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NAM Round Table
The NAM Round Table consists of news, insights, visions, ramblings and rants from the writers at New America Media.
[ filed under: immigration politics ]
It’s quite appropriate President Obama’s health care speech was interrupted by a heckler hung up on a single issue—illegal immigration. South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson yelled out “You lie!” after Obama promised his health care plan didn’t cover illegal immigrants. Then, he was booed in turn. It was more than just a rude interruption, and a breach of decorum. It was an undigested piece within the national body politic coming to the surface. President Obama, absorbed in his health care campaign, has had to delay his promised immigration overhaul that would seek to offer some sort of path to legal status for the nation’s 12 million undocumented immigrants, along with strong and clear enforcement policies—and more rational visa quotas and family reunification programs. Many moderate Republicans, meanwhile, would like to see a robust guest worker program. Not that Rep. Wilson would agree with the goal of regularizing immigrants who entered the country illegally. But until the illegal immigration problem is reckoned with, Republicans, and not a few Democrats, will scapegoat illegal immigrants for many of the nation’s problems. If U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is to be believed, immigration, along with energy, tops the Democrats’ agenda, after health care reform. After the speech, Rep. Wilson apologized for his “inappropriate and regrettable” comments and blamed them on an overabundance of emotion and on his “lack of civility.” But the truth is his intervention is a preview of what’s to come in the immigration debates, potentially even more rancorous than the bile-filled health care fight. One question is whether this administration will retain enough political capital, and momentum, to take on immigration (and the many Rep. Joe Wilsons out there) after this summer’s bruiser. comments |
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This man is is uncivilized, stupid, ignorant ShitHead. He should be censured and removed from office. His apology is too little, too late, too limited. Impeach him !
By LARRY · Posted on Sep 9, 10:32 PMThis is so typical of the boorishness of the current republican party, and this man in particular. He can disagree with the President, but to call him a liar is despicable.Civility is really in short supply these days, but what can you expect from a party that caters only to the wealthy and doesn’t shive-a-git about any one else.
By Al Hubbs · Posted on Sep 9, 10:36 PMTypical Republican and a stupid ass on top of it….but wait, isn’t that the same thing?
By Rick Boswell · Posted on Sep 9, 10:38 PMon saturday evening I attended a church related function and one of the distinguished guest was congressman Wilson. I am deeply disturbed by this man’s actions as a leader of the nation, and in a public setting as he was in, yelling out such remarks. this proves over and over again my belief that if a congressman or those who hold his beliefs don’t respect the president of the United States, then what snow ball chance in hell do I think that I’ll have of ever being respected? oh, I should remember what state I live in!
By Tom Marks · Posted on Sep 9, 10:50 PMYou can’t teach the unwilling. They are fixed on their idiologies and would ask you to repeat yourself three times if you actually agreed with them. Bunker mentality.
By Steve Daniels · Posted on Sep 9, 10:56 PMWhaaaa..? Is this becoming the House of Commons?!
By Larry Butler · Posted on Sep 9, 11:08 PMA total disgrace..Hillbilly from the south. P.S. if it were’t for immigrants none of us would be here. P.S.S. and don’t tell me they are taking our jobs either because if all you rednecks were not as lazy as you are then they would’nt make up more than half the labor force. Accept that our President is a Black man and possibly the smartest man for the job. You people from the south need to get your heads out of your ass and realize the war is over and us Yanks won…
By anthony · Posted on Sep 9, 11:29 PMHey NC,
Keep your dog on a leash and next time bring a muzzle. That was so tacky to yell out while the president was addressing congress. Is that out you redneck reps behave? If that is the case, stay home next time. You should have learned in kindergarten to sit down and be quiet while others were speaking. I just couldn’t believe that you blurted that out like an obnoxious teenager who was out of control. I expect more from my elected officials. It is time for you understand the proper decorum of your job. Unbelievable!
By Sharon · Posted on Sep 9, 11:32 PMRep Joe Wilson Is an idiot, He must had forgot for a moment where he was and to whom he was specking too, he wasn’t at an all night booze drinking frat party free to yell and be disrespectful; like him or hate me he is the President of the United States.
By Delroy · Posted on Sep 10, 12:00 AMJoe Wilson is exactly whats wrong in American politics. Whether he agrees or not with the position of President Obama, he needs to display common courtesy in the’hallowed’ halls of congress. Is this the best example of leadership SC can muster? Frankly I hope his outburst galvanizes the opposition to action. Shame on you Joe.
By mike riley · Posted on Sep 10, 12:41 AMWHAT A JERK. WHY APOLOGIZE – YOU DON’T MEAN IT. NOW AMERICA KNOWS WHAT AN ASS YOU REALLY ARE.
By SANDRA HARVEY · Posted on Sep 10, 12:41 AMI cannot remember ever hearing of a sitting member of any party make such a disrespectful statement toward a sitting President; especially during a congressional address.
By Dyke Davis · Posted on Sep 10, 12:53 AMIt is a true sign of Republican dispair and disparation—the unhinging of the party of racism, corporate greed, economic ruin, torture, war-on-us and war for profit.
It is also, a sign that there are great pgysical danger to the President as this party continues to self-destruct over the immorality of past atrosities.
Which breaches decorum worse? Obama lying to the American people – or Wilson telling the truth about it?
By EnufsEnough · Posted on Sep 10, 02:13 AMif you do not pay taxes you do not have a voice.
By trina dobson · Posted on Sep 10, 04:28 AMI fully applaud his guts to stand up to this lying president and congress for what he knows are lies. We have far too many pansy asses in congress who try to appease the majority even when they know they are wrong. We can’t believe anything they tell us anymore. We need MORE in congress who will stand up to this wasteful spending, catering to illegals and selling this country off by taking away our rights. Hats off to Mr. Wilson!! He shouldn’t have to apologize!!
By Linda Berger · Posted on Sep 10, 04:49 AMWay to go Joe its about time when someone smells a rat they call it out. Great Job!
By abouttime · Posted on Sep 10, 05:27 AMHe is an emotional person and told like it is. It is funny how the president talks about 45 million uninsured people, but he includes the 15 million illegals in the number he wants to supply healthcare to.
By Duane Swiergos · Posted on Sep 10, 05:33 AMThe truth hurts. Mr Wilson was only speaking the truth. His timing was a little off
By John · Posted on Sep 10, 05:38 AMI am no longer content to sit on the side line and watch as conservative pundits and republican “wing-nuts” continue to thwart any and all progress toward reform. I am talking specifically about Health Care Reform, but more generally about reforming politics and society in general. I am appalled by the out bursts of the right, especially (and culminating) in Rep, Joe Wilson’s outburst during the President Obama’s speech. There is no room in my America for incivility, fear-mongering and the vitriolic hatred spread by him and his ilk.
Here are two (2) things I am expecting from our representatives/congress:
1.Support the President’s health care reform, now. My health, the health of my family, and the health of my country are too important for you to delay, bicker or procrastinate.
•And please, do not even think about hiding behind some conservative pundits cries of “socialism”, “big government” or “Obama-Care”. I am educated and not an idiot as so many of your conservative colleagues would like to think
2.Immediately renounce the vitriolic ramblings of Joe Wilson and distance yourself from those who use their venomous half-truths and lies to thwart our progress. A vote of censure or even expulsion for this misguided miscreant is appropriate!
•I promise you that I will work as a voter and community organizer to prevent any of my Representatives from siding with or even remaining neutral to this kind of discourse in our country. Those pundits in the conservative media such as Glenn Beck, O’Reilly, Limbaugh, Palin and others need to know that you, as MY representative are fed up with that type of divisive discourse and dissemination of lies, half-truths and scare-tactics.
The outburst by Rep. Wilson represents all the is reprehensible in the republican party. He, and those like him need to be purged from the floor, censored from the party and removed from any position of decision making. Do not put yourself in that category.
I will be watching your voting and political activities closely and expect you to represent me, one of your constituents, accurately and vociferously.
Thank you for your service, and good luck as you tackle some tough times and tough issues.
By Jim Hofstetter · Posted on Sep 10, 05:50 AMHe should not have apoligzed Obama is a LIAR who is set on destroying our country
By swanky · Posted on Sep 10, 05:50 AMHooray for Joe !. If Presidents and other liars had to face the so called “peoples’ representatives” like in Britain they may have more respect for the people and not LIE so much. Give ‘em hell JOE !!
By Roy Guscott · Posted on Sep 10, 05:58 AMWhat a numbskull Joe Wilson must be! Imagration could have been addressed with Bush, but remember we had a do-nothing Congress…
By Gary · Posted on Sep 10, 06:04 AMGod bless Joe Wilson…one truth teller in DC is a start. Tar and feather the rest of the clowns that call themselves the peoples representatives.
By paul lazusky · Posted on Sep 10, 06:28 AMI agree with Rep Wilson. President Obama lies when it fits his agenda. It was inappropriate to yell it out during his speech. But Pres Obama says we are confused, misinformed, etc. about what the health care bill will do! Has he read HR 3200?? What he says and what he says it says are two different things.
By Sylvia Evas · Posted on Sep 10, 06:53 AMI agree wholeheartedly with Senator Wilson’s outburst and I applaud him. Obama’s health proposal is a nightmare.
By D · Posted on Sep 10, 07:19 AMWhat’s Obama going to do? Legalize all illegals so they’ll be covered under his plan? They already get everything free. What’s going to change is that the working class is going to pay more to cover them with better health care and more freebies.
By Rich Anderson · Posted on Sep 10, 11:05 AMGOD bless Rep. Joe Wilsons for speaking up and saying what we all believe and can’t be there to speak for ourselves. I would like to know where all those contributions for his opponent came from! I don’t know the edicate for a Presidental speech, but I do know that it is wrong to tell bald face lies and he was called on it. GOD save us from godless liberals!
By Texas Tina · Posted on Sep 10, 01:42 PMOf course it’s a South Carolina republican who would show total disrespect to not only our President but to our country as a whole. He’s a racist and it really showed when he couldn’t contain his racist outburst. I hope the good people of S. Carolina realize what a total jerk he is and not vote him back into office.
By Delia · Posted on Sep 10, 04:54 PMI agree it wasn’t very tasteful, BUT why wasn’t there any apologies from the demo’s for booing president Bush…He was too sophisticated and ignored their rudeness and childishness.
By Frankie · Posted on Sep 10, 08:19 PMWilson crossed the line of political decorum, but his accusation bears scrutiny. The House bill states that no illegals will be entitled to this program, to receive federal funds. But there is no enforcement provision in the bill nor does the bill require any proof of entitlement. Therefore, there is a good possibility that illegal immigrants will eventually be using this health coverage, illicitly. I support health care reform and extension of health care to those American citizens who presently do not have health care. However, I oppose providing health care to the world and supporting a health care bill that cannot pay for itself. I would also oppose any immigration reform that does not include draconian enforcement measures to prevent future illegal immigation.
By Richard Pagano · Posted on Sep 11, 09:10 AMJoe Wilson is my hero! He had the nerve to call it what it was, an untruth. The president was not being honest, with the American people, when he said that illegals were not included in the health care bill. There is absolutely nothing to stop them; once again, no enforcement!
By Tori · Posted on Sep 11, 01:54 PMrep. wilson is a disgrace to America. Every red-blooded American should denounce this man for what he is. He is unworthy of being a member of the United States Congress.
By joseph stein · Posted on Sep 12, 01:02 AMi must reject the attempt to muzzel my denunciation of Rep. Wilson as a disgrace to America. This is not some second rate European country where disrespect of its leaders is part of their way of life. stop the cowardice and call him the UNAMERICAN thayt he is.
By joseph stein · Posted on Sep 12, 01:08 AMone question is how can any red blooded American tolerate Joe Wilson and his disgraceful behavior?
By joseph stein · Posted on Sep 12, 01:11 AMWilson was out of line with his outburst, but any talk of amnesty is straight-out treason. Haven’t illegal aliens stolen enough from US taxpayers? We need a system where ordinary citizens can turn in illegals for deportation. Then we need to get Nancy Pelosi and these other nut-jobs out of office.
By Dave A · Posted on Sep 19, 09:49 AM