What Did You Call Me?
I have been in a real funk lately. I guess we all go through them from time to time. This one seems to be especially brutal. I have been struggling along with everything. I have even having a hard time here, and my other blogs are collecting dust! Who knows why. The holidays are fast approaching. That could be part of it. I did reach a milestone birthday this year. Whatever IT is, IT can poof be gone, because frankly IT has worn out its welcome. ***deep cleansing breath*** In with the good and out with the bad....
Before I get into my question of the week, I want everyone to put their political views on the shelf. Okay now let's all take a deep breath. I promise it's not controversial. First of all, I am not good with confrontation here or in real life. And second, I really am not a controversial person. So what's all the fuss, you ask? Well I am glad you asked! Because I have a question!
Many times, as I sit and watch the news, I have noticed more than once that our President is often addressed as Mr. Obama. Excuse me? Correct me, if I am wrong, but isn't the proper way to address and refer to him would be: Mr. President or President Obama. Again, I am not interested in political views here. I am talking about basic respect of the office of the leader of the free world. What I am asking is, if you were right there in the media room(I have been in that room btw) would you say, "Mr. Obama?" I wouldn't. So why then, are these reporters constantly referring to him as such. I mean yes, he is a "Mr." and his name is Obama, but that is splitting hairs. President Clinton, President Bush, President Bush (43) and so on. They are STILL referred to as Mr. President or President. But never have I heard them called, "Mr. Clinton" or "Mr. Bush." Not post term and certainly not during. So what I am asking is: What is the proper etiquette here?
Before I get into my question of the week, I want everyone to put their political views on the shelf. Okay now let's all take a deep breath. I promise it's not controversial. First of all, I am not good with confrontation here or in real life. And second, I really am not a controversial person. So what's all the fuss, you ask? Well I am glad you asked! Because I have a question!
Many times, as I sit and watch the news, I have noticed more than once that our President is often addressed as Mr. Obama. Excuse me? Correct me, if I am wrong, but isn't the proper way to address and refer to him would be: Mr. President or President Obama. Again, I am not interested in political views here. I am talking about basic respect of the office of the leader of the free world. What I am asking is, if you were right there in the media room(I have been in that room btw) would you say, "Mr. Obama?" I wouldn't. So why then, are these reporters constantly referring to him as such. I mean yes, he is a "Mr." and his name is Obama, but that is splitting hairs. President Clinton, President Bush, President Bush (43) and so on. They are STILL referred to as Mr. President or President. But never have I heard them called, "Mr. Clinton" or "Mr. Bush." Not post term and certainly not during. So what I am asking is: What is the proper etiquette here?
Comments
Whether that is true or not, a google search for Mr. Bush definitely will return articles in which President Bush was referred to that way. Whether it was as often as people say "Mr. Obama" is something I don't know, but it was done at least sometimes. I certainly don't think it's as disrespectful as calling him W or Bush 43.
I agree with you that no matter who the President is, and no matter what we think of his policies, he should be referred to with the respect due to the office. But disrespect for the President is as old as the country itself. Believe it or not, even Washington had his detractors, though they were few. Adams and Jefferson were both vilified in the press quite often. Those think there were some kind of good old days when all the politicians were nice to each other even when they disagreed with each other just don't know their history. :)
Sorry to turn this little comment into a whole book. :)
Lauralyn
That's just me of course.
Can I just say I had not noticed.
Isn't that sad.
But, I would think President Obama would be appropriate.
It is his title.
You wouldn't call your Doctor "Mr. So and So"
As for the funk, maybe it's because of the time of year?...I'm just thinking out loud because I was never a big fan of the month of November. But for me it's because it preceeds snow and ice, and ridiculously cold weather. But you're in California, so that doesn't really work for you...
Well chin up my sweet friend.
I think though that when being addressed directly in person he is to be referred to as "President Obama" or "Mr. President". As far as when he is written about or spoken about in the media it is up for debate. I think people lately seem to have become more disrespectful. I agree with Christina that we need to get back on track.
As for our president, maybe that is his thing and he has requested to be called that. I never thought about it before, but I do recall always hearing past presidents called President..."