Quote:
Originally posted by PornoDoggy@Mar 26 2003, 08:50 PM
Colin ... the rule I live by is never say anything about a President during a time of war that was not said about Lincoln or Roosevelt. The idea that criticising the President is somehow inapprorpriate in time of war is absolute bullshit. Roosevelt went so far as to reward a reporter an Iron Cross due to his criticism of the President, and Dewey ran against Roosevelt in part by charging him with being a defeatist.
The idea that criticism of a war is somehow unAmerican is historically inaccurate; that it equates to a lack of patriotism is no more than simple-minded bullshit. Abraham Lincoln was a vocal opponent of the Mexican American War, both before it and all through it - and I don't guess many folks question his patriotism. World War I was greatly criticized, and probably would have been criticized more had it not been for Attorney General Palmer, who makes Ashcroft look like George McGovern.
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Pornodoggy,
To start with, you need a new example. Roosevelt certainly didn't admire the reporter for his criticism. He gave the reporter a Nazi Iron Cross. Hardly a compliment.
I agree that there is enormous historical precedent for criticizing the president during the time of war. There are as many examples as there have been wars. We agree.
I don't live by the rule of what other people have done at other times. I live by my own set of standards.
You will notice that I carefully said, and I quote, "I think it would be disrespectful for ME to say anything negative about Bush during this time of war". I didn't say "I think it would be disrespectful for ANYONE to say something negative about Bush during time of war". Everyone
else can do as they please ;-) Though I must admit I think the violence protests are doing more harm than good.
I also didn't say it would be UnAmerican. You've assumed I meant that. It has nothing to do with what country I was born or live in.
I said I would feel disrespectful. I certainly don't find respect to be "simple-minded bullshit". When someone carries a great weight on their shoulders to do something which I think is right, I will respect them. I feel like morale of the both the troops and the administration is very important right now and don't wish to add to it on the negative side - though my voice is a quiet one buried in the noise.
United We Stand
Last edited by Colin at Mar 27 2003, 04:49 AM