Former President Harry Truman coined the slogan, " The Buck Stops Here". Truman meant that he could and would take responsibility for his actions and subsequently could and would take credit for his successes' and criticism for his failures. Harry Truman, lest you forget, dropped two Atomic Bombs on Japan that ended World War 2. President Truman was criticized by some but he knew that as President he had to end the War. History now ranks Truman as one our our great leaders.
Today we are confronted by an unusual phenomenon, a situation that labels individuals because they dare to criticize a political leader.What would we have called Truman, Four Eyes, a Skinny Haberdasher? Disagreeing with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton does not make one a Misogynistic any more than opposing Barack Obama's policies make one a racist. If we don't like Congressman Barney Frank's pronouncements, does that make one Homophobic? I hope you see where this is headed, down the slippery slope of prejudice.
Any American, regardless of race, sex or gender is able to run and garner political office. In so doing, they put themselves up to public scrutiny, some of which is painful. The criticism of these elected officials, is healthy, allowed and part of the "Arena of Public Opinion" that is a big part of our Representative Democracy.
Let's not thwart Free Speech, easpecially as we move into the Presidential election cycle.
