Civility becomes partisan when it is a one-way street. Condemnation on only one side of the political aisle leaves those originally insulted wondering. If it was apparently okay to be the victim of a verbal attack, why does the condemnation only come when like kind is given back. In President Obama's speech, he lobbed verbal insults freely at his opposition, and I do not read in your commentary one comment about his lack of civility or his need to refrain from such attacks. Such a shame.

I admire Joe Wilson for having the b***s to call a liar a liar. If the rest can cheer at what they like to hear, why shouldn't he be able to?

I would like to hear if the shouting Congressman's apology changes Michael's opinion of him.

Thank you, Mr. Josephson, regarding your comment regarding the name-calling in reference to President Obama. Disrespectful tactics. Where are we heading? Also, the way the media addresses our President Obama is something that should be reconsidered.
I do not believe Mr. Walter Cronkite would have found any of these tactics acceptable.
Where have our respect and values gone? What example are we setting for our children?

A big THANK YOU for your commentary this morning regarding the outburst during President Obama's speech last night. It underscores the depth to which the Republican party's character has sunken and hopefully will wake up the American voter to support the Democratic party in passing the vitally needed health reform. Your comments were important, truthful and needed to be said and repeated.

What to do? Realize that we have no particular devil who deserves all blame. We have met the enemy; it’s us… as voters, as parents, as economic decision-makers, as gullible, angry people yearning for the latest toy or satisfied with reassurance of a confidence man or woman who lambastes the well-designed devil of “the other.” This country was and is made great by many of all genders, political philosophies, races, sexual preferences, national, religious, and ethnic backgrounds who never once put a wet finger to the wind to see what the right folks are/were thinking, yet paradoxically, they learn(ed) from and communicate(d) with just about everyone.

Independence, courage to be different, reasonable risk-taking, and commitment to being informed and free are key. Respectfully listening carefully to all and full honesty with a reply and/or question is a foundation; name-calling never helps. Fighting for whatever you believe to be foundational has proven to be necessary and may be again, yet I’m hopeful that harmony can be more widely experienced, understood, practiced, and enjoyed.

Showing a lack of respect is not limited to politicians, but it has become so commonplace that people don't even seem surprised by what Joe Wilson did. His incivility is too typical in the debate over healthcare reform. I am still optimistic that President Obama will find a way to make progress on this issue despite the attacks and misinformation campaigns.

I believe that in general, disrespect, intolerance, and hostility have been on the rise for the last 15 years. There was a time when two politicians with differing views could disagree on the floor, but after hours, share a meal as friends. Sen Kennedy and Sen Hatch are perfect examples of this old time collegiality - very different views, but respect for each other as individuals. This started to erode in about 1994 when Newt Gingrich enacted his Contract with America. From that point, it seemed to be "You're with me or against me, and if you're against me, we can't be friends or colleagues." This animosity has grown exponentially since and politicians seem afraid to express their true views for fear of retribution or being ostracized. Look at Sen. Spector and Sen. Snow. I believe the outburst by Congressman Wilson should be viewed as extreme insubordination and condemned. It was not only rude and disrespectful but sent a terrible message to impressionable young people. This type of behavior cannot be tolerated in a classroom, in the working world and especially toward the office of the President of the United States.

I'm 70 years old, have followed the politics of this country all my life, and frankly I think there's something terrible happening in this country at this time. I believe most of the opprobrious comments made about President Obama are racially motivated by people who believe no person of color should occupy a higher position in the White House than cook, butler or security guard. The ease with which vile and scandalous talk can be distributed cannot bring anything good for our society, and I'm afraid that if all this angry expression continues to escalate, not only will we have more tragedies, but I don't think this union can survive. I wonder, do people really care? Our new national motto seems to be "I've got mine, screw you." Maybe we have to lose our unified country to really appreciate what we had.

I am deeply disturbed by the amount of labeling and name-calling I hear, read, experience in conversation and particularly see in blogs. There is so much anger and hate. How can you understand the other guy's point of view when your ears are clogged with hate? How can you learn anything new when you have shut down your thought process to all but that which you have already decided? I have given this much thought and there are many factors that contribute to this state we are in, but I believe much of it stems from a feeling of lack of control of our own lives and hopelessness. We elect people and believe them to be leaders, with our best interests, diverse as they may be. But that is not the case because they are being bought. Not all, but far too many.

I didn't have the opportunity to hear the President's speech; thus, I weigh in only in the area of public civility.

Whether it was President Nixon, Carter, Reagan, or either of the Bushes, I have always tempered my feelings based on the Golden Rule of the first century man, Jesus of Nazareth: "...all things you want men to do to you, you must do to them..." This enjoins a restraint, not in what I feel, but in how I approach those I disagree with. I do this because I have made considerable errors in my life. I ask, at the end of each day, that I be forgiven for my overt errors and those of erroneous supposition.

President Obama was elected in tumultuous times. He, like the rest of our elected representatives, is attempting to divine what is best without a crystal ball. The stress of economic readjustment and repair inspires fear, but this doesn't cause me to become caustic. When I am faced with family pressures, I greatly appreciate when my disabled father, mentally retarded brother, and children understand I am not trying to make matters worse; rather, simply attempting to see our way out of the fog.

If they can afford me that, I will do the same for President Obama.

It's amazing how much perspective you gain when all eyes are on you.

-Angelae Le'Chastaignier

Thank you for your well-reasoned commentary of Mr. Wilson's outburst. I was trained in logic and debate as an art in college. Ad Hominum attacks always discredit an opponent even if there is merit in the argument. Mr. Wilson's behavior is symptomatic of the seeming unrestrained negativity on the part of some in society. I am also glad that the President used his speech to respond to some of the irrational, dishonest and outrageous statements some of his opponents have made to healthcare reform.

To me, the essence of good ethical behavior in this type of public debate is an ability to express one's position and listen respectfully, even to those we oppose or find to be ignorant or less educated, etc. I fear that many Americans are unable to control their emotions when it comes to opposing points of view. While this may be irritating and unfortunate (such as behavior at the town hall meetings on healthcare), it is not excusable in our public officials. Emotional outbursts also take away from the authority of your position.

Your comments about incivility are well taken and important. However, I haven't heard you complain about the incivility of the Left, which is where the bad precedents really began. They have been maligning everybody who disagrees with them for the last 5 decades with barely a word of protest coming from Josephson Institute. I think President Obama and the Democrats are perpetrating a deliberate policy of mendacity in their absurd pretense that illegal aliens will not be included in the healthcare reform bill. Amendments to put enforcement teeth into the bill's provision that illegals will not be eligible to participate in the program by using E-Verify to determine if an applicant has legal residence were removed by Democrats. Thus the bill's putative intention of not allowing illegals to qualify is reduced to an insulting act of deception and mockery toward the American people. This is not to mention the stated intention of President Obama to give amnesty to all illegal aliens, at which point they would cease to be ineligible for federal benefits anyway.
The fact is that America owes a great debt to Rep. Joe Wilson for an incredible display of courage and character at the risk of being vilified himself. He unmasked the perfidious lies that, if unexposed, would wreak a terrible cost on the American
people. As you like to say, character counts and Rep. Wilson displayed an abundance of it.

But Obama was lying. The Supreme Court has already ruled on a case that has a direct bearing on healthcare and illegal aliens. (Oh wait, I'm sorry, "undocumented" aliens.) If we have universal healthcare, the illegal (and undocumented) aliens will get healthcare per the SCOTUS.

Obama knows this. He was a college professor at a law school. If he doesn't know this, we have another problem. When Obama said it wasn't true, it was a lie. My honor code requires that I don't lie ,cheat or steal or tolerate those who do.

I am also disturbed by upsurge in incivility in today's normal course of events. One may point to talk show hosts, on both sides of the political spectrum, who constantly interrupt and shout down their guests who are explaining their point of view. On the other hand, the English are noted for their civility and their reserved approach to conflict, yet their Parliament is a virtual mad house of raucus rants and unseemly loud comments for anyone who speaks there. I believe there are times when it is preferred to be polite in spite of one's opposing views. There are other times when it is most appropriate to speak up and counter obvious mis-statements and distortions. Was Congressman Wilson out of place to shout out at the President? Yes, I believe so. Were his sentiments wrong? Decidedly not.

And what you missed was two very telling points. The President paused and stated simply, "That is not true." It was a defending act of civility. And that Congressman Wilson had apologized before the night was out for his act of incivility.

The real story here is that the lines of truth are very blurred by all and the changes proposed will touch us all. With such strong convictions on contrary points of view, operating with speed causes great friction and does not grease the wheels of civility.

It's interesting to note that standards of civility are invoked when it comes to a choreographed/staged situation like the President addressing a joint session of Congress. It seems to me that the President and our representatives and senators all know how they are supposed to act, especially on the world stage. Booing is allowed as is clapping and cheering. I wasn't able to watch the speech so I can only react to what I've seen and heard afterward. Presidents are allowed to lecture Congress in speeches and news conferences, and members of Congress in their own committees and floor speeches and debates are allowed to lecture the President. Representative Wilson's statement of apology begins with "This evening I let my emotions get the best of me." I for one want representatives who can keep a level head when they disagree, even vehemently, with another member of Congress, with the President or any member of government. I don't want a hot head as a representative or as President. My belief is that problems we face are daunting but do not give anyone the right to disrespect either office, that of President or member of Congress, or for that matter lose self-control. We are all Americans who, I believe, want the best for our nation.

Frankly, I find it surprising that anyone would believe Mr. Wilson was so carried away with emotion that he yelled out his disrespectful comment without thinking. He planned his response and knew it would be picked up and broadcast. It is another example of the tactics the opposition has been using to keep us mired in the current healthcare system. Apparently the Republicans would rather frighten voters with death panels than help create a workable healthcare plan that takes care of everyone, not just the currently employed and the wealthy. When congresspeople give up their healthcare plans because they don't agree with the government running healthcare, I'll take what they have to say more seriously.

I work in a public middle school where respect is essential if we are to have a safe learning environment. I am very concerned that the lesser value of loyalty to party or ideology has become the ruling value for so many. Many of our parents, who are good citizens in general, simply reacted to the hysterical half-truths and lies that were recently circulated on the Internet and talk radio about Obama's upcoming speech to school children. Quite unfairly and irrationally, they believed the worst about our President because they failed to think things through for themselves. In the face of this parental anxiety, only one of our three grade levels decided to let the students hear the speech. Ironically, his speech was essentially the same talk I gave to the 6th graders on character and goal-setting the week before. The only difference was that Obama could end his speech with "God bless you, and God bless America."
It's just like an evil socialist, one who can't even produce his birth certificate to prove he is really a citizen, to say something offensive like that to public school children.

It is somewhat humorous and sad that we have people defending Mr. Wilson's behavior by saying the president's speech was offensive to the positions of the Republican Party. The position of the president on healthcare is different than the position of the Republicans on the same issue, and the Republican response could be considered equally offensive to the positions of the Democrats in Congress. Whatever happened to the idea of disagreeing without being disagreeable? It would appear that to practice politics in this country, one must be willing to shout down those who do not think as I think. This speaks to your recent commentary on listening, not because we necessarily agree with the speaker, but out of courtesy to the speaker as a fellow human who is entitled to inform us of his opinion and yes, to defend his opinion.

I don't condone someone calling the president a liar in that manner and in that setting, but he was obfuscating and misleading the American people just the same. The problem is one of frustration on the part of conservatives who see this president being given a free ride by the press. The truth is always hidden and his many half-truths, fabrications and outright lies are left standing. We know little to nothing about this man, and half of the American people are content to remain in the dark about his real agenda as long as they have their needs attended to. It is a sorry state when half the people in this country fully expect the other half to support them via some social program.

I hope you and Frank were just as critical of the Democrats when they booed President Bush during State of the Union addresses and when Senator Reid called Bush a liar and a loser on Meet the Press and in his books. The feigned outrage of the liberals and the liberal media after eight continuous years of incivility by their side is just as big an issue. The liberals' ox is being gored now, but they were fine with incivility when it was directed toward their opponents.

It is disrespectful to shout out at someone delivering a public address. On that point I agree. Are we ranking rude above dishonesty in the assessment of character? Character is also about being truthful. To willfully mislead, misrepresent and lie about the topic you are speaking about seems equally lacking in character.

Perhaps, if a truly unbiased media reported in a timely manner the facts of our politicians' words and deeds, the faction with the differing point of view (be it blue or red), wouldn't feel so uncontrolled in calling out the lies and spin put forth as truth. I offer this up not as an excuse for the Congressman's behavior, but rather something to consider when looking at all parties accountable for public displays of disrespect.

It does not matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, the shame you should feel at having a representative like Joe Wilson should be deep. We are supposed to set the example for governments and people around the world. We are supposed to be able to clearly and rationally discuss and come to agreements about tough issues. Maybe we are forgetting some of our history - it wasn't too long ago (historically speaking) that we had a similar view of slavery. Are we to replay the roles of the North and the South (with something as beneficial as healthcare reform in the place of slavery)? Probably not, but who knows.

My final statement is more of a question. In a nation where a large number of citizens support or, indeed, need healthcare reform, why are we so opposed to the reform? We (the people) are not opposed to it - but certain parties (re: insurance companies) are. So are we a nation by the people, of the people, for the people, or are we now a nation by the corporation, of the corporation, for the corporation?

Congressman Wilson's outburst was a bit shocking. However, President Obama does not seem to love this country. He has visited other countries and degraded us. He does not listen to us when we object ot his agenda. He has appointed czars bypassing the Congress and senate approval. His main goal appears to be acquiring as much power as is needed to force us into compliance. He has not lived up to most of his campaign promises. I am embarrassed by his lack of wisdom.

The title of your column, Toxic Incivility, makes my point. I might expect an ignorant, unmannered individual to call out insults in a public meeting, but we should hold our elected officials to a higher standard. What does this teach our citizens about public discourse and problem-solving? Furthermore, when disagreements sink to name-calling, there is little chance of reaching agreement. And to respond to the previous writer's post, the President's comments and opinions were presented in a reasoned fashion, hardly equivalent to screaming "Liar" from the floor. If Wilson finds the President (or anyone else) disingenuous, he has a public platform from which to present his thoughts and opinions. I lose respect for people who show so little self-control that they resort to shouting--in public or at home. I can only imagine what it must be like to live in Joe Wilson's neighborhood or to have been a child raised in his home.

With regard to the question at the end of the commentary, I do not believe things are worse than normal in terms of disrespect and hostility in politics. They say politics is dirty business, and I might add, conducted by less than stellar personalities on both sides of the aisle. In my lifetime I've seen fist fights break out in the legislative chambers of other countries and armed revolutions removing duly elected officials from power. And I've seen our own leaders foment revolution, install puppet leaders, and start wars based on lies and deceit.

In our own country, past presidential hopefuls have fought duels, some winning, and some dying. Abraham Lincoln, now revered as one of our greatest leaders, was unceremoniously removed from office with a bullet in the back of his head.

I for one find the whole enchilada to be rotten. I listen to commentators like Osama bin Limbaugh and Keith Olbermann agitate and and foment much of the rancor that we see. As I've pointed out, nothing is really new in politics. The only thing really different is most everybody has a front row seat (via radio, television and the Internet) to the lying, thieving clowns at work. One of my favorite sayings is that the organization of a political body is not unlike a septic tank: the biggest chunks always rise to the top.

Wilson was wrong to shout out that the Presdient is a liar. However, there was no press or other public outcry when President Bush was loudly booed during his presentation to Congress. Why is the current act of incivility toward President Obama so prominent in our public media when the earlier incivility to President Bush was all but ignored?

I hope that this outburst can serve as an alarm and turn us back to civility. The lack of respect, especially for the office of the presidency, is appalling. As much as I was embarrassed by our most recently retired president, I could not have attacked him as Congressman Wilson did President Obama.

We have the right to disagree, but an obligation to be civil.

The level of incivility, intolerance, and disrespect in this country is a sign of selfishness ... of being so self-centered that nothing but ME counts. It's a sad commentary for a society that has been so richly blessed.

I am torn by whether I think Representative Wilson's outburst was inappropriate or not. On the one hand, as a public official, I see the damage done to freedom and truth by a few vocal bullies in public meetings, and if Representative Wilson's behavior became the norm then we won't get to hear the President. On the other hand, when do we need to stand up against the accepted social norms that can be used to silence dissent? When is it appropriate to stand up against a Hitler even though everyone around you thinks you are unpatriotic? So much of political correctness is really used to eliminate dissenting voices. As a public official, I have seen how officials who control the message, marginalize those who have legitimate concerns. Using people's emotional responses against them to marginalize their message is used at every level of government (and in other organizations as well).

I don't know that it is the lack of civility that is so much the problem (although I do agree it is a growing problem in our nation) as it is that we no longer trust each other's motives. Everybody is "plotting." Dick Cheney was Darth Vader come to rule the universe. President Obama is the next coming of Chairman Mao. We can't just discuss the issues.

Is President Obama really a malevolent liar? I don't know (even my uncertainty about his character reflects the fact that I am infected with the national disease of distrust). If he is a malevolent liar, those who throw off the social conventions and fight back may be seen as heroes in the future. On the other hand, if he really does care about people and is trying to fix a real problem, the dissenters will be viewed much more harshly by history.

We truly need a civil discussion of reform of our medical system. I am just afraid that our national psychology and special interest groups' manipulation of the issues and our inherent distrust of each other won't allow for thoughtful debate to occur.

Your online survey is harsh. I would have answered it if you would have given me the option of saying that the congressman's shouting was disrespectful only. When someone is disrespectful, it allows people to form an opinion about right or wrong without the punishment tag of "condemned."

Congressman Wilson should be condemned for his disrepectful outburst. His action reflected badly not only on himself but on his constituents, his state, his political party and anyone who opposes President Obama's policy. He just destroyed any influence he might have had. If I were one of his constituents, I'd be starting a recall effort.

The Republican Party made a rebuttal address after President Obama's speech. If that wasn't sufficient to satisfy Congressman Wilson, there were other avenues available to make his views known. If Congressman Wilson thinks President Obama is lying, he would've been much more effective if he called a press conference later and presented facts supporting his position. He's also free to express his views when Congress is in session or to testify at a committee hearing.

The level of incivility has damaged the political process at the national, state and local levels and we're all worse off for it.

I too am glad that you decided to address this. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I think the whole party thing is ridiculous. It is really hard to actually focus on the meaningful points of a person's speach and what they are trying to say when the rudeness of others grabs the spotlight. I don't know about others, but as soon as I hear shouts and anger, I stop listening to you. Maybe you have a valid reason for thinking the President is a liar. Then hold a hearing and state those reasons supported by facts. Do not disrupt his speech. If you have stopped listening to what I am saying because you assume I am on Obama's side, I will rephrase it in more basic terms. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to do whatever the heck I want because I can. The freedom is a privilege and we should treat it with more respect. Do you think God would condone your actions or be embarrassed to know you?

P.S. to my earlier comment: The Commentary stated "Either way, this landmark moment in modern American politics will be a turning point." The "andmark moment may actually have come when President Bush was booed.

What does it say about a culture that condones, accepts and tolerates being lied to as long as the liar is articulate and can read well?
Like a newscaster.
Why was it acceptable for lies from a president to be greeted by applause but not okay for the lies to be pointed out?
There was no lack of hesitation in similar behavior against our last president.
We have become accepting of being lied to because the delivery is entertaining and does not require us to think.
When we are shaken from this reverie and must process words and content, we get upset.
Why?
Is it because we are afraid of thinking?
Is it because we are afraid of being accused of some affront to a speaker's sensibilities?
This seems to be similar syndrome that afflicts so many kids in school who are afraid to raise their hands and ask questions because they think they will be ridiculed for asking a dumb question.
When in fact everyone around them is equally insecure and hoping somebody will raise their hand.

Kudos, Michael, for hitting the nail on the head. Every day we see examples of how the communications circuit is being short-circuited. Partisans on both sides (all sides?) seem to talk far more than they listen. Compromise is now deemed failure instead of success. Reelection is now far more important than governing. Having deeply held beliefs is not a crime, but failing to attempt to understand - even to listen to - the beliefs of others is a crime. From the very start, our country was made strong by respectful discourse and the ability to find common ground. We need that more today than ever.

I was disappointed that a U.S. Congressman would have so little respect for the office of President that he would shout out "You lie" during the President's address to Congress. As a school counselor and Character Counts educator, I was deeply troubled to see such a blatant example of disrespect. How can we teach our children the basics of civility when our elected representatives provide such poor examples? Others attending the speech were playing on their Blackberries- another disrespectful behavior in my humble opinion.

Congressman Wilson (having actually read the bill) knew what he was hearing was incorrect and let his emotions get the better of him. He then immediately apologized. Would an apology have been necessary if he had just said "That's wrong" rather than used "liar"? Civility is a two-way street. Where was the outrage when President Bush was booed and hissed as he discussed Social Security and Medicare reform before Congress in 2005? What kind of character is shown by those who are outraged over Wilson's remark, yet themselves have never apologized (or feel the need to) for their own actions of openly calling Bush a liar, dumb, worst ever, etc.?

I am concerned that this behavior has occurred in a joint session of Congress during a Presidential speech. It is not the forum to voice disagreement in this manner. I am equally concerned that previous outbursts (booing and catcalls) by the Democrats while President Bush was addressing the Congress seem to have been completely forgotten. Congressman Wilson made a spontaneous outburst for which he has apologized. I doubt that the treatment President Bush received from the Democrat's side of the aisle has ever been apologized for, nor will it. Civility has been displaced from politics for many years. It would be nice if it came back.

I was appalled by Rep Joe Wilson's outburst and calling the President a liar.
First, I agree with you, Mr Josephson, that it represents a serious breach of civil discourse. There are other venues available to disagree with the President. This was not it.
Secondly, Joe Wilson was wrong on that point: healthcare for illegal aliens is not part of the plan. This is a part of the misinformation and deliberate deception by the opposition. Anyone will get emergency care if needed, just like Pres. Bush advised: go to an emergency room. We are not barbarians: we are not going to leave people bleeding in the street. But they will not get longterm medical care, Medicare, etc. if they are not a citizen.
This issue, like so many, demands that we educate ourselves on the facts.
Wilson's apology was negated, in my opinion, by his words the next day that he "will not be muzzled" and continued his misguided attack.
My point on healthcare is this: other countries take care of their citizens. If they can do it, so can we. It is the morally correct thing to do. Don't tell me we can't find the ways to do it.
It will even end up being more fiscally responsible and beneficial to our economy.

I am deeply saddened about the few negative comments regarding Senator Ted Kennedy.
I am deeply saddened about the constant negative agenda of the Republican Party as a whole.
First and foremost, we are all Americans with a history for the most part of knowing right and wrong.
All of us who are thinking people should speak out and be heard in a civilized manner.
For those who do not wish to act civilized, then let the hammer of evenness fall upon them.

The incivility is being generated by the President himself. He has never left campaign mode since assuming office. The bickering he wants stopped is coming from millions of Americans he chooses to disregard and disrespect. I was relieved to hear the congressman speak up. He spoke for me. It comes from genuine frustration at not being heard. Incivility has been present at the top for a long time. Why is this different than the last eight years of "Bush lied, people died"?

I believe that debate, in the right arena, is helpful, but that right time was not during the speech televised across the nation and around the world. This shout was heard around the world. I remember when my daughter of 10 asked me if President Bush was stupid. She knew I didn’t vote for him and didn’t agree with many of his policies. Here I was, with a chance to fill her with my “liberal biases” and indoctrinate her against the Republican way of thinking. But what I want most for my daughter is a respect of the nation she lives in. And so I said, believing it to be true, “No, President Bush is not stupid. He is an educated man and people do not rise to this kind of a position being stupid. But people do come to that position with different ways of looking at the world, and the President and I disagree on many things." We then discussed some of the ways the President and I saw the world as different. I do think I got to share and disseminate some of my liberal views, but I did it without character assassination of my President or the office. Yes, my President -- voted by me or not -- is still my President.

There was a story recently about a judge who had a defendant's mouth taped shut. The defendant was so disruptive during the trial, they couldn't move forward. I think the same could be said for democracy. Plus, what could happen next, someone throwing a shoe at the President? Oh, that was funny, not disrespectful.

What would our nation be today if patriots had not dared question the authority of the past? Congressman Wilson apologized for his outburst yet still maintained his values. Our President is selling his reform bill to Congress, but he does not allow anyone to disagree with him. Any dissent is dismissed as radicalism. It is very hard to respect a man who does not respect the lives of the unborn and elderly. A politician's voting record is the measure of his true character or lack thereof.
Yes, Congressman Wilson blurted out an inappropriate comment during the Presidents sales pitch, but I admire the patriotism he showed by echoing the cries of the town hall attendees. The majority of those people passionately disagree with this bill and should be shown respect by the media. The politicians were "hired" by the people, and their duty is to represent the interests of their constituents, not personal interests.

Not OK and roundly censured by public and media for a one-word outcry at one point in a political presidential speech. But it was perfectly OK and passed without media or public condemnation when President Bush was booed during not one, but two, of his State of the Union speeches? What have we come to, indeed.

During one of President Bush's state of the union addresses, the Democrats in the House chamber reacted quite negatively to what the president said when they objected to his speech. This occurred several times during the president's address. There was no response in the press or otherwise to this show of disrespect. This time the chamber was quiet enough for the objector to be heard. An objection expressed in words or by booing is equally disrespectful of the man and the office. It would appear that it is OK for one side but not the other!

A few months ago, a friend sent me a clip of President Obama being snubbed as he and a particular country's leader met a line of supposed dignitaries. It boggles me how some would not hesitate to appear callous and stupid to the world in order to make a statement for racism and ignorance. Having served honorably in the United States Armed Forces, I sometimes had to live the tenet, "Respect the rank" even though I may not have respected the person wearing it. Even if some don't like that President Obama is our nation's president, he is. Americans should respect the position, even if they don't respect the person in it. Mr. Wilson was wrong to disrespect the president in a public setting, and he should be reprimanded publicly for doing so.

How can we as a nation hope for our future generations to behave with respect and civility at home and abroad if the examples set by our political leaders, as in Congressman Wilson's case, are what the children of this country see? Most people would lose their jobs if they addressed their superiors at work in this fashion. I hope people, no matter which side of the aisle they support, speak out against the display of such rude behavior.

It is sad that the more we talk about respect, the less we practice it. I don't remember my parents talking to me much about respect, but I knew I had to practice it or else!
Do you ever watch children's programming? Apparently every child over 12 has his/her own apartment with no parent present, and to be popular is to have a smart mouth and an attitude.
Look at the adult movies that are popular - movies like Borat.
The message is that it is not cool to be respectful, but it is cool to demand respect from others, even when this is not earned. Ask any gangbanger.
It is ironic that what we respect and value is disrespect. How did we become so immature as a society? (I have my ideas but this comment would go on way too long.)

I find it very interesting that President Bush was called a liar by the then Democratic Majority Leader in 2005 on more than one occasion, which he then bragged about in interviews, and that was not only acceptable, but openly endorsed, by the media and the members of our government. However, now that the shoe is on the other foot, it is an outrage that should be condemned and there will probably be calls for his resignation in the near future.

That being said, I do not endorse or condone the Congressman's actions. I still believe the office of the President is due some respect and yelling out "You lie" is not showing the respect that is due. I do believe there should have been better coverage of the Republican response to President Obama's speech to allow the other side to respond to the statements made in his speech.

Finally, while the Congressman is personally responsible for his actions, I am disappointed that the media continues to create an environment where one side of the aisle is provided the vast majority of the press coverage and the other side is covered predominantly when there is a scandal or outburst that can be condemned and chastised. Such as the case with California State Assemblyman Duvall who was taped discussing multiple affairs and implicating a lobbyist in July. I have known of the Assemblyman's politics for many years as a resident of Yorba Linda where he was a City Council member and Mayor ProTem for many years and hold nothing but disdain for him as a person and as a politician. While on the council, he repeatedly voted against the public's best interest and will to further his personal business interests in the form of a building variance for the building that houses his insurance company that vilolates the set-back limits and is out of place in the historic section of town. He also continually voted his own personal best interest in campaigning for and championing an Old Town redevelopement project that was voted down twice by the citizens because it would increase his property value of that very same office building, and there was undoubtedly plenty of campaign contributions in it for him by the developers who were proposing the project. That being said, I wonder if Speaker Bass would have shown the same outrage if it would have been a Democrat who was taped making those same statements. I seriously doubt it would have been publicized, let alone forced the resignation of the Assembly member. I want to be clear here: I believe the right thing was done in this case and every Assembly member who would have inappropriate relationships of any kind (financial as well as physical) with a lobbyist should be immediately removed from office, Democrat or Republican. My question is simply if the same standard would be used if Mr. Duvall was a Democrat.

It is sad to say, but the only reason these folks are able to be so blatantly judgmental and disrespectful is because the man is Afro-American. When Bush lied to the nation and folks lost their loved ones over a war that should never have been, the Republicans as a whole and some others were okay with whatever he did, right or wrong. Regardless to what he did or said, there was never any of this stuff that's going on now. The President is doing the best he can with the mess he was left to clean up and that with very little cooperation from the folks who claim they do not want politics as usual. Where is the character that counts?

As a citizen, I find his behavior at best, intolerable. His right to free speech ended when the President of the United States had the floor. I hope he gets fully sanctioned without the benefits of the antihero mentality that so often results from this type of mob behavior. If I see him on Leno (or fill in the name), that will be the last time I watch. Great example of poor character.

I agree with Pam & Joel ... I feel the general public is tired of being deceived by those in public office. We want the government to work for us. I applaud Congressman Wilson for standing up for his constituents. If I'm not mistaken, he gave a public appology.

It seems that Congressmen with differing opinions have a chance to voice them both in a rebuttal (which is televised after the speech) and by their votes. I think it is wrong for a Congressman who should know better to make a loud outburst during the speech. He should have had the respect to keep his comment to himself and address it to the media after the speech when he could offer his proof. I wish politicians would do what is best for the people of the U.S. instead of doing what they perceive is best for their party.

Mr. Josephson, I am a big fan of yours and your commentaries and have always found your views to be right on. However, I think you have missed the point on this one. President Obama spoke of no provisions in the Health Care bill to allow illegal aliens to receive healthcare benefits, prompting Mr. Wilson's response. In fact there are no provisions in the bill to disallow benefits to illegals. Are you suggesting that we let someone, even if he is the President, lie to Congress and the entire nation on a national broadcast without calling him out? He has no problem calling out his opposition in the same venue. I hope your opinion was the same when President Bush spoke to Congress and warned them about the bankrupting of Medicare and the jeers he received during his speech. Let alone the name-calling that followed.

I became an independent because I don’t support extremism on either side. I enjoy the freedom to vote for candidates based on what they will do for our community /state /country … not blindly supporting them based on party or religious affiliation. The tactics the Republican Party has chosen to engage in, to discredit an elected U.S. President and disrupt our democratic process, exceed appalling. The actions of Congressman Wilson took this practice to a new level, showing the country and the world to what depths (or heights) the GOP is willing to go to disrupt and silence those who are not of their flock. True, Congressman Wilson’s behavior might seem mild in some other countries, but then I choose to think we are somehow better and more civilized. Hopefully, the next time the good citizens of South Carolina elect someone to represent them, they will have more information about the true character of the candidates. I have wondered why the Democrats don’t seem to be taking up the GOP’s negative tactics. Maybe more Democrats understand the importance and rewards from actually implementing a life of good character and positive religious values.

What has happened to integrity and values? Calling a liar a liar is nothing bad - the media and others presently tiptoe around the truth. Why is that okay for the Left to call regular citizens Nazies and teabaggers? I agree with Pam. Since when is it okay to take verbal abuse from the government and media and then get ridiculed for pointing out truths that disagree with them? Last I knew, we were a free speech nation. I commend the honorable Wilson in speaking up and calling B.O. a liar because that is what he is. Actually calling him a liar is only the tip of the iceberg (which the rest is unseen underwater). If we held people accountable for their actions more often, maybe some integrity and honor will return. Calling something by the correct name is not losing your character; it is having character. always stand for what is right, even if you are standing alone.

Michael, I have to agree that there is a growing toxic incivility in our culture. The congressman let his emotions get to him and spoke out because he knew what he was hearing from his perspective and experience on committees was not accurate. It was not the place for the comment, but it did generate discussion on an opposing view, all too ignored by mainstream media. If there was civil open debate on the issue, the truth (the best option for America) may finally be revealed. When the President indicated the time for debate is over, he left many of us frustrated.

Obama and the liberals come to power by the very tactics that this writing condemns. They lie, disrupt, manufacture outrage and manipulate the system with the only goal being victory and imposing their values on those of us who would like to be left alone. All the while they accuse the right of doing this instead of themselves. The right is far from innocent in this respect also.

It is unfortunate that this practice works, and I am disappointed to say that these tactics are probably necessary at this point to win the war of ideas given how those ideas are disseminated in our culture of 10 second sound bites and sub-literate voters.

Long term, education is our only defense against this kind of practice, and when we are educated enough as a society to think for ourselves and have a healthy distrust of what folks in the public sphere say, we may be able to tone down the practices and be more civil. I work to create this in my sphere of influence but am not holding my breath that we as a society will ever value individuals enough to try to educate rather than indoctrinate them and then have true respect for the diversity of opinions that result.

The only way to have true freedom and respect for each other is to stop imposing our values on others through the force of arms and political coalitions that create government programs and to create a government that levels the playing field and allows folks to pursue happiness without undue interference from someone who was better politically organized than themselves.

Society owes us almost nothing, and when we think we are entitled to the fruits of someone else's labor, a lot of bad things result.

Unless we find the ability to see and understand, if not accept, the other side's opinion in all matters, we are on the way to extreme polarization of our society. I have heard intelligence described as the ability to see both sides of a discussion while continuing to function. Are we witnessing a collective lack of intelligence in our country? Or is it simply that some, especially in the blogosphere, believe their opinions are so important that they rally the rabble with their ranting?
I don't know the answer, but I am convinced that many are being indoctrinated by few, and I blame the many for not questioning what they are fed indiscriminately.

Name-calling in any situation is disrespectful. However, when there is a twisting of the truth, using semantics to hide behind, someone (or all concerned citizens in this case) need to say something, but it needs to be constructive! It is deplorable that our President, the person who all American citizens should be able to hold in the highest esteem, is using his great powers of communication to sell the public with only partial truths. Shame on the congressman for his choice of words and timing of his actions. I personally am glad to know I am not the only one who has researched the healthcare reform bill and have found that the President's are misleading. Mr. Josephson, please write on how you feel the President's words and actions affect our nation as a whole and our approach not only to civility but to ethics as well. I for one believe it is not he whom I would ever use as public role model.

The President himself has displayed a disturbing pattern of incivility and intolerance for people who do not completely agree with him. Where is the moral outrage from Mr. Josephson and the elite media over the President's verbal assault on people who have the audacity to disagree with him? I couldn't agree more with an earlier post that claims "If it had been President Bush on the dais and a Democrat had shouted out an insult, he would have been praised as courageous, articulate and heroic figure by the mainstream media."

In his words, his actions and through his proxies, the President has systematically attacked traditional values and condemned his opponents as racists, rednecks, uneducated masses or worse. I believe these actions far outweigh any emotional outburst from a frustrated lawmaker, regardless of the venue in which it occurred.

I tend to agree with many of your responders: civility is a two-way street. You have two questions on the Web page with this commentary, and I cannot properly select any of the answers on one. I am for healthcare reform, but not the way it is currently proposed in bills before Congress. All of the extant bills create significant numbers of new government jobs to do nothing but meddle. President Obama promised us we could keep our current insurance, but there had to be a government-run option. As soon as there is a government-run option, the march will begin. One by one the private companies will drop out as they find it impossible to compete with the government. Why? Because the government will pay for all the administration (and there will be a huge amount of administration) with tax dollars and only charge the insured for the costs of healthcare. Further, they won't pay any taxes on anything they do. What private company can compete with that for very long? The government-run option will become the cheapest one out there and one by one will take over all the insured. And they will promulgate rules for coverage that will continually run up the costs for everyone else in the business -- already they are proposing taxes on those who offer the better policies.

Finally, I point to hypocrisy: in all the current bills before Congress, Congress exempts itself from having to follow any of the rules. Anyone who thinks about that one fact will realize that Congress can foresee the problems for you and me, and they don't want those problems for themselves.

Finally, to address the civility issue: I disagree with Mr. Wilson's calling out during the speech that President Obama is a liar. But I think it should be pointed out that the President was in fact not telling us the truth. Right now illegal aliens can get any healthcare they want by simply showing up at emergency rooms or free clinics. Under the bills before Congress, nothing changes that. But to help relieve pressure on ERs, some of the bills proposed have specific coverage options for illegals. That was the issue Mr. Wilson reacted to, and he was in fact right. At some point the President must live with the fact that all the bills in one way or another cover illegals, and saying otherwise was in fact a lie.

Civility and good manners puts partisanship aside. The ability to show good manners and character have absolutely nothing to do with which political party you support or what ideas you support or oppose. Civility and good manners means you listen when others are speaking. Booing and heckling are just as bad as cheering and clapping. Both are a listener's way of interrupting someone elses speech with their comments.

Did anyone listen to the speech? It was little more than name-calling and numerous falsities. Break it down to what it was, people. Mr Wilson sat there for nearly an hour while Obama called him a liar with little to no supporting evidence. Meanwhile Mr. Obama has repeatedly lied (won't take earmarks, will pull out of Iraq, won't interject race into his politics, etc.). Obama's words and his actions fully support Mr Wilson's statement: "You lie!"
Mr Wilson's statement was a direct response to a boldfaced lie. Obama claimed he wouldn't support insurance for illegal aliens. Republicans have twice submitted amendments to the present bills that would guarantee just that, and Obama's party rejected them. If you say one thing but do the opposite, you are lying, and thus a liar.
The fact that no one is even making the case that Mr. Wilson's assertion is wrong actually (in a perverse way) suggests that what makes something morally correct is not whether it's true or not, but how you say it. How ridiculous is that?

I don't think it was wise to call the President a liar during his speech, but I can certainly understand the frustration Congressman Wilson felt. Republicans have largely been excluded from the legislative process by the Democratic leadership; the GOP really doesn't have a voice in what goes on today in Washington. So is the president a liar? Well, at best he has forgotten a lot of what he promised us all on the campaign trail. The Obama administration will likely go down in history as the greatest disaster to ever befall freedom and capitalism in the United States of America.

Given that HB3200 specifically states that no subsidies will be given to illegal aliens to help them buy insurance, Wilson was wrong as well as rude. They may be able to buy insurance, as they can now, and better proof of legal status may be needed for subsidies. If one actually reads the bill, the intent not to cover them with taxpayer funds is clear.

There are certainly times, places, types of protests that are appropriate, but yelling "Liar" at the President during a joint session of Congress is not one of them. I have no problem with those who chose not to stand or applaud, to shake their heads, or to hold up bills or signs, but yelling "liar" was going to far. Obama was hard on those who have, at best, distorted the bill or publicly stated their obstructionism. But he didn't specifically call Sarah Palin a liar for her death panel remarks or specifically name Sen. Grassley for telling his constituents that his only purpose in being on the negotiation committee was to kill reform. Those who have followed this issue know about whom Obama was speaking, but he chose not to specifically condemn any individual by name in his speech. That's very different, and much more civil, than what Congressman Wilson did.

Regardless of whether you agree or not with what was being said, there is a time and place to make comments. This is just another example of the lack of respect people show/give in this country today. What is the difference between a congressman shouting out during a congressional speech or a 5th grader interrupting the principal during an assembly? Nothing. They both show a great lack of respect. I understand that in both cases, the person may not have earned the respect, but the positions deserve the respect. With all said and done, the congressman should go through basic training with the Marines. They will teach him to respect his superiors.

What is the appropriate response to blatant, pernicious, and repeated falsehoods by the president? Not only was the president lying, he was calling his opponents, members of the American public, people he is supposed to be serving, liars. Wilson's only mistake was his choice of venue. His apology was heartfelt, and I daresay he won't be acting like a Democrat again.

At least we have evolved from the days of the Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton duel that was the result of a long-standing political rivalry and ended in Hamilton's death. American politics have always been a contentious process where name- calling has been taught for generations...to wit, Saul Alinsky, a community organizer whose teachings included harsh sarcasm and name-calling in order to make political advances for the marginalized folk he supported. Ben Franklin was also no adversary to be challenged in a war of blue words. Joe Wilson was certainly within his rights when he said what he said. Was it polite and nice? No, it was not, but in case no one has noticed, we are really not a very polite and nice society.

I don't know what some of these people are talking about. Pam does not seem to know the difference between disagreeing and doing something that is never done, which is to interrupt the President when he is speaking.

I wonder how she would have reacted if someone had called George W. Bush a liar when he was President, given that we soon learned that he lied to us continuously and repeatedly to get us into a war with Iraq.

I find it especially ironic given that when Bush was President, if anyone disagreed with him, they were called a traitor.

As it happens, not only did Rep. Wilson violate protocol, but he was wrong. It is clearly stated in the Health Care Reform Bill that no one who is in this country illegally may participate in the public option.

In case anyone believes other myths, no, the bill does not state there will be death panels. By the way, Senator Grassley and other senior Republicans supported the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill that passed several years ago under President Bush. That bill included the same end-of-life counseling wording included in the new bill.

If they thought it was good then, why is it bad now?

Why are people talking about taking back the country when Obama has done very little to change what Bush was already doing?

Does this tie into who is behind all of these lies about death panels, illegal aliens and the like?

Given that Representative Wilson happens to be a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans, a group that defends slavery as being harmless and promotes secession, I think it is time to start calling the mindless opposition to President Obama what it really is, racism.

While I don't condone the outburst of Congressman Wilson during President Obama's speech, I think it inappropriate to say he called the president a "liar." There's a difference between labeling a person and identifying a behavior. It's the same with people with same-sex attraction. We have come to call them gay or lesbian, as if that behavior defines them as a person. And some may not care about that labeling. But we should be careful to identify a behavior as just that, not as a defining characteristic of a person. Congressman Wilson did not call the president a liar; he said he lied. Big difference.

Sad but true that civility has disappeared. But it was long gone before Wilson made his comment. While calling the President a liar in that outburst was inappropriate for the decorum of the moment, when HR 3200 is analyzed by the nonpartisan congressional analysts, Wilson was right and President Obama was wrong. President Obama called everyone on the right on this issue liars during the speech, but other than his own personal assurances, provided no facts (page & line) to show that. Those he contends are liars have referred to page and line wording as well as the left's refusal to have teeth in the bill to exclude covering undocumented aliens.
Take some time to listen to presidential speeches by his predecessor and the similar outbursts by the left back then. No one apologized then. In fact, Harry Reid later had opportunity to apologize and instead reiterated that Bush was a "loser and a liar." I am not defending Bush here, he's not the issue. Civility is, and until everyone decides to be civil (which I fear may be lost on this earth), this appears to be how it is.
Michael, before excoriating Wilson and calling what he did a "landmark," we need to consider the history of how we got here to determine how we can return to civility. And that means looking at both the left and the right.

As I returned to the polls you posted, I was disappointed at the options provided. Recognizing that the options must be limited, please stand back and really consider them. They follow the polarity that is at least partially to blame for this incivility. This is so, particularly with reference to "disruption." The left has long said that disruption is good - when it was against the war, Bush, etc. See Nancy Pelosi's statement a few years ago as an example, not my opinion of fact. But now that the left is being disrupted, it is okay to call disrupters evilmongers and anti-American. Who is elevating the incivility here?

There are proper ways to express your views and then there are improper ways. He is a congressman representing thousands of people. He should have had enough self-respect and control to stop himself from shouting out an obscenity. It's okay to disagree, this is a democratic society. However, to shout out like that shows he has no control over his emotions and he could not wait to express his views in a more appropriate forum. They say Ronald Reagan would not take off his jacket in the oval office. He said it was because he had the highest respect for the office that he was holding. That is the kind of integrity a leader should have. I am afraid the congressman who is in a position of leadership set the wrong example.

But Obama was lying as was pointed out above. God bless Joe Wilson. Without his comment, people would have gone on to believe what Obama said. What I am unhappy about is that he felt the need to apologize. Why are applause and standing ovations all right, but disagreeing (especially if an untruth is being uttered) is not?

Although I didn't like or approve of Wilson yelling out at the President, I think it was wrong and an apology was warranted. As much as I disagree with Mr. Obama, we should still treat him with the kind of respect we would want to be treated with.

I did have a very hard time holding back myself from yelling out as the president repeatedly misrepresented, misled and down and outright lied, yes lied, throughout that whole speech. It just seemed so unfair for him to have that pulpit unabashed to spew out all of that nonsense.

And then they wonder why folks are getting upset and angry. Because most folks don't like being lied to and having stuff rammed done their throats in this manner. All I know is I hope Obama fails, yes fails, in trying to socialize our healthcare and fails in growing the federal government in ways we have never imagined.

Civility is what separates us Americans from others. Or at least it did in the past. Regretfully, the actions of Mr. Wilson clearly demonstrate that this is the state of our present-day society.

The good news is: "Sunshine is the best disinfectant."
-- Supreme Court Justice Martin D. Brandies, 1935.

I agree that it is disrespectful and rude considering what Congressman Wilson did. However, I also know this isn't the first time this has happened in recent history (my generation). What happened to the Democrats who heckled President Bush in a 2005 speech to Congress? Or how about the Dems who walked out in protest to President Ford's speech in '75? Why are the Republicans always villainized when they do something wrong but the Democrats get a free pass? President Obama is taking this nation down, but only conservative commentators blow the whistle. Maybe it takes someone like Mr. Wilson to bring it to the forefront of the American people to wake up those who oppose government control. Maybe it was rude, but since when does the Democrat side of the aisle play by the rules? If Patrick Henry were to stand up today and say "Give me liberty or give me death," the current Congress and media would surely grant him the latter.

I am uncertain as to the level of public discourse prior to the administration of G W Bush, but what I have observed over the past six years has been appalling. Those who questioned the former president's wisdom were attacked as anti-American and pro-terrorist. The condemnation of the current president while he was yet a minor (and negligible?) candidate, and has not ceased.

I have witnessed terrible behavior by both supporters and opponents of the policies of the former president, but there are differences in timing. It took, if I recall correctly, several years for the mainstream of the left to condemn the former president, while many of those condemning the current president began doing so while he was yet a candidate.

I'm a 55-year-old male who served in the US Navy during the Vietnam withdrawal (1973). I love this country!

Freedom of speech must include Congress.

Calling President Obama a "liar" during his address to the House of Representatives was disrespectful to the office of the President, however, it fit the man in the office. Under the circumstances, calling anyone a liar to their face is not as bad as saying it behind their back (that would be gossip/slander).

When the government -- in this case the executive branch -- shows contempt to the American people and disrespects those who poured blood from family veins fighting in WW1, WW2 and other wars that followed (I refer to Obama's apology to Europe for Americans' behavior), then the people have the right to speak freely, even during the President's speech. To call a man a liar or traitor in front of everyone is appropriate if the lies undermine the well-being of this country and our people at large.

Everyone, especially those charged with power such as the President, need to be exposed for who they are. The President now has a chance to defend himself and explain why he speaks the truth. Otherwise, many will suspect him a liar. Calling someone a liar does not mean they are a liar, but in a position of power, when accused from an elected official, then Obama should respond to defend his character.

Personally, I believe Obama is misguided. Though intelligent, he seems to lack the core love of country (as demonstrated through his actions and words) that I would expect from a President. He seems to have a grudge against America because of our stained past.

Americans can stand tall and be proud of who we are today. We give enormous funding to other countries and shed blood on foreign soil to protect the freedom and lives of others. We value the freedom and liberty of individuals.

I am very happy that our founding fathers set up three branches of government so one man can't undo all that we so love in this country. It's time for the majority to stand up and voice our opinion and vote for our core beliefs when elections are upon us. It's time to take back America for the people.

The government (both Dems & Reps) stopped listening to the people a long time ago. Maybe longer than we realize..
All that is important to politicians is getting reelected. Because of this, they will do or say whatever it takes to get back in power.
We can keep talking about ethics, civility, and protocol all day long. It's doubtful our elected officials will become any more enlightened than they are already.
Just keep defending your favorite flavor of political hero.
Later, you will take great comfort in the fact that you had the courage to debate amongst yourselves the merits of ethics, civility, and protocol at the same time you were getting fleeced. In the end, it will have been enough to make a difference, right?

Stand up and speak the truth. Will be interesting to see if Obama ever apologizes for the ongoing program of incivility and castigation of all citizens who dare disagree, even resorting to accusations of racism.

Why did you select to call out the Republican who spoke out loud against President Obama at his recent healthcare speech when at the State of the Union speech in 2005 given by George W. Bush, the Democrats booed and heckled the President and you said nothing?

You did not call them out by name and reprimand them for uncivil behavior. Why? Remember, Character Counts in all situations, even if it is the Democrats misbehaving.

I wonder if Mr. Josephson was as disgusted and appalled by the constant vitriolic attacks on former President Bush, the military, and Americans who disagree with liberals (namely the late Senator Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama, and company) as he is with Congressman Wilson's outburst. One of Obama's many campaign promises was to bring back civility to Washington politics. Has that happened? If so, I do not see any evidence to date. Did Congressman Wilson speak an untruth? No. Obama is a liar. Congressman Wilson is as disgusted with President Obama's antics as am I. Congressman Wilson should be censured only when Obama and company receive the same treatment. If this makes uncivil, so be it.

On this eighth anniversary of such a major tragedy in American and so many lives lost that day and since to fight foreign terrorists who wish America harm, it breaks my heart to read hate in so many comments. Long ago, Nikita Khrushchev said Russia need not destroy America--we would destroy ourselves. Is that where we are now? This USA of bitter hatred and shouting and disrespect is not the country my grandparents risked so much for when they came here (legally for all you anti-immigrant people) in the early 1900s. I never voted for George H. Bush, but once he was elected, he was my president. I agreed with some of his policies, but not all, and he was still my president. President Barack Obama has been duly elected, and you may disagree with him--you're right as an American, guaranteed by the First Amendment. But he is still your president. He is still our president. We need not fear the terrorists from outside--the terror is in our own hateful hearts.

To those of you praise Congressman Joe Wilson's actions and who also cry that President Obama is a liar, I would like to ask you, deep within your hearts, how much of this is about race? How much of this is about an African-American leading this country -- effectively having higher seniority than you do, much like what may have sadly frustrated you in the workplace? How much of this is about this particular African-American having a white mother and being mixed race, where in some parts of this country such mixing of races is still condemned? How much of this is about not wanting to be told to do something by a black man? How much of this is about not wanting a black family to move into your neighborhood, let alone into the White House? How much of this is about your deeply held (and rather paranoid) beliefs of reverse discrimination? How much of this is about your beliefs in supremacy of your particular race, perhaps even Biblically infused by some bizarre scriptural interpretation implying this black man has a link to the mark of Cain or to the anti-Christ? How much of this is about any of the above? One does not need to peer through a hood to engender such hate within their hearts.

I think Congressman Wilson's calling Obama a liar was not the place or time for it. I'm sure if he wanted, he could have made the same comment in a separate interview or press conference or whatever. But at the same time, I think in doing that, he may have opened up more eyes about the proposed healthcare reform and how illegal immigrants are involved. Personally, I think it is pretty pathetic that he had to publicly apologize. He heard something he believed to be wrong and reacted, which is something we are all capable of. I agree with one of the other posts that if the Democrats are allowed to cheer and chant, those who oppose should be able to speak up as well. Granted, it was not a debate, but with how scummy and shady politicians are today, we need the Congressman Wilsons of the world to shed some light on what may not be true.

The incident that occurred in Congress by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) illustrates the consequences of a blurring line between illegal immigration and healthcare. Our politicians have been alerted to the angry voices of the American people. For once they have disregarded the business campaign contributors and all the cloaked gifts given for services rendered by special interest lobbyists. Millions of US citizens are enraged with the status quo buying favors from our representatives that has led to our wilting economy. Today, speaking on behalf of Washington committees on healthcare, the lawmaking emphasized that illegal aliens cannot access the new health reform package, that any person applying will be checked through government databases.

E-Verify might be implemented for this very issue because it has shown in the majority of cases remarkable successes in remove illegal alien workers from the working environment. E-Verify can solve this problem and bring sanity back to immigration enforcement. E-verification of each and every American worker must be made permanent, not just voluntary policy, but as a full force of operation carrying strict penalties. This operation will work under federal policies. But what about state laws? California as an example is a sanctuary state for millions of illegal immigrants and their families. Other border states are also occupied by large proportions of unlawful populations of foreign nationals.

This last year has culminated in huge financial losses in California caused by millions of low-income illegal aliens, which has created a third world community within the United States. There must be federal measures to bring under control massive spending benefits for people who have no right from benefiting from those who come here legally or were born here. How can any public healthcare option work at a state level when states like California ignore federal law, regarding financial refuge to indigent people? Our own people remain homeless and in many cases without hope when legislators have prioritized healthcare, education an overloaded jail system and easy welfare money for illegal immigrants.

The once golden state has been using taxpayer money to support illegal aliens when the same expenditures should have been adopted for a collapsing infrastructure. Highways, schools, tunnels, bridges and dams in a dangerous state of disrepair. Our legislators in many cases have been seduced by lobbyists and should be banned from any contact with our politicians. This will never happen, but something must be done. Millions have been spent on derailing the healthcare reform currently and in the past as has immigration enforcement. Rescinding 287(g) federal training for local police enforcement of immigration laws, the no match letter and the cutting back on ICE raids on obnoxious businesses using foreign workers.

The order to crush E-verify was given to Sen.Harry Reid, Speaker Pelosi, Janet Napolitano, but narrowly survived in the Senate chambers. Both political parties are equally to blame for not enforcing the 1986 Immigration Control & Reform Act that was inundated with fraud and a desire to weaken the laws. Now they want to rescind that law, offering yet another reform package that will never function. Let’s not kid ourselves. Huge veiled forces are at work to import as much cheap labor as possible with no restraints, lowering wages and an unconscionable burden on taxpayers.

Don't let the powers in Washington whitewash the facts. Demand the original designed fence and the full implementation of E-verify 287 (g), the Save Act as written, the 1986 Simpson/Mazzoli bill, and amend them if need be. No more immigration reform. Do the job they were voted for. Call your politicians at 202-224-3121 and demand these laws before it's too late. More answers found at Numbersusa and Judicial Watch.

I am very surprised and disappointed to see that 45% of the Character Counts readers voted that they are for Obama's healthcare reform. You are signing up for the govt to run your life for you. Please get informed. This is a very scary time for America and our freedoms, esp. if this passes. You, your aged parents and grandparents and your children will not get the care they will need. Other countries with socialized medicine have to come here for their medical care because they cannot wait yrs for their surgeries, etc. Please become informed on what it really says. If you want the truth about what's really going on in our country, check out sources like The Drudge Report, books like Brotherhood of Darkness, Masters of Deceit, Fleeced and anything by Glenn Beck, O'Reilly, Limbaugh and pray for our country.

It's interesting how many Character Counts readers are interested in good character and find it outrageous that Wilson would call Obama a liar when that is exactly what he is doing - lying! We have to state our beliefs, fight for our rights and our freedoms, even if we have to shout it out to be heard. So it seems it's OK to lie and cheat and overspend to destroy our free and capitalist country -- the best country in the world. But it's such a catastrophe to call a liar a liar?

Wow, as I read through the above comments, it appears that the original issue of civility and what it means to show respect in a civil society was never even considered by many of the writers. The conversations once again devolved into name-calling and vitriol. However, one point that jumped out at me, particularly since we are writing on a website that is all about ethics, character and moral behavior and values, is that there are those who seemingly would leave a bleeding person in the middle of the road while they demand citizenship papers. And if the person proves to be illegal? What then? Do you let him die? Do you kick his wounds and tell him to go back where he came from? Mr. Josephson, I believe this is an appropriate moral question under the circumstances, as volatile as the responses will be. Regardless of one's beliefs about this whole healthcare debate, if a person is injured or ill, our hospitals and healthcare workers still have a moral (and legal) imperative to treat the injured person. To not treat this person medically would seem to be the ultimate act of incivility.

Did you have the same level of disgust when the congressmen opposing President Bush would "boo" and grumble during his addresses? I don't remember reading anything about that incivility. I think the only problem with Joe Wilson's remark was that it stood alone. No other congressmen made a peep. So, alas, he did need to apologize and he appropriately did. Besides, he didn't name-call, he said "You lie." Much, much different.

If we are going to ask congressmen who disagree with what's being said to remain silent, then I believe strongly that we should ask everyone to remain silent during Presidential addresses. To ask others to wait for 41 standing ovations and never make a peep is not fair.

You are a hypocrite.

I think freedom of speech and expression is wonderful and one of the most important components of a good system of government. When I see the incivility and the media coverage, I feel we are encouraging a breakdown of our morality. Respect is a crucial component of free speech and expression. I worked for a lawyer who told me when you have the facts on your side, you voice them. When the law supports you, you harp on it, and when you have nothing, just make a lot of noise. I found another job.

Mr. Josephson's commentary was dead on. But, sadly, it seems many here have missed the point. It is not a partisan thing. The lack of civility in public discourse, particularly in relation to politics, is a growing cancer. It has nothing to do with whether it was President Obama being called a liar by a U.S. Congressman or if it had been President Bush. It is disrespectful and is as damaging to America as any terrorist attack. Perhaps even more so. This is indeed a turning point, but I fear from some of the ignorant, partisan-based comments here that we are heading down the wrong path and not heeding this warning.

I am neither opposed to nor in favor of healthcare reform. I am not in favor of name-calling in Congress or anywhere else. I understand that Mr. Wilson has apologized to the President privately and publicly several times for the insult and is being called on to submit several more apologies. Let us accept his apologies and forgive him.

The situation I see is this:

- A President addressing Congress makes statements that a class of criminals will not receive federal benefits knowing that his allies have fought and successfully blocked the mechanisms to ensure compliance.

- A Congressman recognizing this commission of falsehood to the nation shouts out "You lie" at the man who is knowingly telling a falsehood.

- The Congressman is condemned for the statement.

- The President is not taken to task for telling the falsehood that prompted the outburst.

In judging the character issue, there are several concerns to be evaluated that gives both men a poor rating. I submit, though, that President Obama is the true moral problem here. The three issues I see are this:

- A national leader (Obama) knowingly lies to the people to obtain his and his party's ends.
- A servant of the people (Wilson) acts with blatant disrespect to the office of the highest elected official of the nation in public.
- The media does not treat the offenses with full, fair, and probing investigation and report fairly on whether it was in fact a lie being told.

Let's deal with Congressman Wilson first. The office of the President of the US is worthy of the respect of every citizen. You may not like the holder of the office, but each of us is bound out of respect for the nation and its principles to hold it in high regard and treat it with respect. Wilson should have chosen a time and place where his view on the truth of the statements could be aired separate from when they were being given. (grade C-)

President Obama deserves the greatest amount of censure for making statements in the face of the fact that his allies turned back all attempts to make certain that his statement would be true. If you make a statement knowing it cannot be carried out, you are making a fraudulent statement (i.e., a lie). President Obama did not even acknowledge that his party was successfully turning away enforcement mechanisms and insist that they stop so his statement could be made with confidence that it was true. (grade F)

The media has all the facts of the votes and debates on the enforcement mechanisms. However, they chose to ignore the substance of the statement and countered in favor of creating a story of how it was challenged. Journalists have an obligation of integrity that appears sadly lacking in our current society.

In my opinion, for the President to make statements that are both false (illegal aliens will use federal healthcare since they cannot be found out) and easily detected (the voting and debate records exist), he suffers the greatest character challenge and proves wanting.

Michael, sadly, my pre-election assessment that Obama speaks out of both sides of his mouth has not been proved wrong. I do believe that you, too, have fallen into the same trap, i.e., the double standard applied to the protests during President Bush's 2005 address (where was the outrage then?) and to Congressman Wilson's outburst at President Obama's most recent address to Congress. And the difference is? Per our Constitution, freedom of speech remains freedom of speech, civil or not.

What a wonderful country we live in.
Has anyone ever listened to a session of the British Parliament?

Mr. Wilson has the right to speak out. His background, education and position allows him to. The timing here again was questionable, as he did apologize to the President. What I cannot figure out is why he is being labeled a racist while his comment is plausible, correct and as the heathcare document is written true. Politics today are very definitive and pointed. Without a doubt, America is not taking anything for granted anymore. So many Americans have lost everything due to their own decision-making and due to the unscrupulous abilities of criminal acts.

Since the industrial age we have had thugs, demons and bad guys. Some do not see it, others applaud it. We are America. Our Constitution stresses we should speak out against issues that affect our lives. Civility must be maintained, otherwise we are no better then our opponent.

In closing, the Presidency should be respected. Rising up against what you believe in is a must. Big government is not our answer. Clean air to breath, protecting our shores, and having clean water to drink are government's responsibilties. There is a deminition rate of return on everything else while our American citizens can carry the torch on the rest.

A lack of civility is one of the biggest curses in our society today. At school where I work, this behavior is called bullying, and we have signs everywhere decrying this deplorable behavior. Then our kids see elected officials display the same disrespect on the floor of a joint session of Congress. I wonder how we came to the decision that he who yells the loudest is right. Educated people should be able to talk past their differences to find solutions to problems. When the issues become more important than the partisan groups' status, America may once again become the nation our founding fathers worked to create.

Merely two words, of truth, and the First Amendment.

Wilson did not call President Obama a liar. He said, "You lie."

The 1st Amendment applies to speech, whether civil, political, insult, or otherwise; it works both ways. One may yell "Fire" in a crowded theater only when that theater is burning.

We have an over-abundance of laws to apply when the spoken or written word infringes one's rights. But Wilson did no such thing.

I believe you are correct in stating that the decay in our society's civility quotient should be of concern. I try to teach my children to be civil and give people their due respect and to focus on the issue and not the person in confrontational situations so it does not turn into a personal attack. I think civility is a value that I have and share with my family, but there are instances where the ordinal position of this value (and in most cases) does not take a backseat to the truth. But I do believe if a person takes a position of public trust and along with it certain rules and guidelines, they must adhere to them and not break the rules just because they have a strong opinion about a policy issue or suffer the consequences (as is the case with Congressman Wilson). As much as I respect the office of the President, I believe our forefathers chose this title over king or monarch so the people would not be a slave to protocol, civility, or live in fear to disagree publicly with the President for fear of sanctions, punishment, or worse. I think when the leader of our country states, "Some of people's concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim, made not just by radio and cable talk-show hosts, but prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Such a charge would be laughable if it weren't so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple," has he not intentionally misconstrued this issue so he could call conservative radio, cable talk-show hosts, and prominent conservative politicians liars? Why not be civil and say they just do not fully understand the bill I am proposing? If civility is a value you hold dear and I believe you do, then please hold everyone accountable to your standard, even if the person in question is the President. I would think he would be held to a much higher standard than even a Congressman, Senator, radio or cable TV host. I know the President has to be held accountable by the people, the courts, and the legislature otherwise he could rule the land and not govern the people, which is why I believe we left the mother country in the first place.

I believe people in Congress are prompted for a purpose. If they can create sympathy for Obama, the hard questions will never be addressed.
Such as how can we have national healthcare without healthcare reform? Multi-billion dollar drug companies will syphon off middle-class assets. I also believe NHC is a front for a national implanted chip and euthanasia.
But I agree whole-heartedly with Michael that Character Counts!

I believe in freedom of speech--but in a civil manner. It is against the law to shout "Fire!" in a theater or auditorium when no fire is present. Is that denying one their privilege of freedom of speech? I think not. It has been proved, in fact, that President Obama had not lied. Rep. Wilson served in the military, I understand, and to speak to his Commander in Chief in such a manner is bordering on treason. There was a large contingent who obviously came to the joint session with the intent to disrupt. They waved their papers (whatever they might have been) and had preprinted signs of disrespect that they held up. Respect for the Congress and for the President and for the audience watching was breached. Respect for one another is never out of order. I will protest if I feel a need to, but I will do it within the bounds of decency and respect.

The outburst by the congressman last week was amazingly, awfully disrespectful. It isn't done. And his apology was insignificant and silly. There is no excuse. Please don't throw around phrases like "freedom of speech" for unacceptable, impolite, impolitic behavior. You never call out to your leader in public and slander him/her. Sheeesh.

Would we be as upset if he would have hollered "That's not true"? It is only slander if it is untrue (in response to Lesley's posting).
As an RN working in a hospital (which includes working in the ER), I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that all are treated regardless of citizenship or ability to pay. Will this federal law be repealed if the healthcare bill passes? If not, that does indeed present us with an untruth. If so, we should be informed, and it presents quite another issue with our basic civilities as to whether we provide treatment to patients who are hemorrhaging based on whether or not they are U.S. citizens!

Some insist on bringing up race. An African-American president. Let's consider the facts about that. Our president is 1/2 white. Raised mostly in Kansas by his white mother and grandparents. He never knew his African father. It's not as if he grew up in Harlem, Watts or inner-city Chicago.

My esteem of President Carter was taken down a couple notches when he threw the race card into the fray of things. Certainly there are racists and bigots around, but face it, Obama won a majority. Interestingly, I saw figures that Southern white voters voted only about 10% or maybe in the low teens for Obama while Northern whites voted in very high percentages for him.

Overall, if people don't like the healthcare plan, why can't it simply be that they don't like the healthcare plan and that there are serious issues that need to be hammered out?

I am more upset over former President Carter's remarks than over the congressional uproar. Yes, I think it was disrespectful to yell out during the session. I heard eight years of disrespect for former President Bush while no one seemed to be bothered much by that. He was called stupid. He was called a liar. He was accused of having engineered the 9-11 terrorist attack. He was the butt of many jokes. Where was the outrage?
I am not racist for not liking what I see in the Obama healthcare plan, regardless of what Jimmy Carter said. I don't like the proposed healthcare "reform" being rammed down America's throat. I don't like many points being written into that bill. Many of the congresspersons writing the bill are white. Who cares? I think it is not a good bill. Mr. Obama needs to quit posturing and trying to ramrod this with a short deadline. Give Congress (we elected them also) a chance to really read the bill, work on it, hammer out a better one...then pass it. That would certainly improve President Obama's image with Americans of all colors.

debralston needs to know that my rights to free speech, or hers for that matter, do not end when the President has the floor. Maybe Joe Wilson should have kept his composure, but how much longer can someone keep their composure when this so-called leader is trying to give more and more of my hard-earned dollars to people who will not or just plain refuse to work for what they want or need? I and many other Americans say that if the illegal aliens would just pay taxes like we do, they would accept them. Immigrants from the turn of the century paid their taxes and their fair share, but that is not happening today. Real character means you accept responsibility for your actions, you pay for whatever you have, and you believe the US government is not your mama and daddy. Joe Wilson accepted responsibility and apologized, and the President accepted it. Sounds like more character to me than most of the comments posted here. I hope we continue to believe in personal responsibility and not more and more government interference and entitlement.

It's funny how one can easily tell who backs whom by reading their commentary. The Republican backers all seem outraged at an apparent onslaught of lies told by Obama in his speech and are quick to excuse or lightly gloss over Mr. Wilson's outburst. Democratic backers seem outraged at Mr. Wilson's lack of composure and insulting outburst but do not seem to question the validity of any statement Obama made in his speech. Does anyone really know or care that they are responding to a show made by two parties? The show is somewhat similar to professional wrestling, with suits and words instead of costumes and steroids. Politicians are publicly enemies and privately friends, who eat, drink and play golf together.

Politicians hang out together and say inflammatory things about each other in public to play on your fears. Most of the voters in this country use their vote as a vote against the party that they trust the least. Why do any of them deserve your trust if they are collectively playing with your mind? As Americans, you've been indoctrinated into contributing your vote to what most Americans consider "the lesser of two evils." (Not to mention many of you sacrifice your dignity with unreasonable bias that shows a lack of objectivity.) The public should demand more from politicians who abuse their trust and not look at themselves as a protector of any party from attacks by the other.

Unethical behavior is an unfortunate byproduct of our self-absorbed and entitled society. What is one to do when conditioned that the highest offices in this country continuously exhibit unethical and immoral behavior? I am continually amazed (or not) that a broad contingency of congressional members (and higher) do wrong. The front line of wrongdoers is very deep. I am sickened and so should you be. Is behavior not taught? If so, what does your Institute expect of the public?
I sincerely wish you would spend some time addressing the misgivings Americans have toward the individuals who affect our legal and financial future...the leaders of this country. I sincerely feel the public has been sold downstream. We are on a spiral out of control. Read almost any paper...it seems endless. America will prosper; just not according to the ethics you preach. Good luck and God help and bless America.

A view from November 5, 2004, to add context to the discussion:

Given the current elections, and the issues (anti-gay marriage, abortion) that apparently motivated the voters who brought the election to Bush, I feel very much like a stranger in a veery strange land.

I read that one West Virginia Republican informed an interviewer that he was voting for Bush "because he's good." When asked whether he then believed John Kerry was evil, he paused and said, "Yeah."

I suppose these pages might be read by those who believe anyone against G.W. Bush is evil, against God or against America. Obviously I can't give an unbiased opinion of whether or not I'm evil, and the opinions of my Republican mother and various Republican friends wouldn't count as the relationship precludes unbias.
As to being against God or against America, I am a devout Christian with a strong respect for American traditions and history. I believe that Thomas Paine was as American as Alexander Hamilton, that John C. Calhoun was as American as John Brown. If you're up on your American history, you'll realize that I've chosen people whose viewpoints and actions were radically opposed (and with which I perhaps may not agree).

Current note on the healthcare debate: As one who has dealt with long periods of unemployment and insufficient income and/or insurance, my choice would certainly not have been to take money from others, but the suggestion that such situations (unemployment, low income) are matters of personal choice are as disturbing to me as the Congressman's statement.

I have friends who are unemployable due to emotional and psychological issues. My son has dealt with radically insufficient income (while working more than full time) since 2007. My own health insurance has been changed more than once as my employers have decided to end policies with former providers.

Wouldn't the world be a better place if someone had stood up and called Adolf Hitler a liar? Or Jim Jones? Or even GW Bush? Sometimes it's the only thing left to do when all else has failed. Or should we ignore our ethics, morals and responsibilities in favor of decorum?

I have been listening to your commentaries on KNX radio in the morning as I drive to work. It's so refreshing to hear such good things, amidst the news of murders, financial woes, immorality, etc. I especially agreed with your comments about how uncivil our society has become. Just watching ads about TV sitcoms or reality shows (I don't watch the shows themselves) disgust me because the characters are so rude and disrespectful. And it's supposed to be funny. I hope you'll keep up your good work and help the world be a more civilized place. I have just subscribed to your newsletter and look forward to implementing some of your lesson plans as I teach 2nd grade students. Thank you for standing up for something good. Good character!

I'm concerned about the fact that President Barack Obama is not being forthcoming with his birth certificate. I voted for him but am now questioning my decision because of this and other moral and ethical issues.

Will you please discuss this on one of your "Character Counts" radio commentaries? I respect your opinion and would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

Dear Phyllis: This claim of Barack Obama not being a U.S. citizen has been proven to be false more than once with his Certificate of Live Birth and with the historical evidence of the publishing of his birth in a newspaper of record in HI. The people who deny his citizenship claim there is a difference between a birth certificate and a certificate of live birth. The differentiation is in name only, and both serve the purpose as documentation of the location of birth. I live and was born in California and to prove it I have a Certificate of Live Birth. I am a citizen of the United States of America. Also, the President has been more than forthcoming about this fact. This issue is truly a matter of fact and not opinion. Please study up on the difference between fact and opinion. I also hope that you and other doubters educate yourselves on the subtle differences in reporting of important events among the different states in the United States of America. In my opinion this argument is as ridiculous as claiming the Holocaust never happened. The evidence is what it is and - it is irrefutable.