[djm2]

DubDub make a point in a different thread that I believe deserves its own thread. Specifically:

How do you display respect for the office of the President when you have nothing but complete and absolute contempt for the holder of that office?

I am sure that many of the left-leaning members of the forum had a significant degree of contempt for GWB, and the right-leaning members almost certainly have contempt for BHO or WJC -- so under these circumstances how do you display respect for the office?.

[LunkHead]

I will flash back to my military days and my time on the police department...

There were many, many idiots who held various levels of rank... Some were kiss butts, suckup's and many were just down right imbeciles...

I was always told you respect the rank, not the person.... Easier said than done, I know...

[Dubdub]

I agree with LunkHead. It is the Office, not the person.

[ezrunner]

Wirelessly posted (overwhelmingly stressed)

Gonna have to go with lunk on this!
Don't have to respect him as a man but should still show respect for the office of the president.

[kirrinjones]

Wirelessly posted

While I agree totally with the other contributors, another little thing I always add to the mix is, if the person can fire you or has more power than you, then its best to keep your personal feelings out of it and do the job.

[CoDudette]

Wirelessly posted (It's all about Fuschia!)

I don't have any respect for ANY of our politicians. One of my best friends is running for MLA (member of legislative assembly), and I respect him, not his ranking.

I respect the office ranking, not the people. Its just that most politicians are money hungry s**theads.

[djm2]

My question was not really intended to get at WHETHER the position should be respected, but rather HOW RESPECT IS MANIFESTED when you feel contempt for the holder of the position.

[CoDudette]

it's difficult to respect someone you aren't particularly fond of, especially if they're in a position of power. i guess, the fact they are IN that position, you hold some respect for them. not because you want to, but because they hold that particular position. it's tricky. and not that simple to do.

[OrangeBDS]

You can't have respect for someone you don't, in fact, respect. You can try and fake it I suppose but no real respect will come about. No matter what position that person holds over you or anyone, if you don't actually respect them, you won't be able to show them that you honestly do until they earn your respect somehow. You can't conjure respect out of nowhere, everyone has their standards, and if not met I think you can only show fake respect, even for their office. My opinion.

[angelbear1973]

I respect the office wholeheartedly But I sincerely have no respect for BHO

[kathrynhr]

Originally Posted by djm2

My question was not really intended to get at WHETHER the position should be respected, but rather HOW RESPECT IS MANIFESTED when you feel contempt for the holder of the position.

This vet says it's easier in the military. Respect = following protocols and orders, and not making negative or undermining comments in uniform.

Respect in the private sector is trickier because there's no shared definition of what constitutes respectful behavior.

I guess in my case it means participating in debate while it's going on, getting behind the decision once it's made even if I don't agree with it, and trying to avoid criticism unless I have a better alternative in mind. Also, I think people's personal lives are out-of-bounds for criticism unless it is alleged that they've broken the law.

[bdsguru]

clench your teeth, smile and think to your self whatever names you could call him. That's what I do with my boss.