I am writing in response to Ms Westendorp's letter in your edition of June 19. Ms Westendorp writes that "many have failed to maintain a needed respect for the office of President....." and, further, the fact it is commonplace "does not make it acceptable, neither here nor there" (my italics).

How Americans regard their Presidents, either the persons or the office, is their business. In Canada, and most other democracies, with which I am familiar, we do not respect a political leader by virtue of the office he or she holds but only by the principles they bring to the office and the actions for the public good they take while in office. I had thought that the precept she espouses had been debunked in her country at the time of King George the Third. Just as a matter of context, have respected a number of American Presidents in my adult lifetime, for the reasons mention above, including FDR, Truman, Eisenhower (served at his HQ in Europe from 1943 to1945 and had good reason to respect his integrity and judgement), Kennedy, Carter, Bush 41 and even Clinton in spite of his Oval Office shenanigans. However, as a Canadian, do not accept that I am required to respect any of them or their office, just as I am not required to respect any of our own political leaders until they have demonstrated that they have earned it. Some never do, "neither here nor there."
Nevil Horsfall
Orangeville