In my hometown in South Carolina, there is a children's television show on which each week, a different group of about 20 kids appear. Among other activities, part of the show consists of the host asking all the children what they want to be when they grow up.Typical answers include: policeman, firefighter, doctor, singer and ... President of the United States.

That's right. Among the vast multitude of possible careers and occupations, these young children of varied backgrounds often aspire to the presidency. I assume it is because of the respect, responsibility and honor they perceive to be associated with the job.

As they grow older and wiser, however, few retain such an aspiration or even dare to dream of such heights or taking on such a great burden and responsibility. Few among these older children -- now more aware of international affairs and pressing issues at home and abroad -- pursue politics, much less the highest level position our government has to offer.

George W. Bush is one of those few that pursued such a course in his life. Regardless of how he got there, he is the man sitting in the Oval Office now, and he will continue to do so for at least another year. The work he and all other presidents in the past have accomplished is difficult, complex and monumentally important. It is work that I think warrants some degree of respect.

President Bush deserves some degree of respect.

Our president is imperfect. For one, his I.Q. may not be the highest. But moreover, some disagree with his policies and opinions.

The presence of opposing viewpoints should be valued and welcomed in our society. But when criticisms evolve into petty name-calling and the framing of our government and its leaders in only disparaging terms -- as seems commonplace in these times -- not only do these criticisms lose their cogency, but they lack merit as well.

Forgive me if I am naave. I do not claim significant knowledge in the field of politics and government. But somehow I must believe that my president and the foremost leaders of this country work their hardest and put their utmost effort into serving us. In taking on such an immense responsibility and role in all spheres of American life, when it comes to the important issues -- which have a deep and lasting impact on our lives -- they must be serving us genuinely with our best interest at heart.

We must remember even the most intelligent, diplomatic and influential of people are not infallible. At least our democratically elected leaders are striving to provide us with a sense of security. For that we owe them at least some respect, if not some debt of gratitude.

I say this not because I am a Republican, would vote for Bush, or am pro-war. I am certainly not all of these things, and I may not represent any of these viewpoints at all. Being pro-war or antiwar at this point is, frankly, irrelevant to my point.

Now, the war is almost over. We sent out troops and invested money, time and, most importantly, lives in this war. One's attitude toward whether or not there should have been a war to begin with becomes not only irrelevant but detrimental to the morale and health of this country.

Regardless of the opinions we may voice about the war itself, it is our responsibility as citizens to support our troops in whatever way we can. We should support the men and women who have fought with pride against the Iraqi regime, those who in every way applaud the military and policy measures mandated by the government. We should also support the men and women who have fought in Iraq while questioning the actions they were ordered to take. By continuing to attack the character of our president and the decisions of our government and policymakers, we deny our troops this support and respect. We fail to acknowledge the sacrifices they are making for all of us -- those of us hopeful, skeptical and unsure about the war. And if there is any small way to contribute and offer support to our forces in this confused time, perhaps it is simply by measuring carefully our criticisms, accusations and complaints about our government and its leaders. Instead we should consciously bear appreciation for what is being done for us.