President Barack Obama’s advisors had promised that his speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday evening to address the state of his healthcare reform plans would be an impassioned and powerful one and there are few that would say that he did not deliver.
One major point he made was his desire that the opposing sides of the debate could “disagree without being disagreeable.” At least one member of the audience did not seem to agree with that statement though.
Rep. Joe Wilson, who is from South Carolina, interrupted the speech when he shouted “ You Lie!” and punctuated his point with an aggressive looking finger point when President Obama said that his healthcare reforms would not include coverage for illegal aliens. The tantrum caused the President to pause and direct his attention to the heckler, responding “That’s not true” before carrying on with his prepared remarks.
Seated behind the President both Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi looked visibly shocked by the outburst and after the speech was over Senator John McCain, the man defeated in the Presidential election by Obama, called for Rep. Wilson to make an immediate public apology.
Rep Wilson did make a formal statement some time later saying that "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." It is reported that he also called the White House personally to apologize. The man who took the call, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, accepted the apology on behalf of the President according to senior Obama aides.
Although his was the most noticeable act of displeasure Rep Wilson was not the only one to resort to some less than civil behavior during the President’s 45 minute speech.
Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas wore a sign fastened around his neck for the course of the speech which read “What Bill?” and when President Obama called on Republicans in the audience to share their reform ideas with him a small group of them raised stacks of paper above their heads.
Online reaction to Rep Wilson’s action by the public was swift and mainly derogatory. Within just a few minutes of his being identified as the heckler someone altered his Wikipedia entry to read "He is a [expletive] that called the President of the United States a liar on national television and has no respect for the office he holds." The site’s editors quickly removed the entry only for it to be replaced by another, even harsher one. They then decided to disable the editing feature for the entry for the time being.
On Twitter user after user posted Tweets encouraging the public to contact Rep. Wilson’s office to express their displeasure. However very quickly visitors to the official http://www.joewilson.house.gov/ website found it disabled and the phone lines to his office either rang busy or rang on and on without the usual voicemail message cutting in.
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I love the way people twist the actual events. Yes Mr. Wilson was out of line by shouting out. It is a breech of protocol. But Pelosi and Biden being visibly shocked?! Give me a break! They were just hoping no one actually heard it or would make a big deal of it so as not to distract from their agenda. You claim that Senator McCain "demanded" that Senator Wilson apologize. Gee did I watch the same interveiw? Mr. McCain said that Sen. Wilson's out burst was out of line and disrepectful of that gathering. He said that he "THOUGHT" that Sen. Wilson should apologize. There was no demand made. As far as low class. Our president had his Chief of Staff take Mr. Wilson's call. How tacky is that?! Gracious behavior should be expected on both sides. The police officer whom our wonderful president disparaged had the grace to accept his call personally. Why should the president of all people not be expected to act in the same way?
ReplyDeletebut he does lie, we will still be paying for illegals, no hospital can deny treatment for stablization. The number Obama quotes as the uninsured does have the illegal count in it. We may not INSURE them, but we will continue to take the cost of them from running from their bills at our hospitals. Though I find his remark unproper, he did speak the truth.
ReplyDeleteFinally, A Senator remembers about an little oath he had taken years ago to uphold the Constitution and defend this country against enemies both foreign and DOMESTIC. Finally, a real American stands up against our liar-in-chief
ReplyDeleteWell the comment did get everyone's attention. Everyone know is asking for apologies, and yes he should apologize for the interruption, however, maybe he knows something that we ought to know. We trust these reps to look at this bill in its entirety. Maybe there is some validity to what he is trying to say. I for one do not want illegals to benefit from this bill. It is bad enough that they get charity/free care for themselves and their children while I get a bill for mine.
ReplyDeleteJoe Wilson is a true American hero.
ReplyDeleteWe need more heroes just like him who are not afraid to stand up and speak up for truth in the spirit of Patrick Henry.
He Lies, He Lies, We will not apologize will be the chant marching down the streets of DC tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone upset at Wilson for telling the truth? Obama is a boldface liar and anyone who pays attention knows it. The Democrats have killed 2 bills in the last few weeks that called for the exclusion of illegal immigrants for healthcare.
ReplyDeleteFree speech, its expression, has bounderies. If Wilson were able to stand up and prove his statement then he'd have been most appropriate for the interuption. Otherwise, he kinda looks the fool, unable to manage his emotions, perhaps a little out of his league.
ReplyDeleteIt seems Wilson had been waiting to blurt out his emotion of hates for so long. He felt he had to let it out even though he might be fully aware that it was not appropriate at that moment. Perhaps, he hoped it would further his name recognition.
ReplyDeleteIt does not matter how hard he tried to be politically correct, his angers were all over his face.
It is disgraceful that a member of congress would disrespect the President of the United State. He has also disrespected the very seat he holds. Just as a lawyer would have been held in contempt if he heckled a judge or disrespected a court of law. I am tired of people saying whatever they please and then claiming they are apologetic for it. Its a little to late for apologies as far as I am concerned much swifter and harsher sanctions should take place against this congressman. Remember the shoe incident that happened to Bush, Americans were angry that this man had disrespected our President even though his approval ratings were down. As an American we should never let other countries see any form of disrespect for our President. After all this seat is the highest in the land and it deserves the utmost respect.
ReplyDelete