Conservatives, are you opposed to the freedom to speak against the policies of this government...?

Question

.... the war effort in Iraq, or the perceived motives of this Republican administration for making the decisions they have made in the last 7 years?

Or do you support dissent directed at the Bush administration, the war... and conservativism in America, even if you don't agree with it?

I'm impressed with some of the answers, including some from Conservatives. Thank-you!

Answer 1

Whether I agree with people or not, freedom of speech is something that I am not apposed to.

There are many things that I have issues with when it comes to GWB. For openers, I am an old time republican who is conservative and believe in fiscal responsibility. GWB is not. I have very mixed emotions about Iraq on an almost day to day basis and as a result, that's a topic that I generally veer away from.

Answer 2

You know, a cousin of mine who is a very strong democrat really detests conservatives.

One day we were talking about a few political opinions going on in the news and he said he watched a TV show hosted by Glen Beck.

He couldn't believe that a conservative person was railing on Bush! I told him, just because the President is a republican doesn't automatically mean every republican out there supports everything he does.

On that note I've railed on this administration over many issues, but the sad part is that when I do, people (namely liberals) are so quick to simply see my user id and automatically click on the thumbs down button... It's obvious that they aren't reading the content that I've (at times) agreed with them on.

Thank God some people aren't quite so illiterate and fickle.

Answer 3

Conservatives love freedom of speech! But that's not what is going on....
Civil discourse and civil disagreement are the founding principals of this country. What many liberals are practicing today is hate speech. I have seen Janeane Garofalo in a speech call Republicans evil, Jessica Lange say that she despises President Bush, Al Sharpton compare President Bush to a gang leader (and on and on) say the war in Iraq was a fraud. To understand- just switch the word African American with the word Republican or President Bush. What would be the result if someone said that African Americans were evil? Many Liberals name call and make accusations with no factual basis. Some of these individuals would be sued for slander if their statements were made against anyone other than President Bush. Yet- Liberals say their right to speak is being infringed upon by Conservatives. This is spin at its greatest. Hate speech is not civil discourse! Liberals have the right to speak out and express their views(even hate speech)- however- Conservatives have a right to react to that speech.

Answer 4

You can say whatever you want, we don't have to like it. Just so long as you understand that we can say what we want to as well. I personally don't care if you agree with Bush or not. I just don't like some of the personal attacks that are leveled at him. I don't like personal attacks leveled at anyone. If you disagree with someones policies, that's fine, but is it necessary to call someone with a MBA an ignorant moron. Like him or not, the man believes that what he is doing is the best thing to keep the country safe. You can't fault the man for trying to do that. Everyone is going nuts over the Terrorist Surveilence Program but nothing was said about the presidents before him (yes I said presidents:plural) having and using a more invasive program.
Say what ever you want, but remeber, with freedom of speech comes responsibilities and consequences. Take the Dixie Chicks, they exercised their freedom of speech, then the country music fans exercised their freedom of speech by not buying their records, or going to their concerts, and not wanting their music played on their radio stations for a while.

Answer 5

I think the freedom to let your voice be heard is what makes our country different from others, it keeps our goverment more accountable (or it at least tries to! :D ). Not all conservatives agree with the decisions being made, and there's no reason to not listen to other opinions. It's when people get rude that I'm opposed to THEM, not their party, no matter which side they're on! I don't ever support dissent because George W. Bush is our leader, whether we as a nation like it or not. I think being completely lukewarm about our leader is a poor example to the next generation, while following blindly is just as inadvisable. Balance, people! Use your brains to argue, not your anger.

Case-in-point, TAT, who answered before me. I gave them a "thumbs down " because they're ticking me off.

Opposite of case-in-point, mark j, below me. He's the kind of person who should be answering people.

Oh, and Privatize, a conservative just gave you your third "thumbs down."

Answer 6

I can't say I support all the 'dissent' being directed at the president because I entirely disagree with almost everything said. However, as I have never once followed up with anyone here via email in an effort to either degrade, chastise or, persuade, I consider myself extremely tolerant of varying viewpoints in this forum.

Just stay out of my dark alley and we shall both survive this experience. lol

Answer 7

No.

but I also know what role Congress has during war.

I am opposed to big government. That goes well beyond the war and the Bush administration (i.e. more than just the last 7 years).

Answer 8

Nothing wrong with questioning motives or policies or whatever. If you dont agree with something you should be allowed to say so.
I do get tired of the frothing at the mouth raving lunatic accusatory type of speech though. And there is ALOT of it.

The difference here being if you have a disagreement say so.. if you are going to make accusations, better have some proof.

Answer 9

I'm not against anyone speaking out about the policies of the government. I actually condone it because it is our right to. The ones that come off as immature and naive are the ones that want to attack personally. The question that always comes to my mind is, how can you attack someone personally that you don't know personally? This goes for both the left and the right. I didn't vote for Bill Clinton, nor do I approve of the ways he handled things while in office, but it wouldn't stop me from shaking his hand if I had the opportunity. It's called respect.

Answer 10

Now LibsRwimps is quoting a phrase from Jurassic Park to make his point. Classic. Anybody else getting a kick everytime he opens his mouth? As for your question you can get the answer by just reading their posts. The majority will try and demean you and put you down and call you a communists the second you give your opinion on how bad this president and his administration are running this country.