Surprisingly, it still surprises me

I read an article this morning about Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks. Remember back in 2003 when she stated how she was ashamed that President Bush was from Texas? She had since apologized for that disrespectful comment, and now she recants that apology, stating, "I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever."

Nice. Whatever happened to basic respect in this country? I can see how it is with adults to one another, children to adults, ...anyone to someone in a position of leadership. And the office of the President... that has become something that people constantly poke fun at, joke about, ridicule, trash, ...I'm so frustrated that I can't even think of strong enough words to explain what I'm feeling. You know what I mean. Everyone can see how things have turned thru the years. I can only imagine how much it turns the stomachs of those in the generations above us. Too see the respect just corrode away like it has... it makes me so upset. I thought there used to be consequences for things like what Natalie Maines has done. At one point, wouldn't that have been construed as treason? And now, in the age where we bash our Presidents on SNL, it's okay. It's freedom of speech. It's a "right" we have that no one can deny us.

How about the right of silence? Whatever happened to "If you don't have nothin' nice to say, don't say nothin' at all!" (To loosely quote Thumper from "Bambi" there!) I know our leaders aren't always correct in their judgments and decisions. Heck, as a parent, I know I'm not always right. (Okay, go ahead and print this to show Kirsten when she's 17!) But there HAS to be something more. You don't have to necessarily like everything about the person, you don't even have to like them at all, but there HAS to be a level of respect given. If not, then the position has become some grand joke, and no matter who is in office, it will remain a joke that people will never take seriously. And what is this teaching our children? How are they to differentiate between what's just speaking your mind and what's showing a true lack of respect? If we criticize people so much, isn't that sending a message to the kids that nobody really deserves respect? Where does the line get drawn?

I don't know. I'm so annoyed I lost my train of thought. Maybe I should go chug another cup of coffee... that'll at least divert my thoughts. Now, where's my cup?