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The best way to confront the idiots who speak out is not with guns, but with simple common sense. I probably have paraphrased it to fit my point a little, but I have admitted it, so I move on.
There have been bad presidents (and bad is subjective), but it is hard to believe and truly stupid people have attained the office. I agree with you on that point. As for chastising the president or government in general giving aid and comfort, I have to believe two things, one our friends and enemies both know the intelligence of our leader better than we do. One of the big reasons why Reagan was so effective even when we viewed him as a punchline. The second is historically we have always been outspoken about our leaders (Andrew Jackson and John Quincey Adams thru their supporters and newspapers-remember in those days the parties and pols actually owned the papers-but you remember that as a kid I am sure- exchanged barbs as to who had the biggest whore for a wife).
I find it interesting the names of Presidents viewedas stupid by some, and the reasons why. Wilsonhad a doctorate,and was Pres of Princeton. Harrison was a famous General (tough guy) who had been Gov ofthe Indiana Territory. Nixon was a lot of bad things, but he was not unintelligent. Harding had as many thieves around him as Nixon, and they got caught, difference was Nixon knew and was loyal to his people, Harding was in the dark even after they all confessed.
Many of you may not like Obama, nobody will ever run (under the current system) will 80+% of the presidential vote, but make no bones about it, he is very smart. You may disagree with his positions, or his conclusions, but if you ever spoke to him, you would never say he was unintelligent (unless you yourself were very much so).
One final point (Yes, Archie, I realize much of this is beyond your original post). I believe we tend to judge Presidents (and presidential contenders) not on intelligence-lots of smart folks out there-but by the context in which they exist and how well they appear to listen to us.
Carter has been an incredible ex president, however he was viewed as a dumb southerner while in office. I have to believe the bad economy, Iran, and his percieved over management of the presidency, as well as a perception that he knew better what had to be done (so didn't listen to others) all hurt him. Bush certainly has a bad set of circumstances (his fault or not), and the one major criticsm that he has had even when things were good, he only listens to a very few, dominated by the VP (who by his own admission doesn't care what people think).
ultimately the rest of the world has pretty much quit listening to Bush, he is a lame duck. The world as a whole (at least the leaders of the rest of the world) listen to every word the two major candidates say.
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