Specter wants Wilson censured

[sabra]

Source: Politico

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.), who's looked at POTUS from both sides now, was just on the Bill Press radio show suggesting the South Carolina firebrand Joe Wilson be censured for his heckle heard round the world.

Said the Republican-turned-Dem:

"He apologized immediately afterward but I don't think that’s adequate... If an apology is the consequence of an outburst I think we can expect more – that’s not a sufficient penalty that’s not a sufficient price to pay.. I'm not saying the guy should be kicked out of the House… But there ought to be some rebuke, reprimand, censure -- something that will discourage that kind of conduct in the future. If you do that to the President, it's open season."

Earlier on his show, Press spoke with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC), who said Wilson should "man up" and apologize directly to Obama -- or that Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) should mea culpa the White House on his behalf.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0909/Specter_wants_Wilson_censured.html

[FreakinDJ]

1. Me Too

[ecstatic]

2. Agreed. Censured at the very least

Preferably removed from office.

[lsewpershad]

26. Totally agree

[wordpix]

55. +2

[peace frog]

57. Kick his arrogant ass to the curb

He is unworthy of the exalted office which he currently holds. You too can be replaced, Wilson, count on it.

[backwoodsbob]

65. you wont get him removed for that

lets stay at least close to the realm of possibility

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

92. "You Lie" Wilson using youtube video to raise money - he should be censured

at the least.

I like the idea of having him resign.

“You Lie” and Rep. Wilson’s Twitter Followers
September 10, 2009 in Social Media

Rep. Wilson’s number of followers on Twitter jumped to 8,600 after President Obama’s Wednesday night address, according to The Hill. He also posted a YouTube video here. He linked to the video directly from his Twitter account and the landing page includes the video and a solicitation for contributions to his campaign. News reports indicate that Wilson’s opponent raised over $400,000 since President Obama’s speech.

http://politicalactivitylaw.com/?p=5151

[kegler14]

103. Censure, yes. Removed from office? Not for that.

Shoot, we're a bunch of wussies compared to other countries where they scream and shout at each other.

[FSogol]

3. Hey Clyburn, Just vote yes for the Dem's healthcare reform and we'll call it even.

;-)

[nykym]

4. I would like to see him

standing on the steps of Congress facing a blackboard and writing 100,000 times I will not lie!

[monmouth]

5. Boner would turn white if they made him do that...And, he'd cry...n/t

[peace frog]

9. Good

Boner's tears are so, so very sweet. Cry me a river, Boner baby.

[Demeter]

6. Give Him The Deluxe Treatment--Extraordinary Rendition, Complete With Waterboarding

in a nation of his choice....

[PNutt]

7. That Azzhat Is

My representative in congress, I'm ashamed to say. I give him hell on a daily basis in our local newspaper forum, and have publically humiliatited him several times for his willingness to shovel out corporate welfare, while stepping on the throats of the very people who voted him into office. See, we don't have any of those 2 %ers down here, but we do have a bunch of retards who would cut off their arms and legs if it meant that giant corporations could recieve tax breaks and increase profit margins at the expense of the lower and middle classes.

[Carolina]

91. Hi PNutt

I live in the 2nd Congressional District of SC, too and loathed Wilson before last night. We must get rid of him in 2010 and also stop his son from becoming attorney general :puke:

[Froward69]

8. Just like they would do to one of ours.

...Turnabout is fair play.

[Danascot]

10. I want a full apology

one that admits in no uncertain terms the bill does not provide funding for healthcare for illegal aliens, as his outburst alleged. He was wrong and should be made to say so.

[pdefalla]

12. He apologized for the wrong thing

He says that he just let his emotions get the best of him, and that's what he was sorry for. He should apologize for that, of course, but more importantly he should apologize for trying to shout down the president on a point that he did not even understand (or did understand and was lying about).
He needs to publicly admit that every one of the proposed health plans specifically excludes illegal aliens from receiving benefits.
That said, I think that excluding any human beings, documented or not, from receiving basic healthcare is barbaric, but nonetheless that is what the bill says.
He should make the apology directly to Obama.

[Danascot]

19. Exactly

I agree on all points. Though the concept of compassion for someone from another country is beyond the repukes comprehension.

[lark]

35. They don't feel compassion at all

unless you are rich enough to pay them for it!!

[marew]

48. You speak absolute truth.

So what if people suffer and die. They don't give a crap. They've got deep, deep pockets. I am so ashamed of them as Americans.

[Hubert Flottz]

70. "He should make the apology directly to Obama."

He should make the apology directly to the American people too. We already know how sorry he is, but he needs to ask for mercy. He acted like some kind of "Fifth Columnist" undermining the President while we are at war on three fronts.(Afghanistan, Iraq and Here in the "Homeland")

Let's set the wayback machine to the year 2006 Sherman...

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Holds a Hearing on Wartime Executive Power and the National Security Agency's Surveillance Authority


Snip..."And the administration has not only the right, but the duty, in my opinion, to pursue fifth column movements.

And let me tell folks who are watching what a fifth column movement is. It is a movement known to every war where American citizens will sympathize with the enemy and collaborate with the enemy. And it's happened in every war.

And President Roosevelt talked about, "We need to know about fifth column movements."

So my friends on the other side, I stand by this president's ability, inherent to being commander in chief, to find out about fifth column movements, and I don't think you need a warrant to do that. " Read more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/07/AR2006020700731.html

Lindsey Graham needs to dress down his partner in crime.

EDIT...A US congressman going around calling the president a liar on a TV signal being beamed around the world undermines the president's credibility abroad, I would think. This no doubt would be providing aid to our enemies abroad. I'll bet Osama loved that!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

87. + a large number! n/t

[bc3000]

13. I agree. He continued his lie in his first apology.

[wisteria]

11. I tended to just accept the apology last night, but Specter has a good point.

This type of disrespect can not become acceptable behavior. Wilson should be censured.

[Myrina]

14. "firebrand" ?

That's hardly the term I'd use for Wilson. A firebrand is someone who's passionate about a cause - not someone who volleys insults from the peanut gallery then hides behind his Blackberry.

[hypocrisyandlies]

28. I bet the reason he spent the rest of the night on his blackberry...

is because of all the twitter updates he was getting from some very ticked off people. He knew even then that he had f*cked up.

[onehandle]

15. No deportation?

Wanna impress Democrats, Senator? Dump him in France.

[mother earth]

16. Absolutely! Consequences would be a welcome change to

the growing ignorance and outrageous behavior of idiots that seem to be plentiful in the GOP.

[Cass]

17. I agree with Specter on this, and I also think Wilson needs to apologize for spreading lies.

What Pres Obama said about illegal immigrants was true and this creep needs to acknowledge that.

[AlbertCat]

21. I also think Wilson needs to apologize for spreading lies.

Bingo.

It's OK to disagree with policy and the Prez....even in a childish unsophisticated manner. But he is lying when he suggests that the bill covers illegal aliens. He should be made to support his accusation. Where did the Prez lie? And if he didn't lie, Wilson should be forced to admit that as loudly as he heckled.

[Cass]

22. Yep, that is as important as censuring him. nt

[The Hope Mobile]

32. Exactly!! Obama said they would be calling them out on falsehoods.

This is the perfect first opportunity . . . and should be done very publicly.

[mother earth]

18. How can we support Specter in this?

[jberryhill]

61. Considering that Specter is a Senator, and Wilson is not...

...then it's not even a matter in which Specter has any say.

[AncientAtBirth666]

20. But it won't happen.

In fact Joe Wilson probably joined the list of 2012 Republican presidential contenders for his outburst last night.

[PADEMJES12]

23. I support Arlen.... he's helping fight for the health care

reform and public option. He is a strong supporter of President Obama and this Wilson guy is exactly what the GOP lunatic fringe was
at specter's town halls. Give a shout out to Arlen for wanting to censure those who want to shout down our President!

http://www.actblue.com/page/arlenforpa

[druidity33]

105. Do you work for Arlen? nt.

[ShortnFiery]

24. How about he be pressured to retire his Army Commission as well?

Come on Joe, spend some more time with the family since you spew contempt for your Commander in Chief? :evilgrin:

[Fearless]

25. Never thought I'd see the day I agreed with him. LOL.

[omega minimo]

27. Damn straight.

[pattmarty]

29. This in a way is perfect for the Dems. They make this guy the "poster boy".............

.............for all of the ass hole behavior of especially the last month of bat shit craziness. Someone with media skills should make some kind of media montage of Wilson, Bachman, Schmidt, Beck and Savage (kind of the "worst of the worst") and put big money into a tv campaign and finally call these crazy motherfuckers what they are: "crazy motherfuckers"!!!

[cherish44]

30. I'm of the "Censuring him will only raise him to hero status in Wingnutville" camp

He made an ass of himself, the WH stayed classy in spite of his rude lack of manners. Let him stew in his own foulness and move on is my opinion...

[wroberts189]

31. Specter ...good job. KEEP IT UP. I might change my mind about you...maybe nt

[goclark]

38. He is running for office now ~ right?

[wroberts189]

88. Yep..and knows he will not win as a pub. nt

[xocet]

33. Censure...

Censure would definitely be a good start: hopefully, Rep. Wilson will lose in the next election.

[MissDeeds]

34. Works for me

Good for Arlen. Bet he's glad to no longer be a Republican.

[maglatinavi]

42. Deeds

For such an outlandish lack of respect to the President of the US, Wilson and all others that hissed and made noises should be censored. I am sure that if the President had been white no one would have behaved in such rude and ourageous manner. Isn't there a protocol about respect and behaviour when the President of the Nation is addressing such serious assembly as Congress. If there isn't, one should be written. :dunce: :dunce: :dunce:

[PurpleChez]

36. Rock on Arlen!!!

Make me Pennsylvania Proud!

[gauguin57]

37. I want Addison-Joe to stand on the Capitol Steps with a sign around his neck ...

... that says "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor."

And then all the tourists will take pix with him, and it'll be all over the Web, and it will be FUN! Good old-fashioned pillory punishments.

[Vidar]

39. OK but doesn't that just give him street credit with his tea bagger buddies?

[kestrel91316]

40. Specter is wasting his breath. Pelosi has already come right out and said she will do NOTHING to Wil

[The Stranger]

41. "He apologized . . . I'm not saying the guy should be kicked out . . . "

Never simple, short, direct, accusatory.

Always meandering, soft-peddling, lost and losing us . . .

[SpiralHawk]

43. "Censure him" - Decent Americans

eom

[marew]

44. He should apologize to all of us!!!!

Why should we have to listen to his immature, childish temper tantrum spectacle? I am sick of all those rethugs. Send 'em all to the Appalachian Trail! What a legacy for his family this jerk has given them.

[pjt7]

45. Wilson should resign for disgracing our President

& our great Nation.

If anyone politican treated George Bush Jr. like that, he would have been shot.

[NecklyTyler]

71. I will second that

Wilson should resign

[Milo_Bloom]

46. Stupid Issue. Accept the apology and moveon!!

[sabrina 1]

90. Stupid behavior which happens to be against House Rules.

What's the point of having rules if there are no consequences for violating them?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/09/did_joe_wilson_violate_house_r.html

The rules of decorum in the House explicitly state that a member cannot "call the president a 'liar.'"

While Senate rules on decorum do not prohibit personal references to the president, House rules do. According to section 370 of the House rules manual, members may not:

* call the President a "liar."
* call the President a "hypocrite."
* describe the President's veto of a bill as "cowardly."
* charge that the President has been "intellectually dishonest."
* refer to the President as "giving aid and comfort to the enemy."
* refer to alleged "sexual misconduct on the President's part."

And that's not all:

Retired Major General Paul Eaton, who has become a de facto Democratic spokesman on national security issues, says Wilson, a retired Colonel, may have violated military codes of conduct as well.

Writing on The Huffington Post, Eaton takes exception with Wilson's defenders who say Wilson is stressed out because his kids are serving in the military.

"Every parent whose children are serving -- as all three of mine are -- can respect the strain Col. Wilson might be feeling, and thank him for his sacrifice," Eaton writes. "Yet I would never expect to hear anything but the greatest respect for the elected President of the United States from these men and women, regardless of their political persuasion."

Meanwhile, Wilson's Web site was down and his phone lines were clogged.

With people like these, you cannot let anything go. He was out of order and he should be at least reprimanded. Republicans would be screaming if this was a Repub. President and the media would be reading the rules on their behalf.

[Milo_Bloom]

99. Stupid rules.. accept the apology and moveon.

And the "if the democrat had done this to a republican president.." doesn't impress me either.

The more you try to punish him for being an idiot, the more the idiots have a person to rally around.

Explain why he is 100% wrong... accept the apology and moveon!

[sabrina 1]

100. Oh, I agree but that doesn't mean he should

not be reminded that he violated house rules does it? Considering his level of maturity, treating him accordingly seems appropriate. He's not worth the effort, but others need to realize that acting like a thug at a tea-bagger gathering is one thing, doing it in Congress to the POTUS, is another. He seems to have forgotten where he was, having spent the summer rousing up the wingnut rabble and suffering no consequences for that behavior.

[mlevans]

47. Well, what do you know about that?

Frankly I didn't think our letters would work that quickly.

[TankLV]

49. Yes - as a MINIMUM!!!

I suggest the lash, too...!!!

[harry_pothead]

50. For someone like Wilson, apologizing personally to a black man would be the ultimate humiliation.

[Joe Chi Minh]

51. He's right. Formal action is essential. Like young children they need to taught

boundaries.

It's all ended in tears before bed-time for them - and after it, for that matter. But they need parental guidance if they are to grow out of them in good time.

[libodem]

52. Freakin' good

That was the first thought I had the second I heard what the scoundrel shouted. Censure!!!! The second thought: Asshole!!!!

[argyl]

53. "Due to exceptionally high traffic" Rep. Wilson's site is temporarily unavailable.

No doubt his staffers are getting an earful. And Wilson's probably preparing for a "vacation." Real chickenshit.

[ThePatriotHour]

54. Joe Wilson FEMA Camp Inmate #1

The GOP has become a Kabal of ex-patriots without a country.
ThePatriotHour (at YT) says it is time to open the FEMA Camps, and make reptilian Joe Wilson Inmate #1. Their actions and behavior threaten the United States of America, they are Traitors to our Country and Constitution, and deserve incarceration until they grow-up.
The AMAZING thing is, they actually believe that they are gaining voters.

[graywarrior]

56. Yes, I agree.

That was a SERIOUS attempt to undermine the president's message. And it was not spontaneous.

[erpowers]

58. Do Not Agree

I do not think someone should be censured for using his/her freedom of speech. I understand some will make the argument of decorum, but I throw out that argument in that I feel members of Congress should be able to express their opinion to a sitting president when that president is addressing Congress.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

73. If everyone is shouting out of turn, no one is heard.

Decorum is not a nicety. It's a necessity.

This does not hinder Wilson's freedom of speech, it merely delays his opportunity for rebuttal.

In addition, with the right of free speech comes a responsibility to speak truthfully. Wilson's slander of the President is a violation of that responsibility.

[greengestalt]

59. Censure

He meets the definition of grounds for censure:

He interrupted the speaker (Obama) for clear purposes of disruption.


There were no mitigating circumstances, Obama has been amazingly clear and concise and to the point in his speeches, he wasn't say "Filibustering" or rambling... This guy was just trying to bring the "Town-hall TeaBagging" to Obama.


For the most part I've been amazed at how cool Obama is. Myself, I'd have been "Abusing the patriot act" on the Republican party, the rich elite, and the NeoCONartist political machine from day one to "Purge" it. And I'd have taken over the media using the threat of further "Abuse" to drive my goals home. And I'd make sure the Patriot act went "Sunset" with no ability to re-write it on the way out.


There must be a Censure. Even after all they've done, the Republicans and other sell-outs are more a danger to themselves (like Mr. "Family Values") than this administration is to them or their goals.

[Wizard777]

60. If Wilson cannot apologize on the House floor. Then his censure on the House floor will have to do.

[Sherman A1]

68. Agreed

It would not be all that difficult to arrange a couple of minutes at the start of business for him to come on the floor, offer a true apology to the President, the House, The Senate and the American People. He could probably get it all done within "one minute speeches".

To me that would be sufficient and hopefully a bit humbling.

[blueworld]

62. Censured, definitely

And perhaps given lines to be filmed on CSPAN:

"These are the hallowed Halls of Congress, not the corner gin joint" or "I must respect the President of my country" or if that's too many words, "I have no class and demean my position".

He also needs a remedial course in reading since he's still wrong about his point & refuses to acknowledge it.

[Joey Liberal]

63. Censure is appropriate for the idiot Wilson. nt

[David__77]

64. I don't agree.

I think it's good to have a more lively atmosphere in congress. In some countries, there are fistfights in the aisles. We should not pretend there is unanimity in any sense. The president, whether Bush or Obama, is not a monarch deserving of "respect" over any other citizen.

[Posteritatis]

69. Lively and defamatory are two different things

The House of Commons in Canada or Britain can get rather, ah, extroverted, but we still have lines that don't get crossed. They can disagree, often very strongly, without resorting to childish insults or open slander, and members generally get censured or booted from the chamber for awhile should they decide otherwise.

It's not about Obama - well, at least to me it isn't. It's about the members of the government in general communicating amongst themselves in a civil enough way they they can get things done. I'd be just as offended if Wilson called another representative a liar on the floor of an ordinary session (provided he claimed such falsely).

[Divine Discontent]

66. they MUST censure him - it's beyond absurd to not punish such behavior, at least formally!

[DeadEyeDyck]

67. Can't he be impeached or something

[NecklyTyler]

72. K&R

[Raine]

74. Agree nt

[The Wielding Truth]

75. Does he have to be on any committees?

[orpupilofnature57]

76. Big Fine ,If he's never shown a public outburst like that before ,Hate Crime.

[Mr. Sparkle]

77. I want a public flogging, but i guess a censure will do.

:D

[Umbral]

78. Hell yeah, if Specter plays this right, it may even sway a few votes away from Sestak. nt

[sasquatch]

79. That would involve growing a spine, so I guess its just an idle wish

[Wetzelbill]

80. Specter comes from the side of the aisle

that doesn't roll over and accept any slight. They'll create one just to be dicks about it. So when he says he thinks they should censure this guy he means it, playing tough like this is how they have made Dems so meek over the decades. And not only that Wilson deserves it. It's good to have a senator on our side now who gets that you have to kick some ass a little.

[polichick]

82. Maybe he could give a few ass-kicking lessons to his new colleagues! nt

[Wetzelbill]

86. I hope so

Dems don't need to be total jerks like Repubs and go overboard with this stuff, but they do need to be tough enough to not just accept this BS with no repercussions and move on.

[polichick]

81. Senator Specter is absolutely right. nt

[defendandprotect]

83. Agree . . . this should be on the record . . .

And Dems would be fools to let this go by --

[polichick]

85. Well, it wouldn't be the first time they foolishly turned the other cheek...

...and let sociopaths smack them up side the head!

[BumRushDaShow]

84. K&R

A censure MUST happen. I don't care what Obama thinks. They HAVE to end this precedent right here and now. :argh:

[anachro1]

89. Why bother censuring him?

Clearly having a black president has unhinged him enough he no longer respects the rules of civility, much less LAW.
Having an African American fairly elected to the presidency threatens these crackers much more than we think.

Let them all act out, sit on their hands while their peers cheer Mr. Obama's plans and ideas. Let them ALL
get voted a=out of office.

Firing? Now that's the way to go.

[SemperEadem]

93. I agree.

[Infinite Hope]

94. That's a bit much, and a distraction. n/t

[scentopine]

96. ha - we posted distraction concern about same time - you won!

[mzmolly]

98. I disagree. The distraction came in the form of yelling "lies" the the President

of the United States as he addressed the Congress.

[scentopine]

95. I've watched Arlen for years and years and

chameleon is the kind way to put it. I've met him on several occasions when he was democrat and republican and always the same impression.

I don't give a rat's ass about what the republicans do or say. I'd rather have single payer and a rational discussion about why it is off the table along with 1000 other more substantive issues. But here we are. Even if Smoke'n Joe gets censored its not a victory if it doesn't move away from a corporate run government.

Wilson did an interesting thing - maybe unintentionally. He distracted us from the central debate and we've taken our eye off the ball.

[texpatriot2004]

97. So do I nm

[Danascot]

101. Censure Petition here

"Enough is enough. On an issue as critical as health care reform, it's time to stop the lies, the misinformation, and the uncivil disruptions. Rep. Joe Wilson went way over the line by yelling 'You lie' during President Obama's speech, and Congress should censure him immediately."

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5649/t/4997/content.jsp?content_KEY=2825&tag=pof_openleft

[pleah]

102. K& R

[jeremyfive]

104. Jail Time for the SC National Guardsman?

Shouldn't there be jail time for the SC National Guardsman who has disrepected and affronted a commanding officer? (Or is that not how South Carolina National Guard Duty works with these Sons of the Confederacy in regard to an African American superior?)

Is the National Guard still using those "Special Rules for Republicans" that allowed George W. Bush to go AWOL, without punishment?