Reagan's 11th Commandment

12/11/03 | Dane

[Dane]

Reagan's 11th commandment. Basically the text was, "One shall not speak ill towards a fellow Republican".

JMO, it seems that the first ones to break that commandment on FR are the ones who seem to hold Reagan in the highest regard, yet trash GW Bush in the next sentence.

[Dane]

Food for thought.

[pogo101]

But Reagan was referring to public comments about Republican officeholders or would-be officeholders. I can't believe he meant that Republicans should not be 100% free to grouse amongst ourselves in fora like FR, which, although not exactly "private," isn't "public" like a speech or newspaper column.

[Old Sarge]

I humbly submit that the health of the 11th Commandment is directly proportional to the health of the man who uttered it.

[sonofatpatcher2]

The 12th Commandment: Yet, if it is Democrats like John Kerry: F*#k 'em!

[JennysCool]

The problem with the Bush-bashers on this forum is they usually have no PATIENCE. Time and again they have made instant criticism of the president on some issue or tactic, only to find out later that GW knew exactly what he was doing. In that sense, our bashers are uncomfortably like the Libs, who seem to fall for the "traps" every time.

[drjimmy]

I think you are confusing Free Republic with the Republican Party. As Jim Robinson states on the home page, "Free Republic is not affiliated with any political party, group, news source, government agency or anyone else." Most people here, I assume, support George Bush in the main not because he is a Republican but because he is a conservative. When he or any other Republican forsakes conservative values, they should be held accountable here and elsewhere.

[camas]

well said. i agree 100%.

[WackyKat]

My 11th Commandment is that our first loyalty should be to the Constitution of this republic, not to the members of the RNC, who were complicit in the supression of free speech when they told Bush to sign the unconstitutional CFR for short -term political purposes

[Blood of Tyrants]

Exactly what has Bush given us to be proud of lately? When he does something good, I am among the first to stand up and cheer. I would be a hypocrite just like the Rats if I did not criticize him when I believe he is wrong.

[TastyManatees]

Not entirely true. For instance, I personally think that the President is doing a pretty good job, considering. However, there are a handful of Republicans who I have been known to denounce for their willingness to turn their backs on principles for their own gain.

Tasty Manatees

[VoterNYS]

Reagan also had a commandment he followed concerning not endorsing candidates in Republican primaries. Bush doesn't follow that one. In 2002, the pro-life wing of the Republican Party almost beat pro-abortion extremist Sherwood Boehlert in the primary. A very close race. Bush endorsed Boehlert in the primary, and that may very well be what saved Boehlert.

[onedoug]

I don't think he knew what he was doing when Grover Norquist was/is marching troops of Islamists into the White House for presidential access. I hope he's gotten, or is getting a clue. It makes me wonder if he really knows who and what our enemies are in this struggle for civilization.

[JennysCool]

I think giving the benefit of the doubt is the American way. However, I share your concern that this "accommodation" is going to have to stop if things don't improve and pronto.

[gubamyster]

The problem with the Bush-bashers on this forum is they usually have no PATIENCE. Time and again they have made instant criticism of the president on some issue or tactic, only to find out later that GW knew exactly what he was doing. In that sense, our bashers are uncomfortably like the Libs, who seem to fall for the "traps" every time.

Yes, those who criticized the president for signing CFR should have just waited for the SCOTUS to strike it down. The president knew exactly what he was doing signing that flawed piece of legislation. (/sarcasm)

[Tribune7]

Thanks for saying it. Bump

[Digger]

All that GW has to do is act as a conservative. All of the so-called bashing will disappear - at least from this person. Don't forget this is a grassroots conservative site. I didn't see the words Republican or Democrate mentioned anywhere.

[ShadowDancer]

I love Reagan but I believe he was referring to politicans referring to other politicans with this one. If by chance he wasn't, too bad, he was then wrong.

[Stew Padasso]

Daney, tell it to the conservative news outlets putting out the articles and editorials.

This is a message board where people are free to express their opinion, criticism etc. Almost everything is fair game.

[jagrmeister]

Reagan, as usual, got it right. There are people that are so busy badmouthing RINO's and other bashing "wingnuts" that we don't concentrate on the common enemy. Some people make a living off fighting these intra-party battles and do the party more harm than good.

[jagrmeister]

BTW, these people constitute a small fraction of the Republican base but they are vocal and obnoxious*. The leftist equivalent of these eternally dissatisfied types are the Greens. In their case, the 3% that cause all the fights have actually splintered off so the rest of the Democratic party is spared a lot of grief.

*IE: The types that bash Bush despite his delivering on countless issues: partial-birth abortion, $2 trillion taxes, rolling back ergonomic regulations, 2 successful wars, etc.