Are U.S. Citizens speaking out more against the kind of rhetoric and name calling that we're hearing?
468795
In Britain, it's both annoying and amusing to hear politicians resort to personal comments (which they do a lot). If you actually watch parliamentary debates they make sarcastic comments and laugh at whoevers speaking. In European politics, there was an uproar after Italians and Germans began calling each other members of the Gestapo etc. \n\nMaybe sometimes you need to just laugh, but I agree, it's not helpful when people compare Bush to a dictator etc because their exaggeration undermines their argument.
717145
The person calling the names wants people to come down to their level.\nThey don't realize their words hurt.
1043354
I don't care who holds a political office so long as their acting in the interests of America. If those people wish to (in my opinion) diminish themselves by referring to themselves as hyphenated Americans that is their self imposed burden.
830245
Not really, what's sad (and wrong) in this country is that a public figure can not say what the rest of us are (supposedly) free to say, political correctness is like a pendulum that has swung too far. We have freedom of speech, yet if someone says anything that will offend anyone else, there's a big stink. Political campaign commercials are free to bash and exaggerate negatively about the opponents yet Kerry can't say what a large percentage of us really think? Hell no, he shouldn't apologize.
996086
It is indeed a sad commentary on the 'average' US citizen .. and the Congress ... that no one is raising red flags!!! ... The citizenry is more interested in who is winning on some idiotic reality tv show. and the Congress is more worried about getting re-elected and keeping their cush-jobs than they are in preserving the standards of freedom that this country was built on and that, supposedly, our military men and women have fought for and are fighting and dying for.  But it seems all we get is rhetoric and no action.
266388
You most certainly can voice your opinion. Debate and disagreements are going to come. That's also part of living in a free society.\n\nThe ridicule comes from those who disagree and can't debate without having to say unnecessary things. Unfortunately it's simply a lack of respect for others that brings that out. And that's a part of a free society as well.
722182
USA dictate to the world? can you honestly believe that? since we are the basis for most of the economies in the world you think that we would have a stronger voice but we do not. only time the world wants to hear from us is when we are helping them.
1158424
Yes, I have a suggestion..\nEvery time you see some ass h---- on the internet that says bad things about the President, or The Military, or, our country, let them know that they are free to say things like that because they ARE FREE.. Many Americans gave their life so people can express themselves.. But enough is enough..\nOur troops are over there protecting Americans over here.\nYou take care.
1104762
Protesters who hope to save the people of Iraq/Afghanistan/Haiti/Palestine etc. from destruction must select the issues they confront and the means they employ in such a way as to attract as much popular support as possible for their efforts. There is no lack of clear issues and honorable means, surely, hence no reason why one should be impelled to ugly actions on ambiguous issues. In particular, it seems to me that counter-recruitment, properly conducted (as it has been so far ), is not only a highly principled and courageous act, but one that might receive broad support and become politically effective. It might, furthermore, succeed in raising the issues of passive complicity in the war which are now much too easily evaded. Those who face these issues may even go on to free themselves from the mind-destroying ideological pressures of American life, and to ask some serious questions about America's role in the world
1116193
Another closed-minded lemming not willing to recognize that open debate and free-thinking form the foundation of our republic...\n\nDisagreeing with the government and expressing the ideas of the opposition is the highest form of respect one can show for your country...being a blind follower of the regime is where the disgrace lies...\n\nAnd notice that this statement is non-partisan...I don't care who has control...QUESTION WHAT THEY'RE DOING...and if it doesn't seem right, fight it...
334800
There are probably facts for the other side, for immigrants, but I can't tell you about those because I am against them. As you know, there are always at least two sides to an issue. Good job for listening to both sides. A lot of people just hard-headedly choose one without hearing the other out. I picked my side on beliefs and try to be somewhat polite when in debates, but it can be hard :)
823005
The thing that disturbs me the most, is that the government can say things like "Liberty, Freedom, Democracy"...and the american public actually believes it.\n\nAs people living in North America, sure comparatively we have a huge amount of freedom - but a lot of that material freedom depends on the resources of so many countries.\n\nThe standard of living that we enjoy doesn't come from nowhere, so in that sense, from that perspective we are not totally free. So when the U.S. goes to war to protect its interest, and uses the words like freedom, liberty, democracy - they aren't totally lying, nor are they totally telling the truth.\n\nGetting a bit philosophical here, but i think the as people living in industrial nations, we have to reduce our dependency at home, so that words like freedom and liberty actually have some relevance.
1157096
I am alarmed at the vicious personal attacks that come upon people who try to "leave the herd" and question why we are all stampeding in a particular direction, and voice an opinion that goes against the crowd. \n\nI thought it was "American" to honor free speech and debate. I think we should relish the freedom we have, to hear another persons side, and then counter their arguments with thoughts of your own. There is much to be gained when  people are sharing, talking, and hearing each other.\n\n It seems anymore if anyone says anything at all against what our leaders choose to do at any given moment all the sudden they are called liberal scum, communists, unpatriotic traitors and publicly flogged or something. It feels very unamerican. What is wrong with occasionally questioning things, and asking for reasons, validation, or re-examining things more closely? It seems healthy to me.\n\nThere are some things that just BOTHER me. like...\nWhen a certain music band, that was fairly popular on the country scene, suddenly voiced and anti-war opinion ...\n\nsuddenly they are banned from all local radio stations and everyone hates them now. \n\nPeoples careers are ruined. Celebrities become nobodies. All for saying an opinion.\n\nHey, I'm not saying to be anti-war. Maybe the war had some good reasons it needed to be fought. Maybe you have some good points to make too. But why ruin someones life, and forbid your children to ever hear their music again, just because they share a different opinion or something?\n\nPeople are shunned, ruined, publicly flogged and verbally skinned, if they leave the "herd" and make an attempt to think for themselves. \n\nEven if you disagree with someone, I think sometimes listening to what they have to say and just saying 'that's what you think. you have the right to your opinion and I have a right to form my own. this is why I disagree..." and suddenly you get to make all your excellent points and validate what you believe. what is the harm in that?\n\n i think its healthy to debate, to talk, and be civil and listen. Free speech is priceless. Isnt that the very kind of freedoms we are supposed to be fighting to give Iraq? Why take it away from ourselves?\n\nI am disturbed by the other freedoms we seem to be voluntarily giving up as well. What's the deal with that?
241257
The First Amendmant guarantees our right to speak up against the government.\n\nThe problem with terrorism and speaking out is that political attacks that aren't accurate spread a negative and divisive pall over the people of this country.\n\nCalling the leaders of the US liars withought providing a lick of evidence only weakens our stance in the middle east and other terrorist-rich regions.\n\nI guess what i'm saying is that there is a right way and wrong way to disagree with how this country is being run.  In my opinion, too many people are choosing the wrong way.
421943
Nice question, "actions speak louder than words".\n\nSgtK, I thank all Armed forces personnel for their service to OUR country, Iraq like Vietnam was the WRONG call, I blame our flawed leadership for this decision. My FREEDOM to post my opinion without repercussion is what is also great about OUR country. I'm concerned about the amount of hysteria in the republican party which translates into paranoia and if one disagrees with the current administrations ideology, one is deemed as Un-American or a traitor. You do agree with my assessment about hysteria in the republican party don't you? Sorry to drift from the question at hand.
197268
it is our duty to speak out any time when we see injustice period, no matter which side it is.  democracy is holding too many faces lately, we impose it to others yet we can't keep it straight here.  we should express our dissatisfaction of our president without being called hurting our troops or siding with the enemy
449306
Such strong arguments here.. Just to clarify for you people: Name-calling is not the same as stating facts.  I have not seen any facts stated in the anti-bush argument on this site.  It's pathetic.