“Lie, you lie”: Rep. Joe Wilson brings disrespect full circle
Categories: Featured, Media, Politics and Elections, Sports
Written By: Shawn Williams
We’ve been told that the “anger” at rallies and town halls are just Americans who are fed up with government. We’ve been told that the “outcry” against the President’s plans to encourage school children were parents who didn’t want their kids subject to a partisan message. Nothing disrespectful and that any other President hasn’t had to endure….right? And now there is Joe Wilson.
Yes Representative Joe Wilson a.k.a. Addison Graves Wilson, Sr. R-South Carolina did something I didn’t even think the GOP would stoop to last night when he called the President a “lie” during his his speech to a joint session of Congress. It happened after the President said that his health plan would not cover illegal immigrants.
So now we’ll here how this is an isolated incident. To their credit, Republicans who have been asked about Wilson’s outburst have been critical and called upon him to apologize, which he did. But this is bigger than Wilson. This is about GOP leadership allowing their base to drum up hate speech. It’s about not calling out members who make up their own facts and fan the flames of bias and racism. This is more about the Republican Party than it is about Joe Wilson.
Rep. Joe Wilson (center) - Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
There is a school of thought that says Wilson’s outburst was premeditated. CNN.com reports a post on Wilson’s Twitter account that mentions the President’s healthcare plan: “Happy Labor Day! Wonderful parade at Chapin, many people called out to oppose Obamacare which I assured them would be relayed tomorrow to DC,” the tweet from Wilson’s account said (CNN).
The backlash has been swift, especially from his own state where he’s been called out by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D). This is not good for a guy who barely won his seat in ‘08, is up for reelection next year, and is now making it tough on a family member how just launched a campaign. This is from CQ Politics:
Wilson’s son, Alan Wilson, launched a bid Tuesday for state attorney general.
And Wilson himself is facing the possibility of a credible rematch of his narrow 2008 victory over Marine Corps veteran and Democrat Rob Miller, which Wilson won with 53.7 percent of the vote.
Miller received a flood of online donations in the hour after the speech, according to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee officials, with one estimate pegging the number of contributions at more than 200.
I agree with Rep. Clyburn, Wilson should follow up to the call he made to Rahm Emanuel apologize to the President face-to-face. The actions by Republican lawmakers and ex-politicians are making a mockery of our process. We’re better than this.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Well said. We must teach our children how to disagree but still keep their honor and dignity intact. What is going on in today’s society is really alarming. Rep Wilson has not only disgraced himself but those who he represents. So should our children start screaming in class when they disagree with the teacher. Should person in court start screaming at the Judge who is incharge of keeping order to insure that each view can be properly presented? Surely not, that’s not America! America is a land where we debate the issues with respect and honor, and we disgree passionately without disrespecting the person whom we disagree with. This is what is wrong with this debate, it apprears to be more perosnal rather than sticking to the issues. I say let the passion remain but let order and respect be the rule of the day. If not, we will lose the values we hold so dearly and disorder will be the rule of the day from the home to Washington D.C.. We will then lower ourselves to the status of a rouge nation with law. Surely not, this is America! …..Isn’t it?
September 10th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Shawn, my thoughts exactly. This is not about whether or not these people hate Obama personally. Now they are disrespecting the Office of the presidency AND dishonoring the leadership and constituency of their own party! Not to mention the decorum of the occasion.
There was an advance draft of the speech circulated which makes me believe that there was some premeditation to this ‘outburst’. Otherwise, it would have been just as easy for Wilson to decry or dispute the President’s claim BEFORE the address.
Worse are those who are defending Wilson or who are saying, “Well what about the liberals? They are just as bad as…” The answer is ‘no’. You may not applaud, you may not give an ovation, you may sit and scowl (although that’s bad in itself). But to yell out in that chamber like that is absolutely the worst type of embarrassing behavior.
The only thing I can think of worse than what he did , would be to have to make that phone call to Rahm Emmanuel!
September 10th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I agree 100%. Obama is doing a fine job of making a mockery of our process alone. There is no reason the Republicans should help him along.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Joe Wilson’s disgraceful outburst conveyed an utter disregard and lack of respect for our President and the people of this nation, who he was called upon to represent..
His shameful behavior calls for immediate resignation that with any last shred of human decency, he must do with heartfelt apology.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Joe Wilson’s disgraceful outburst conveyed an utter disregard and lack of respect for our President and the people of this nation, who he was called upon to represent..
His shameful behavior calls for immediate resignation that with any last shred of human decency, he must do with heartfelt apology.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Full circle is right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBxmEGG71PM
Where were the calls for resignation when GWB was booed and heckled?
September 11th, 2009 at 9:26 am
To Phelps…I am sorry but I didn’t hear any boos or heckles on you youtube post. I just see you and others trying to make excuses for bad behavior.Childish if you ask me.I am doing this to you because you did it too me?? Doesn’t make it right.Debate the issues.introduce a plan that you think is better.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I just mailed Joe Wilson $100.00 for his re-election next year.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Allegedly: It was later explained that the ‘passionate’ Wilson ‘thought he was watching television’ and behaved as he would in ‘his bedroom’. ( The spokesperson was quick to point out ‘the representative is heterosexual’.)
September 12th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Chris that may be the best comment on Dallas South this summer.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:20 am
To Phelps…I am sorry but I didn’t hear any boos or heckles on you youtube post.
That’s your defense? Lalalalalalalala I can’t hear it? And Republicans are the childish ones?