Is it OK to insult the President? (Congress, Iraq, death)

[Ridgewalker]

It's called the first amendment, you surely have heard of it, that free speech thing. If he doesn't like what is said I believe custom gives him first choice of weapon.

Those were the days weren't they, when people had to be responsible for what they said. That you could get shot for being a lying liberal sob! Those were the days!

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by springfieldva

I would never be disrespectful to the President in person. The office, alone, commands respect even if I don't like the person who holds it.

It is o.k. to debate and complain about the President in the media, at home, on the internet, etc.

Blind reverence is not required. This ain't the Soviet Union.

That should be applied to all persons regardless of their position. Their position should not grant them any level of immunity from criticism.

~Mike (figures you can be critical of someone without being insulting)

[Cav Scout wife]

Originally Posted by Bostonian123

Freedom of speech gives you the right to insult the President.

SHould you insult him though?

No, show some respect to the Office.

I think there is a HUGE difference between insulting the man, and insulting the office.

I can insult the man all I want, but I wouldn't disrespect the office. Not everyone is intelligent enough to distinguish the two though.

[The Dissenter]

I've insulted Bush and Obama many times on this forum. I think that is perfectly okay. When you become the president, you have sworn to uphold a constitution that says people have the right to insult you that is tied to the freedom of speech in the first amendment of the constitution.

[Canerican]

OK, I'll tell you what I really think.

I think that it is despicable for someone to trash our President, Obama, Bush, Clinton, at all. They are all patriots and are sacrificing alot for our country, and know they get little in return. They know that they could well get assassinated by a crazed Muslim, or some doped up anarchist. I think its OK to point out their flaws, but not for the sake of making them look bad.

In the end its politics. I disapprove of Obama strongly, I don't think that he is a very smart man (not for those who have preceded him) - but he is my President, and I will follow him; while opposing some of his policies.

I know that I use harsh language here when describing Obama, I think for the good of us all we need to have some more respect and reverence to our elected leaders, whether we agree with their policies or not.

Imagine if Obama/Bush were your friend of the opposite political ideology, would you insult them non-stop then?

I will work to not insult Obama, and to portray him in a positive light to all my friends from around the world, show that United We Stand, and turn the other cheek, despite what the left has done to our last President.

We cannot allow our country to get in such as frenzy as it did with Bush, where people made a laughingstock of a great patriot, if nothing else.

[Fred314X]

While it's hardly respectful to insult the President of the United States, it's also true that trashing him on a website is hardly insulting if he isn't reading what anyone is saying.

[mackinac81]

Originally posted by Cancerian
OK, I'll tell you what I really think.

I think that it is despicable for someone to trash our President, Obama, Bush, Clinton, at all. They are all patriots and are sacrificing alot for our country, and know they get little in return. They know that they could well get assassinated by a crazed Muslim, or some doped up anarchist. I think its OK to point out their flaws, but not for the sake of making them look bad.

In the end its politics. I disapprove of Obama strongly, I don't think that he is a very smart man (not for those who have preceded him) - but he is my President, and I will follow him; while opposing some of his policies.

I know that I use harsh language here when describing Obama, I think for the good of us all we need to have some more respect and reverence to our elected leaders, whether we agree with their policies or not.

Imagine if Obama/Bush were your friend of the opposite political ideology, would you insult them non-stop then?

I will work to not insult Obama, and to portray him in a positive light to all my friends from around the world, show that United We Stand, and turn the other cheek, despite what the left has done to our last President.

We cannot allow our country to get in such as frenzy as it did with Bush, where people made a laughingstock of a great patriot, if nothing else.

Good post. I agree that it is not okay to insult the president. Just because I have the right doesn't mean I should excercise it whenever I want. I was NOT a fan of George Bush. I think he lacked wisdom and discernment and as a result, played a role in bring about the state we are in now.
But I did not call him "idiot" "moron" "Fascist" etc...because he was still the president. And for me, I can't treat the office with respect without treating the man who holds the office with respect.

I was not so kind toward other Bush admin people however...that is a whole different story.

[delusianne]

Of course it's okay.

I like the closing date for the poll!

[ergohead]

Originally Posted by Bostonian123

Freedom of speech gives you the right to insult the President.

SHould you insult him though?

No, show some respect to the Office.

If a wild pig was tearing my house apart, I wouldn't respect my house by not insulting the pig.

[BigJon3475]

Ohh man! The fuhrer is going to be mad!