Do World Leaders deserve any Respect?
65Prime Minister (UK) - Gordon Brown
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Sometimes, I shake my head when I hear or read comments people make about World leaders in Public. Lots of people seem to have a chip on their shoulder about them. Maybe I am being over sensitive, but here are some instances below:
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Top Gear presenter – Jeremy Clarkson publicly called Gordon Brown “a one-eyed Scottish idiot”, early this year in a Press conference in Sydney.
It’s no secret that the Prime Minister lost his sight in one eye after a rugby accident as a teenager He can’t see from one eye which is a disability.
Jeremy’s comments: “(In the UK) we've got this one-eyed Scottish idiot,” he said. “He keeps telling us everything's fine and he's saved the world and we know he's lying, but he's smooth at telling us.”
This coming from a “famous” person, making a mockery of someone’s disability. Jeremy has since apologised.
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Queen Elizabeth II
A labour Election Candidate, Peter White called the called the Queen a ‘parasite’ and 'vermin' on Facebook. His comments were in reference to celebrating the Diamond Jubilee.
His comments: ''What is the point of celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of someone who is born into a position of privilege, she is a parasite and milks this country for everything she can………Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a public holiday but lets have one that means something, rather than celebrating vermin.''
He has since apologised too but sadly for him, it was announced on the news on 2 Dec 09 that the Labour party bosses had sacked him.
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President Obama
Then there is the issue of Obama’s Presidency. I can’t even begin to start posting reams of comments I have read on Website Forums and other places. The man can do no right. There are a few posts I could copy on this Hub but have just done a search and found one newly posted this week in Hubpages Forums. It states:
“Barely a year in and he's got the Nobel Peace Prize. The promises he made for peace in the Middle-east are forgotten. His rhetoric to tackle the Palestine problem are lost. His promise to end the war in Afghanistan are met with more troops who will be withdrawn sometime next year. He struts, he poses, he touches, he feels.
He's a Tony Blair with designer wear. He's a sham. He's shallow and impotent. The leader of the free world is an actor from the same theatre. The world looks on astonished. He had so much potential - but the emperor has clothes.”
Is there any need for this?
Going by the first 2 responses to the post, no one seems to be particularly interested in his point of view anyway.
I guess some people are reading this article and thinking “well, it’s freedom of speech”. Fair enough but, you have to admit - it's not in good taste.
So, back to the question, do you think our World leaders deserve any respect?
Rest in Peace - Benazir Bhutto (former PM of Pakistan)
Update...
A few days after writing this Hub on 13 December 09, someone lashes out at the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Milan - assaulting him. (leaving him with two broken teeth).
Then there is that famous line "It was by a person who had "mental problems"". I don't think so!!
Italian Prime Minister after attack
CommentsLoading...
These statements do nothing to change the situation or solve the problems. Do you notice that upon reflection, they all apologized. Just people letting off some steam about their frustrations. These world leaders are under scrutiny 24/7, that's not something I'd want for myself. Think before you speak!
I've lacked confidence in just about all of the world leaders, being that they are not who they say they are. One thing is certain--and that is that the people are not being told everything and certainly not everything we need to hear. I think that the worst thing that we can do is to accept everything at face value. If any of us really do want to know the truth, than all of us will have to make the effort to find it and look at it from every angle.
One piece of advice I'd like to give to these guys? Think before you speak! It's that simple!
Thank you, Lady_E!
In my opinion Obama and Blair are men who deserve my respect. I did not particularly like Bush, but unlike others I did not poke fun at him. When I get irritated with leaders such as Palin and Bush it is for their policies and the things they say, not for more personal reasons like their family.
Obama is someone I will vote for again, and I am one of his big supporters. Right now it is popular to bash him here in the US, but a lot of this can be attributed to the underlining forces that really did not want him in office in the first place. Obama is actually doing an excellent job considering the economic mess we were in, and I have every confidence he will continue to work through this. People are fickle and quickly forget that Roosevelt presided over the United States during the Great Depression, and it was a full six years into his presidency before any real economic recovery took place.
I also admire Tony Blair, former PM of the UK, for his positive attitude and desire to work towards finding peaceful solutions in the Middle East.
Carter is another former president I highly respect. First for having the courage to write a opinion peace about why he thinks the Baptist church should update their policies towards women. For his work with Habitat for Humanity, and towards bolstering peace through Africa and the Middle east. Third for speaking out against the ridiculous imagery certain Tea Party advocates have been using. People lambasted him for this, but I am glad he took a stand.
Let these people do their job, and try to support them when you can. I chuckle when some of their biggest critiques talk about things they would do better if they were president because if they got in those positions you know they would have their hands tied too. They are human beings, not magicians. Of course people expect miracles, but I have always been pretty grounded and into supporting and believing in the American system. If you work within, things do get better. I think America, the UK, and many other countries are better off then they were 300 years ago, so you have to think in large scale!
Hummmmm...If one elects a representative and that person becomes corrupt and focused on payoffs then yes, you do have the right to be angry and speak up. How you do that is another issue—one must be respectful, yet straight to the point with their stated feelings and follow that up by voting them out of office!
yeah,great
I'll keep your post
Well, I think there is always a line that should not be crossed - threatening violence or inciting others to violence against the person and attacking the family is always wrong.
Thanks so much for your interesting Comments everyone.
@ Pete - Thanks Pete - totally agree with you and people have the right to have a difference in opinion or not agree with certain issues about presidency but in a reasonable way. Cheers.
@ Hi Jack - I like your point "think before you speak" and the fact that some apologise. Thanks.
@ Cheers Dohn - I hope people take your advice. Thanks.
@ Sweetpie – Thanks for your Comments. I like your point which states “Let these people do their job and try to support them”. There is a saying: United we stand, divided we fall”. Infact, reading all your comments, you hit the nail on the head. It’s impossible for everyone to agree with a president or boss at work, however we have to realise they are only human. Lovely to read from you. Cheers.
@ Hi Nancy – Hummmm. Lol. I wonder what you thought about the Copenhagen meeting. I read your Hub about it. Anyway, thanks for your comments. As you stated, one must be respectful and if they want to vote the person off, that’s fine – the objective of voting is to give people a choice.
@ Hi Xunlei – Thanks for stopping and for your comments, Regards.
@ Hi Katrika – Totally agree with you. There is a line that should not be crossed. Lovely to read from you again.
I do respect leaders. They really deserve our respect. They only need prayers to succeed because they are all politicians and what they see on ground before being elected is not usually how it is when they get there. It is a nice hub that keeps one thinking.
Before answer your question, I would like to know that if we are getting true leaders or if the process of electing the right candidate for presidency from a party is perfect? I think still there are lots of scope to get better leaders than the current leaders of the world. Almost all of the political parties are funded by the business person-so there are lots of possibility to influence the political parties to choose a business minded candidate as a leader.
** True Philipo. I agree with you. "United we stand, divided we fall". Thanks.
** I understand your point of view Andromida. May the best Leaders be voted in as Presidents/Prime Ministers of countries. Cheers.
Lady E, Very good thought provoking hub! You have raised some excellent concerns! I do think that leaders need our respect because the word tells us that "the higher powers are ordained by God." Not that we have to agree with everything they say or do. But respect brings a sense of order... Othwerwise there is chaos!
How soon many people forget? Very good points made by Sweetie1 in regards to President Obama. He has not been in office long enough to turn things around. He I am sure, is still learning his way through all the bureaucracy! One can only begin to imagine the intricacies of all the political international issues which surrounds the presidency of the USA. My prayers are with Him and His family!
As far as Queen Elizabeth II, I think she brings a sense of dignity to England...
Thank you for a wonderful post! Great topic as always! Love & Blessings!
You may not alway's agree with them, but you have to give the the respect just for tackling the job to begin with! I wouldn't want the job...Thanks Great hub Kerry
** Thanks Deborrah, excellent points you raised. I hope people will start seeing leaders in a different way. I like your words "Respect brings a sense of Order"
Thanks for your comments. Best Wishes.:)
** Hi K Martin - it ain't an easy job being a leader of a country and I hope all leaders (not just Obama) have the wisdom to make the right decisions. Thanks for stopping. :)
It is the leaders who are to respect the people, of the country they are serving, first and foremost, not for the people to respect their leaders.
The laws are there for our leaders to uphold not take on an office and make their own laws or use the laws only to protet themselves.
They are there to serve not to be served.
Interesting Point John, but if you read the whole Hub, the point I'm getting at is people constantly disregarding them in the way they talk about them and the slandering. Various examples given in the Hub.
Thanks for stopping.
Pete Maida Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
I have took many shots at George Bush about the level of intellect that he displayed so I can't complain about that kind of comment. However, when people threaten our president and make terrible statements about his wife and children, then I get upset. I never and have never said anything bad about Mr. Bush's family and I think people that attack the Obama's in that manor need help.