CNN x's out Cheney

It is not often that I agree with you, gkillion, but we are of one mind on this. I am a lifelong Democrat; and I dislike Bush43 (as a president... and probably as a person, too, but that is of far less consequence and relevance here) in ways I find difficult even to articulate. But, by golly, if I met him this very afternoon I would straighten my spine, extend my hand, and call him "Mr. President," according him the respect due him on account of the office he holds. There is meaning, merit and wisdom in the old saying, "Respect the office, even if you don't respect the man who holds it."

This, I confess, has always been vexing for me with regard to the way Democrats who run the campaigns refer to the president. They call him "Bush" rather than "the president." Of course I understand the psychology of it. They do it to knock him down a peg -- to make him more human... no different than anyone else -- in the minds of the voters. But they also show the office undue disrespect. It has always troubled me. Bush43 is a horse's patoot... but he's my president. We elected him. I would add "fair and square," but that's another argument for another day. He's, nevertheless, my president. And as long as he's in that office he deserves at least the respect that any US president should have. Or so it is my opinion.

Here's where things start to get a little less cut-and-dried for me. The "in the eye of the beholder" rule kinda' kicks-in at this point. Our elected officials are there to do a tough job... one that, given the fact that roughly half our society is on one side of the political spectrum, and half on the other, is likely to be disliked by at least half the people at any given moment. When that happens, those at one end of the spectrum are likely to decry the office holder's actions, and characterize it as disrespectful of the very office he holds; while those at the other end of the spectrum will hail the act as brave, and something which honors said office.

 

Yeah, that's right...the "eye of the beholder" thing. But I'm talking about certain less than moral, bordering on criminal actions.

I know you won't be surprised that I bring-up BJ's in the oval office, or sexual harrasment charges being disrespectful to the office. I'll also mention Bob Packwood's problems. These are not matters of opinion though. I don't think anyone would argue that Clinton was demonstrating bravery when Monica was under his desk.

On that note, I once heard that Reagan never took off his suit jacket while he was in the oval office.

 

This is silly. CNN explained what happened, and noted that it was an accident and apologized repeatedly. I don't think was done on purpose.

Remember the "subliminal" messages Republicans were sending to voters with their political ads that said "DemocRATS" and RATS appeared on the screen for a split second and everyone was up in arms about the subliminal messages.

Does it ever stop??

 

Xs

You don't think it was just aesthetics?

 

Oh, it was done on purpose. I don't think that the higher-ups at CNN had anything to do with it, but someone did it on purpose.

It's similar to all the White House computer keyboards having the "W" removed after the Clintons vacated, and Air Force One being looted. Do I think Bill or Hillary knew anything about it? Of course not, but I also know it was done on purpose by someone.

 

I remember doing something similar once as a young kid just out of high school. I had numerous run ins with my old school superintendent (a guy named "Roeder") and purposely misspelled his name "Rodent" in a newspaper article I was typesetting for a publisher I worked for at the time. I assumed the editor would catch it before it went to print, but NO..... it appeared as "Superintendent Rodent" much to the delight of all my friends and colleagues who disliked this guy too. I never did get caught for it, or fess up to anyone until now....

 

Wow..I am in TOTAL agreement.....I was definatly not a fan of our previous president, and I have some major issues with the current one, but you have really hit the nail on the head. The office deserves respect. I meet Sen. Lahey (D-NH) at a Training camp about 3 years ago. He was alone in the hallway and I walked up and asked him if he was a Senator. He said yes and we exchanged some niceities. He asked me if i was a "good democrate" and I said "no" but meeting a senator was always an honor". I have since also met Sen. Joe Biden, who I also have major disagreement with, and again It was a nice conversation. Now I think they are both horrible policy makers, but they were genuinly a nice men, and he is Senator Lahey , not Lahey, or "leakey"Lahey as Ive heard said. If you dont show respect to the opposition you cant expect it in return. Now the politicians in DC or "Clowns" as I like to sometimes call them have lost complete sight of common manners and that REALLY hurts the process because they end up fighting over symantecs and not issues.

 

More than once, I've met the two US Senators who perhaps should hold the trademark to arrogance and pomposity, Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. I've always given them the respect their office deserves, even though I can't stand the sight of either of them.