House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has released an updated
primer for members so that they can act prim and proper for the government. In particular, members do not enjoy the free speech enough to say "liar" or "sexual misconduct" to a president. And, liar might refer to whom? And, sexual misconduct may refer to whom? I think we see the point, these are things you can not say to Obama or Clinton respectively. Although language and condemnation were much worse during the last administration the rules did not seem to apply although they were first promulgated in 1909. The restriction on free speech in Congress begins now.
Representative Joe Wilson is the first congressman in history to be formally rebuked for behavior toward a president in the chamber. On a political point of disagreement, Wilson was rebuked for calling Obama a "liar;" of course, Obama can name-call who he chooses since there is a double-standard at work here. In an off-the-cuff tape obtained by TMZ, Obama says the media representatives said: "cut the president some slack."
Obama called entertainer Kanye West a "jackass."
Offensive language is reserved for only a few, favored persons. Representative Pete Starke called Bush a "liar" twice; the rebuke was not official, the Chair simply reminded Starke not to engage in remarks directed against Bush as a person.
Listen to Representative Wilson yourself: