Earlier this evening, President Obama was addressing Congress on the subject of health care in our nation, submitting plans for his own health care proposal.
During the course of his speech, he said that the proposed legislation would not provide free health care for illegal immigrants.
At that moment, Republican Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina shouted "You lie!", visibly shocking Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, as Vice President Biden shook his head slowly. The president looked directly toward the unexpected heckler and replied, "That's not true." Then he continued on with his speech.
Shortly afterward, Rep. Wilson issued an apology, saying, "
This evening, I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill."
While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."
Now, this man is
not some newbie. He's served
five terms in his current office. He's been around more than long enough to know that when the President is giving the speech, you shut up and listen, and applaud politely when he's done. You will have plenty of time afterward to tell everyone why you think he's wrong.
Further, he wasn't criticizing part of the plan, or the speech itself.
He called the President a liar on national television. That's not "letting your emotions get the best of you". That's saying something personal in a public gathering. That's challenging not his policymaking or speechwriting, but his personal integrity.
If Rep. Wilson wants to discuss lying, he should start with his statement. Why couldn't he tell the truth? He
should have said, "I was pissed off at what the President was saying and I called him a liar. I was wrong to do that in the way I did it, no matter what the situation was, and I apologize for the disrespect toward President Obama, the Office of the President, the Congress, and the American people.".
Because that's what he did.
Rep. Wilson interrupted the President's speech to make a personal attack on the President, which offends not only President Obama on a
personal level, but is an attack on the office of the President as well.
Rep. Wilson was there as an official Representative, conducting the business of his office by attending the speech. Therefore his outburst
also showed disrespect toward fellow members of Congress, who he embarrassed by his outburst.
Finally, there are Rep. Wilson's constituents, who are collectively shaking their heads and wondering what the hell he was thinking.
There's a time and a place--and a means--to disagree with the President (or anyone else, for that matter). Freedom of Speech guarantees that. But we much take care to speak
responsibly. We can hardly criticize children and teenagers for speaking without thinking if we can't get one of the leaders of our country to do as much.
This is what happens when you don't think first, when you allow yourself to behave like a small child having a tantrum. I'm not suggesting he should be impeached for this, but certainly people should be making it perfectly clear that this kind of outburst is unacceptable.
Even if, for example, Rep. Wilson was right, he went about it the wrong way. Now, instead of presenting a thoughtful analysis on why he disagrees with the President in any of the number of forums properly available to do exactly that, he's displayed himself as a Moron in the House.
By the same token, I praise the President for his restraint. Personally,
I'd have told Wilson, "I'll see
your sorry ass in my office
first thing tomorrow morning, where I'll be taking you out to the White House woodshed.", one of may reasons I'd make a terrible President. But I'm making my comment here, where while perhaps a bit crude, is considerably more appropriate that Rep. Wilson's comments.
Anyway, I appreciate President Obama's restraint. It's a lesson for us all, particularly Rep. Wilson.
Mike
