May 25, 2009
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, or lack thereof
By: Bob Ulrich
I write this on Memorial Day, perhaps the ultimate day of respect. In the 230-plus years the United States has been in existence, millions of soldiers have lost their lives to keep our country a safe haven for the rest of us.
To all of them and their families, I say "Thank you."
Respect seems to be a lost art. When one person disagrees with another, there no longer is a respect for the other opinion. There is just arguing and finger pointing and, in too many cases, hate.
I respect our current president, Barack Obama, and support what he is trying to do. I don't agree with everything he does, and recently said so in one of my Modern Tire Dealer editorials. I had a little fun at his expense, but tried to point out why I thought he was wrong to give states the right to set their own CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards.
Three of my readers told me I was being disrespectful to the president with my editorial. I have no doubt that at least two of them would have said nothing had I written the same thing about President Bush (either one), but I digress.
One of my favorite responses was the following:
"I was pretty disappointed that you would use your editorial to espouse your political viewpoint. It is very clear by your words that you lead to the right. Your condescending comments are misplaced and sophomoric. Stick to tires or tire info, leave the politics to the heavyweights."
I tried to contact the person twice, but he never responded. That's all-to-typical of people today. They have no respect for other's opinions. And without respect, there can be no discussion and understanding.
President Obama recently pushed for national CAFE regulations, which, I believe, corrects his previous error. I respected him and his opinon before, even though I thought he was wrong. I respect him even more now, maybe partially because he seems to agree with my viewpoint, but certainly because he has shown the ability to own up to his own mistakes.
There is no greater sign of disrespect than the indirect arguing going on between President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney over the previous administration's policies on terrorism . Each holds the other's viewpoint in disdain.
Cheney -- for whom I have very little respect (he was hired to find a running mate for George W. Bush and chose himself; has taken no responsiblity for irregularities at Halliburton Co. during the period he was CEO; tried to spin his way out of accidently shooting a hunting companion, to name three reasons) -- probably got tired of hearing the president bash former President Bush -- yes, that is "another" knock on the current president, folks.
In this case, I honestly can see both sides of the issue, and am glad I didn't or don't have to decide on what to do. But the men involved don't see it that way. How does, in essence, getting into a pissing contest help matters? Without any respect, party polarization will continue. And with that, there is a greater chance for legislative error.
There are a number of major contracts between tire manufacturers and the United Steelworkers up for renewal this summer. Here's hoping the negotiations go smoothly, and everyone involved remains respectful of each other's goals.
That, not free speech alone, is really what our soldiers fight for. They always have. Happy Memorial Day.
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