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[QUOTE]Originally posted by lionlove
[B]
I do find it incredibly offensive though when posters like pbpck and dekeguy say that if you don't agree with the Bush administrator you are an uneducated traitor. One of the things that I love about our country is our ability as citizens to voice opinions about our government. This can be done with ballots, letters, protests, and by many other forms. Maybe I misread the definition of "loyal opposition" but I got the impression that if you don't agree with the current administration (whoever they may be, not just Bush) then shut up and smile cause it is your patriotic duty to present a united front. As for showing interfraternal support for Bush, well, I don't necessarily agree with my own sisters sometimes. Why should I support a guy who isn't in my organization just because he is greek?
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If you are going to be terribly offended please do me the favor of re-reading my post and its follow ups. I think you will find that I have not called anyone an uneducated traitor. What I have done is:
express my personal opinion that I like Gov Bush and sympathize with his family disappointment, which is really none of my business other than to wish him well in a difficult private situation;
point out that I think that as our moderators are consistently and often times reminding us we should extend courtesy, not necessarily approval, agreement, or admiration, but courtesy to fellow Greeks we should extend this courtesy to the President who is after all a real undergraduate initiate Greek and chapter president, not just an honorary;
and that as we do seem to be in a shooting war with some rather unpleasant types who have murdered nearly three thousand innocent bystander Americans and a considerable number of innocent victims from other lands who were caught in the various blast effects, it occurs to me that Mrs. Boggs' definition of Loyal Opposition seems very appropriate to our current situatipn.
As I pointed out in my follow-up, I thought my slightly tounge-in-cheek comment about being loyal and for the administration, loyal and opposed to the administration, or a traitor would have been obviously seen for what it was, a bit of lightening up a very serious issue while expressing my opinion.
That was your point I believe? The bit about voicing opinions? Anyway, I did not say anything about "shut up and smile". I personally would appreciate it if all Americans would present a united front as I would hate to see our troops who are now engaged, and those who might yet be, not supported by the American people. But that is my personal hope. Now, to be very clear on this point, being a loyal American, united with other Americans, resolved to win this war on terrorism and in support of our troops and presenting a united front does not imply lock step approval of any particular administration's policies. There is plenty of room for disagreement and working to change policy through the ballot box and the forum of public opinion, so long as one's activities do not encourage or give aid and comfort to the enemy. Well, thats my opinion. I hope you are not terribly offended by it and I hope that we can agree on much if not all of what I have tried to express. It is, however, my opinion and I must stand by it. Please do consider how much we can agree on?
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