South Carolina's Joe Wilson to Obama "You Lie": Is it a Crime?

By: Ryan Smith
Topics: Caught on Tape

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson
NEW YORK (CBS) While heckling the President of the United States is distasteful, there is little doubt that South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's actions were legal when he shouted, "You lie," during President Barack Obama's health care speech Wednesday night.

But other assemblies around the world (and right here in America!) are frequently far less civil. In fact, some are downright violent.

Here's our top 8 list of what happens when politicians throw down:

8. Mexico

7. Czech Republic

6. Georgia (the country)

5. Taiwan

4. South Korea

3. Russia

2. India

1. Alabama

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by Stevenapoli7 September 18, 2009 3:29 PM EDT: But Obama is a liar.; Reply to this comment


by mpasivad September 12, 2009 11:07 PM EDT: Many in our country who have health care coverage are covered under government resources,which tax payers already subsidize.So why are they complaining about taxes paying for health care coverage.Talk about me,me,me,I,I,I!; Reply to this comment


by mpasivad September 12, 2009 10:35 PM EDT: Another redneck southern poitician idiot. Even if the ignorant don't understand why all Americans need health care and why the "publican"party fights anything that will educate and help the American people,thank God Obama cares enough to try and help them anyway. When the Civil war was fought the democrat party was on the Southern side.After the 1929 depression stock market crash it was a democratic president who led the country out of the stinking depression.He got social security established with the help of a democratic congress.President Truman,after 1945, began the debate for universal health care for ALL American citizens.It's now 2009 and we're still having the health care debate.I am tired of the bigotry,talking heads,Lush Limbaugh,Fox Spews,rabid Ann Coulter,etc.who become wealthier while spewing their discord,confusion,and devisive crap,while their zombie like followers become poorer.All one has to do is read history to know and understand what and who either party has represented in the last 160 years.Damn,READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Wilson looked and acted like a bigoted idiot.; Reply to this comment

by Mwtolliver September 11, 2009 1:27 PM EDT

An independent, unbiased poll was conducted by CNN and found that in fact the president was NOT lying. This behaviour is both disgusting and completely against how our politicians should be representing the people. The Republicans want to have their cake and eat it too. I remember a certain president who was censured becuase he did indeed lie about a sex act...that nobody cared about. However, Bush and Cheyney lied to America about Iraq resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, billions of dollars, and at the sacrifice of our image to the entire world. One day they will wake up and realize that it DOES matter how you behave and what people think.

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by politicalwhore September 11, 2009 1:37 PM EDT: Polls now determine the truth? Sorry, Obama told Katie Couric on national TV that children of illegals would be covered by his plan. So he either lied to Congress or to Katie and everyone who watched the interview.


by juls0621 September 10, 2009 10:10 PM EDT: are you kidding me a crime?????? isn't CBS, NBC, MSNBC the very same media outlets that GLORFIED the man that threw a shoe at our previous president and they are going to worry about an American citizen who calls out the President. He has EVERY RIGHT to call out the president. The president serves US: THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. He is OUR PUBLIC SERVANT. If somebody feels he is lying, or his policy is a lie, they damn well better call it out. This is America people. Let's get back to the roots. To hell with what is politically correct. The American people are tired, beat down, and sick: plain sick of this crap. We see through this. We know something is deadly wrong with our country and the direction it is heading. Thank God for this rep from S.Carolina. Somebody finally has balls of steel to call Obama out. Thank God!!! A crime? nope? A hero? Yep! Pelosi can roll her damn bug eyes all she wants. We see through her too. She will go down as one of the worst politicians in history any way. One of the very worst. The American people are WAKING up. The realize they made a huge mistake.; Reply to this comment


by celwindin September 10, 2009 9:16 PM EDT: I gotta Say a big ty to the americans from south carolina in voting a man in that has the balls to call it like it is. Obama has told us one thing and done just the opposite. Quit blaming bush for Obama's stupid moves, he has done exactely what bush was doing only ten fold. This is not what I voted for Obama for. He has lied at every speech he gives and its a shame. Americans need to wake up and Washington needs an enima, it is time to clean house.; Reply to this comment


by ProtectAmerica September 10, 2009 8:11 PM EDT: We retain some free speech - for now. While decorum is honorable, so is honesty. Should we not expect honesty and integrity and respect for America and our constitution from our President and Commander in Chief? Do we not deserve this as a nation? Congressman Wilson appeared far more honest in his reactions, albeit perhaps ill timed, than Obama appears to be with our country. Shouldn't our President prove himself trustworthy? If Obama has America's best interests at heart, why is it that he appears to support bills which are attacking our constitutional rights, our freedom of speech as individuals, our freedom of speech for the press, our right to financial privacy, our right to medical privacy, our right to choose our own health care, our freedom of religion, our right to arms and our financial stability? Don't take my word for this, please read the bills and evaluate this information for yourself. Educate yourself. Please read each section. Please stand up for America once you know the facts. As for Obama, talk is cheap. Prove your honesty and integrity. Tell the truth. Earn our respect. Read all parts of the bills you support. Act to protect America. Act to protect our freedoms. Show fiscal responsibility. Oppose corruption - even if it means firing some of your appointees. Oppose all bills detrimental to America and our constitution. Command respect for your words based on their true merit rather than your position. We want to believe you care about America - let your actions prove it.; Reply to this comment


by SamAdams12161773 September 10, 2009 7:46 PM EDT: Great to see some insightful reporting for a change from CBS. After watching England's parliament for years, Joe's comment did not even register with me until I saw Nancy Pelosi's jaw drop and teeth grind. America is missing a forum in which politicians can be DIRECT. Why can't we have live debates on such an important issues - maybe then it would be easier to cull truth from propoganda. As a Town Hall participant who was character assassinated by Nancy Pelosi as "astro-turf" I now believe the democratic party is possessed by aliens. This is not the party my parents encouraged me to vote for because they were "for the people". These politicians are out for themselves and their cronies.; Reply to this comment


by marahp September 10, 2009 6:37 PM EDT: Shame on Joe Wilson! That was school-boy behavior. I'm glad the immature, disrespectful brat is not representing my state! And why the Right is siding with the misery promoting insurance companies is beyond me. Come on America! Shouldn't we care about OUR suffering population?; Reply to this comment


by zooeysimon September 10, 2009 4:26 PM EDT: Did any of you Bush supporters yell out "YOU LIE" when Bush was blathering on about WMD? No, probably not.; Reply to this comment