A class act he is not, but South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson’s boorish behavior during President Obama’s speech on health reform more than earned him his 15 minutes of infamy.
It is understandable that he chose – or as some suggested, was told – to bellow “You lie!” when the President was explaining for the umpteenth time that undocumented immigrants would not be covered under health care legislation. After all, Wilson’s extreme anti-immigrant positions are well known.
His outburst, for which he has half-heartedly apologized, not only exposed Wilson for the uncouth nativist he is, but made clear that immigration is still very much one of the Republican Party’s war horses.
“Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst is not only a massive breach of decorum,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, “but the latest example of how race-baiting and immigrant bashing have become standard fare for hard-right elements of the Republican Party.”
One has to wonder if Wilson and his ilk are intent on committing political suicide – and in the process taking down with them the entire GOP – or if their prejudices are so deep that they just cannot help themselves.
Ironically, after all is said and done, Joe (You lie!) Wilson’s outburst could go down in history as the death knell for the most reactionary and extremist wing of the Republican Party.
#57 Alfred1
What’s the matter? Religious trolls from a non-religious person no longer working to stir up the populace and generate irate Comments and Page Views?
Are we now condemned to a diet of neocon, nonsense conservative trolls from a non-necon, non-conservative to stir up the populace and generate irate Comments and Page Views?
Getting lots of Clicks from Dirty Tricks?
Where’s pedro? Shouldn’t he be helping you out with this transparent scam?
#60 In the past, even applause was not allowed…it can be misunderstood as agreement with something in the speech.
As Democrats were allowed to agree…others should be allowed to disagree…its called freedom.
Where was the Diversity Czar insisting opposing views be heard…surely there were some locals who disagreed.
I suggest Congress lose its license to hold speeches…they clearly spout only a narrow point of view disharmonious with the interests of the local community.
#61 The cause of your weariness is self evident…you weary me.
If two people are talking, which one you are is a simple process of deduction…the one not falling asleep, is you.
If you left to visit all your friends, you’d be back in a minute…
It is the height of absurdity you call others a Troll.
What else is a “speech” by a politician but propaganda? All speeches need to be interrupted, but interrupted by supportable positions. The Democraps REALLY SHOULD HAVE yelled and screamed at BushtheRetard prior to Iraq War==but hard to scream about something you don’t want to draw attention to. All scum.
BTW–there are no free speech issues in this issue of decorum==only personal integrity. The only penalty for speaking the truth to power is censorship from the Congress amounting to I think not being able to address the Congress for one day.
Too bad the Dem’s don’t want to alienate gun nuts and the religious right nutbags and the Repugs don’t have a clue about anything except to say “NO” to everything.
Our Constitution is disrespected when its rights are not exercised.
I’ve seen Section 246 thrown around a few times as a way of saying Wilson was wrong, but that doesn’t appear to be relevant to the issue.
“Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”
This seems to merely exclude illegals from obtaining Federal assistance for a type of credit. How does this relate to other types of assistance the bill provides?
#65–Tyrant==what other assistance?
Be specific.
“Yeller.” Appropriate. Rep. Wilson and the yellers at the tea parties and town hall meetings all remind me of the “Talking Stain” Super Bowl ad.
The current trend in “debate” comes down to one person trying to make a point or two while the other blasts away on an air horn.
HONK !!!
#63 Alfred1
I’m so disappointed in you.
You’re breaking all the rules of being a carnival barker, a shill and a conman.
Instead of responding to the truth, you’re supposed to totally ignore anyone who sees through your scam and continue to pretend you actually believe all the things you’re saying.
I’m sure that’s in the Conman’s Handbook, isn’t it? Politicians do it all the time.
You’ve totally lost your ‘spin’, mon ami! I think you’d really benefit from watching a few old W.C. Fields films. Now he was a guy who knew how to deal with hecklers!
“Give ‘em hell, Joe.”
# 48 Perwinkle:
“Liberals want things to be fair until it hurts them. Then they ruthlessly try to destroy you, your family, your career.”Citation needed.
Wilson should apologize to Congress since he did break the rules. It’s against Congressional rules to speak the truth in public.
And his “you lie” statement has brought in over a million dollars in donations over a 72 hour window.
His statement struck a nerve.
#71-Toxic Asshead- Wilson should apologize…
We know from experience with the present Democrat leadership it is never about the apology, but more an excuse to bathe and glorify themselves in power and the joy of watching opponents grovel on their knees.
No apology required.
Well, I think Obama is a Ni- – , I mean Socialist.
((Sitting back, waiting for the donations to roll in.))
Why is it that it’s only Demoncrats that have their mind in the gutter and thinking only in race terms. It’s people like bobbutt, #74, that promote midnight basketball, apartheid (quotas/diversity), and all genetic propaganda justifying whatever they have on the agenda from being conservative to be a drunk to be a weak minded brainwashed lemming/Demoncrat.
Come on get your mind out of the next Gay Parade and have a thought you didn’t get from TV talking head. Just how much weed have you smoked? Go down the list of what you’re for and what Satan would be for, you’ll find you lock stock in step with Satan, you’re probably be happy about that?
Whatever………………………
Traaxx
#75–trasxxs==WHAT???? You don’t like my impression of Joe YOU LIE Wilson? Thats hard to believe. Maybe let it rest and read it again? I must admit I can’t follow the conflation that follows. My, what a miss mash of ideas you wrestle with.
I do agree that basketball is an evil thing and that midnight is the devil’s time. Satan??? hah, hah–and I don’t think you are even kidding or cognizant of how silly that kind of thinking/argument can be for the audience you target.
Trasxx==good for the unintended laugh. Whatever.
It only figures that the first President of Color gets called out by a member of the KKK. He couldn’t help it. I mean, if it was a white guy up there, he would have shut up. We’re only lucky that he and his buddies aren’t burning a cross in the White House lawn.
Give me a break. Whether Joe (Liar) Wilson is correct or not, it is AGAINST THE HOUSE RULES, and he should pay the consequences for his actions!
#77-Rabble Rouser-he should pay the consequences for his actions!
Let Queen Pelosi eat static.
No apology required.
In related news, Obama once again crashed with reality and extended the cuban embargo citing national interest as the reason to keep it. Good for him!
# 69 Benjamin,
Apparently the Colonel, Rep. Joe Wilson is going to have his head handed to him in the next election.
Democrats are going to take a page from Karl Rove John McCain anger management problem playbook and paint him as unstable.