I was appalled yet not surprised by the outburst of Congressman Joe Wilson during the president’s speech. The totally uncouth act only strengthened my resolve that our state’s representation in Washington is questionable at best. It seems as if he would rather engage in a little partisan politics and “international showboating” than to intelligently deal with the many problems that our great nation faces.

It is no great wonder why our dear state lags behind the nation in every meaningful category. The incident made me ponder as to why Wilson, as a duly elected representative of our state, did not find it appropriate to tell our governor “You lie!” when he was caught “red-handed” and “red-faced” following his Brazilian “escapades” with his “soul mate” and floundering of the taxpayers’ money on numerous flights.

Wilson seems to be somewhat selective in issuing his opinions on matters that are newsworthy and are of state and national interest. Surely his outburst would have been more accurate if it was aimed at our embattled governor. His comment reeked with the stench of prejudice that reminds us of our not-too-distant past when a comment of that nature would have been applauded.

It seems unfathomable that a man thought to be a “Gentleman of the South” would stoop to such a low level to perpetuate his party’s agenda of dispensing misinformation and to create mistrust among those who are apparently not very aware of what the proposed health care legislation actually consists of.

Wilson’s total disrespect of the president was intentional and as far as I am concerned was a planned event orchestrated in front of a national audience to put an exclamation point on the GOP’s opposition to any meaningful health care plan being passed during the current administration. He probably will receive many accolades from his cronies behind closed doors for his unwittingly blatant comment to the president, who, whether you like it or not, was legally elected to the highest office in the land.

One has to wonder if a man of supposedly average intelligence really thought for a nanosecond how he would put our state in the national spotlight yet again for questionable behavior. His comment was taken by many with the desired effect that he obviously meant. President Barack Obama handled the incident with the grace that one expects of someone entrusted to serve in such a lofty position. Kudos to our president! Wilson’s apology for his inappropriate behavior following urging by his party’s elite emphasized his true visible reflections of his inner feelings. Sorry, Mr. Wilson, “APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED.”

— Harold Thomas, Orangeburg

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