anything* else on "Slick Willie"? Nope! Only lying under oath. So hence the statement he did himself in. I don't care how you slice this up or spin it. It still comes down to what I said. I could give a rat's butt if he had oral sex on the white house lawn. Just don't lie about it when asked under *oath*!.

whoman69

on Jan 06, 2005

Who put him under oath. Kenneth Starr. He put forth a grand jury in a civil suit that involved a complaint of one person against one person. Can anyone site another one on one civil suit that goes to a grand jury? That's Kenneth Starr for you. And what the hell did Monica Lewinsky have to do with Paula Jones anyway?

But the disrepect for Clinton began well before this even came about.

thatoneguyinslc

on Jan 06, 2005

Which is a bigger lie...Lying about getting a BJ, or a lie to 250 million people that causes the deaths of 1000+ soldiers sailors and airmen?

I think i can understand bubba's lie...Would you want to tell the truth about that and then have to go home to Hillary? I know i wouldn't.

Sorry Gid, didn't mean to hijack....

Moderateman

on Jan 06, 2005

Reply #22 By: thatoneguyinslc - 1/6/2005 11:56:44 AM
Which is a bigger lie...Lying about getting a BJ, or a lie to 250 million people that causes the deaths of 1000+ soldiers sailors and airmen?

I think i can understand bubba's lie...Would you want to tell the truth about that and then have to go home to Hillary? I know i wouldn't.

For crying out loud even the demoncrapick party thought saddam had them {of course with the short attention span of dems} iy was "conviently forgotten" get over this George won... and I have it on a good source shrilley was watching my guy bill getting his "cigar" smoked bahahahahahahahahahahaha

Moderateman

on Jan 06, 2005

For crying out loud even the demoncrapick party thought saddam had them {of course with the short attention span of dems} it was "conviently forgotten" get over this George won... and I have it on a good source shrillery was watching my guy bill getting his "cigar" smoked bahahahahahahahahahahaha

Moderateman

on Jan 06, 2005

sorry about the double post

thatoneguyinslc

on Jan 06, 2005

Np... it makes no sense anyways...

drmiler

on Jan 06, 2005

Reply #21 By: whoman69 - 1/6/2005 10:57:56 AM
This is pure BS! Clinton did himself in! Kenneth Starr may have started it, but did they ever get *anything* else on "Slick Willie"? Nope! Only lying under oath. So hence the statement he did himself in. I don't care how you slice this up or spin it. It still comes down to what I said. I could give a rat's butt if he had oral sex on the white house lawn. Just don't lie about it when asked under *oath*!.

Who put him under oath. Kenneth Starr. He put forth a grand jury in a civil suit that involved a complaint of one person against one person. Can anyone site another one on one civil suit that goes to a grand jury? That's Kenneth Starr for you. And what the hell did Monica Lewinsky have to do with Paula Jones anyway?

But the disrepect for Clinton began well before this even came about.

You missed the point! Yes Starr put him on the stand. But did he tell him to lie? I think not. Ball's in "Slick Willie's" court.

drmiler

on Jan 06, 2005

Is GW on the stand under oath? Nope! Was Clinton? YES!

Gideon MacLeish

on Jan 06, 2005

Is GW on the stand under oath? Nope! Was Clinton? YES!

Has Bill Clinton been out of office for four years, and maybe it's time to get over it? YES!

Sorry, folks, I love you, but...relevance?

whoman69

on Jan 06, 2005

You missed the point! Yes Starr put him on the stand. But did he tell him to lie? I think not. Ball's in "Slick Willie's" court.

After nearly three years of legal pressure put on by Starr. Clinton should have never been on the stand because unless you're on Ken Starr's sh!t list then you don't go before a grand jury in a one on one civil case. While it was stupid, Clinton actually believed, and his lawyers didn't correct him on this, that the judge's legal definition of sex did not include oral sex. Can anyone tell me what a willing partner in Monica Lewinsky has to do with a sexual harrassment case? Starr was going to embarass the President, and he found a way to do so. In addition, Ken Starr was never asked to be a "independent" special prosecutor in the Paula Jones case, only the Whitewater matter.

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