House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina:
"I was always taught that the first sign of a good education is good manners. I think that what we saw tonight was really bad manners," he said. "And, having a spirited debate is one thing, exercising bad manners is another. That was beyond the pale -- and I would hope that he would publicly apologize on that same floor to the president of the United States for that insult."
Although I agree an apology was warranted, what does this say about the American culture?
The outburst last night by the nitwit from South Carolina (I apologize) is yet another example of a shift in today's culture away from manners and respect to rudeness, disrespect and poor behavior. This goes oneverywhere - soccer games, rallies, PTO meetings - you name it. I have personally witnessed intelligent, educated people stand and yell outrageous, slanderous things in public with the idea that "I will apologize"...And now apparently in Congress it is the new way to express disagreement. It goes well beyond yelling at a referree, another parent at a game or a teacher.
If Congressmen can get on national TV and disrepect the POTUS and then think an apology will smooth things over, is there any hope things will change? Needless to say the recent antics at the town hall meetings are simply a spillover from what is happening all around us. Sadly we are teaching our children that it is ok to say and/or do anything as long as you apologize. Recent examples? Sanford and Blago to name a couple and there are many, many more.
Have an affair...apologize....Steal taxpayer money....apologize....Sell a senate seat...apologize...Kill someone...apologize
Rep. Wilson should be ashamed of his behavior as all of us should be. He apparently is an idiot (I apologize).