Democrats Give Wilson Ultimatum: Apology or Punishment

[GunHugger]

By Chad Pergram

FOXNews.com

Friday, September 11, 2009


House Democratic leaders announced Friday they will discipline Republican Rep. Joe Wilson next week if he does not apologize on the floor of the House for yelling "You lie" at President Obama during Wednesday's joint address to Congress.

Democrats say they do not know what the sanction will be, but it is doubtful it will be censure. Censure in the House is a type of reprimand. Another alternative is an official rebuke.

At the time of Wilson's outburst, the president was announcing that his health care reform bill does not cover illegal immigrants, a position that Wilson apparently didn't believe.

The episode shocked lawmakers of both parties. Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stared daggers in Wilson's direction after the shout.

The discipline will not come until Tuesday at the earliest. The full House votes on the resolution. If the House approves the resolution, Wilson will then stand in the well of the House as his punishment is meted out by Pelosi, presiding from the dais.

This decision is a reversal by the speaker, who told FOX News after the speech she saw no need for discipline. At her weekly news conference Thursday, Pelosi reiterated that stance and said she wanted to move forward with health care.

But Democrats changed course Thursday afternoon after a leadership meeting in Pelosi's office.

"Democrats say the insult clearly violated House rules of decorum. Therefore, the issue needs to be resolved on the House floor, either via apology or resolution," said Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly.

The House rules state that lawmakers may not accuse the president of "lying" or being a "liar."

Wilson rejected three requests to apologize on the House floor Thursday. He apologized twice after the speech. One was a general, written apology. He also issued a mea culpa by phone to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. The president said Thursday he accepted and appreciated the apology.

[Doc1911]

He could use it for a sincere apology and then to tell the truth about Health Care. It is all in the wording ...

[topper]

what's wrong with telling the truth? has our nation degraded so much that the truth is no longer wanted? if it were me that done this 'heroic act' of truth, i would not apologize to anyone for my actions. let them 'punish' the man for his feelings. it should set a precedent in america that the truth should be known and told and not apologized for. We need more men like rep. joe wilson to stand up for the truth. but i do feel sorry for REP. JOE WILSON because he will be chastised until the end of time for his action.



Keep both barrels loaded!

[USMC-03]

And I can teach thee, coz, to shame the devil—
By telling the truth. Tell truth and shame the devil.

William Shakespeare, "Henry The Fourth"

[Doc1911]

He needs to apologize BECAUSE he DID (as I discovered above) disobey the rules of decorum set for the House. One may tell the truth and should, but they should do it properly within the standards that they previously agreed to. In this case, (because of the rules of decorum) he should sincerely apologize, BUT he has now been given a huge opportunity to state "the truth" - as I stated in the earlier post - it is all in the wording.

If he does not apologize, then his previous apologies will look like a Republican sham ...

[Marlin T]

Originally Posted by GunHugger

The House rules state that lawmakers may not accuse the president of "lying" or being a "liar."

REALLY????

Is that really true?????

[Doc1911]

Originally Posted by Marlin T

REALLY????

Is that really true?????

Actually it is,

A Member should avoid impugning the motives of another Member, the Senate or the President, using offensive language, or uttering words that are otherwise deemed unparliamentary. These actions are strictly against House Rules and are subject to a demand that the words be taken down. A demand that the Member’s words be taken down results in the clerk reporting the words and the chair ruling on the propriety of the words. (If the demand is made in the Committee of the Whole, the Committee rises and reports them to the House where the Chair rules on their propriety).

The offending Member may obtain unanimous consent to withdraw the inappropriate words or the demand may be withdrawn. Following such a withdrawal, the Member proceeds in order. However, if the Member’s words are ruled out of order, they may be stricken from the Congressional Record by motion or unanimous consent, and the Member will not be allowed to speak again on that day except by motion or unanimous consent.

Categories of Unparliamentary Speech

Defaming or degrading the House
Criticism of the Speaker’s personal conduct
Impugning the motives of another Member
Charging falsehood or deception
Claiming lack of intelligence or knowledge
References to race, creed, or prejudice
Charges related to loyalty or patriotism

BUT Pelosi should have to eat her own words because:

“Once again, the oilman in the White House is echoing the demands of Big Oil,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “The Bush plan is a hoax. It will neither reduce gas prices nor increase energy independence. It just gives millions more acres to the same companies that are sitting on nearly 68 million acres of public lands and coastal areas.”

“I’ve been in Washington long enough to know a political stunt when I see one,” said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. “The good news is the American people won’t be fooled. If the President wants to lower gas prices, he should stop hosting press conferences and start taking action.”

In other words… Bush is a liar. So, it is all a matter of interpretation.

[cajuntec]

So it was ok for Democrats to "boo and heckle" Bush at the 2005 State of the Union Address, but it's not ok when a Republican calls Obama a liar? If we are going to punish him, then all involved in the Democrats heckling and booing in past years should receive the exact same treatment - including the aforementioned Pelosi and Emanuel.

All the best,
Glenn

[40CalJoe]

I am pretty sick and tired of Democrats getting the big stick out and whackin who ever disagrees with them. What goes around comes around Nazi Pelosi

[artabr]

Looks like a worthless rule that is detrimental to the well being of the country.
I think it needs to be changed.
The truth will set you free.


Art

[Marlin]

He has nothing to apologize for other than his bad manners interrupting the speech.

What he said is TRUE and the burden should be on the Damnocraps to PROVE BEYOND A DOUBT and with a REASONABLE CERTAINTY that his comment was untrue. Having read the proposals up to this time, that would be an IMPOSSIBILITY.....

[bcj1755]

The liberals never follow the rules, but yet they expect everyone else to do so. Then they scream and yell and insult and namecall when they get called on it Liberals are like a bunch of whiney little brat children

[cycloneman]

What Joe said liar to was that Obama said illegals would not be eligable for the health care. You and I both know that illegals will allways have free health care in this country.

So if the president lies you cant call him on it.

I want to know who is going to apologize to the American people for the health care plan when it falls short and is free to everyone including illegals.

[Terry_P]

His web site is up so I sent him a note telling him it is refreshing to hear someone in Washington speak the truth. I thanked him and wished him luck and urged him to keep fighting. I was going to tell him to throw a shoe next time but suspected he wouldn't take it the right way.

[Bobitis]

Dear Mr. President,
I can trace my family back to the beginings of our nation.
One member was named William Dawes. Do you remember him?
As a scholar of the constitution, I assume you know he rode with Paul Revere. Needless to say, my family has been here for a while.

So, in your own words, tell me why my son has no health coverage?
My family has been paying taxes for quite some time.
In your own words Mr. President, convince me as to why illegal immigrants are worthy of free health care while you deny it to my son.
My son was cut off my health care because I can't afford to pay for his college tuition. If I get a COBRA for him, I can't afford his tuition. Mr. President, your rules say I don't qualify for any monetary help.

Yet somehow, my taxes can send illegals to school and get health care at no charge.

Dear Mr. President, can you please justify why/how this is acceptible in your train of thought?

And while your at it, let the rest of us know how it all works mathmatically.

Thanks for your attention Mr. President. I look forward to you response as to why this nation will be a better place because I'm getting screwed in lieu of all the non-contributors.

BTW, my son graduated HS in the 11th grade.
He's a bright young lad, far ahead of his pears.

Why is he being punished for the sake of the ignorant?

It's not really a difficult question Mr. Obama.

I just wanna know why all the money I've given the the public educational system is being used to strangle my child.

If you want to rape me, just say so. If you want to look the other way, just say so. If you want to tax me to death for the benefit of those that don't feel the need to pay the same, just say so.

Thanks in advance.

A shot across the bow would be welcome.

[Rocket J Squirl]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennt...y_comment.html

Id tell Joe, to tell them to go pluck thmeselves

Being they are all chicken strips


and LAIRS

[2nd amend forever]

Originally Posted by cajuntec

So it was ok for Democrats to "boo and heckle" Bush at the 2005 State of the Union Address, but it's not ok when a Republican calls Obama a liar? If we are going to punish him, then all involved in the Democrats heckling and booing in past years should receive the exact same treatment - including the aforementioned Pelosi and Emanuel.

All the best,
Glenn

Could not have said it better myself!!

[kingchip]

hussein accepted his apology. Enough said.

SCREW CONGRESS LEADERS !!!

[Trouble 45-70]

Punish your child at the mall and you loose your kid to Child Protective Services and go to Jail. Tell the truth in the U.S. Congress and you get punished. I wonder why he didn't cry out liar sooner. Obama was on about his 5th or 6th lie by then. I lost count of all of them and don't have the stomach to go over it again. If there is an apology due, it is from those who proposed and support this unconstitutional and vile bill and to the American people.

[GunHugger]

Wilson is now equal with the dem running against him with 1 million in campaign contributions. His two words really helped him since he was way behind before last week. I hope he wins the next election.

[GMFWoodchuck]

Section 6 - Compensation

(The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.) (The preceding words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amendment.) They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.


They can not legally punish him in any way. He is constitutionally immune from punishment. So, Pelofchit, bite me.

[XP100]

I would give an apology for not obeying the rules during the joint meeting but not for what I said it is the truth. "O" lies everytime his lips move.

[Doc1911]

Originally Posted by GMFWoodchuck

They can not legally punish him in any way. He is constitutionally immune from punishment. So, Pelofchit, bite me.

This may help. Second paragraph is a good summary ...

[Hammerslagger]

A man should never apologize for speaking the truth!

Everyone here should contact this man's Congressional office and sen him a check for $5.00 (the price of a box of good 22's, folks).

[GMFWoodchuck]

Originally Posted by Doc1911

This may help. Second paragraph is a good summary ...

Doesn't mean squat. He can't be punished. He is protected by the constitution.

Oh wait, I'm sorry. The constitution doesn't mean anything anymore.