Whether we agree with President Bush or not, do you think that making fun of him is wrong?

Question

There is a difference between disagreeing with and insulting someone. If we mock our president and don't take him seriously, how do we expect any other country to take him seriously? By making fun of our president, aren't we making it harder for him to deal with foreign affairs (whether you like his actions or not)?

Please don't answer by insulting Bush or the actions he has taken that you disagree with. I would simply like some feedback on whether it is appropriate to mock our leader, rather than just disagreeing with him.

Note: This applies to all presidents, not just Bush.

I'm not talking about not disagreeing with him, I'm saying to treat him with respect like any human being, and not mock him. You can disagree without making fun of someone.

I don't mean there should be laws past to prevent us from mocking the president. I know we have the freedom to do as we please with this issue, but shouldn't you have respect for your leader, even if you disagree with him?

For those who say that Bush has insulted them, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:20). I'm an atheist, however, I still follow this philosphy. After all, as much brutal insults as Bush has been getting, it seems to me that this nation doesn't have a majority of Christians.

Other than that, do you not feel that insulting someone (someone you don't even know!) is right? I'm not saying that the president should not get special treatment, I'm just saying that if you believe insulting people is wrong, why do you feel you can make fun of the president just because you're free to do so? Freedom doesn't mean that anything you can do, you should.

I don't know if you guys who are disagreeing with me are getting the point of this, but this is as clear as I can make it.

Thanks for all the input though!

Answer 1

That is a good point. I never thought of it like that before. But if we start deciding who we can and can't make fun of and what we can and can't say will that lead to a violation of our constitutional rights? I think people have the right to disagree with our leaders, and maybe should be a little more respectful, but in no way should that become a law.

Answer 2

We live in a free society. So I think the question you really may be asking is if a individual has a right to insult the president, I understand their will be different opinions if you support him our not.but freedom of expression is integral part of a free society. if a joke is made in bad taste! Well that is for the individual to decide, we are all created equal in the eyes of the law and this does not exclude political leaders. If you are prevented from expressing your self by law then who decides what is appropriate, and where does the censorship stop! Then you are entering the realm of kings and dictators. It,s not always easy being a free country and we all have to be big enough to take a few insults to keep it that way. I hope I have helped you with your Question

Answer 3

I'm not American but I can tell you that other countries don't make fun of him because his own citizens sometimes do. Even if all Americans supported Bush I still don't think that would help him with foreign affairs. Other countries tend to make fun of him because most of the rest of the world doesn't agree with him or his administration. And we make fun of him because it's soooooo easy. I'm sorry but come on now.... don't tell me you've never snicked at some of the comments he's made during many of his speeches. I was always told that America is a great country based on all its freedoms (which includes freedom of speech). I don't think just because he's your president that he should get immunity from ridicule. He works for you guys. It's not like he's your king. I mean the guy choked on a pretzel and ended up all banged up.....how can you expect someone to not make at least one joke about that. It's funny.

Answer 4

If Bush was legitimately elected I would show more restraint.
Bush is not a qualified president. Having been lied to for 3 years about his war in Iraq, I feel he deserves as much respect as some of the conservatives gave Clinton.
I don't care if the world takes him seriously - other than recognizing him for the menace that he is, and combining to block him from achieving some of his foreign policy aims - he has earned no respect and is not legitmately entitled to the office he sits in. I don't care if it causes problems. As Bush says " presidenting is hard, hard work " Let it be harder.
Even his dad wishes he was not so persistant in his foolishness. Now we have over 100.000 innocent Iraqis killed and on up towards 3000 Americans killed. Maybe making fun of this imbecile is wrong. Prosecuting him won't be.

Answer 5

Bush has insulted me, why the hell should i refrain from insulting him? The man represents everything that is wrong in a human being. The other presidents had some fairly well documented personality flaws also. The American public deserves better people. The trouble is that big business does`nt back decent people, there`s no money in it. Elected politicians do not act in the name of the people, they have their own corporate paymasters to appease, not you and me.

Answer 6

we could make fun of whom ever we want. It is a free country. Other countries don't have this freedom, so I believe the president and all presidents would agree. What I don't like is hollywood stepping in where they don't belong. They made a movie about an assaination of Pres. Bush, now thats wrong. The poor man is still alive, what about his family seeing that. Not to mention it will put ideas into a lot of crazy people out there. Make fun of the president, yes, show a film depicting his death when he is still alive, NO. LOL

Answer 7

Actually your question is a very good one. My father was a minister and when I was young we were never allowed to speak ill of a sitting president or a fellow minister. It was a matter of respect for the office they held. I know my Dad had views that at times were very different than that of the president, but out of respect for the office of president he kept them to himself. I agree with you there should be some level of respect no matter what, if not for the man then for the office.

Answer 8

I agree with you 100%. I do not like Bush particularly, however, I would never mock him over the Internet. It is bad manners and stupidity for Americans to act in this manner. But then again, how many Americans are really smart enough to know this? You will find that among the "mockers" on line most are children who have not learned how to act "grown up". Hopefully they will someday learn.

Answer 9

Yes, I agree.

Even when President Clinton was putting the nation through an embarrassing impeachment trial, I still called him "President Clinton" because the office deserves that respect.

I disagreed with his policies but as an American and a member of the US Navy, I still showed respect. Not at all what we are seeing from the liberals of today...

Answer 10

I am a supporter of George Bush and also like to mock on him about his failing or short comings. Hope he too will be enjoying in the right spirit of pluralism. Don't make any President a God send savior. There are none.