Yes, he's a Sox fan
But Barack deserves respect
Not GOPher heckling
I know this is a sports blog, and I might regret raising a political issue here, but what happened during President Obama's health care speech to Congress tonight was absolutely shameful. ChicagoNow asked all of us to write something about the Oprah shutdown of Michigan Avenue, which should have embarrassed all Chicagoans. I'm sure they won't mind a short rant about the Obama heckling, which should have embarrassed all Americans.
In case you missed it ... when Obama stated the simple fact that his health care proposal would not cover illegal aliens, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) shouted "You lie!" It's also been reported that Karl Rove thought Wilson's comment was hilarious. Neil Cavuto called the performance "lovely."
Republicans are calling for Wilson to apologize, which he has done - sort of. I think he should resign.
Click on these links to read more about it.
Do you remember when Republicans used to tell us that we had an obligation to respect the President? Well, apparently at least one Republican member of Congress thinks that rule only applies to when the President is a Republican.
The next time someone tries to tell you that "they're all the same"
when talking about Washington politicians (a favorite tactic of
conservatives to excuse their extremism and refusal to compromise) just
remember GOPher Congressman Joe Wilson.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Healthcare, President Obama, Rep. Joe Wilson
that was pretty crazy. But having watched the Republican response, replete with a former surgeon wearing a peaceful blue tie, I'm wondering if this wasn't just another attempt to steal the show.
Tomorrow, hopefully, the discussion will center on the points Obama made or failed to make, in essence the substance or lack thereof in his speech.
Sadly, I think we'll be focusing on the heckling.
I won't say I disagree. I will add, however, that given the shameful treatment George W. Bush received not only from elected but non-elected Democrats for eight whole years, I can't help but wonder where you were then.
I've never commented here about the "birthers" or others who have said shameful things about the President, although I have commented in response to blog posts by others.
The difference here, and what prompted me to post on my own blog despite being off-topic, is that this happened on the floor of the House of Representative of the United States during a Presidential address. I don't think there has ever been a display of disrespect in that venue to equal this one ... aside from Dick Cheney's suggestion that a Senator go fuck himself (for which he never apologized).
In the interest of full disclosure, I'll admit that when people were criticizing George Bush I was right there joining in the criticism. But I've never done so while listening to the President in the halls of Congress.
Well, guess what, Ed? The same can't be said for Democratic members of Congress. Remember this?
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/09/10/flashback_democrats_boo_bush_at_2005_state_of_the_union.html
Yes, I do remember that. I also recall that there were several times yesterday when similar rumblings went through the room.
They were nothing like the outburst by Rep. Wilson. I didn't hear one person yell out "You liar" when Dubya was speaking.
I get your point, but I think there is a qualitative difference. The reactions even of Republicans who condemned Wilson's outburst is evidence of that.
I guess lying in the Obama administration is just as acceptable as lying in the Daley administration.
Actually, it's Congressman Wilson who is lying. The health care proposal specifically provides that federal benefits are not available to those in the country illegally. Section 246 of the House bill is entitled "NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS." and states that "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 you ignored the issue I raised - Do you think it is acceptable for a member of Congress to heckle the President during a speech to a joint session of Congress, and to lie in the process?
Ed, there is no realistic way to avoid it. And no, it's not acceptable for a member of Congress to heckle the President during a speech to a joint session of Congress, whether it's Obama in 2009 or Bush in 2005.
Now can we talk about the Cubs? That's depressing enough.
As you can see below, my brother (and our White Sox haiku blogger) has similar thoughts - about baseball, not Presidential heckling.
But right now, it's not too depressing ... as long as we just concentrate on the short term. Which, of course, is necessary if Cubs fans are to retain any portion of our sanity.
Gee.....I wish there was a baseball game today.....