My Fourth of July was spent with family and friends on a beautiful lake near Jackson, MI. Somewhere in between me eating a hamburger and watching the little kids play with squirt guns, a shocking theory was announced by a grandfather visiting from Arizona. This deep, analytical theory went something like this:

       "Did you know President Bush is gay? It's true! Him and 'Scooter' Libby are gay together, and that's why he
       pardoned him."

Now I know this particular type of comment is surely made by young, leftist, punks all the time - but to hear a man from "the greatest generation" say this really cut like a knife. I respect this man dearly (as I respect all elders), but I am having a difficult time respecting the words he spoke that sunny afternoon. After he made his peace, I decided to remind everyone of the vast number of pardons given by the all-mighty Bill Clinton. Of course not one single person knew about this; nor did they really care. The conversation stopped shortly thereafter, but the remnants still  linger in my head.

I did not write this to chastise an old man I love dearly. I wrote this because I truly believe liberals are some of the most ignorant and disrespectful people in our country. I always thought every generation after the 1960's gradually became more commercialized and less patriotic. I was proven wrong. What decade you were born in is irrelevant - it is the values, beliefs, and morals (if you have any) that truly define someone's character. Whether George W. Bush is your hero, or you plan to throw a party the day he leaves office - the 4th of July is no day to openly express your vulgar distaste for the leader of our great land. It is a day to reflect on our country's heritage. It is a day to remember how far along we have come as a society. It is a day to love our country, not degrade it.

President Bush is a simple man you can either love or hate, and you have the freedom to feel either way. But at the end of the day, every single citizen should respect our President....just as I was raised to respect my elders.

Cheers.