Not America's Proudest Moment

(CBS)  That was not a State of the Union speech we heard the other night, but it had all the trappings - and when that Congressman hollered "You lie!" at the President, we did get a snapshot of the nation's state.

It was not a pretty picture.

The country is in an angry mood - people are frustrated, tempers are short, congressmen are being shouted down at town hall meetings (where constituents sometimes show up with guns), and at rallies like the one yesterday in Washington where people carried signs such as "Bury Health Care with Kennedy."

The irony of a congressman trying to heckle a president in the midst of a speech that was, among other things, about the need for civility is just one ugly sign of the mindless meanness that has settled over our politics.

How different it was in the aftermath of a far more difficult time, those days after 9/11, whose anniversary we marked on Friday.

I remember watching then, not far from where that congressman hurled his insult, as Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott put his hand on the shoulder of his Democratic counterpart Tom Daschle to announce the Senate had passed a $40 billion emergency appropriations bill, and passed it unanimously.

That day the country came together as it had not done since World War II. It made us proud to know what we could do when we had to. It brought out our best.

Put aside for the moment who is right and who is wrong in the current debate, and ask yourself: Can anyone really be proud of the side of America this argument is bringing out?

[airjackie]

Yes we've seen how low the Republicans have taken us as Joe Wilson makes a complete fool of himself and our country. But what's even low is convicted Felon Scooter Libby is given an award for committing treason against the USA as Republicans cheer proudly. What's next will Mark Foley be awarded for abusing kids?

[psoupy]

So hmmm when the congress booed President Bush at his state of union speach the country was civil? What goes around comes around you clown.

[edmo12]

Obama is an idiot. I hope he fails and will pray every night that he and all of his policies fail. Long Live the true Americans - Republicans!!!!!

[nikflorida]

Apparently, many posters have missed Mr. Shieffer's point, which is not at all surprising in this day and age. You'll notice that nowhere does the article address CONTENT, merely BEHAVIOR. And I am not going to suggest that such uncivil behavior is limited to one major political party or the other. Mr. Shieffer rightly observes that there has been an alarming change in public DEMEANOR of late, and it is neither productive nor admirable. The sky has not fallen in any of the other several dozen nations that provide universal health care to their citizenry, much like public schools for youngsters, and there are a variety of demonstrated ways of doing so. To suggest that the US, who these same people claim is "the Greatest nation on earth," not to do at least as much as, say, Cuba, a destitute little island with no natural resources, is at best shameful. The question is HOW, not whether. The duly elected POTUS has made that very clear. If you don't like it, then do something CIVIL about it. Yelling does not help.

[USA_GUY]

Joe Wilson, USA Hero, The lone voice to speak up for a captive audience. We will be subjected to more rhetoric on the boob tube this week and probably until a vote is taken on health care. I have good health care and dont want to lose it. The last time the Dems tried this crap I lost health care for 4years. Thank You Joe for being brave, and saying what 75% of the citizens in the USA have been saying for months.

[Nouniversalhealthcare]

Hey Caddilalac, this still is the USA where we can speak our mind. The office that BO holds has lost it's shine a long time ago-say during the Clinton time. Ever since, there has been no respect for the president. And, the country is split in half. I don't repect BO, & would not shake his hand even if extended. I don't shake hands with anyone I don't respect. Joe Wilson is brave beyond words. BO keeps on lying, so what can I say?

[caddillackid1]

I think the stupid jerk should be jailed...how dare he talk to The President of The United States that way. If not jail, he should resign.

[Heychip]

The democrats have elected an idiot as president. So now they want point a finger at Wilson and say, " See what he's doing ". Maybe they should look in a mirror and yell " see what your you?ve done. " What a bunch of losers.

[ShotgunReynolds]

I have always respected my President. Repub or Dem. If I disagreed with his view, it was might right to do so. BUT, it is not my right to make a spectacle of myself for person publicity. How the Repubs have gotten is what causes me to vote Democratic more and more. I just hope and pray that the Dem's have enough spine to stand up to the mean spirited, rude people that have a failed policies and won't adapt to changing times.

[TheaBard]

P.T. Barnum once said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." The more we hear about this health care takeover, the less we like it because it falls to the working stiffs to pay the bill. The First Amendment insures us the right to gather. There were no reported incedents of violence, and the crowd estimates are between 60,000 and 2.3 million - a pretty remarkable thing for such a "hateful" crowd. This isn't about Obama, it is about crime and corruption in our government. It's about our watchdogs becoming lapdogs. If the media of today had covered Nixon, he never would have had to step down - nobody would ever have found out about Watergate. The "free press" has abdicated its duty.