Sanction "Shoutin' Joe"!
I wasn't really sure how I felt about this at first, whether it was better to just let things slide or to take official action and put it on the dude's record. Now I think it's a decent idea. "Shoutin' Joe Wilson" broke House rules. A vote to sanction him for that is appropriate. Let the other Republicans go on record as supporting a lack of decorum in the House of Representatives.
"But he already apologized..."
Yes. He did. To the President. To the Vice President. To Rahm Emanuel. But not to his colleagues. He disrupted a Joint Session of Congress. He should be officially sanctioned.
"But this will make him a martyr... a hero..."
Like the idiot isn't already? He's raised nearly a million bucks from his fellow dullards in his South Carolina district, and the pinheads who marched on DC last weekend because Glenn Beck TOLD them to think he's the reincarnation of Ronald Freakin' Reagan.
Put it on the record. Sanction the idiot.
And for the Republicans who say it will help their cause if Wilson is sanctioned...
"I hope they do it," said Rich Bolen, who chairs the Republican Party in Lexington County, where Wilson lives. "The longer this story stays alive, the better it is for the conservative point of view. It means the Democrats aren't talking about health care and moving the ball forward. They're giving Wilson a ton of traction."
I refer you to the recent CNN/Opinion Research Poll that shows Obama's popularity rebounding across the nation -- except, maybe, for the South -- since the incident.
I remind my Republican friends, you can NOT truthfully claim you won a fight by bragging about how you got your blood all over the other fella's fist.
I'm going to disagree here. I think in the end it serves no purpose other then to further enflame the right. He apologized to the President (whether he truly meant it is another thing) and the President accepted it. His opponent has raised $1.5 mil off the incident and Mark McKinnon has started a Republicans against Joe Wilson group. Sanctioning him won't change him or embarrass him. Sending in home in 2010 is the best punishment and sends the strongest message.
September 15, 2009 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Politically, it makes great sense to put the GOP House Members ON THE RECORD as supporting Wilson's behavior.
The right is ALREADY inflamed, JS. Would NOT sanctioning Wilson calm them down?
September 15, 2009 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Would NOT sanctioning Wilson calm them down?"
I got $10 that says no. I'd bet more, but I only bet what I can afford to lose ;)
As to your other point about further enflaming this I will agree. So let me put it this way it will just keep adding full to the fire.
September 15, 2009 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
HA! Words to live by, indeed.
September 15, 2009 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
I so agree! And he hasn't apologized to We, The People either!
Now, more than ever, I believe in the need for consequences. Wilson did this in the People's arena, surrounded by representatives of the People and there supposedly under the guise of public service.
If this goes unchallenged and without due consequences earned, what message will that send?
Wouldn't it be that this type of disrespect and overt disdain for POTUS, fellow members of Congress and the people's process is allowed, even sanctioned?
What message does it send to our children if our governing body just shrugs and ignores this type of behaviour?
September 15, 2009 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
No doubt you felt this way when democrats loudly booed Bush during the state of the union address? Or when they refused to offer even polite applause for the man, sitting there like statues? Or is outrage over uncivil behavior limited to the right?
September 15, 2009 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I did - with the caveat referencing applause.
I don't believe anyone should applaud unless, in this scenario, you endorse and support the statements being acknowledged.
That said, I am absolutely incensed and sickened when bad behavior is excused, condoned based solely on 'who' it is and/or dependent upon their 'affiliation'. Thus, does anyone believe if this was a Repub Pres. that both sides would be taking different stances? Sadly no!
My stance is across the board, any member of Congress who sits there with dour looks, arms folded across chest, twittering, smirking, rolling eyes or engaging in otherwise disrespectful behaviour when the POTUS is addressing them is wrong! Dem or Repub or any politico, this type of behaviour and outburst is wrong, should not be tolerated.
September 15, 2009 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you. Unfortunately the precedent has been set. Democrats really started with the attacks on LBJ (one of their own), and it got worse under Nixon. Nastiness and disrespect was rampant against Reagan, but nothing reached the level of contempt shown Bush. The chickens have come home to roost now, and we have a largely uncivil society. They shouldn't expect that the right will refuse to play by the rules they established.
September 15, 2009 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
CB,
What is your stance on Wilson needing to apologize on floor of Congress or suffer formal consequences? And would you have same opinion if the 'culprit' was a Dem?
Thanks.
September 15, 2009 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since nothing was done to the democrats, I think all's fair at this point. Might as well go the way of Taiwan and Korea and have fist fights, sword play, food throwing, etc. Democrats can't claim to be outraged at a lack of respect for the President when they spent 8 years showing zero respect for Bush. What goes around ...
September 15, 2009 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, so it's fine with you that this show of disrespect and denigration continues to be propagated without restriction? Two wrongs (or multiple) make a right?
No, I don't support nor endorse this skewed logic. And I am disappointed you do. I sincerely thought you would not want to advocate this downward spiral.
Isn't it time we held all accountable and at the very least attempt to establish government interaction and processes we can all tout with pride? I hope so.
September 15, 2009 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I'm just tired of always being on the side that must follow the rules. Democrats vote as a block against any SC judge if he is conservative, yet republicans are expected to approve even the most liberal nominee (and they do - Ginsburg was approved 97 - 3 in a Republican controlled senate). Democrats show no respect for Bush for 8 years and that's ok, but now we must show proper reverence for the office of the president. First you change your ways, democrats, then I'll support republicans changing also. But I'm tired of it being a one way street.
September 15, 2009 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're discussing this one specific incident that happened directly to the POTUS by a member of Congress. We can't go back, but we sure as hell can go forward and attempt to endorse that Repubs, Dems, Indep. and all do not support this type of disrespect. No matter political affiliation!
Should we teach our children that since others got away with it, that it's okay to do it and/not to stand up to others who behave in this manner? I don't think so and pretty sure you don't either.
Let's start now. Please. Yell foul no matter who's up at bat! I promise I will too!
September 15, 2009 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I think you don't appreciate the effect of 8 plus years of personal attacks and disrespect, and the pent up frustration on the right. Look at Hollywood, the constant disrespect showed to Bush at all the various awards shows, Dixie Chicks, Kanye, movies about killing the president, Michael Moore, the comments of Reid and Pelosi, Bill Maher calling for Cheney's death, the Bork and Thomas hearings. This has been building for some time. Yes, I wish things would be civil, that people would attack issues and not the people advocating them. That would be great, and maybe we could solve problems and really improve things. But I don't see that happening. I think there is too much animosity at this point. I am very pessimistic, I think we will be lucky to avoid civil war the way things are heading. The country is becoming completely polarized.
September 15, 2009 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
So we just throw in the towel? Surrender to the bully brigades? Forever?
Some have to take the first step. It needs to be within We, The People, to set the tone and tenor for our government.
The Repubs, nor the Dems, nor most, are without fault. All we can do is try and come together FROM THIS POINT FORWARD at least as goes the decorum and ethics we command for those in office.
Again, I hope you join and start now to say, no more! For all!
I do sincerely appreciate your talking this thru with me.
September 15, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fixed that for ya, doggie.
(What is it with my blogs and trolls?)
September 15, 2009 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're allowed to boo, Bullcrapper.
You are NOT allowed to yell "YOU LIE."
Intelligent people know the difference.
September 15, 2009 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really? Tell me the difference. Both are showing a lack of respect. Are you allowed to throw shoes?
September 15, 2009 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now you're just being silly and deflecting from the intent of the post.
September 15, 2009 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's what trolls do.
And once again, I have a boatload of comments and zip for recs...
September 15, 2009 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I rec'd.
And strongly support your stance and consider this to be a very well written and important post! But that's just me.
I appreciate your time and efforts!
September 15, 2009 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Booing is not a violation of the Rules of Congress; shouting "you lie" is a violation.
September 15, 2009 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please cite one instance when a Democrat broke the Rules of Congress and wasn't sanctioned.
September 15, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bulldinkey!
Please read Politico's article on how the Republicans paved the way for Joe "You Lie" Wilson's reprimand. And when reading please remember Politico isn't the friendliest site for Democrats.
September 15, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wilson should be offically sanctioned. It is about rule of law....following the rules of Congress.
The Democrats just happen to be in charge at the time this incident occurred. There should be no politics involved.
I seem to recall the Republicans in Congress stressing these same points back about 1998-1999 time frame.
September 15, 2009 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is no law against free speech. Not yet anyway.
September 15, 2009 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just posted this in response to "Clyburn Emerges As Lead Dem Against Joe Wilson." I believe my thoughts to that post are relevant here aswell.
Joe Wilson acted like a spoiled brat. He apologized to President Obama, who accepted said mea culpa. That should have been it. President Obama came across as the bigger man, which he is. And the Democratic fundraising machine, which has been sleeping, kicked into action. If more was needed to assuage the egos of House Democrats, a quick resolution condemning Wilson's action would have been appropriate.
But that was not good enough for some. Those 2 moronic words have been taken way out of proportion.
Results :
(a) Everyone is talking about 2 idiotic words.
(b) Nobody is talking about Obama's address to the Nation. Can anyone remember what was said?
(c) Healthcare has been pushed aside.
(d) Pelosi is withdrawing her line in the sand re Public Option.
(e) Some Democrats are now equating those 2 words with 'racism' and 'white hoods.' Clearly this was an act of stupidity. By raising it to anything other than that, by stretching the truth, is playing directly into the hands of Republicans. The overreaching has led, in my opinion, to the Republican fundraising machine having been kicked into action. Until this time, the latter wasn't just sleeping, it had been in a coma, until the 'R' word was used.
(f) If the above post re Clyburn is correct. then it is most unfortunate. Rep. Clyburn is someone I have always respected. But there seems to be some personal history between him and Wilson, and his actions seem more like payback.
For all of you who are praising the House Democrats for wanting to see Wilson stretched out on a rack for those two stupid words, let me ask you a question.
Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice et. al. lied to this nation, and before Congress on many an occasion. Their actions brought shame on this Nation. They authorized war, torture, rendition, occupation of a sovereign nation, deaths of thousands of US military men and women, and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi nationals etc. They are responsible of War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. Where is the Congress' outrage against these lies?, against these vile and despicable acts? When will Congress begin Impeachment Hearings for these loathsome acts?
Two stupid words result in immediate action in Congress. Lies, war, torture, rendition, and the deaths of over a million Iraqis, and a deathing silence is heard.
September 15, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are allowed to lie in Congress, yet there is a rule not allowing one to call someone a liar. Weird, yes. Necessary, yes. Civil debate cannot be maintained without following the rules of decorum in Congress. The Rules of Congress were violated by Addison Graves Wilson, he should be man and face the consequences.
September 15, 2009 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink