WILSON; IT SHOULD BE CENSURE...

Some people are in politics, but they do not really know what politics mean. Well, there can be many definitions for the word itself; but the practical side of politics is quite different; and that is, the issues that most people are thinking of, or talking about are the same as those that are being discussed in Congress, but in an atmosphere of "decorum and civility". There are no spontaneous rebukes or temper tantrums, as in toddlers, being flung out and about irresponsibly, in order not to make the center of government a common place of mere quarrels.

The rules of the House Of Representatives are clear in that respect; and therefore when one of their own members breaks any of those rules, he or she is "called on the carpet" to make amends by apologizing. The House will convene for that purpose, among other things, of course; and debate the issue and then assess proper punishment for that member. Any other way will be deviating from the norm, in regard to the rules, and that will not be allowed by a great majority of lawmakers.

That was exactly the situation in which Congressman Joe Wilson found himself the other day, when a vote to discipline him for his "insane" outburst during the speech given by The President of the United State of America, Mr. Obama, to a joint session of Congress on his (President's) Health Care reform plan, not very long ago.

Mr. Wilson had yelled, "You lie" during the presidential address, and that remark was heard around the world. However, since then, he has called the White House and personally apologized, and the President has accepted his apology, according to his own story. Yet, what he refused to realize was that he did not just cast aspersion on the President, he also offended the nation for disparagingly disrespecting his (President's) office; an office that reflected the words "We The People" in American politics.

Although, he had rendered an apology and issued a statement regretting the incident; nevertheless, he had to be punished for breaking the rule of how Congress men and women should proceed to behave "with a degree of civility and decorum" in the House. The decision to punish him was then put to a vote, which was 240 to 179, against him. In other words, the people had spoken, and he should acquiesce and directly apologize to them.

As important as other issues that were affecting the nation needed members' attention, the "people's" pride was hurt, and that also mattered to lawmakers; and therefore, an insubordination by a member, however trivial, must be dealt with.

Yet, Congressman Wilson's case was not at all trivial in regard to his behavior; it has become part of the country's affairs. His conduct that day, seen around the world, was nothing but destructive; and what the world saw was both uncivilized and unwholesome.

During the debate on the House floor, many Democrats hurled accusations at the Republicans, while some Republicans were defending him by saying that the effort to penalize him was just a "political witch hunt". The Dems. retorted and said that "His conduct was reprehensible", and therefore he should apologize to his colleagues, the people's representatives; but he refused to do so.

The House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said he "felt obligated to push the measure", adding that, "None of us is happy to be here considering this resolution. I know I am not....". He was speaking about a "resolution of disapproval" only, and not about any of the traditional means of discipline, which meant expulsion, censure, reprimand or fine. It was meant to be "a slap on the wrist"; for the House would forego any of the severe means of punishment, just mentioned elsewhere; but Mr. Wilson remained aloof and retained a stern face and resisted an apology to the House, and hence, to the nation; he would not budge.

A person like that has been in politics for a long time; but he still did not understand politics, and of how complicated matters could become, if he misbehaved by breaking a cardinal rule. In addition, he did not know when he was being despicable, and that was to face the people with such contempt, when the only right thing to do was to apologize; for they, the people, had the power to make or break, and therefore, unmake any politician by stripping him or her of any influence he or she might have. They were VOTERS.

They are still the VOTERS, and nobody can resist their will, because it is only a matter of time, when they will have the chance to repudiate a person, when that time comes. As for Mr. Wilson, his punishment should be "censure" or "expulsion".