Has Criticism of the President Gone Over the Top?

Father Philip Neri Powell has a post on his blog which provoked an interesting discussion which the Bad Catholic chimed in on. Father Powell links to a number of conservative commentators who have said things like Mark Levin's comment that "Obama is the closest thing to a dictator we've ever had."

Father Powell asks his readers to consider whether the commentary has gone over the top. I have made it clear on this blog that I am not a fan of Barack Obama. However, looking back at American history, American Presidents have done some really bad things that are way worse than anything the Obama Administration has done yet.

1. Barack Obama has not passed and signed a law making it a criminal offense to publicly criticize the President like John Adams did. (The Alien and Sedition Acts).

2. Barack Obama has not violated a treaty and a decision of the Supreme Court to forcibly remove an entire race of people from their homes resulting in a death march causing the death of hundreds like Andrew Jackson did (The Cherokee Removal).

3. Barack Obama has not suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus and imprisoned hundreds of American citizens without trial like Lincoln did.

4. Barack Obama has not arrested and interred thousands of American citizens without trial because of their race like Franklin Roosevelt did. (The internment of Japanese Americans).

Those of us who don't like the President's policies should make it clear that we are a loyal opposition. In my humble opinion, a lot of the current rhetoric is over the top.