Thread: Is It Appropriate To Criticize The President?

I saw about five minutes of Scarborough's show this morning. He was interviewing Jon Voight who was saying how appalled he is that people openly critize Bush, especially in wartime.

He said that it was not showing "respect for the office" to criticize him, even of you disagree with him. He also said that it is our duty to pull together and not engage in divisive partisanship. By which it was clear that those that disagree with the president should just suck it up and not fight his decisions and policies.

He went on to say that there is an appropriate way to deal with it if you disagree with his policies and ddecisions, not criticism, but praying that he makes better ones in the future. Yep, praying for him.

Needless to say, as an atheist, I found that suggestion that I pray for him and do not criticize him flat out laughable.

I consider it a duty to criticize your leaders if you disagree with their policies and decisions. Voicing opposition is what this country is founded on. Its not like the founding fathers just prayed that King George stopped taxing them without representation, etc. They began by criticizing him and when he did not rectify the bad decisions, they fought him. Then they guaranteed the right to critize the government when they set up one of their own.

I have seen a few on the right here suggest that criticizing Bush is not acceptable and have seen them use the same line about "respecting the office" and suggesting that partisanship and divisineness was not acceptable, especially in wartime, clearly suggesting that those that are opposed just suck it up and deal until they can vote someone else into the "office".

Personally I respect those presidents that do not abuse the office. I do not respect Bush because he does. He was elected to uphold the Constitution and laws. He has violated them. Clearly I think it is appropriate to critize him and you can bet I do not waste my time praying for him.

How about you? Do you think your should criticize a president you disagree with or do you think you should simply pray for him to get wisdom and make better decisions? Maybe both or something other entirely?

Wow, Mr. Voight seems to have gone off the deep end.

How unpatriotic is it to allow your leader do what he wants while you blindly support him?

Criticizing is appropriate.
Calling him 'Hitler' among other things that some resort to isn't. It's not even inappropriate. It's just childish.
But, people are going to do what they are going to do just as people are going to judge as they are going to judge.

Originally Posted by freckles

Criticizing is appropriate.
Calling him 'Hitler' among other things that some resort to isn't. It's not even inappropriate. It's just childish.
But, people are going to do what they are going to do just as people are going to judge as they are going to judge.

Well said, and I agree with you.

Originally Posted by freckles

Criticizing is appropriate.
Calling him 'Hitler' among other things that some resort to isn't. It's not even inappropriate. It's just childish.
But, people are going to do what they are going to do just as people are going to judge as they are going to judge.

I don't agree with calling Bush "Hitler," etc...however, to assume that Bush is the first president to come under this kind of criticism is to completely ignore the eight years before he became President. But, I suppose to some, in that case, it was justified.

Originally Posted by freckles

Criticizing is appropriate.
Calling him 'Hitler' among other things that some resort to isn't. It's not even inappropriate. It's just childish.
But, people are going to do what they are going to do just as people are going to judge as they are going to judge.

I resemble that remark. It's not that I like it but I just get so fed up with the current state of affairs, and the support from some here for the pres.

To not say anything critical when it's called for is cowardly and a real dis-service to your countrymen.

It is also perfectly fair to give your opinion on the matter, on any matter. The problem arises when you put yourself on such a pedestal that you believe you know more about the situation than the President and feel that you are somehow superior. Same goes for sports fan who attack the coach. Stop being an arm chair quarterbach. It's really annoying.

Originally Posted by Think for myself

Wow, Mr. Voight seems to have gone off the deep end.

How unpatriotic is it to allow your leader do what he wants while you blindly support him?

Suprised me too. They were saying that Jack Nicholson is of the same mindset and talking like that mindset was very admirable.

Screw that. I'll criticize and try to influcne others rather than "praying". I do not waste my time on trying to change things with magic. May as well be sticking pins in a doll to make Bush do things differently.

Bush has not shown respect for the American people. Why should we respect him. He is a terrible president and I voted for him in 04'.

I was just thinking about this.
It is better (and smarter and more constructive) to criticize the actions rather than attack the person.

I'm sticking to that.