If you read this blog regularly, you know I can be critical of President Obama. I like to believe that my criticism is based on philosophical differences, not on personal attacks. I believe that it is important for every American to question our leaders, and that the strength of our country lies in the fact that we can, and at times are encouraged, to question our elected officials. I also like to believe that I question conservatives as well as liberals, holding all elected officials to high standards. Finally, I believe that I praise officials as well when circumstances warrant.
I always question or praise our elected officials with a great deal of respect.
Today I came across a story that made me stop and wonder why some public officials don’t think before they speak or post things on the internet. 
The mayor of Arlington, Tennessee is a man named Russell Wiseman. Mr. Wiseman has been the mayor of this community of approximately 9,700 residents since 2003. Tuesday night he settled in with his children for the evening, like many Americans, expecting to watch a seasonal favorite, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Much to the mayor’s dismay, Charlie Brown was preempted for a speech by President Obama regarding sending 30,000 more troops to fight in Afghanistan. Mr. Wiseman was apparently upset that the cartoon would not be shown that night and posted the following on his Facebook page:
“Ok, so, this is total crap, we sit the kids down to watch ‘The Charlie Brown Christmas Special’ and our muslim president is there, what a load…..try to convince me that wasn’t done on purpose. Ask the man if he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he will give you a 10 minute disertation (sic) about it….w…hen the answer should simply be ‘yes’….”
Arlington, Tennessee Mayor Russell Wiseman
The mayor continues to attack the President, the President’s supporters, and muslims:
“…you obama people need to move to a muslim country…oh wait, that’s America….pitiful.”
According to an online story, Mr. Wiseman also writes:
“you know, our forefathers had it written in the original Constitution that ONLY property owners could vote, if that has stayed in there, things would be different……..”
The story goes on to say that when Mr. Wiseman was contacted for a response, “It’s ridiculous for someone to send my Facebook post,” Wiseman said. “You guys are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.”
No sir, it is not ridiculous. You are the one who chose to run for mayor of your town. You decided to make yourself a public figure. No one would have cared if Russell Wiseman, bank vice-president and commercial lender, had posted those comments to Facebook. When a mayor, a political figure, posts those comments, then people will care.
We are obligated to question our political leaders. Fair and open debate has been a part of our country’s history since its birth. Personal and unwarranted attacks on our President, Democrat or Republican, because your Christmas cartoon didn’t air is just plain ridiculous.
Mr. Mayor, do you really believe our President decided to deliver his speech at that time so a Christmas cartoon would not be shown?
By the way, according to the ABC web site, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ will air Tuesday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 15. Below is a clip from the holiday classic. Enjoy.
