To announce that there must be no criticism of the president?

Question

"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." -- Former President Theodore Roosevelt, 1918

"you are either with us or against us"

Answer 1

We only have those rights we choose to defend. Only those rights we can defend.

Answer 2

As with many placements of this quote, it is taken out of context. The complete quote is thus;

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. 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. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."

And, I suspect that you have misread it. The message is that the rights of the citizens TO speak out, is not only their patriotic duty, as well as their moral obligation as Americans. The line does not suggest an opposition to protest, but rather a full support.

Answer 3

God bless Teddy Roosevelt and all the other great presidents we've had in the past.
This joker we have now, is set to destroy our democracy and deficate on our constitution at every opportunity. His ignorance is only surpassed by his arrogance. I am truly ashamed of my country's leadership and ashamed to be an American during this reign of idiocy.
Money has allowed morons to take control of our country. We haven't had a president in our country who knows what it's like to be poor since Richard Nixon... and look what the Texas Oil Cartel did to him.
George W Bush is a coward, a liar and a thief. Impeachment is too good for him, I suggest we prosecute him for his treasonist regime and his attempts to overthrow our government.

Answer 4

There is a big difference between criticizing the president and
bashing the president right or wrong 24/7.

And to the one guy, Benjamin Franklin said; a man who gives up ESSENTIAL freedoms for the sake of security deserves neither. Get it right.

Answer 5

We're Americans, we can criticize the President any time we want. Making up stuff about him is just lame, but honest criticism is necessary.

The second quote fits where? If it's from Bush, it simply means you fight the terrorists as all good people should or you are part of the problem. I don't see what's wrong with that.

Answer 6

No one said you couldn't critize the President. But tell the truth not just spew lies. He was saying countries were either with us in the war against terror or they were against by supporting terrorists and you know that anyone can take parts of speech from anyone and miss quote and twist the meaning.

Answer 7

We, the People, decide who shall be our President. They are elected every four years by those citizens willing to take the time out of their busy lives to vote one day out of 1460 days. (Could be 1461 with leap year ). Last election, the majority of those who took the time to vote, re-elected G.W. by 3 MILLION votes.
Why is another question. A lot of moms and dads had kids in Iraq and Afganistan, and were afraid Kerry would endanger them more than G.W. That is now debateable, since we are closing in on as many soldiers killed in Iraq as citizens were killed on 911. In 2004, the majority of voters agreed with G.W. ( you are either with us or against us) than those who agree in democracy (T.R.) And until 2008, we are stuck with him, and his cronies. Anyone who didn't vote in 2004, don't bother answering, as you forfeited that priveledge when you abstained from your right and duty to vote. Hopefully in 2008, some candidate will arise out of the pack that is worth a damn, and will do what is best for our COUNTRY, not his oil and big business buddies. And remember Eisenhower's speech at the end of his second term, (he being the lead commander of European Operations in WW11) "Beware the Military - Industrial complex". And to add to that, Beware the oil cartel!!!!!

Answer 8

This was not a rule of the Bush administration but in the military it was punishable to say anything against Clinton joke or truth (at the request of Clinton himself). And that is the truth.

Answer 9

Who said we can't criticize the president....even Rush Limbaugh criticizes Bush from time to time.

Take a chill pill........However I do like your quote from my personal favorite Republican president who is often overlooked for his tearing down the Super rich baron's of his time...

Answer 10

If you're trying to draw a parallel between those two quotes, Bush was not talking about criticism of himself when he said "you are either with us or against us".

Not that I suppose that matters to you, I guess.

Answer 11

According to Star Wars:

Darth Vader: If you're not with me, then you're my enemy!
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must.

Sith's deal in absolutes, Bush deals in absolutes, therefore Bush is a Sith (transitive property)