Tar and Feathers?
Posted in Politics and tagged with Civility, Politics on April 2, 2009Why do I get so defense when someone slams the President? I hinted on Saturday that I’d be talking about this sometime this week, and here it is.
Any of you who’ve been reading this blog for a while understand where I stand politically, and if you don’t and are curious, feel free to click the tag “politics.” As far as this post is concerned, only the fact that I disagree with our current president on many key issues is relevant.
Though I don’t agree with everything he did, my political beliefs are more aligned with President Bush. It’s understandable why it would have irked me when someone ridiculed him (though I think this BNL song may be the best anti-Bush thing I’ve heard, it’s hilarious primarily because of the manner in which it was done).
I think it annoys me as much (if not more) if someone treats Barack Obama in the same manner even if they’re on “my” side, or possibly because they’re on “my” side.
I’m all for meaningful discussion of the issues, and I don’t think the president is above scrutiny, I just think that as the leader of our country he deserves respect, though certainly not mindless, mute followers. I will seek to hold him accountable for his actions and call him out on foolish decisions, but I won’t deride his character unless specific, verifiable incidents back up my accusations.
So, to sum up, I don’t disagree with people disagreeing with the president or any other leader. I just disagree with doing it in inflamatory, slanderous ways. Or maybe I’m wrong and we should be bring back tar and feathers?
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April 2nd, 2009 at 7:27 am
That is perhaps the most balanced post I’ve seen on the topic.
I’m getting really tired of many of the US blogs I read continually moaning about everything the guys does. Sure, disagree with him and state your case, but if all you do is complain about how bad things are now that he’s in power, it’s going to be a very miserable four years for many people.
Here in Australia there have been political parties in power that I support and those that I don’t, but in the end, I’m still responsible for walking with God, providing for and loving my family, and shining Jesus’ light into darkened corners. Whoever is in power will make good decisions and bad decisions. Some of those decisions I need to be vocal about, others aren’t worth getting so worked up about.
God is still in control. I still have a long way to go to be who I should be in Christ. I need to spend more time letting Jesus sort out my life and less time fearing what may or may not happen when I disagree with political policy.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 am
Well said, Ronnica.
During the campaign, I took a lot of heat because I wound up spending a lot of time saying that if people don’t like Obama, they should make a point on issues, not based on any number of slanderous and inflammatory things.
To be fair, people did the same thing to Pres. Bush; but back then the people who are doing it now were calling it wrong.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 am
I definitely agree with your post. While I have certainly done my fair share of Bush-bashing, it was in my own home or in my head. It doesn’t make it right, but at least it didn’t contribute to the “tar and feathering” we seem to have in our society.
It seems everyone thinks they could do a better job…even me. The focus, however, should be on how we as constituents deal with what we’re given which should be in a way that glorifies God.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Well said. I can’t stand it when people simply talk crap about the President. I think it’s a way to hide from the fact that they have no real, intelligent argument. I remember people saying they’d leave the country if Bush were re-elected (2004). How silly is that? Let’s abandon a great country because you don’t agree with the current sitting President. I don’t particularly agree with President Obama on most issues, but I respect the man. He’s MY President.
Stopping by from SITS. Glad I happened upon you!
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
The biggest problem I see with Obama-bashing, from a biblical standpoint, is that we are specifically commanded to pray for our leaders. Add to that the command to love our enemies (if in fact you somehow view our President as your enemy) and you have little room left for vitriolic criticism.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I agree. What bugs me most about politics lies in the HOW of disagreement…as though somehow disagreeing with a person’s policies leaves them open to ridicule, derision, and vilification. Disagreement is fine, and should be expected in a representative democracy where freedom of speech and expression are protected. As ambassadors for Christ, then, if we do disagree about certain policies, we can do so while respecting those who have the difficult responsibility of leading a nation.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm
I totally agree.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
It irks me when other countries slam our president. I am glad I live in the US so I have the freedom to disagree and if I feel it slam him. He irks me in so many ways I can’t count anymore. Stopping by from SITS. Have a great weekend!