The political epitaph for Congressman Joe Wilson may well have been written in stone last night. Unless he sponsors a significant piece of legislation, he'll forever be known as "the man who called the president a liar." Wilson's House website had crashed and he had taken a brutal beating on his Twitter page, as well he should. His outburst in the House chamber during the president's speech was an extraordinary breach of congressional decorum and a disgusting display of poor manners.
It was "totally disrespectful," said John McCain on CNN. "There is no place for it in that setting, or any other, and he should apologize for it immediately."
Not only was it disrespectful, it was unprofessional.
Not to mention how annoyed Chuck Boustany must be. He gave the official GOP rebuttal of Obama's speech, but all the attention is on "the man who called the president a liar."
Even as much as his opponents hated the policies of President Bush, no congressional Democrat ever shouted over him at a presidential address. It offends the whole system of leadership we have established, and it sets a very poor example for future generations.
Yes, Mr. Wilson issued a statement apologizing for his outburst, but I have my doubts. As the saying goes, a leopard can't change its spots, so any cloak of sincerity is likely to be lifted in the near future with yet another outburst, albeit in a more private setting, and that's troubling. Wilson is no more likely to work with Obama or the Democrats any more today than he was yesterday, and that sort of recalcitrance isn't going to get us any closer to solving our health care problem, let alone any other.
If the halls of Congress are about anything, they are about working together, making compromises and finding common ground. An ideologically driven individual like Joe Wilson doesn't strike me as someone willing to compromise. It should be disconcerting to all of us that politics for him and perhaps others like him, is a zero sum game, an "all about me" attitude which we both know cannot exist in a society as diverse as the United States. That's not the kind of person I'd want representing me if I lived in South Carolina.
And apparently, neither do South Carolinians, or at least not at the moment. The leading newspaper in South Carolina, Columbia's The State, ran an online poll:
At last check, the tally was 88 percent "yes" to just 12 percent "no."
I know there are some flustered Americans who see behavior like this and ask, "Isn't it about time we elect some real grownups to public office?" They hope that Wilson's loutish behavior represents a "jump the shark" moment for the lunatic fringe that seems to have taken over the Republican Party. Unlikely. In fact, that poll asks the wrong question. It shouldn't be, Will Congressman Joe Wilson's remark affect South Carolina? It should be, Will Congressman Joe Wilson's remark affect you? Will Congressman Joe Wilson's remark affect us? Will Congressman Joe Wilson's remark teach us anything about the way we behave? Because the way Joe Wilson behaved is the way too many of the rest of us behave.
And I'm here to tell you that's not about to change. The glass house community is alive and well. They comment in the countless comment sections of countless newspaper threads, blogs and sites like this one. Just scan down this page, or the page of any number of articles in this examiner location. The comments are there, just as rude, just as empty, just as feckless, driven by emotion and not reason.
Wilson's apology statement, released barely an hour after the speech ended, is instructive: "This evening I let my emotions get the best of me."
That's what we do. We let our emotions get the best of us. In some, emotions are all there is. All reasoning has vanished. That's what's happening in the comments below, that's what's happening in town halls, that's what happened last week with the faux controversy over the president's back-to-school speech.
We behave with an impropriety and gross insolence that is so unacceptably impertinent that it negates any connection we might have to civilized society.
The congressman's outburst is an ugly reminder that, like the congressman, we can be just as ill-mannered, just as intolerant and just as intemperate, and not just in the political arena. It's in public in the way we drive, our "all about me" attitude when talking on a cell phone while standing in line someplace --countless ways. We are just not a very polite society.
At the risk of sounding a little old-fashioned or like a "that-was-so-last-century, stick-in-the-mud" kinda guy, may I ask a simple question: Whatever happened to decorum? I was raised to have good manners, to call people "sir," or "ma'am," to hold the door open for others, to say "thank you" and "you're welcome." My father used to call it "class" --"have a little class," he used to say.
This is the President of the United States we're talking about. It's a United States Congressman in the chamber of the House of Representatives. The current president is only is a man who, despite considerable adversity and vicious personal attack, has managed to maintain a steady demeanor, conduct himself, as best as I can tell, with a grace and intelligence that is the model of decorum. I'm not talking about politics. This has nothing to do with his political positions. He's simply well behaved. As my father might say, the guy's a class act. You don't have to like her politics to say that.
I just think there is a standard of decorum. Unless they have disgraced their positions so publicly as to demean themselves --people who hold certain positions should be accorded a degree of respect, a degree of deference out of respect to their achievement and the office they hold.
It is beyond me, but again, I confess, I'm pretty old-fashioned about these matters. I think it's important to have class, and I don't see how you can't have respect for someone who has done what Barack Obama has done in his life and achieve what he has achieved. He's accomplished far more than Mr. Wilson ever might (as I don't expect Mr. Wilson will ever become president, let alone be considered for the nomination). That's not to demean whatever it is that Mr. Wilson has done with his own life. Not everyone gets to be a United States Congressman, either, but at that level, one ought to know better than to swan dive into the cesspool.
Like the old momily goes, "If you don’t have anything good to say, don't yell "you lie!" in the middle of a presidential address to Congress.
Two things would not surprise me in the least. I wouldn't be surprised if the president actually called the congressman or even invited him to the Oval Office to graciously quell any lingering tensions and let the whole matter pass as water under the bridge.
And second, by the time he hits the air today, a certain talk show host will take the lead to defense on Wilson's behalf, and perhaps even justify the behavior. They'll brush off the disrespectful outburst by saying his reaction was heartfelt and sincere. And they may go so far as to say themselves that the president was mistaken when he said the bill wouldn't cover illegal immigrants.
Excuse me, he can't be mistaken; it's his bill. He's writing the bill. It's his proposal, so he knows what it is and is not. He's not mistaken about that. It is not going to be possible for illegal immigrants to access health care under the president's proposal, and if Congressman Wilson is the one telling people otherwise, then he is the one propagating a lie, isn't he?
My broadcast colleague won't bother to engage in this logic because that won't accommodate his agenda. He has cattle-prodding and hate-mongering to do because his audience needs an enemy and his listeners will follow right along with him. "That's right," they'll say. "Joe Wilson's reaction was heartfelt and sincere, so it was okay to be disrespectful." And this is the same conservative demographic in our society that's first in line to tell you how moral values in this country are going to hell in a hand basket.
They will, of course, blame the liberals, or the "Libtards" or the "LIEberals," as they like to call them, thinking themselves clever and original every time they use that term (they're neither; it's pretty boring, actually). But if these people want to know what's wrong with this country and why they think it's going to hell in a hand basket, they need only look in a mirror while they watch themselves cheer a man who behaved in a most ungentlemanly and undignified manner, disrespecting his office, the president and his office, and embarrassing the people of South Carolina who had the good faith to elect him.
For that, maybe the Congress should censure him and remove privileges. In fact, a real lesson might be if they removed his health insurance. If only they could.
Wouldn't you agree?
McCain reacts...
Correction: I originally wrote that The State newspaper was based in Charleston, SC. The State is based in Columbia. I regret the error and thank a reader, John, for pointing it out.
Comments
Very beleivable, typical Republican fear monger. Reprehensible. Censure him!
The Republicans have once again showed that they cannot come together and work for the good of the country. To call the President a liar in the Congress was a disgusting display of disrespect and hate. We, sadly, no longer live in a polite society, and even our elected officials have no concept of what that means. South Carolina voters should take a good look at those they've elected--Graham, Wilson, DeMint and even Sanford--I wouldn't want these people representing me.
Truth hurts doesn't it. I say we find a way to laud Joe Wilson for speaking the truth. Because the fact is OBAMA has been lying for the better part of his life. To the point that he actually believes those lies as do a number of his political sychopants.
SIR, YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT SERVICE! PLEASE EXPOSE ALL OF THE LIES ABOUT THE "HEALTH CARE BILL". MANIACAL... AT IT'S FINEST!!!
This article is ridiculous. Can we focus, just for a moment, on the fact that Wilson is right? That he couldn't stomach Obama's b.s. in an official setting is really all that surprising? We're all supposed to just suck it up and go along with it, as Obama nationalizes healthcare and lies about it? It was rude, sure, but to balloon the importance of this is just to play into the hands of the same media which fails to consistently report the truth, which is that nationalized healthcare will likely cover illegals, and will, when given bureaucratic oversight, cover abortions most likely on a bogus "equal protection" standard. You have to be a partisan or a f-ing moron not to see this. Joe Wilson was just tired of having p|ss run down his back and being told it was raining.
Well good Deb, then I glad to say South Carolina thanks you for not moving here. We have had to big of an influx of bleeding heart liberials already! As far as our elected representives go, we are a ruby red conservative state and are quite happy with most of our representation. Spratt and Clyburn are the drones that need to go. Joe Wilson outburst, although rude, shows a passion that the dem libs could never feel. Remember drones don't think, they only follow orders.
I would hope to GOD the president does not try to make peace with Joe Wilson, but ostracize the man for the low life he is. My parents taught me that calling a person a liar is a very serious offense and should only be said with evidence to back up the statement.
I applaud Joe Wilson for this politically incorrect, spontaneous "speaking truth to power" (as the Dems always term it). No one should be expected to sit through an hour of Obama's usual tired, ongoing vicious political attacks without responding.
It's a sad day in America when telling a liar that he _is indeed_ a lying is considered something that's unheard of - we need more of this bravery, not less.
Thank you, Joe Wilson, for succinctly defining and exposing Obama in front of all America.
Impeach Obama the Communist!
This is an asinine article. Joe Wilson was absolutely correct that Barack Obama is a liar; Obama stood up in front of Congress and did nothing but lie through his teeth for 30 minutes. Every one of the gutless Republicans should have joined Wilson, not repudiated him. I haven't heard any apologies from the Liberals for all of the untrue names that the American people have been called this summer. What a bunch of hypocrites!
Section 246 of H.R. 3200 says, "Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States." But WITHOUT income requirements could receive vouchers that can be used to purchase health care. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? THERE IS NO MECHANISM TO VERIFY CITIZENSHIP IN THE BILL!!! OBAMA DECEIVED AMERICA. JOE IS THE HERO FOR TRUTH.
I wish i lived in SC I would vote for wilson, and buy him a beer. The president might not be a liar folks but he sure as hell isn't telling the truth
Joe Wilson should be publicly flogged.. Just imagine if any democratic member of congress had such a disrespectful outburst during one of Bush's addresses.. Wilson is a joke and should be removed..
One of the most outstanding commentaries I have read on the extremely poor state of discourse in this country. This should be required reading in schools. Some of the comments here prove your point. Thank you for this lucid and incisive analysis.
My answer to Joe Jerk is; takes a one to know one.
Joe Wilson and extreme Right radicals showed shock-jock sensibility in their boorish behavior on the national stage in Congress last night. Would his children in the military ever behave so disrespectfully? I do not think that they would ever dream of yelling insults at their Commander-In-Chief. Patriotic Americans do not tolerate such outrageous behavior from public servants, who should be modeling the highest courtesy and respect for authority. What is behind Wilson’s irrational destructiveness? Could it be that Southern bigots are now venting their frustrations via Wilson now that Jim Crow is dead? If South Carolina citizens are true patriots, they will push for Wilson’s resignation. Otherwise this begins an ugly new legacy of intolerance and disrespect. Isn’t it time for Joe to go?
The GOP has lost its soul, and if Wilson's supporters think they can find it in childish outbursts then real debate in this country is gone. I'm pretty liberal, but I wish that people from the other side would actually try to work on improving health care reform. Instead we get ridiculous rhetoric about socialism and fascism and fear mongering without facts.
For those who think Obama told the truth about illegal alien's not being able to access any health plan we might get, check out The Hill.com, August 3rd, and read the op-ed piece by Rep. Lamar Smith. The truth is the truth, people, whether you want to believe it or not.
Obama DID lie. He needed to be called on it.
I initially thought Joe Wilson was a Dem cuz he sure acted like a jackass. =)
The fact that so many commentators here seem to be overlooking is that the President of the United States was called a liar when addressing Congress and the nation on national TV.
It shouldn't matter who's at the position - Clinton, Bush, Obama, McCain - you respect the position.
For an elected official to interrupt a speech and call the POTUS a liar is disgraceful and sets a new low in civility.
And for those of you cheering or trying to minimize Joe Wilson's actions, ask yourself- would you be as kind and forgiving if a Dem had heckled a Republican President in a joint meeting like this? Be honest - you would be livid.
Can't right and left agree that such blatant disrespect to our President should NOT be tolerated, period?
You can hate the man, but respect the office and position. Any Dem or Rep who can't get that needs to be called out on it.
I was President Obama, I would have bitch slapped Joe right there in front of everyone.
"Excuse me, he can't be mistaken; it's his bill. He's writing the bill."
That couldn't be more incorrect. As anyone who is even remotely familiar with how a bill is made into law clearly knows, bills are written and legislated by Congress, not the President. A president just signs the legislation. Or a president may veto a bill - though Congress can override the president's veto. But the President does not legislate/write a bill.
The government takeover of individual healthcare choice was concocted and written by liberal extremists and socialists in Congress. Unless Obama denounces them for their disgusting legislation, he will be held liable for their attempt to take over American's individual healthcare and replace it with a blatantly totalitarian government-run rationed health system.
Also, the fact is that working Americans already pick up the tab for the illegals healthcare. What have Obama or the Dems done to stop that? Nada.
Way To Go Joe.
As for the Writer of this article, for you or anyone to mention decorum in the same breath with Congress is laughable. Laughable that is unless you think a crook should not be punished as harsh if he is wearing a suit.
"Annie says:
Obama stood up in front of Congress and did nothing but lie through his teeth for 30 minutes."
Excuse me, but that's incorrect, Annie. It was more like nearly _a full hour_ of Obama lying through his teeth.
Firstly, The State is out of Columbia, not Charleston. But more important is how dead on this article is. It seems like these people did not even read the article before they commented. Just another example of how often republicans fail to see the big picture and miss the point. The fact that Kevin is happy with his representation speaks to this point. As long as we have people like him, Wilson, and Sanford; we will remain one of the most unimportant states. The "good ole' boy" network is alive and well.
Is tourism down? Has the rest of the country forgotten where you are on the map? Does poor widdle South Carolina needs some attention lately? Getting confused too often with North Carolina or South Dakota and need to stand out? Well the state is certainly sticking out lately -- like a sore red thumb.
First your governor disappears (into the arms of his lover in Argentina), then Joe Wilson heckles the president. Well, at least he didn't throw a shoe! And then the comments to this article are so mean. Geez, I was planning a vacation there -- no way, Jose (Wilson). Maybe it's not too late for South Carolina -- you can still dial 1-800-SECEDE.
Good for you Joe. I am so happy that someone in congress called Obama out on NATIONAL TELEVISION. Obama and his cronies do not care about what is in the bill, as long as it passes and they can "fix" things as they go along. Why can't they just revamp Medicaid and leave the rest of us that have insurance, alone!!
I'm proud of J.W. It took guts to do that, and we need Congressmen with guts if we're ever going to save America from this fascist (Obama). There was nothing wrong with what he did. The President was spewing lies, and he called him on it just like our Founding Fathers would have. Do you think when the Constitution was being written there was a quiet mass of people just listening? No there was screaming, shouting, arguing, and we ended up with the finest governmental system in the world. J.W. shouldn't have to apologize to anyone.
Obama is a liar--why not call him one?
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
Theodore Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star" May 7, 1918
Joe Wilson's behavior was inexcusable. Sure he apologized but he said what he wanted and today he will be celebrated by the right wing. Read my blog on the issue: www.ebonymompolitics.wordpress.com
God bless South Carolina, and God bless Joe Wilson. I appreciate men of integrity and recognize those without it regardless of party affiliation.
How can a person be both a Communist/Socialist AND a Facist at the same time?
No, "Bruce", I don't agree. BTW...you refer to a "certain talk show host" as your "broadcast colleague"...forgive me, but I had never heard of you before this morning. Pretty presumptuous of you to put yourself in the same league. You lie!
Liberals...or "progressives" (sic)...really enjoyed & applauded the moment when an Iraqi journalist flung his footwear at Bush. Yet an elected representative cannot call out Obama on an obvious lie (that his agenda will not benefit illegal aliens...or, as he terms, "immigrants") without being demonized by bottomfeeders such as yourself. Where were you when the great Edward Kennedy savaged Reagan & introduced the country to the despicable practice now known as "Borking"? Evidently 'civility' requires one to sit passively while outright lies are being foisted upon the public...all while being draped in the flag.
LMAO at all the Republican douchetards here defending Joe Wilson's outburst. The author of this article is right. The only thing this moron will be known for is "the guy who made an idiot out of himself" in the middle of the president's speech.
Joe Wilson is an American HERO. I want to email his office in support. Let the McCains, Pelosis, and all those who believe in this big government attack on our rights stand up for BHO, but Wilson speaks TRUTH TO POWER. He will pay a political price since the administration is hyper partisian and small, but he should be understood to be a hero for speaking up.
If you take all the money the real lie GW & DC spent on the LIAR war. We wouldn't have a deficit and we could be talking about reform.
Bruce, this was an excellent op-ed piece. I was thinking on the same lines this morning, how some will try to justify Wilson's actions and I thought of the mindset we have in the military, you salute the rank, not the man. The GOP seems bent on self destruction could they have played more into their oppositions hands this week with both the ridiculous school speech frenzy (how does a Republican protest someone advocating personal responsibility) and now Wilson's outburst. They keep fulfilling the prophecy that they are just angry obstructionist with nothing to offer the nation.
Wilson is going to find himself out of a job, his mid term opponent who would otherwise have been little known on the national stage has raised, as of this morning, $88,000 because of that comment. And since he only won by 8 points last election Wilson already had a DNC target on his back, how much bigger do you think it is now?
I'm shamed I ever considered myself a Republican. The party has become a bastion of conspiracy theorists and wannabe thugs.
Pathetic.
Even though what he said was true, it was not the time and place for it. He should be censured by the house. The reason I say it's true is because the Republicans introduced and amendment to the House bill requiring proof of citizanship before being allowed the the government healthcare plan but the Democrats voted it down.
Thanks Joe for expressing what a lot of us are feeling as we listen to lies, lies and more lies all the time. Enough!
God Bless???? And I disagree with the results of the poll. South Carolina will never change. This state will always be full of drunk, racist, bible freaks.....go gamecocks!
According to the bill, there is a provision that states no illegal aliens will be covered. Here is a snippet of the article and how to find it below:
The facts: The bill, HR 3200, specifically bars coverage for illegal immigrants. Section 246, which is included in the part of the bill that sets up a health insurance exchange, forbids payments “on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.” But critics say there is no way to enforce that provision, and the Democratic majority in the House has turned back at least one Republican effort to stiffen citizenship checks.
Search CNN for "Will new health bill cover illegal immigrants?"
Why is it that some people choose not to listen to what the President has said or read what he has written, instead they draw there conclusions based on what someone else has said or written about what the President has said or written. Fear of the unknown and/or hatred. The Republican party has been a source of hate mongering for years. There is nothing of limits if they are not in control. Democrats are no angels either but never I have never seen the level of disrespect the Republican party has shown against the last two Democratic Presidents. The real truth is that all Americans need good health care. Why should a person with modest means not be afforded the same opportunity to live a healthy life. If you believe that others do not deserve what you have then you are part of the problem here in this country. If all men are created equal,should they not be offered the same opportunities? Health care falls under, "...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
I think that these are extraordinary times. Joe Wilson's timing was very bad and rude. His sentiment is right on. President Obama is a liar and morally grounded people have had a gut full! It is about time some one had the spine to stand up to him. My only regret is that Joe Wilson apologized.
At the same time, I have never seen a sitting US President attack a former US President during an address to congress. Obama used strong words that divide this nation, not bring us together. Obama has spent more this year then Bush did in eight years, yet he wants to blame Bush. I am not saying what Mr. Wilson did was right, but I am sure it was raw emotions listening to a President repeatedly blame a former President for everything. Bush, Clinton, Bush Sr., Reagan, Carter never showed that kind of disrespect in a speech to the joint congress. That is fine on the campaign trail, but when is the President going to start acting like a President and stop acting like he is still running for office?
gamecock gorden, your screen name says it all! Dude your a loser and the fact that you feel that SC is umimportant speaks volumes about who you are. If you don't like the way things are run in this state get off your lazy ass and try to change it. The situation with Sanford is un fortunate, but his term will soon be up. The only true embrassements of our state are Clyburn and Spratt. Clyburn would not be elected in any other district in the state. He has to rely on the poor uneducated black rural vote to keep him in office. He doesn't want to help the I-95 corridor because if those people become educated he would lose the very next election. Conservatism is the ideology of freedom and self preservation. By the way the Gamecocks suck!
G-O T-I-G-R-S!!!!!!
Way to go Joe! It saddens me greatly how the majority of the United States citizens are sitting on their hands in a do nothing attitude. How many Czars you we have now? How many people has Obama brought into this administration in an on checked area, where they are only accountable to him? It's time to "Take Back America"...
As a Republican this man has inspired me. I plan on going to work this morning and calling my boss a "liar" during our budget meeting. Why not? I feel my boss is a liar and in my opinion that gives me every right to do so. Enough I say...if Wilson can do it, so can I.
Drones? Really? Is it kinda like how the Republicans full-heartedly followed Bush to war in Iraq because he thought they had "weapons of mass destruction" and that they are bed-fellows with the Taliban?
Kevin says:
Well good Deb, then I glad to say South Carolina thanks you for not moving here. We have had to big of an influx of bleeding heart liberials already! As far as our elected representives go, we are a ruby red conservative state and are quite happy with most of our representation. Spratt and Clyburn are the drones that need to go. Joe Wilson outburst, although rude, shows a passion that the dem libs could never feel. Remember drones don't think, they only follow orders.
When they do not know what to do or how to properly respond to people, they lash out rashly with ignorance and violence. You all may have thought the struggle was getting Obama into office but, the real struggle will be combating the ignorant and malicious distortions of the facts that the Republicans have decided to fall back on. In the absence of any real plans to move this country forward, they are a sinking to new lows of promulgating outright lies. At the end of the day it all comes down to respect
had someone done that to Bush it would have been another story.
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