Free Speech and Personal Responsibility
US Representative Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina) gave Americans a prescient object lesson in the concepts of free speech and personal responsibility. During President Obama's recent speech on the contentious health care reform issue, Wilson blurted out "You lie!" after the president denied that the health plan would cover illegal immigrants as well as American citizens.
That Wilson would accuse the president of lying is not the issue I want to address here. That's a topic for a different post. But the issue here is that Wilson allowed his emotions to get to him and broke protocol that is normally accorded to a president who is addressing Congress and the nation - the decency to stay cool, keep the mouth closed, and make comments when and as appropriate. Making such comments during the president's speech was clearly inappropriate. They would have been inappropriate if Wilson had agreed with him, as well.
The United States is, of course, is a society where the right to speech is protected by a written constitution. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Wilson's comments, he's certainly entitled to his opinion. He's also entitled to express that opinion at an appropriate time and place. Time and place were not on Joe Wilson's side.
To Wilson's credit, he didn't waste time issuing an apology for his outburst. He should have apologized, and done so profusely. He took responsibility for his actions, which in this day in time is a refreshing thing to see. The president accepted Wilson's apology. And as an American citizen, I accept his apology. As far as I'm concerned, he's forgiven.
Wilson, however, has not finished paying for his gaffe. According to a CNN.com article, Rob Miller, the Democrat who is challenging Wilson for his seat in next year's midterm elections, raised over $200,000 from 5,000 individuals after Wilson made his remarks. If Wilson loses that seat, I hope he'll be man enough to admit that this one outburst is what cost him. That would be refreshing, too.
That Wilson would accuse the president of lying is not the issue I want to address here. That's a topic for a different post. But the issue here is that Wilson allowed his emotions to get to him and broke protocol that is normally accorded to a president who is addressing Congress and the nation - the decency to stay cool, keep the mouth closed, and make comments when and as appropriate. Making such comments during the president's speech was clearly inappropriate. They would have been inappropriate if Wilson had agreed with him, as well.
The United States is, of course, is a society where the right to speech is protected by a written constitution. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Wilson's comments, he's certainly entitled to his opinion. He's also entitled to express that opinion at an appropriate time and place. Time and place were not on Joe Wilson's side.
To Wilson's credit, he didn't waste time issuing an apology for his outburst. He should have apologized, and done so profusely. He took responsibility for his actions, which in this day in time is a refreshing thing to see. The president accepted Wilson's apology. And as an American citizen, I accept his apology. As far as I'm concerned, he's forgiven.
Wilson, however, has not finished paying for his gaffe. According to a CNN.com article, Rob Miller, the Democrat who is challenging Wilson for his seat in next year's midterm elections, raised over $200,000 from 5,000 individuals after Wilson made his remarks. If Wilson loses that seat, I hope he'll be man enough to admit that this one outburst is what cost him. That would be refreshing, too.
2 Comments:
Since the President accepted the apology, who am I to hold a grudge? I must say though, I was disgusted by Wilson's outburst. Did he forget where he was? Maybe a few too many concerts in the park? Absolutely shocking.
By veronikkamarrz, Sep 11 09 4:48 PM
VM, I don't hold a grudge against Wilson, either...He manned up and apologized, and as far as I'm concerned, that's all. Unfortunately, though, Wilson's outburst played into some stereotypes about folks, particularly my Caucasian brethren, from the Carolinas. I don't think Wilson is a racist or anything of that nature. But he really would've helped his cause, and made all us Carolinians look a bit less dumb, if he had just kept his mouth shut.
By cag1970, Sep 11 09 7:35 PM