Rep. Joe Wilson violated the code of ethics of the Congress. He humiliated both himself, the Republican party (which is pretty hard to top these days) and the State of South Carolina – which seems to be a collective state of embarrassment to the GOP.
This comes via a TPM link:
Parliamentary Outreach Program
RULES OF DECORUM & DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
MEMBERS MUST:* Address themselves solely and directly to the Chair. They may not address other Members, individuals in the gallery, or persons who might be observing through the media.
* Refer to Members by state, not by name.
* Avoid characterizing another Member’s personal intent or motives and discussing personalities.
* Refrain from speaking disrespectfully of the Speaker, other Members, the President or Vice President.
* Refrain from referring to the official conduct of other Members where such conduct is not under consideration by way of a report of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or as a question of the privilege of the House.
* Refrain from referring to the specific votes of particular Senators.
* Refrain from using profane or vulgar language.
* Avoid walking in the well when a Member is speaking.
* Ensure that all handouts distributed on the floor or adjacent rooms comport with the rules of propriety for spoken words, and that all handouts bear the name of the authorizing Member.
* Refrain from eating, smoking, or using electronic equipment, including cellular phones or lap top computers, on the floor.
* Wear appropriate business attire.
NOTE — Debate which violates the rules of decorum may result in a Member’s words being taken down.
FLOOR ACCESS RULES:
* Former Members are prohibited from being on the floor (including the Speaker’s Lobby and cloakrooms) if any matter in which they have a personal or pecuniary interest or are employed or retained as a lobbyist is pending before the House. Matters are considered pending once full or subcommittee hearings have been held, or once a bill or resolution has been called up by a full or subcommittee.
* Committee staff are permitted on the floor only during the consideration of measures reported from their committees. A maximum of five committee staff (for the majority and minority) is permitted.
* Personal staff are not permitted on the floor of the House except when their Member has an amendment actually pending under the five-minute rule. A Member offering an amendment under the five-minute rule may be accompanied by one personal staff Member.
* Staff are not permitted to pass out literature or otherwise attempt to influence Members or their votes.
I’d say that Joe royally poked the pooch tonight. He should be made to pay. As long as the SC Senate and House are trying to dump Sanford for his Argentine mistress they may as well add Joe Wilson to the effort for his canine mistress.
SHould we start the effort here or combine with as many other sites as possible as fast as possible to show the whack-jobs that we can weild a hatchet as skillfully and quickly as they can. It’s payback time for Van the Man.
Anyone onboard?
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South Carolina is getting to be a Republican house of jokes. Let’s help them lighten the load.
I heard that it was actually an Argentine chihuahua that Joe had stashed in his pants that made him burst out “You lie!”. Too little, too late. Now the whole world knows.
Do you think Fox or Beck will cover Joe’s censurable moment? Do you think pigs will fly?