# Censure for Rep. Joe Wilson? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 10, 2009, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546 "2009-09-10T12:15:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/101 "2009-09-11T14:41:29Z")
Has Fox News run his picture captioned “Rep. Joe Wilson (D-SC)” yet? ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/102 "2009-09-11T14:50:35Z")
To do that would implicitly acknowledge that he did something wrong. Those guys think he’s a hero. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/103 "2009-09-11T14:57:38Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > This played right into OBama’s hands as it deflects from the political mistake that is his trying to push health care reform during a time of economic mess. England set theirs up right after WW2. They were in a mess ,but still had some humanitarian feelings and did the right thing. You can always find excuses . But we are wasting money, getting looted and are letting peoples lives get destroyed over money. Sad, but that is who we are. If it is a decision between money or lives, money wins in America. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/104 "2009-09-11T15:35:13Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > This played right into OBama’s hands as it deflects from the political mistake that is his trying to push health care reform during a time of economic mess. If there was a big political mistake here, it was that Obama gave that speech Wednesday instead of two months ago. But politically he can’t wait before putting his own agenda into play. This term ends in January 2013. Mid-term elections are a year-plus away and as they get closer and occupy more of Congress’ attention, it will be hard for him to get anything done, particularly on health care because of its complexity. He wants to be able to say he’s doing things in office, not just responding to a host of crises. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/105 "2009-09-12T06:11:52Z")
“[A pimple on the ass of progress](http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-09-11/white-house-blasts-wilson/).” Heh-heh. ‘In fact, the White House is more than ready to brush aside the now-infamous protest of Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who yelled at the president during his televised address. “I think this is a pimple on the ass of progress,” said the senior adviser.’ I love it. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/106 "2009-09-12T12:30:44Z")
Reading some of the headlines about Democrats demanding this and that concerning Wilson I tend to think they should accept his apology and let it go. Don’t spend time fighting over this insignificant BS. Show some guts when it comes to something meaningful. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/107 "2009-09-12T12:44:59Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Show some guts when it comes to something meaningful. Yup, censure the SOB, kick him off the armed services committee, and let it go at that. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/108 "2009-09-12T13:16:13Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Don’t spend time fighting over this insignificant BS. Show some guts when it comes to something meaningful. I think you’re misreading it. Wilson isn’t what matters. Keeping him in the public eye as the poster child for mindless, lying, reflexive opposition to health care reform is a very meaningful goal. Did you notice that the Republicans for the last few days have not been able to get any traction started against the plan, even to disparage it? All they’ve been able to talk about instead is this jackass of theirs. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/109 "2009-09-12T16:03:12Z")
I am foe censure because he has actually been praised by the right wingers. He is a hero to them. I believe a statement that his behavior is unacceptable must be made. Censure would provide that. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/110 "2009-09-12T16:17:47Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I am foe censure because he has actually been praised by the right wingers. He is a hero to them. I believe a statement that his behavior is unacceptable must be made. Censure would provide that. Gotta be careful not to overplay it. There’s already a sentiment being whipped up over there that a Great American is being persecuted for standing up to Hussein the Socialist and defending our freedoms. Best leave them back on their heels, trying to excuse jackassery instead. The narrative is fine as it is, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Zephyurs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dfb087/32.png) [@Zephyurs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zephyurs)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/111 "2009-09-12T16:21:53Z")
I leaned against censure because I thought it’d be bad for political reasons, but given the fact that he’s apparently raised 700k off the incident, jumping around show to show, playing the martyr, and now has become a right wing hero, censure is justified and necessary for the sake of the Congress as an institution. Doubly so if you consider that people in nearly the same situation have been censured by unanimous vote in the pat. Heck, even in Great Britain calling someone a liar is a massive breach of parliamentary etiquette. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/112 "2009-09-12T17:06:12Z")
Indeed. Being rewarded for bad behavior simply increases the chances for other bad behavior in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Nan\_Sequitur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@Nan\_Sequitur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nan_Sequitur)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/113 "2009-09-12T17:34:17Z")
They can’t give Wilson a pass. If they do, every jackass in Congress who wants to raise his/her profile or add money to their campaign coffers will learn from his success. He needs to be smacked down hard and formally censured. My preference would involve a pillory and an bushel basket of rotten fruit, but I may be overreaching. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/114 "2009-09-12T17:36:48Z")
> [@Nan\_Sequitur](#): > > They can’t give Wilson a pass. If they do, every jackass… Yup, Spare the Rod, and Spoil the child. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/115 "2009-09-12T17:40:50Z")
> [@Nan\_Sequitur](#): > > They can’t give Wilson a pass. If they do, every jackass in Congress who wants to raise his/her profile or add money to their campaign coffers will learn from his success. He needs to be smacked down hard and formally censured. My preference would involve a pillory and an bushel basket of rotten fruit, but I may be overreaching. I’m starting to think you might be right. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/116 "2009-09-12T18:17:41Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Yup, Spare the Rod, and Spoil the child. Whatchya talkin bout? Blago was impeached. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/117 "2009-09-12T18:24:55Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Who cares? People with class? ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/118 "2009-09-12T19:50:30Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > I wouldn’t go as far as formal censure, but a for-the-record demand for a formal on-the-floor apology should happen at least. It _ **was** _ a violation of basic etiquette and rules for meetings of the House. Like I said in another thread, **Shodan** , it’s not Westminster, U.S. backbenchers are required to hold their disapproval until recognized by the chair. I think the raucous Westminster style is much more democratic (which is ironic considering) than the U.S. style in which the President is treated like a reigning monarch in terms of etiquette. The House has traditionally been the least civil part of our Federal government and I think it unfortunate that in the last fifty years or so it has become so tame by historical standards. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/119 "2009-09-12T20:28:55Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > I think the raucous Westminster style is much more democratic (which is ironic considering) than the U.S. style in which the President is treated like a reigning monarch in terms of etiquette. > > The House has traditionally been the least civil part of our Federal government and I think it unfortunate that in the last fifty years or so it has become so tame by historical standards. I think it is fortunate. If you think a screaming at a speech is governance, then you are wrong. If you think a screaming battleground in the house and senate would be positive, I would disagree. You right wingers show very little respect for office, or politicians. Screaming over them when they talk to the people is not good. Rush, Beck Orielly and the other right wingers scream over those who present opposing viewpoints. Let it die there. They should be ashamed of their actions. It not something to praise nor to aspire to. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546/120 "2009-09-12T20:33:40Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I think it is fortunate. If you think a screaming at a speech is governance, then you are wrong. If you think a screaming battleground in the house and senate would be positive, I would disagree. > You right wingers show very little respect for office, or politicians. Screaming over them when they talk to the people is not good. Rush, Beck Orielly and the other right wingers scream over those who present opposing viewpoints. Let it die there. They should be ashamed of their actions. It not something to praise nor to aspire to. This, in spades. When the hell did “The ends justify the means” and “But _heeee_ did it _toooo_!” become the mantras for the Republican Party? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censure-for-rep-joe-wilson/509546.md?page=7)