I watched on MSNBC and didn’t see what Dana Milbank saw:
Wilson was only the most flagrant. There was booing from House Republicans when the president caricatured a conservative argument by saying they would “leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own.” They hissed when he protested their “scare tactics.” They grumbled as they do in Britain’s House of Commons when Obama spoke of the “blizzard of charges and countercharges.”
When he asserted that “nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have,” there was scoffing and outright laughter on the GOP side. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (Tex.) shook his head in disbelief. Several Republicans shouted “What plan?” and Rep. Louis Gohmert (Tex.) waved at Obama a handwritten poster he made on a letter-size piece of paper: “WHAT PLAN?” Gohmert then took that down and replaced it with another handmade poster that said “WHAT BILL?”
The only part of this bad behavior that came across on MSNBC was Rep. Joe Wilson yelling “You lie!” (video below)
But while the majority of both parties’ lawmakers behaved as adults, the insolence by House Republicans stole the show. There was derisive laughter on that side of the chamber when Obama noted that “there remain some significant details to be ironed out.” They applauded as he spoke of “all the misinformation that’s been spread over the past few months.” They laughed again when he said that “many Americans have grown nervous about reform.”
When Obama addressed the charge that he plans “panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens,” someone on the GOP side shouted out “shame!” The president went on: “Such a charge would be laughable if it weren’t so cynical.” “Read the bill!” someone shouted back. Obama mentioned those who accuse him of a government takeover of health care. “It’s true,” someone shouted back.
Anyone else see this?
The antics continued when Obama urged opponents to “come to me with a serious set of proposals.” About 20 Republican members raised copies of the GOP health-reform proposal over their heads. They raised their props again when Obama criticized those who think “it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it.”
Some GOP congresspersons were observed to be texting during crucial parts of the speech.
The paper props did get shown on MSNBC. I couldn’t tell what they said, “What Bill” might very well be it. There were 10-20 Republicans waving these handbill sized props.
Listen again to the Joe Wilson video, and you can hear more going on than the final “You Lie!” outburst. These were not polite schoolchildren.
Frankly, this is the norm for other parliaments like Canada’s and the UK’s. Part of me says “bring it on”. It’s high time the Democrats learned to talk back to this crap, and not let it all be focused on Obama.
I hate to say it, but I’m certain part of Obama’s make up is that he cannot take the low road for fear of proving the racists’ worst stereotype, “the uppity nigger”. This is why he’s so ultra cool, all the time, despite all the unbelievable provocations. It’s a shame, because the wingnuts really need to be put in their place, but taking the high road all the time isn’t going to do it. It’s like the class nerd who cannot fight back, and so the bullying only gets worse.
Seriously, that was funny. Even better watching the With Pelosi stair at him!
http://www.whywevoted.com/comment/614
I was actually relieved by the Republicans’ behavior during the speech. I was actually starting to become afraid of them until they took this opportunity to remind us what immature goobs they can’t help themselves from being.
Obviously their mothers didn’t teach them any manners.
Cobras don’t have mothers, dear Bonnie…………..
They play to their base, and to a different drummer, and to the voices in their heads.
The Republic of Texas is sounding great to me at this moment.
Hot, dry, full of assholes.
Reminds me of a place called hell.
I had athought yesterday (on my way home from Swamiland)
You see, we’re on this big oceanliner in a very bad storm. The captain and half of the crew is doing their best to plug holes and bail out the bilge, while the other half of the crew snickers and makes stupid faces. The press needs to turn the cameras on these morons for all to see, THEN the people contributing to their bought and paid for congress critters need to be exposed, like cockroaches in the dark.
Gotta run…………
To me they looked like a bunch of white fraternity boys.
Just for the thinking about: How does the Republican exhibition during President Obama’s speech compare to the shoe throwing episode of recent memory? I was not at all upset by the thrower because I was so glad to see someone face W with what I saw as the truth. (Not that it did any good.) I am sure that there are many Republicans feeling that way about their elected officials’ representation of themselves last night. The level of anger says something about where we are on our capacity to discuss things calmly. BIG HOWEVER, though: I really think the lying and misleading and criminality still rest comfortably with the Republicans and their supporters. Yes, I do mean DINOs.
They were what they always are: “Nattering Nabob’s of Negativism.”
The Republican’s are now the party of Groucho Marx, only without the humor.
It would have been great if in the middle of Obama’s speach, one of the turds had broken into a loose-legged dance and sang:
“Whatever it is, I’m against it!
I don’t care who started it up
Or who commenced it.
I’m against it!!!”
Now THAT, I would have loved to see.
You know, the hooting, catcalling and comments from the Republican retards didn’t bother me that much. After all, the English Parliament (which we are modeled after) is much more cacophonous than our Congress and Obama isn’t a king, after all.
Besides, it just shows the American people that the modern Republican Party is NCAA (no class at all) and is composed of a bunch of southern-fried retards like Wilson, who has to take his shoes off to count to eleven. Fuck ’em!
Quite a bit of the background noise made it through MSNBC. It was heard to hear individual comments, past the “you lie” comment, but I thought the level of chatter was impolite at best.
I don’t recall ever before hearing this sort of jeering and derision during a presidential address to congress. I’m certain if the Dems had done this to Dear Leader, there would have been hell to pay.
Is anybody having a really great morning? Well then don’t read this. Even for redstate.hate this is pretty bad, again don’t read it!
The fact that they actually engaged in “tea bagging” in the House of Representatives smacks of how desperate they are.
It seems to me, the repugs are pushing it. We have not seen President Obama really angry, but I would think if he does get mad, he could pass anything he wanted and they could just go home whining.
You’re right, S, we’ve not seen Obama angry–nor the Dems, for that matter, and that’s the problem. The Republicans used to throw a fit every time anybody blinked on the other side of the aisle when they were the majority. They know that the Dems are too wimpy to behave in this fashion, however, which gives them a powerful weapon in Congress. Unless the other party wakes up and starts fielding its own attack dogs, both their and in the media, the Republicans will keep control of the process on just about every issue they’d prefer.
I don’t suppose your keen sense of history and proportion would allow for a trip in the way-back machine to 2005, when Democrats openly (and loudly) booed GWB at the SOTU?
Nah.. didn’t think so.
They may do it in the UK, but its not the tradition here, so their behavior was out of line. Just a few years ago they tossed Sheehan just for wearing a tee-shirt that was anti-war. I can imagine what the reaction would have been had dems clowned the way these people did. Milbank’s depiction would not be as it is now.
The good news is that they let the world see that they are a bunch of clowns not serious about doing anything. Hopefully Obama and the dems will take advantage of this, forget “bipartisanship” and sidestep these idiots altogether.
Senator Wilson’s comment may have been politically disrespectful but since when have we begun to respect liars.
Are you saying we should respect Rep. (not Senator) Wilson, because he lied? I will repeat this from another comment:
If if you are referring to H.R. 3200, this is a direct quote:
I wish you righties would read the bill instead of marching around spreading ignorance.
How dare anyone question or criticize “the messiah’s” well intentioned rush toward socialism. Reform is needed, but a government takeover is not. Look what it’s doing for the car industry. “Cash for Clunkers” killed used car sales and only took occasionally used vehicles “clunkers” off the road. Long live symbolism and good intentions. Substance is not allowed in the United Socialist States of America.
Then it’s a good thing no one, including President Obama, is calling for a “government takeover” of health care.
This obviously is a liberal Democrat site and all the bloggers are their supporters. There seems to be little civility on this site, so I’ll just post my response and move on to better sites that are more objective.
Whether Joe Wilson should have kept quiet at that time the truth is the truth. Obama has told a lot of falsehoods about his health plan. Folks, do your homework and Google to find info on what is actually in that bill. The Democrats are not open to looking at any Republican version of the bill that will not include coverage of 12-20 million illegal aliens, tax free at that, or that would exempt those who prefer to keep their private plans or the wealthy who want no healthcare plan at all.
I wasn’t in favor of the Medicare Prescription drug plan of George Bush and Ted Kennedy nor their education program that is costing many times its value. Check out http://www.Infowars.com for other views than those of either major party.
Carl, how is it that you rightiebots marching around saying “read the bill” obviously haven’t read “the bill”? In fact, there is no one bill yet, but if you are referring to H.R. 3200, this is a direct quote:
So it was Wlson who lied, not Obama.
Oh, and dude … if you were smart, you wouldn’t go telling people to “read the bill” when you very obviously haven’t read it yourself. H.R. 3200 isn’t the final bill, but it’s the one that has been published that righties are making up stories about. So I suggest you stop getting your information from right-wing propaganda sites and, you know, read the bill as published at the Library of Congress.
I wish someone would call this what it is and stop side stepping. The only reason that Joe Wilson did that last night was because our President does not look like him. no matter what George Bush did we did not disrespect him or the Office of the Presidency. We have not come as far as we think we have in race relations and I don’t know when the media is going to call it what it is and stop making excuse for Joe Wilson and the Right Wing Gop and Christian Right.
MJRhone
I don’t suppose your keen sense of history and proportion would allow for a trip in the way-back machine to 2005, when Democrats openly (and loudly) booed GWB at the SOTU?
Nah.. didn’t think so.
I looked at the video. Bush was telling a long-debunked lie about Social Security, and the boos were very muted given the brazenness of the lie.
But there often have been boos at SOTU speeches, going way back. Wilson crossed the line into heckling, which is unusual. Although frankly I am less shocked than amused by the whole thing.
I think every time the repugs act like last night, they reinforce to middle of the road people that they don’t want to be associated with something like that. I don’t think we need to stoop to their level. I do think we need to call them on it though.
Every dem today should be saying bad wilson was lying and point out that Obama was not lying, the repug WAS by stating the facts. There is a clause that excludes illegal aliens.
It did not bother me much. What will bother me is if the Democrats let the tactic work. Obama won the election with a sizeable majority, Democrtas won a very large majority of House seats and not counting Liberman, had 58 Senate seats. The Republicans are counting on buyer’s remorse which is hardly reprehensible, but there are too many Democrats who believe them. they seem to feel that their political futures depend not on their acting like Democrats but rather acting like Republicans. Somebody–the voters– have to tell them they are wrong.
Kevin B Goode wrote:
“Cash for Clunkers†killed used car sales and only took occasionally used vehicles “clunkers†off the road. Long live symbolism and good intentions. Substance is not allowed in the United Socialist States of America.
Funniest thing I’ve read all morning. Well duh, it was intended to help new car sales, ie help out the new car industry, not necessarily the used. Which, by the news accounts I’ve read, it did. Talk about finding the fly in the ointment. Try to focus on the bigger picture, which is far more substantial than your silly point about used car sales.
I am so proud of Joe Wilson! He simply told the truth…Obama is the biggest liar of any President that ever took office. And any of you idiots that support him, I dare you to go look at his voting record online in the government archives. If you still agree with him after you do that, you are pro-socialism and anti-american. Really, go look it up if you DARE! I did, and was APPALLED at what I found. Joe Wilson, you are a true hero and may many more oubursts like yours be heard!
And by the way you hypocrites, why was it ok to boo Bush in congress when he told truths about Social Security and the economy, but it’s bad manners for anyone to boo Obama for telling LIES? You guys aren’t ONLY stupid, you’re hypocrites! You make me SICK! I want to PUKE just thinking about you fools and the thing you elected that will destroy this country.
Dear Tonia: If you are referring to H.R. 3200, this is a direct quote:
So it was Wlson who lied, not Obama. Jeez, I wish you righties would read the bill.
(I hope y’all don’t mind if I just keep cutting and pasting this.)
This will pick you up, from a Canadian poster on Daily Kos, No Wonder the GOP have gone crazy…This is a formidable enemy.
“Read the bill!” “WHAT BILL?”
Jeez, you pitiful losers, get your stories straight. And go troll somewhere else.
A bit of perspective, for those with the brain cells to process it:
There was another Joe Wilson, in 2003, who called the president a liar. He did so in this manner: he traveled thousands of miles to personally investigate claims the president was making about the purported reasons for invading Iraq. That Joe Wilson found solid evidence the president was lying. That Joe Wilson wrote up his findings in a clear, intelligent form. When those findings were published, the vice president at the time took revenge on that Joe Wilson’s wife, a CIA employee… and violated federal law to do so.
The Dems could have, should have impeached George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for their various deadly, destructive, self-enriching crimes. Of course, the Dems lack the pure, shameless vitriol, delusion and hypocrisy of the present-day GOP. Every day that Bush and Cheney are free to continue spouting their lies is a gift they don’t deserve. Meanwhile, white crackers from South Carolina, and their dumb-cracker adherents, falsely accuse the current president of lying about his attempts to improve the lives of the American people.
The trolls have sunk to a new low, defending the dipshit Rep. Wilson from South Carolina. So, trolls, if you’re smart enough to sense the loathing of your fellow Americans, it’s not your imagination. You really are widely and thoroughly despised by now.
(I hope y’all don’t mind if I just keep cutting and pasting this.)
Go right ahead. It’s obvious the trolls’ brains are cut-and-pasted from Rush, Glenn Beck, and Faux Noise.
And by the way you hypocrites, why was it ok to boo Bush in congress when he told truths about Social Security and the economy, but it’s bad manners for anyone to boo Obama for telling LIES? You guys aren’t ONLY stupid, you’re hypocrites! You make me SICK! I want to PUKE just thinking about you fools and the thing you elected that will destroy this country.
Really? So Tonia, where were all those WMDs that Bush was scaring you with? Bush lied about Iraq, Social Security, the economy, constantly. He deserved far worse than booing. It is you who choose to be stupid, not us. Bush already destroyed ths country, Obama has to try and put the pieces together. Go ahead and puke all you want, the facts are not on your side.
Hopes Tonia isn’t getting something serious if she feels like puking. I hope the insurance she has will cover it if she is and hope she doesn’t have hours on the phone trying to talk the insurance company into covering her even if she didn’t tell them she had acne. I hope the insurance company doesn’t decide it was pre-existing and drop her. I hope what the insurance company will pay is the same as the doctor charges. I hope she won’t lose the roof over her head if it isn’t. I hope she realizes we just had to give millionaires buckets of money and started a costly war because of lies, so asking that health issues be addressed is not so much to ask for.
I have Hope!
Yes We Can!
Obama remainds me of a kid in a toy store who makes his mothers life miserable, until he gets what he wants. This man is a spoiled little child who has taken advantage of other people his whole life. He caters to blacks when he finds it convenient, then when they’re used up it’s under the bus time. Being a typical white person , like the bamsters Granny, that’s the way I see it.
Maha,
Are you aware one of the publican robot posters has link to infowars on this post, this is alex jones’s site, a real tinfoil hatter, you may want to take that link down, or who knows.
Carl
“This obviously is a liberal Democrat site and all the bloggers are their supporters.”
Yeah did you read the title of the blog ” Mahablog – making the world safe for liberalism” you fucking dimwit teabagger.
Also Maha is the blogger, commenters are typically refered to as commenters!
Tonia… there is no degree to lies, either it’s a lie or it isn’t. So technically you can’t be a bigger liar. Maybe you mean Obama a more prolific liar…but if that’s the case, your assessment is inaccurate because Bush has clearly earned that distinction and it will be ages before any President is able to knock Bush out of contention for the title of most prolific liar. ” We don’t torture”, ” We don’t eavesdrop with a warrant”, Saddam has weapons of mass destruction”, “They hate us for our freedoms” ” We abide by the Geneva Convention” among a thousand other deceptions and lies.
In biblical parlance of Bush…” He is the son of perdition and the truth was not in him “
Everyone seems to miss the real point here! it’s not about the health care bill, it’s about the money that the repugents will loose if it pass’s.The money (hundreds of thousands of $) each one will loose from lobbeist’s.Go to
http://www.opensource.org and see how much money they get from the insurance,health care,pharms,and corps.They take the money and vote for whatever the ceo.s want them to vote for.The dems do it too,but not near as bad as the repugents.And one other little fact:THERE IS NOT ONE HONEST LAWMAKER IN WASINGTON!
I also agree with “S”.
Obama remainds me of a kid in a toy store who makes his mothers life miserable, until he gets what he wants. This man is a spoiled little child who has taken advantage of other people his whole life.
I don’t know where you get this, tatert. I think we’d all like to see some evidence, rather than your own mental free associations.
As I see it, Obama inherited a collossal mess, one that our country may never re-emerge from. The man needs all the help he can get.
This man is a spoiled little child who has taken advantage of other people his whole life.
Best description of George W. Bush I’ve ever heard.
Indeed, it’s possible to be so wrong about one thing that you’re absolutely right about something else.
“And by the way you hypocrites, why was it ok to boo Bush in congress when he told truths about Social Security and the economy, but it’s bad manners for anyone to boo Obama for telling LIES?”
I believe this has been covered but I can’t resist. First of all nobody is upset about booing, booing is a time honored tradition during a joint session, it the shouting of “you LIE” that is out of bounds and is in violation of parliamentary decorum. That is why the publican majority leader Boner made Wilson apologize. See if you had paid more attention to government before the “nigger’ got elected you would better understand the norms of etiquette practiced in our great deliberative institutions.
On the way home from work today (yeah I’m a flaming liberal with a job and a gun) NPR played some tape of constituent reaction down in SC to Wilson’s indiscretion. One “voter” said (imagine your best jethro accent) “I’m proud of Joe Wilson, there’s alot in them there bills we don’t know about and he had the spine to call a spade a spade”
I rest my case!
I love it when someone links to infowars to prove their point.
Kinda like linking to the Bible to justify beating their kids………