Respect the Office

from JoeUser Forums

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.

politics
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Reply #1 from PolMach Forums Top
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.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
thats right!!! just like the military if ya do not respect the man respect his uniform...
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

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.


 

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

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"?
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
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????????/
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
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).
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

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?
Reply #10 from PolMach Forums Top
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?
Reply #11 from PolMach Forums Top
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.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

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. 

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

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.

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
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....
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
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.....
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top

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.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top

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*!.
Reply #21 from PolMach Forums Top
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.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
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....

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top

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
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

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} 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
Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
sorry about the double post