Letters to the Editor: Perriello’s Concern Impresses Constituents
Perriello's Concern Impresses Constituents
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Thank you to Rep. Tom Perriello. Virginia's 5th Congressional District is most fortunate to be represented by a man who keeps his promises. Remember his campaign promise to work a double shift to represent this district? He has accomplished that and more. No other member of Congress held as many town halls as Perriello's 21 meetings throughout this district to listen to his constituents, hear their concerns, and answer their questions.
His energy, honesty, and willingness to communicate are exemplary of the highest ideals of democracy, and any decisions he makes as our congressman will be based on his desire to best serve the interests and welfare of all the people he represents.
Jeannine Towler.
Charlottesville.
Republicans Suffered From Wilson's Insult
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Every day, on my way to work in Washington, when the United States Capitol comes into view, I feel a sense of history and pride. That dome physically and symbolically stands above its surroundings as a sacred spot where representatives from all geographic areas and walks of life come to meet, to negotiate, to compromise, and to shape the destiny of our great land. I get a thrill, and take great pride in pointing it out to passengers on the train who are seeing it for the first time.
Representatives and senators say what they wish on the campaign trail, or to national audiences on television or in the press, but it is respect for the office they've been elected to hold that causes them to observe a reverence for the hallowed ground of their respective chambers.
Rep. Joe Wilson violated that sacred observance the other night when he angrily shouted out an insult at the president of the United States -- an invited guest at a joint session of Congress. In doing so, he belittled America. And that's not acceptable.
I defend his right to hold a differing opinion, but not to shout it out at that time -- and not in that place. There were other ways he could have shown his disagreement (as did our own Rep. Eric Cantor, who spent the entire evening texting on his BlackBerry).
We bemoan the loss of respect for our traditions and institutions. It didn't happen overnight. It began with just such acts as Wilson's arrogant utterance. His party has lost a lot in the past few years. The other night it lost its dignity, and that's about all it had left.
Doug Riddell.
Mechanicsville.
Joe Wilson Behaved Like a Toddler
Editor, Times-Dispatch: As a parent I work very hard to instill in my children the importance of respecting themselves and others. I try to teach them how to resolve conflicts peacefully and without name-calling or bullying. This is hard to do when everywhere I turn I find adults in the media doing the exact opposite of what I try to teach my children.
The example set by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina is appalling and unfortunately just one more example of adults behaving like toddlers. If a child in school piped up and said "You lie!" to the principal of the school, in front of the school, do you think he would get off with an apology? I think not.
Wilson's behavior was an embarrassment to himself, to the people of South Carolina, and to this nation when we hold our children to higher standards of behavior than those to which we hold our elected officials. His immediate apology does not make it ok.
We can all assume that if Wilson cannot control himself in front of a joint session of Congress and the president of the United States, he cannot control himself anywhere.
Mary H. Stefanik.
Richmond.
Russian President Has a Full Calendar
Editor, Times-Dispatch: So Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says he would like to meet with "dissidents" when he visits the U.S. next week. Does Medvedev really think he will have time to meet with all 300 million of us?
Lee D. Ellison.
Richmond.
Reader Reactions
Per First Amendment, everyone can call anyone whatever their warm hearts and clean minds desire, and anywhere they like. However, per U.S. House rules, no one in the House Chamber is allowed to call the President a liar in such, up until now, a place of respect.
No need for radical change of rules for members of both parties as to no applause, total silence, and such childish ideas. Also, no need for radical misconduct of current rules that lead to mob-style behavior. We are suppose behave as somewhat civilized peoples, at least to some degree.
Additionally, Cantor’s test-messaging was shameful. House ought to ban cell phone and blackberry use during infrequent Presidential addresses; both current Dem and future GOP Presidents.
“cheering and jeering of all kinds must be banned”
After watching some College Football last weekend, I think College Football has more stringent rules of conduct then Congress! They we calling penalites left and right for “celebration” .
thetruth: The new house rules are arbitrary and incomplete. If shouting out is banned, then cheering and jeering of all kinds must be banned.
Well, at least I can still call the president a liar - so sayeth the first amendment.
“Perriello’s Concern Impresses Constituents”
I saw Mr. Perriello on MSNBC’s Morning Joe last week and was very impressed with his attitude, and his ability to communicate.
No new House rules necessary. Section 370 of the House rules manual already sufficiently covers the out-of-bounds territory invaded by the rebel from South Carolina. Members may not:
* call the President a “liar.“
* call the President a “hypocrite.“
* describe the President’s veto of a bill as “cowardly.“
* charge that the President has been “intellectually dishonest.“
* refer to the President as “giving aid and comfort to the enemy.“
* refer to alleged “sexual misconduct on the President’s part.“
The party of instilling fear, hatred, and lies into Americans condone’s breaking the rules of the House and weak-kneed Dems meekly let it pass, while striving for unity among all in the Congress. Wilson’s dispicable action has set the stage for higher octane future outbursts.
So it shall be.
This yelling problem is easy to solve. The new rule is absolute silence. As the president enters, he gets a polite round of applause and when he leaves he gets a polite round of applause - in between, EVERYONE is silent. No standing ovations, no cheering, no booing, no catcalls you just sit there with your hands in your lap, take notes and be quiet. How about that?
What kind of a glass chin does the president have that people should only be allowed to applaud and cheer? Certainly jeering and booing are nothing new to congress and presidents. Are we afraid to hurt this one’s widdle feewings?
I think the man meant that once you open Pandora’s box, there’s no closing it, and once you cross that line, ANYONE and EVERYONE will feel no compunction against following. While it’s not the battlefield at Gettyburg or the beaches of Normandy, great men (and yes, lesser men), the likes of Clay, Taft, Lincoln, and others have stood in those chambers. If you have no respect for the past, there is no hope for the future.
Anyone truly shocked over R-Joe Wilson’s rebel yell? Why should they? I find his 2-word yell the shortest campaign victory speech ever. That son of confederate whatever, the klan, and so forth spoke for his voters and his re-election. Guy easily got the $$ rolling into his pirate chest and 2010 a done deal, along with whatever S.C. office he ever wants to conquer via hate. We can all applaud his honesty and those who have strongly support their honesty in the truth of their hatred toward liberals, and especailly; they hatred toward black folks. Best to be honest than smile and put on the fake face.
Next up for Obama in the dignified (?) halls of Congress? Jan 2010 State of the Union speech. Now that fellow GOP members see how easy it is to be an A.H. and get reelected by such, what next comes January? Show up with Klan clown outfits, rebel flags, assault rifles? Imagine. Cantor all dolled up in his outfit? Forget the Klan hated toward such religious folk. After all, it merely shows support for the Party, and what a grand old party it use to be.
This is hilarious. A bunch of people who are most likely democrats expressing shock over the behavior of Joe Wilson. Someone they wouldn’t have voted for anyway. You want to see America being denigrated? Have a look at Obama’s UN speech today. Now THAT’S denigration.
That dome physically and symbolically stands above its surroundings as a sacred spot….
There is nothing sacred about a place where mongrels, cloaked in deception, conspire to spend other people’s money.
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