George Bush defeated Al Gore in the hotly-contested presidential election of 2000. During the following inauguration, protesters lined the streets of Washington, D.C. with black bags over their heads and shirts with an effigy of Bush reading “not my president.” By the election of 2004, the inflammatory rhetoric had grown viler. Facebook groups were formed spewing all varieties of venom about Bush and Web sites counting down the days until the end of his second term were opened. Since then, and in particular after the elections of 2006, the hatred has reached a new fervor with media groups and Congressional leaders — see Nancy Pelosi — tearing into the character of the president at every opportunity. Discourse over policy is one thing — attacks on a person’s character are completely different. Those who engaged in this character assassination should be ashamed. The failure to unite the country and the reason America has “lost its standing” in the world falls squarely on the shoulders of those who can’t put their country ahead of their personal feelings and support a president they don’t like. It is necessary to present a united front to the challenges we face. The emphasis is on we. Al-Qaida will not give you a pass just because you voted for Al Gore or John Kerry. Regardless of how you feel about Bush or the current state of the nation, he tried his best to do what was right for this country and should be respected. You can and should challenge someone’s ideas on their merit, but the motives and character of the leader must be respected.

I did not vote for Barack Obama. There are few, if any, policy issues I agree with him on, and I generally fear what an Obama/Reid/Pelosi government could bring. But you know what? I am an American, and on Jan. 20, Obama will be my president. I will always support and respect his motives and the office he will hold. It is not the winner reaching across the aisle who brings unity, but the losing party putting aside self-interest and resentment to put country first. Anybody who heard John McCain’s concession speech knows that he has always put country first, so if you voted for McCain, follow his lead and be respectful and supportive of the new administration.

Tyler Gustafson

Senior

Aerospace engineering