Would you not agree then that it is the same disrespect shown when we openly and blatantly disagree with the president of the United States? People ridicule the president in public on a daily basis, undermining the highest office in the nation. If we disagree, wouldn't there be a more constructive way of debating the topic at hand? Democrat, Republican, or Independent; it does not do our country justice in the eyes of the rest of the world to bash our leadership because we do not agree with their decisions. Terms of office are relatively short, and displaying a different viewpoint at that time will tend to sway an audience to the new change. The fact that we have made our government look like a Jerry Springer episode tears away all of the great and meaningful works that generations before us took so long to put together for us. Good moral character will always prevail. Bad judgment on one leader's behalf will be answered by the public on election day. And while protesting is great, and a freedom earned; there is such a thing called class. There are ways of making a point without dragging the rest of the country down at the same time. Putting down our government as if it were a joke will, if nothing, display our great country as foolish and misguided more-so than any administration. Wouldn't it be a fair turn-around if the ones making the biggest fools of themselves by mocking the office of the president took office next and expected people to behave differently than what they themselves have set the example for?

I hate to disappoint you all, but we have already reached the point where we have lost confidence in the judicial process and every court appointment is politically rigged. The Supreme Court is no longer a watchdog over the other branches of government as it was designed to be, but rather an extension of the justices’ affiliated parties. The Court no longer upholds the Constitution - it upholds party doctrine. If we have a judicial process that is broken, should we not speak out about it? Or should we just support a corrupt judiciary? Michael’s perspective would have you believe that a citizen of Colombia or Afghanistan should be happy to have a court system and not speak out about its corrupt nature. Why should we be permitted to criticize another country’s system and not our own? Talk about American arrogance! Very few people complain about the American justice system – they complain about specific judges and decisions that are politically determined. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that the Court upheld racist, sexist, religious and economic class laws that we now view as offensive. It is the right to criticize that changed these laws. While our system is not as bad as others, if we keep silent about problems, aren’t we just a few steps away from Iran?

As far as ridiculing the President, the same view holds. Why is it acceptable for Americans to criticize, mock and disrespect other world leaders, yet have their own be off limits? One of this country’s founding principles was the right of free speech. This was included specifically so Americans had the right AND DUTY to speak out against tyranny. The fact that we are allowed to speak so freely against our own government actually raises our esteem in the world community, not lowers it. Think Zimbabwe’s recent “election” if you want proof that we are respected for our freedoms. Also, Michael pointed out that we should not criticize the system – which we don’t. People may criticize a specific President, but very few Americans criticize the Presidency itself. We still know it’s the greatest form of government, and the right to speak one’s mind is what makes it so strong.

So, Gregg, “good moral character will always prevail?” I guess you missed the GW Bush years when the President started an unjust war through his lies to the American public. I guess you missed the Clinton years when the President had affairs and lied to the American public about them. I guess you missed the GH Bush years when the President continued illegal operations in South America and lied to the American public about them. I guess you missed the Reagan years when the President approved weapons sales to Iran and lied to the American public about them. I guess we’re all just waiting for someone – anyone – with “good moral character” to be elected. Any idea how long that will take?

In response to Gregg McDaniel - would you advocate instead that no one admit that the Emperor has no clothes? The right to speak out against what we believe is wrong is one of our basic rights, and even further our responsibility. So long as it is done respectfully, to say that this President is probably the worst in history does not take away from the Office of the President. It simply points to the poor decisions of the individual.