This needs more play:
Major General Paul D. Eaton
Posted: September 10, 2009 12:17 PM
Breach of Discipline
Retired Colonel (Representative) Joe Wilson's conduct last night is a breach of military protocol and represents a further departure from the historic good order and discipline I expected, in the past, to see from the GOP, pre-conservative talk show entertainers. Recent GOP performers have proven embarrassing to the New Republican Party.
As a retired Soldier I expect better from our Soldiers, to include South Carolina National Guardsmen. But, those rallying in the blogosphere to Wilson's defense claim that he has reason 'to be stressed out' because he has children in the military. Interesting defense.
Fully one third of Army General Officers have sons and daughters fighting in our Armed Forces. Every parent whose children are serving -- as all three of mine are -- can respect the strain retired Col. Wilson might be feeling, and thank him for his sacrifice. 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.
...
I expect Minority Leader Boehner to police his ranks and help get his GOP colleagues back into a regimen of good order and discipline.
I don't think that stress is the reason for Wilson's outburst. I think it has more to do with this:
RawStory:
...Wilson is a major recipient of contributions from the health care industry.
In fact, over his entire congressional career, health professionals represent Wilson’s top industry contributors, donating a total of $244,196 to his campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics OpenSecrets.org database. He received another $86,150 from pharmaceutical companies, $73,050 from insurance companies and $68,000 from hospitals and nursing homes.
Among Wilson’s top contributors are the American Hospital Association, a lobby group that represents the interests of hospitals and health networks, and the American Medical Association, which represents physicians.
Now that's integrity!
It's important to note that the GOP House rules expressly prohibit calling the President a liar.
From the "Boot Camp" portion of the GOP's House Committee on Rules:
References to the Senate or Executive Branch
Until the 109th Congress, it was not in order to make certain references to the Senate or individual senators. However, at the beginning of that Congress, the House removed the prohibition on making references to the Senate, leaving only the requirement that debate be confined to the question under debate and avoid “personality.” The precedents of the House allow a wide latitude in criticism of the President, other executive officials, and the government itself. However, it is not permissible to use language that is personally offensive to the President, such as referring to him as a “hypocrite” or a “liar.” Similarly, it is not in order to refer to the President as “intellectually dishonest” or an action taken by the President as “cowardly.” References to the Vice President, in spite of his role as President of the Senate, are measured against the standard used for the President rather than prior standards used to govern the Senate.
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
Committee on Rules - Republicans
U.S. House of Representatives
1627 Longworth Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
PHONE: (202) 225-9191
FAX: (202) 225-6763
EMAIL: Rules.Rs@mail.house.gov
Rules are for schmucks. IOKIYAR!