The Silence Around Character: A Leadership Question

[dmallord]

I think the USA has had lots of Presidents of low character.

Some very likable rascals!

Clinton, George W and Trump, for example.

You just dont like trump.

Rightguard didn’t like biden.

So what? Get over yourself!
Lol

Fair enough—you’ve named past presidents with flaws. No one’s pretending American history is full of saints. But there’s a difference between being a flawed politician and being someone who shows open contempt for decency, service, and sacrifice.

You mentioned Clinton and George W. Sure, they had their scandals and misjudgments. But did either of them mock disabled people on stage? Call POWs "losers"? Praise dictators? Should wounded veterans be kept out of sight? Encourage political violence? Not to mention the use of primarying opponents and arm-twisting the judicial system, as in calling out the National Guard or the use of the US Marines in an unprecedented manner.

Here’s what concerns me: When we start excusing behavior just because someone happens to be president, we’ve flipped the standard on its head. The office is supposed to demand more character, not less. Serving as president isn’t a shield from moral accountability—it’s supposed to be a reason for it.

And now, with the Supreme Court ruling that a president has broad immunity for actions taken as part of their official duties, the stakes are even higher. If the legal system won’t always hold a president accountable, then character becomes the last safeguard. We’re placing enormous unchecked power in the hands of a person we hope has the judgment not to abuse it. That’s not a partisan issue—it’s a civic one.

 

[dmallord]

I think the USA has had lots of Presidents of low character.
...
Clinton, George W and Trump, for example.
You just dont like trump.
...
Get over yourself!

You’re right that presidents can have deeply flawed character. Clinton’s treatment of women and his lying under oath were shameful. George W. made terrible decisions that cost countless lives. I won’t pretend those aren’t moral failures.

But what makes Trump stand apart is how proud he is of the worst in himself. Clinton was humiliated for what he did; Bush was haunted by his war. Trump brags about sexual assault, ridicules disabled people, calls veterans losers, and still doubles down on encouraging violence. On top of that, he tried to overturn an election he lost — something no other modern president, however flawed, ever attempted.

It’s one thing to be a “rascal” with moral failings and face consequences. It’s another to show open contempt for democracy, decency, and anyone who disagrees with you — and then demand to be admired for it or given a Nobel Peace Prize because you desperately crave attention and adoration.

That’s why I can’t just “get over” it. And I’d ask you: if you saw someone behave like Trump in your own family, at your workplace, in your community, would you call that leadership?

 

[Lance_Castro]

The USA has way more retards per capita than canada.

Canada has the highest rate of post secondary educated citizens in the world.

 

[ll74]

The USA has way more retards per capita than canada.

Canada has the highest rate of post secondary educated citizens in the world.

Therm cold in Canada makes sure that the retard takes longer to marinate