BIG TROUBLE FOR JOE

Nancy Pelosi has called for Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) to publicly apologize on the floor of the House, or face the consequences. Mr. Wilson has declined, feeling that the written general apology and the phoned in apology (which both President Obama and V.P. Biden accepted) were enough.

The nerve of him, imagining the acceptance of an apology meaning the end of an incident.

Leading Democrats, finally finding a poster-boy for all of their accusations of 'incivility', are milking it for all it's worth. After all, if people are talking about this, they aren't talking about the ACORN scandal (any takers on when it will start being called 'ACORNGate'?), sinking polls, rising debt, and, of course, the fact that Obama, was, in fact, lying.

Don't get me wrong. I think what Mr. Wilson did was unacceptable. He was not at a town hall, and there is a certain level of decorum that must be observed when in the presence of Congress and the President, like it or not. But I also can sympathize with his frustration. After all, he knew there was an amendment introduced by Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) that would specifically provide for barring illegals from coverage - an amendment that was defeated by Democrats, so he knew first hand that what Obama was saying wasn't true. As the language stood on Sept. 10th, illegals technically weren't eligible, but there was also no provision whatsoever to obligate them to prove legal status, making a huge loophole every illegal in the country can use. A sudden 'review' by the Senate on the 11th ultimately proved Wilson right when they closed the loophole. But shouting 'You lie!" at a Presidential speech wasn't the proper way to address the situation. I agree with the sentiment, but not the delivery.

The democratic leadership's manufactured outrage must be at a fever pitch in the face of his refusal to bow and scrape.

They have threatened to punish him if he declines to apologize, yet again (and not even to the person the original comment was intended for). Knowing this is merely an exercise in political hay-making, he is standing by the fact that his apology has been accepted.

I credit him for his bravery, considering the punishment they have in mind.

They will slap him with a 'Resolution to Admonish'.

I wonder if they will take it to the next level and actually wag their fingers and 'tsk tsk tsk' him.

The horror.

So let me get this straight. Charlie Rangel has understated his net worth by half, evaded numerous taxes, as well as allegedly bribed members of the ethics committee that are investigating him (to the tune of $20,000 each), all the while still remaining Chair of the Ways and Means committee.

Rep. Wilson hurls an offensive (albeit true) accusation, after being told the administration was going to 'call out' lies about the health reforms not five minutes before telling a whopper themselves, and he is going to be shamed publicly for it.

No, no partisan double-standard there, Madame Speaker.