Civil War?

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Who can say if a riot is justified? On March 5, there was an unruly mob that attacked a lone law officer, on King Street in Boston. A bloody riot ensued. Of course, the year was 1770. One of the biggest protests, in the US, to date was the Civil War. And the "Troubles" in the UK evoke years of turmoil. Were all of those riots, and protests in vain? I don't know. There are times when we all aren't law abiding. Even in this forum of elder adults, we can not stop from being snippy , and disrespectful with each other.
 

911 stated ;
"Unlike you, I have principles and one is to always respect my President, regardless of all else. I am a proud American living in the best country in the world. I wouldn't live in any other country. I am sure that most, if not all of the posters on this forum feel the same about their country. "
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Respect for my country --Yes, Respect for elected officials, the president in particular, has to be EARNED. Their actions will earn my respect -- or not. My country has EARNED my respect. Not all presidents and elected officials have !!

Hitler and Mussolini, among others, also had the respect of large segments of their populations and we all see how that turned out. Blind following of "leaders" , if they are self-serving and/or corrupt, leads to disaster just as easily as it leads to justice.

And the truly corrupt officials (while still in office) will try and re-adjust the voting rights to eliminate as many challenges to their power as they are able.
 
DaveA said:
911 stated ;
"Unlike you, I have principles and one is to always respect my President, regardless of all else. I am a proud American living in the best country in the world. I wouldn't live in any other country. I am sure that most, if not all of the posters on this forum feel the same about their country. "

Respect for my country --Yes, Respect for elected officials, the president in particular, has to be EARNED. Their actions will earn my respect -- or not. My country has EARNED my respect. Not all presidents and elected officials have !!

Hitler and Mussolini, among others, also had the respect of large segments of their populations and we all see how that turned out. Blind following of "leaders" , if they are self-serving and/or corrupt, leads to disaster just as easily as it leads to justice.

And the truly corrupt officials (while still in office) will try and re-adjust the voting rights to eliminate as many challenges to their power as they are able.
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I respectfully disagree. We, as Americans, must respect the office of the President of the United States no matter who sits in the office. I understand that some of us don't quite understand the difference, but look at it this way. While in the Marines, my DI was a real SOB. He wasn't as bad as Sgt. Hartman in "Full Metal Jacket," but close enough that I can relate. Our Lt. was more like Hartman and I couldn't stand the guy, but I had to respect his rank and salute him.

Being the President is a very powerful position and being the President of the U.S. is even more so because of the power that he controls. Whether you like or dislike him doesn't mean squat. It's the office that he holds that is respected. This is why all who serve must salute the President. It isn't political or personal. it's just a matter of showing respect for the position that he holds.

When I went to Vietnam in 1968 under orders from then President Lyndon Johnson, I accepted it for what it was. An order from the Commander in Chief. I couldn't tell my Captain, "No, I'm not going because I really don't like or respect Johnson," unless I wanted to spend about 20 years in Leavenworth.
 

Maybe there is a difference between an outer show of respect, such as saluting, and one's private feelings? If you are forced to show respect because of your job, or because you are in the military, is that really respect? Interesting question.
 
911 said:
This is what I mean about respect. I never disrespected any President. NOT IN MY WHOLE LIFE. I was raised to respect the position while in the Marines. Do you think I liked serving under Johnson while I was in Vietnam? But, I respected him because he was my President and the majority of the people in the U.S. voted for him. So, if I disrespected him, then I would have also disrespected those that voted for him.

Unlike you, I have principles and one is to always respect my President, regardless of all else. I am a proud American living in the best country in the world. I wouldn't live in any other country. I am sure that most, if not all of the posters on this forum feel the same about their country.
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Thank you very much for this; so many people lose sight of the regard for the office of President. I was no Obama fan, but I didn't disparage nor disrespect him... ever. I don't like Trump the man, but I respect the office.
 
C'est Moi said:
Thank you very much for this; so many people lose sight of the regard for the office of President. I was no Obama fan, but I didn't disparage nor disrespect him... ever. I don't like Trump the man, but I respect the office.
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Good for you. At least one person truly understands what respect for the office (rank) means, in comparison to respect for the person holding that office (rank).
 
I agree all Americans have a duty to respect the office of the President but we should not confuse that with respect for the person that occupies that office.

The individual that occupies the office of the President needs to earn the respect of the American people.
 
Sunny said:
Maybe there is a difference between an outer show of respect, such as saluting, and one's private feelings? If you are forced to show respect because of your job, or because you are in the military, is that really respect? Interesting question.
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No, you still don’t understand. You are not forced to show respect for the office or the rank. It’s something that is inherent. We teach our children to respect the office of the President. You can personally think whatever you wish about the person holding the office, but it’s the office or the rank that is respected. This is the way it has to be.

Now, if only I could get rid of the word ‘hate.’
 
911, I don't think we're really that far apart in how we feel about the office of President. Maybe I didn't put my thoughts forward clearly.

We're all familiar how we felt about various officers that we served under in the military. I had no choice but to show respect for their rank but in some cases I despised the man wearing the bars. In the case of others, I liked and respected the man.

If you ask me if I respect or respected (blank) while he serves and/or served as president, you will get a plain and decisive answer from me. That is totally apart from respecting the various offices of our elected officials.

The titles are there to be filled by those elected. You and I will most likely like and respect some and despise others. No different in the military. Your salute will show respect for the "bars" but in some cases, you may despise the individual upon whose shoulders they rest.
 

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