As you read through this column, I have to let you know that what I am about to write has been filtered by my life experiences. I’m not a wise Latina, but a Swede instead, (and you know you can’t tell a Swede anything, just ask a Norwegian.)

    One thing I was taught early on was the idea of respect. As a child, I was taught by my parents to respect teachers, elders, school rules, family traditions, and traffic laws. As I grew older, I learned about respecting other people’s rights and feelings. In school I gained the knowledge about valuing differing opinions.

    I also learned to respect our country’s flag and its leaders. Lately, however, I’ve begun to wonder if some of the people in our nation were never taught the idea of respect.

    A few weeks back, there was a letter to the editor that referred to President Obama as a “socialist and immoral foreigner national.” Those are mighty accusations for our current president. President Obama deserves respect, not only because he is the president, but also because he occupies the office of the president. No one man can represent it permanently; the office is bigger than him and represents far more than just his personal politics.

    There are some people who cross the line when it comes to their opinion of our president. Wiley Drake is a California-based Southern Baptist minister and radio host. He was the vice-presidential candidate for the America’s Independent Party ticket in 2008. During an interview with Alan Colmes on Fox News Radio, Drake openly admitted that he is actively praying for the death of President Obama. The Southern Baptists have said, “Any comments made by Wiley Drake on this subject represent his personal views, not those of the Convention.”

    Other writers have made racist remarks about our president. The issue of whether or not the president is a citizen of the United States is another topic that many just won’t let go. Someone suggested that if only it could be proved that Obama is of Kenyan birth, he could be arrested, deported, and everything he has signed could be erased. Soldiers have challenged their deployment orders on the grounds that President Obama has not proved he is a U.S. citizen by birth. These folks have picked up a nickname: “Birthers.”

    On the Fourth of July, news reports showed people around the country holding signs portraying Obama as a Nazi, or as Hitler. You couldn’t make up some of the things people accuse Obama of even if you tried.

    It used to be that the evil governments were fascist, socialist or communist. Now it’s called the Obama Administration.

    Archie Curtis, Chehalis, in his July 11 letter to the editor, had a good perspective. He said,  “As to who is the president of the United States, I can only say that Barack Obama got the most votes and the electoral college confirmed his election.” Later he added, “I don’t like Obama myself, but I believe in our system of government, and I will honor his election.”

    Marshall Murray, Centralia, in a letter a few days later, asked, “Do you have any positive ideas to make America a better place?”

    I’d like to think there are more folks like Curtis and Murray who know the meaning of respect, tolerance, value traditions, and have admiration for our government and country.

    Otherwise, about all we can do is hope. Until then, we’ll just have to shake our heads (or perhaps fists) at people who just have not learned about respect. Hail to the Chief.

    Paul Crowner, a retired Centralia music educator, can be contacted at PaulCrowner@RainierConnect.com.