[steeljack]

Originally Posted by Eric

It's not the person that one should respect so much as the office. I have no respect for George W., but I do respect the office of the President of the United States. When Bill Clinton was trying to convince the world that a blow job was not sex, an American friend of mine told me that he did not object to Bill screwing a 22 yr. old, but he did object to his doing it (her) in the White House. He said "Damn it all, the White House is MY house; it's the house of every American"! I think his comment is relevant to the argument. Respect for symbols is important. In some significant ways symbols are the fabric of a nation, not merely empty protocols.
The American Presidency is not a hereditary office, but it is like one in the sense that it has a continuity independent of those who hold the office or of the political parties that contend for it.
Canadians, the majority of them at least, respect the office of the Govenor General, the Queen's Viceroy. The present Govenor General, is Michaelle Jean. Originally from Haiiti, she is doing a hell of a fine job. But when people stand when she enters a room, they are standing not for her, but for the office.

Well said , agree 100% , this is why society is in such a sad state , everyone wants to play by their own rules , and sod everyone else.