Disrespect by Any Other Name is Still Disrespect

Most of us were taught as children to respect people and titles. Throughout history, anyone disagreeing with the President would not dare exercise his or her freedom of speech in a public forum for the world to observe. What happened to basic respect? What happened to the civil training we received –or should have received as children? Today, September 11, 2009, is the 8th anniversary of the 9-11 attack on America. It was a blatant display of disrespect of the U.S. by terrorists. There was a time that no country would dare bomb America. But there was also a time that no American would blatantly disrespect the President of the United States –especially in a nationwide public address.

Does anyone remember Muntadhar al-Zaidi? He was the Iraqi news reporter who threw his shoes at former President Bush and called him a dog during a press conference at Prime Minister's Palace in Baghdad, Iraq. He was sentenced to 9 months in prison. His initial sentence was 3 years but was reduced because he had no prior criminal history. What is Rep. Joe Wilson’s sentence? Why isn’t he being called to resign? There was more outcry over Michael Vick’s dog fighting activity than a member of congress disrespectfully calling the President of the United States a liar in a very public arena. The Prime Minister of Iraq has more respect for our President than Congress Member Joe Wilson!

Is Rep. Joe Wilson so ignorant that he really didn’t think his outburst would not be dangerously interpreted by our enemies? Disrespect of the Office of the President of the United States is dangerous. So he issued an apology, so what! Here is his apology:

· "This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," the congressman said in a statement. "While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”
Update: Wilson also reportedly called the White House to apologize; he spoke to Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. ― Alex Koppelman

I am not impressed that he apologized privately after an explosive public outburst. So what he admitted he has no control of his ‘emotions’. Why is he making decisions over the lives of others if he is not able to contain himself? I don’t believe him. He wanted to embarrass the President but instead embarrassed himself, his political party and South Carolina.