When does the criticism of Bush cross over into the realm of being unpatriotic or unamerican??

Question

The media, liberals, and the public seem to always Bush bash. I just want to know what the limits are. Is calling him a liar unpatriotic or is saying he is a traitor?

Answer 1

Our country was founded on dissatisfaction in the government and mistrust of people in power. Criticism of those in power is the most patriotic of acts - failing to speak and act when one sees that something wrong is going on in government is the most cowardly, unpatriotic thing an American can do. Frankly, it is more unpatriotic than burning the flag.

As an American I pledge allegiance to the flag - not to any politician whether from my party or from another. I am patriotic because I believe in the ideals that the country was founded on, not because I idolize the suits that represent us. There is a big difference. Think for a moment about some other countries that have idolized their office holders (usually in an enforced manner). Imagine an America where the political leaders' pictures were painted on the buildings and we all had to pledge our fealty to the men/women in office and not to the nation. Too much like the USSR, N. Korea, China for me - no thank you. We collectively are more than the sum of our elected representatives (not leaders). And we are designed so that there is continuity and a peaceful transfer of power when elected officials are replaced.

That said, criticism of the government can be constructive or not constructive. Punditry can be satirical (Bush's facial expressions next to remarkably similar expressions on a chimpanzee, political cartoons) or inflammatory - sometimes there is a real point and sometimes it is just hateful. Take other's opinions with a grain of salt. You have your opinions and vote your vote, and I have mine. That we might disagree does not make either one of us unpatriotic. Apathy is unpatriotic. Not speaking out because you are afraid of offending or of reprisals is unpatriotic. Passionate disagreement is what we should be all about.

By the way, I seem to remember that conservative pundits didn't spare Clinton any insults. Would you have posted this questions if all you heard were insults about him? Reflect on it a bit before you get p.o.'d and reflexively itemize the reasons he was the antichrist. The tables have simply turned. And no matter who the next president is someone will find him (in all likelyhood it will be a man) lacking in morals, character, good judgement, and intelligence. And the insults will start again. That's the way we are. Just something to think about.

Answer 2

The liberals just want their power back.
You see, liberals make fun of the situation and curse the people in charge when they don't fully understand the importance of an event. For example, not many liberals have spoken up about the Israel conflict b/c they don't know anything about it and they don't want to make a statement and show their stupidity to the public.

It's easy to be a critic and hindsight is 20/20. -Basic Liberal Knowledge.


Also, to the dude that said Bush should be impeached, Impeachment isn't removal from office. Pres. Clinton was impeached and was not removed from office. And Pres. Bush did not start a war, everything has gone through Congress. If Congress wanted our troops out of Iraq, then the troops would be removed. Try learning about our govt and how it works before making erratic comments.

Answer 3

When you stop criticizing and become complacent, you become unAmerican.

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” Winston Churchill

Attempts to silence criticism of this administration by calling it unAmerican is like giving someone with a broken leg pain killers. It alleviates the pain, but fails to address the root problem.

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.” Teddy Roosevelt

Answer 4

Criticism is fine, so is decent. Constructive criticism is always a good thing, and we are allowed to disagree. There will always be that group of individuals that don't have anything positive to say, that bash for the sake of bashing. These people offer no solutions they simply hate President Bush. Twice on Yahoo I have seen the assassination of the President advocated, which is completely over the top, dangerous and I believe illegal. I have no answers, I am in my 50's have voted in quite a few elections and have never seen a time that is as hate-filled as now. Thanks

Answer 5

Again, typica liberal crap by a spoiled generation. Thank God today's liberals were not around during WWII. They would have complained about us being unfair to the Nazis. They believe that peace can be made by talking. They have forgotten 9-11. Do they understand that the US is hated, not because of Bush, but because we are a CHRISTIAN nation. They have been targeting us since 1948. But, I suppose you liberals do not understand. You never will. We should just surrender our country and way of life so you hippies can feel good. Sometimes you have to fight to keep your way of life. I know, most of you don't understand that, because others have always done it for you. What a waste of a great country.

Answer 6

That's called freedom of speech!

plus when you are a liar, and start a war based on lies, then you should be impeached, not just criticized. Unfortunately very few in Congress or the public really care that much

Answer 7

I'm so sick of Bush apolegists saying that we are in Iraq to "preserve our way of life". Iraq had nothing to with 9-11. However, Osama Bin-Laden did. I don't hear Republicans talk much about him any more. Instead they want to talk about the so-called "progress" we're making in Iraq. The best thing that has happened over there is that we killed a terrorist, who by the way had no power whatsoever in Iraq until we invaded them. So we killed a monster that we created......that's newsworthy, huh. In Afghanistan, the Taliban is making a comeback, but the Republicans don't want to talk about that either. So, tell me again who has forgotten about 9-11?

Answer 8

Nope, when you stop criticizing the government is when you are unpatriotic. This country was founded on our civil rights to peacefully protest. When you stop exercising your rights you stand the risk of losing them.

Answer 9

Just because you voice an opinion and critique about how the president is running this country (horribly, I might add) does not mean you do not love this country. And as long as you are a U.S. citizen, you ARE an American and that entitles you the right of FREE SPEECH.

Answer 10

It only crosses the line if we forget that Bush, too, is an American. Those who'd wish him physical harm have crossed the line. Other than that, all is fair in love and war (and politics!)