If there is one part of the military code that I think all Americans should live by it is this: Don’t disrespect the office of the president ”“ no matter who is currently residing there.

That’s something I have been taught my entire life and something I believe in.

In recent times, I have disagreed with both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama on certain decisions they have made and I have certainly laughed at some of the jokes circulating on the Internet.

It’s the right of every American to agree or disagree with the president and to voice their opinions. I have no problem with people showing their discontent with the president or any other politician because they are elected and public officials.

However, no one should ever try to degrade the office of the president ”“ especially to foreign leaders, whether they are allies or enemies.

The Republican Party seems to have forgotten this rule.

Over the past two weeks, the Republicans have decided to undermine the president on two different occasions when it comes to matters of national security and foreign policy.

First, Speaker of the House John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to Congress ”“ right in the middle of the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks ”“ without talking to the White House first.

I want you to think about this. What would the Republicans ”“ including the talking heads on Fox News ”“ have said if Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid invited then-French President Jacques Chirac to speak to Congress during the run-up to the Iraq War.

I have a feeling the words treason and traitor would have been thrown around quite liberally ”“ pun intended.

Then, earlier this week, 47 Republican senators decided to write a letter to the “leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” telling them to not make a deal on nuclear weapons with Obama because it could be overturned once a new president is elected.

Now, once again, imagine if a Harry Reid-led Senate did that to George W. Bush.

There would be cries of outrage from the far right ”“ probably led by Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh ”“ and calls for Democrats to “respect the presidency.”

I remember hearing all the time during the Iraq War that it was unpatriotic to speak out against President Bush during a time of war and, to tell you the truth, I agreed with that.

Now, fast forward a few years, and some in the Republican Party are not only speaking out against President Obama ”“ they are openly trying to undermine his power and the prestige of the Oval Office as a whole.

America is built on its freedoms and free speech is at the top of that list. Unfortunately, the leaders in the Republican Party are taking advantage of that by disrespecting the president and they don’t seem to care what consequences may come from that.

— Pat McDonald is the sports editor of the Journal Tribune. An avid follower of media and politics, he has worked in the newspaper industry for close to 15 years.

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