“You lie” shouted Rep Joe Wilson. It was rude and uncalled for. I’m not an Obama fan but unlike Mr. Wilson now, and the many Democrats who booed President Bush in the past, I still have respect for the office of the leader of the free world. They were as disrespectful as Mr. Wilson but that’s still no defense. We should not point to one bad behavior to excuse another.
A presidential lie is nothing new.President Clinton wagged his finger at us about his relationship with in intern.A few weeks later hundreds of newspapers all across the world shouted, in the boldest of front page headlines, “LIAR LIAR!”
So while Joe Wilson’s uncalled for behavior may galvanize the Democrats into one great big happy family, it has also electrified those across the aisle who feel that the rep shoutedthe two words that half of this country would say to President Obama if they had the opportunity.Look forward to millions of bumper stickers shouting %u2013 “YOU LIE!”
By the way, whatever did happened to that blue dress?
*****
My roommate says, “Chicago must be the cleanest city in the U.S. All the thugs are now in Washington”.
Matt says, “Our government can’t deliver the mail without cost overruns. Just imagine them controlling healthcare. Very scary.”
And I ask, “Whatever happened to manners in America?”
A Congressman shouts at the president. Somebody who doesn’t agree with an MTV Video Music Award jumps up on the stage, grabs the mike and sounds off. A famous tennis star disagrees with a call and tells the judge off with foul language. And the discourtesy doesn’t stop there. When was the last time someone held a door for you? I always hold a door for people and I can’t remember the last time someone said Thank You. Say Thank You to any civil service clerk anywhere %u2013 Motor Vehicle Bureau, Tax Department, Division of Licenses %u2013 anywhere – you’ll never hear “You’re welcome.”
And road rage? Don’t get me started on road rudeness. That’s a book by itself.
I know what you’re thinking. You’ll point to Johnny McEnroe shouting at tennis matches and Michael Moore’s stupidity at the Academy Awards. You’re ready to write and tell me that Americans have always been this way. I don‘t think so. I vividly remember when there was something in America called respect. Americans respected the cop on the corner. They respected school teachers.Americans respected the constitution of the United States and Old Glory. Come on, now. Honestly. How many flags did you see waving on 9/11? I don’t know about your block but there were very few on mine.
And most of all they respected each other.
Bring back respect, and manners, and civil discourse, and the Golden Rule. You don’t remember the Golden Rule? Ask any third grader.
I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net asking you all to join with me as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance %u2026. with the words Under God.
