By Jonathan Tallman




Today, Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to hold a seat in the United States House of Representatives, compared President George W. Bush to Adolf Hitler, the German dictator that set out to take over the world and destroy the Jewish population.

Congressman Ellison compared the atrocities of 9/11 to that of when Hitler burned down the Reichstag. Ellison said, "It's almost like the Reichstag fire, kind of reminds me of that." He then went on to say to the crowd of 300 atheist activists, "After the Reichstag was burned, they blamed the Communists for it, and put the leader of that country (Hitler) in a position where he could basically have authority to do whatever he wanted." Not only does this suggest that President Bush is the totalitarian dictator of our time, but he also is insinuating that President Bush orchestrated the 9/11 attacks.

Congressman Ellison isn't the first figure of authority and stature to attack the president in such a disrespectful and uneducated manner. Just a few days before Ellison's remarks, Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams said "Right now I would love to kill George Bush." What a great way to spread peace throughout our world, by threatening the sitting president of America when you aren't even from America. A congressional delegate from New York had the audacity to say that President Bush should "be shot between the eyes" and liberal blogs throughout America consistently call President Bush "dumber than a box of rocks," "idiot," and an "imbecile."

Here lies an issue that goes beyond these disgraceful words. Disrespect for the Office of the President of the United States has completely gone out the window. Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent, conservative or liberal, it is my belief that there is a certain amount of respect that should be given to President Bush simply for being president. I believe in free speech, and would never do anything to prevent it, but I also have enough sense to realize that with that great freedom comes responsibility. As much as I disliked the presidency of Bill Clinton, I never can remember thinking to myself that he should be killed. To me, this man was the sitting president of the greatest nation in the world, and simply for that matter, he received my respect, even to this day. Disagree with Iraq, Social Security, or any other issue for that matter, but just pay respect to a man that has become President of the United States.

Respect for the president has disintegrated. We need to go back to the days when you could agree to disagree. Let’s be honest, there are issues we face that both sides are very passionate about, but what does such verbal slander bring to the table? It does no good to say the president should be dead or that he is like Hitler. If anything, it only inflames the other side to go after the vicious attackers, and then we have accomplished nothing. Hold the Office of President of the United States in high esteem. Not just anybody makes it to the White House, and those that did should be respected to some extent simply for just being the President of the United States. Liberals better be aware should a Democrat take office in 2009. Whether I agree with it or not, there are a lot of conservatives and Republicans that wish to attack liberals the way they have attacked our president, George W. Bush.

I believe Congressman Ellison should come out and apologize for his inappropriate remarks concerning the president. I also believe that Ms. Williams should be stripped of her Nobel Peace Prize. How can it be an honor to receive a reward that is given to those looking for peace in the world when somebody as ferocious as Ms. Williams is a recipient of the grand award?