Today I am shedding some "lyte" on civility. Unless you are a hermit, you are probably aware that President Obama spoke to a joint session of Congress last night. He wanted to address the summer of shouting over healthcare reform. Unfortunately, the Republican side of the aisle mistook the rare occasion of the leader of the free world addressing them as just another townhall.
Ever since Barack Obama became the Democratic candidate for President, the Republicans and the rabid right have been yelling and waving signs. Once he actually won the election and was sworn in, the yelling has gotten louder and the signs more numerous. We seen tea parties and townhalls populated with angry citizens and their representatives. Some folks felt it necessary to arm themselves.
All this anger has now permeated the halls of Congress, most notably on the Republican side of the aisle. Presidents have always been subjected to a certain amount of disbelief from members of the opposition. But catcalls, shout outs and signs? That's just plain rude. And when Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, felt it necessary to shout "You lie!" He demonstrated the depths of disdain that his party holds for our current President.
We are not Britain. We do not have "question time" for our President. Regardless of your ideology, President Obama is the leader of our country. And if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything. Didn't your mama raise you right?
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