Political Consideration

Here is something that has been bothering me lately.  Why is it that people post things on Facebook of a political nature that is insulting to those on the other side? I don’t mean when people “like” something so that it appears on their wall that they support President Obama, former President Bush, Sarah Palin, gay rights, right-to-life, healthcare reform, tax reform, or any other political figures or issues.  That doesn’t bother me.  I have, in fact, been known to “like” things that reflect my liberal leaning political beliefs.

No, I’m talking about commenting about something in an insulting manner that doesn’t just reflect your political beliefs but puts down other’s beliefs.  Why is it necessary to do that?  Shouldn’t we show a little consideration to how others may feel?

Take in point what appeared this weekend.  Someone posted a comment as to why President Obama was not attending the Army/Navy football game. It was not just a simple query but speculation as to why he wasn’t attending and pointing out that he didn’t go to Arlington on Memorial Day either. Someone then commented with “Oh, and Fearless Leader is probablyscarfing down a burger in the broom closet before Michelle catches him!”. (Kept the misspelling in so the quote would be accurate).  The original poster than commented that the president has “such disdain for the military… until he needs them.”

I understand that people have the right to their opinions.  I also understand that the first amendment gives everyone the right to free speech.  So they have the right to express their opinions. But they are posting their opinions in a public forum and what they are saying is insulting to those of us who love and support our president.

Did they like it when people made fun of President Bush?  Were they not offended when people mocked him, ridiculed him and called him names? If that upset them, why would they turn around and treat the current president the same way?

For the record, I did not like President Bush.  I was upset when he won the first election and even more upset when he won the second.  I think he was bad for this country and one of the worse presidents we ever had.  That is my opinion.  But I am not attacking his character, mocking him, ridiculing him or calling him names. I understand that he is a nice guy who is fun to hang out with and share few laughs.  I just think that he wasn’t presidential material and he made some very poor choices for this country.

I also want to point out that this is my blog, therefore, and this goes without saying, it is full of my opinions. It is also a public forum.  But it is a public forum for those who wish to read it.  If you don’t like what I write or the opinions I express, then I’m sure you can chose not to read my blog.

Facebook is for public consumption. I not only see the opinions of people I have “friended” but the opinions of their friends. The one person whose comment I quoted is not even a Facebook “friend” of mine.  Yet her opinion showed up on my Facebook page.  I see the comments of a lot of people who I have never met and probably will never meet. It is a VERY public forum.

What I wish is for people to realize how public it is and to show a little political consideration. Respect the fact that what you write will be seen by many people and many of those people could take great offense to your comments. Not everyone agrees with everyone else’s thoughts and views and we should be considerate of that fact.

I guess the old adage of “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” applies here.  Maybe if we all abide by that, we will have less strife in this world and can possibly achieve a little peace.