Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-Uncouth) rotten outburst during President Obama's speech to a joint session of congress was remarkable for many reasons:
It was, after all, like shouting "slut!" at a wedding -- for someone in his position to break protocol at such a formal event, let alone to insult the President of the United States, is shocking. In one act, he summed up the disrespect and pathetic nature of the opposition.
That Wilson was wrong -- the President's statement about (unfortunately in my opinion) denying health coverage of undocumented immigrants is, in fact true -- makes it more so shocking. But not surprising. Facts have never been part of the fear Pols like Wilson have against immigrants.
And lastly it does remind of Obama's strategy during the election -- stay calm, let your opponent get tired and go too far -- also known as "rope a dope." Joe Wilson certainly is a dope who's been be-roped.
But most juicily, it was a reminder that comprehensive immigration reform -- not health care -- really is the issue that's going to drive the GOP nuts.
The same folks who called John McCain "Juan" and are more than willing to turn vigilante against Spanish-speaking threats real and imagined are just waiting for an issue they actually care about. This "socialism" thing is small potatoes... do a Google search on variants of "Mexican invasion" and you'll see where the red meat is.
Who can forget Phyllis Schafely's post-9/11 treatise on "Reconquista?" Or Lou Dobbs rants about about everything pre-Obama Birth Certificate? I won't link, they don't need the hits, but if you're in the mood, look it up yourself... the fact that you'll see "Stormfront" articles immediately preceding World Net Daily on the first screen on Google returns tells enough of the story.
It seems like ages ago, but the Sotomayor hearings only scratched at the surface here. For all the difficulties and schisms the health care debate (and the current half-assed plan.... sigh....) has caused between democrats, I can only imagine the crazy unleashed once the GOP gets a'feared of La Raza again.
It'll show that Joe Wilson is the mainstream. And remind independents of the regional racists the GOP has handed its power and legacy to.
Of course, it could backfire -- economic instability often empowers the exploiters of racism... but I, for one, have more faith in the American people than that.
And... I have more faith in the GOP that they will, once again, act like roped dopes.