Sunday, September 13, 2009
Joe Wilson Playing Politics With His Disgraceful Outburst
Far-Right Bill Kristol Comes To Defense Of Rep. Joe Wilson
Rep. Joe Wilson’s outrageous and disgraceful outburst during President Obama’s speech before a joint session of Congress has set in and now some of the far-right commentators are beginning to come to the defense of their newly-declared hero (perhaps he represents their feelings, attitudes, professionalism and ability to self control). I am not contending that Wilson should have someone put a foot up his ass and sending him flying out of Congress. But, he does not to be soundly condemned for his ridiculous outburst that bring into question his mental stability.
Predictably on Fox, Kristol had this to say:
KRISTOL: Can I just say one thing? He [Obama] is leading his party off a cliff, and Speaker Pelosi is going to lead his party — her party off the cliff if they try to rebuke Joe Wilson.
He has apologized. It will be a disgrace if they do some stunt in the House to try to humiliate this man, who is, in fact — has a reputation for bipartisanship on the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee he’s on.
Obama and Pelosi are leading the party off a cliff, I think, and I hope a lot of Democrats say, Slow down. Let’s take a look at this bill.
People on both sides of the aisle have come together to condemn the garbage the world heard from Wilson. This should not be a partisan issue in the very least. This is something both sides should be able to come together and denounce. The fact that Kristol is saying something like this shows how irrational and unreasonable he is for the lack of respect and discipline shown by Wilson. Kristol, rather skillfully, has tried to twist this around and use it as an excuse to attack President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This is not about President Obama and Speaker Pelosi. This is about Joe Wilson.
Think Progress:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/13/kristol-leave-wilson-alone/
David Letterman’s Top 10 Excuses For Rep. Joe Wilson’s Outrage
On The Late Show, comedian David Letterman’s popular Top 10 list examines Republican Rep. Joe Wilson’s bizarre, undisciplined and disrespectful outburst during President Obama’s speech before a joint session of Congress.
- Nobody cared when McCain yelled bingo
- It’s been weeks since a Republican politician embarrassed the state of South Carolina
- I thought it was a roast
- Yeah, I accused a politician of lying. What was I thinking?
- I’m an idiot
- Uh … Swine Flu?
- Thought I was in the audience at Maury
- Was trying to impress that hellcat Nancy Pelosi
- Ashton Kutcher put me up to it
- Shouldn’t have gone tailgating before the speech
Crooks and Liars (see the video):
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/late-show-top-ten-south-carolina-represent
Rob Miller Has Raised Reportedly $500,000 Since Rep. Wilson’s Uncivilized ‘You Lie’ Comment During President Obama’s Speech
Rob Miller, a democrat who is running against the disgraced Rep. Joe Wilson, has been raising quite a bit of money since Wilson’s “you lie” outburst during President Obama’s speech before Congress this week.
The money is still coming in for Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, the Democratic House candidate who has received a flood of donations since incumbent Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) shouted “You lie!” during President Obama’s speech last night.
The DCCC just announced that in the time since the Wilson outburst, Miller has received more than $500,000, from over 14,000 individual contributors.
I’d have to think Miller (or just about anyone else) would be a better representative than the undisciplined Joe Wilson, who doesn’t seem quite as sincere since giving the customary apology after doing something stupid and something as disgraceful and disrespectful as he did.
Dick Armey Tries To Shift The Argument To Assist Rep. Joe Wilson
Like a lot of right wingers, Dick Armey is playing that game of games for kindergartener kids and elementary school kids …. “(he or she) did it first.”
It’s nice to see that Armey has grown and matured so significantly over the years, but still has not allowed his inner child to escape without obstruction.
At the kickoff today to this weekend’s big anti-health care reform rallies in Washington, D.C., FreedomWorks chairman Dick Armey defended Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), saying, “Cut Mr. Wilson a little slack.”
Armey said Obama started the liar talk when he said the idea of death panels is “a lie, plain and simple.”
“So what’s the rule here? President of the United of States can say you’re liars and somebody else cannot? Give poor old Joe Wilson a break here,” Armey said to reporters, according to the Washington Independent. “Now, again, I cut him no slack. He knows better, or he should. He got himself in trouble and he reflected badly on people who share his point of view. But don’t let Obama off the hook for saying the same thing.”
Despite cutting him “no slack” himself, Armey urged others to do so.
“Unless you’re willing to call the president out, cut Mr. Wilson a little slack,” he said according to TheHill.com.
There’s Armey whining that the president did it first.
Armey says he cuts Wilson no slack, but he says everyone else should cut him a little slack. (head scratching)
The death panel stuff is propaganda garbage designed to scare people and Armey knows it.
There is nothing wrong with calling someone out if you feel they’re being untruthful, but you need to be a civilized and respectful person who has respect for the presidency, the setting, his district, the state of South Carolina, our tradition, Congress and human beings. Sure, the far-right nuts will love him because of their hatred for this particular president. But, the setting was wrong and it showed a lack of self control, a lack of civility and a seething anger for this president that seems to be boiling inside of so many on the far right.
If the man is that lacking, with respect to self control, then he needs to examine himself closely.
And, NO, I do not think this anger is just policy driven.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Rep. Joe Wilson Is A Disgrace For His Lack Of Self Control And Outright Disrespect … And More
South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson disgraced himself with an appalling display during President Obama’s speech to Congress about health care. I wonder how proud his state must be feeling of this man right now. As if one of the state’s eyes wasn’t blackened enough with the scandal of the governor, this man comes in and disgraces his state on national television and in front of the world with a shocking lack of self control, respect and discipline. It was a truly stunning display that left both Democrats and Republicans nearly paralyzed with shock.
Here is part of a CNN story that describes what happened:
A Republican House member shouted, “You lie” during President Obama’s health care speech to Congress on Wednesday, and members of both parties condemned the heckling.
After the speech, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson issued a statement apologizing for his outburst.
“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,” the statement said. “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.”
Wilson also called the White House to apologize and spoke with Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
The outburst came when Obama denied that proposed health care legislation would provide free health coverage for illegal immigrants. Immediately, Wilson shouted, “You lie!”
Watch the outburst and the chamber’s response »
The outburst caused Obama to stop and look toward the heckler. “That’s not true,” the president responded.
Once again, I think this shows the irrational hatred that some on the far right have for this particular president. It also shows that some of what is coming from the far right is less ideal oriented and more hate driven. For this man to lose control (as he did) in this forum speaks to out-of-control, irrational anger and a lack of basic discipline and civility.
This man, Joe Wilson, has disgraced Congress, our country, his state, his constituents and himself.
Here is what some are saying:
- Sen. Dick Durbin (Democrat): It was crude and disrespectful. I think the person who said it will pay a price.
- Sen. Bob Corker, (Republican): Certainly, I respect the office of the president, and I think that’s not the kind of thing that is appropriate in that kind of setting especially/. I don’t know who said it, but my sense is most people don’t think it was a good idea it occurred. And I happen to be one of those.
- Sen. John McCain (Republican): (Wilson) should apologize for it immediately.
- Rob Miller (Democrat who is challenging Wilson): Rep. Wilson’s behavior tonight exemplifies everything that is wrong in Washington. Instead of engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our commander-in-chief, Joe Wilson should be working towards a bipartisan solution that makes quality, affordable health care available to each and every South Carolinian.
- South Carolina Democratic party chairwoman Carol Fowler: Once again a South Carolina Republican has embarrassed our state. Never has any member of Congress shown such disrespect for the president during a speech.
- Erick Erickson (conservative for RedState.com: (Wilson is a) “great American hero.
- Sen. Patrick Leahy (Democrat): I’ve never seen anything like it. I talked to a number of my Republican friends on the way out who were mortified and angry that someone would do that.
- Sen. Claire McCaskill (Democrat): Biggest disappointment of evening, the total lack of respect shown by one member for the President. Never acceptable to behave like a jerk.
Wilson shamed himself, his state and his country.
This was cited by Huffington Post:
The non-partisan organization FactCheck.org has debunked the claim that health care reform would mandate coverage for illegal immigrants.
CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/09/joe.wilson/
Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09/gop-rep-wilson-yells-out_n_281480.html
The Hill:
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/58035-you-lie-mccain-calls-on-wilson-to-apologize