This week we celebrated Presidents Day, and I would like to take a paragraph to honor all the men who have occupied the Oval Office. It must be an terrible mantel to bear, being the leader of this great nation, and I can't help but feel that all of these men have earned my respect, simply because they served. Even if I vehemently disagree with their politics, they have earned their day of honor. too much American history is now untaught, and uncared for, and this sidelining of or historical relevance has happened in my lifetime There was a time when there were two separate days of recognition. As a child I was encouraged to celebrate both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. One as the Father of our country, and the other as the Great Emancipator. I think one is viewed today as the old guy with wooden teeth, and the other as the tall guy in Slash's hat. Now, don't get me wrong, I think it's good that we honor all Presidents now, at least in theory. The issue I have is with the lack of respect given today. We have become so disrespectful of the office itself, that I wonder if people under the age of twenty really think that the current President's first name is That and his middle name Asshole. I must say that there have been men in the office I disliked, or thought of a reprehensible, but unless it is in Private conversation, I try to refrain from calling them demeaning names. Of course this is just my opinion, and I am entitled to it. folks can pretty much say anything they wish, from whatever forum they choose. If one so desires, they could stand in front of VA hospitals and call returning veterans every name imaginable. It has certainly been done before, and the Constitution guaranties the right to do so. Does having a legal right to do such things make it the right thing to do? Of course not. Just because you have a right to be a douche-bag, doesn't mean you should be. Thankfully, as a child I was taught to respect the office of the President, even if disgusted by the person holding it, and believe me, I have been more than once. Not all Presidents have been good, or moral men, but they all have had the fortitude to take on the job, and that I can respect. So in that spirit, I say here's to all the Presidents. Celebrate your favorite Commander In Chief's memory. For me that means I was saying 'bully" a lot yesterday.
