That Was, Simply Put, Reprehensible Behavior

lessons learned, politics, United States 1 Minute

It wasn’t as bad as January 6, 2021, but man, was it terrible.

I don’t even want to mention their names, but two members of the U.S. House of Representatives embarrassed themselves, and our nation, during President Biden’s State of the Union Speech last night.

One of the reps yelled out at Biden, while the two of them together tried to start a chant.

I am guessing that if this type of behavior had occurred at any other type of public meeting, they would have been escorted out.

I understand free speech, and I understand that people can disagree with each other, but I also understand civility and decorum, both of which these reps lacked.

I was both angered and saddened when I saw the repulsive behavior.

Who do these two people think they are that they can behave this way?

I can only hope that they don’t get re-elected, but that is highly unlikely, given that whoever voted them into office probably did not have their opinion changed after witnessing their disgusting conduct last night.

And is this what our politics has become? An opportunity to get a sound bite or have a tweet go viral?

The loudest, most obnoxious voices are heard, while those of reason and decency are ignored.

Perhaps Congress needs a Code of Conduct for such events, and if someone violates it, they are escorted out of the event.

But knowing these two people, they would probably thrive on the photo op such a spectacle would create.

While Biden’s speech has gotten mixed reviews, it seemed the true State of our Union was on full display because of the despicable behavior of these two individuals.

*image from NPR

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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93 thoughts on “That Was, Simply Put, Reprehensible Behavior”

  4. They were from the extreme insanity fringe on the Right. But I’m not not in agreement with you when you said, “I am guessing that if this type of behavior had occurred at any other type of public meeting, they would have been escorted out.” Have you seen how Britain’s parliament treats their Prime Minister when he gives a speech? The opposition heckles him loudly throughout the ordeal. You can barely understand what he’s saying. Maybe there are some members of Congress who would prefer we adopt the mannerisms of that body of government overseas.

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    1. and there are fringe elements on both sides. I’ve seen videos of those British outbursts, and some places where fights break out. While it may be entertaining TV, it’s not what I want when I think of what our political leaders should be like…

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      1. I don’t like it either, and I don’t understand how the British could like it. When you can’t understand the speaker, due to him being shouted down, what’s the point in making the speech in the first place?

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      7. “Look folks . . . no joke . . . I’m gonna tell ya what I told Corn Pop . . . you’ll never win the hearts and minds of the Iranians . . . no joke . . . now go get ’em!”

        You can’t handle giving a speech like that?

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      3. One of these two idiots just got in it for speaking at what was basically a white supremacist’s rally where they were chanting for Putin. She claim that she didn’t know what the event was about. So, her defense was that she was too stupid to go figure out about the event where she was speaking. So, she is either stupid or stupid.

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  10. I don’t think Jim’s point was to highlight one side while claiming the other side was virtuous. We’ve seen plenty of examples of bad behavior on both sides of the aisle. I remember when the Congressperson yelled out “liar” in the middle of President Obama’s State of the Union. Nancy Pelosi tore up President Trump’s speech. Last night was another example of bad behavior. There used to be a time when we could disagree with someone without calling them names. It’s sad because it’s becoming more common in politics and basic human interaction.

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    2. well said, Pete.

      You are right, both sides are guilty of poor behavior. When Pelosi ripped up Trump’s speech, I was once again angered and embarrassed that one of our leaders would act like such a child.

      And my fear is that as such behavior becomes acceptable among our leaders, then it’s going to trickle down and become acceptable behavior everywhere. I can’t imagine trying to teach if the students were constantly yelling out…

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      1. I’d forgotten about the Pelosi bit. All this makes me want to go back and look at the history of the SOTU address. I was up in Oregon attending the wedding (and both receptions) for my BFF’s daughter for this year’s madness. I’ve reached the point where I just don’t want to hear most of what comes out of any politician’s mouth just now. I know poor Joe is doing the best he can to limit as much of the damage as he can from all the crises we’re experiencing right now. So I chose instead, just this week, to follow Dan Pink’s advice and made a big decision by asking what I would tell my BFF to do, even though I know it’s not what she would have (or really already has) told me! Basically it just gelled in my mind how insecure I have become in my decision making in the last few years. I had a lot of self confidence before my marriage. After my mostly self-imposed suffering over the last week (I hope and think it didn’t spillover onto the other guests) I realized that one ability, above most if not all, is what I need to get back for myself.

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      2. I have also had ups and downs with my confidence levels over the years, and it’s oftenthe result of comparing myself to others. I know I shouldn’t be doing that, but I do.

        I hope the Dan Pink approach works for you and that you start to regain your self-confidence…

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  12. I agree, Jim! There are times to speak your mind and there are times when others should be allowed to speak theirs. It is called respect and we seem to big lacking it in our elected officials.

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  13. “The loudest, most obnoxious voices are heard, while those of reason and decency are ignored.” Your phrase gets to the core of the matter whether you’re thinking U.K. or US. No single person is to blame for this degradation of social norms and values. Twitter and Facebook have provided a space for loutish mob behaviour, our media react to it and revel in it. In turn, this behaviour spills into parliaments, colleges, public meetings …… homo sapiens is transforming into homo stultitia ……

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    1. first, I had to look up stultitia.

      and it’s become a vicious cycle, social media and the news highlight such behavior, so then people feel like they need to outdo each other in order to get such attention, and it becomes a race to the bottom…

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  14. It may have been going that way before him, but 45 was the person responsible for not only making this kind of behaviour somehow acceptable, but the norm. He lowered political discourse to the level of a fairly nasty playground, and these two harridans are riding on his coat tails. If they are the best that the US can elect, I feel sorry for you!

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    1. another new word for me – harridan. I wish I had collected all these new words I’ve picked up from my fellow bloggers – would make a fun post.

      my guess is that you will feel even sorrier for us after the November elections…

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  16. HI Jim, I sympathise and it is a shame this is happening in the USA which is supposed to set a good example to the rest of us. Our parliament has been a bit like a circus act for the past several years with lots of this sort of behaviour, but how will it improve if the major powers don’t lead by example.

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  17. Someone might point out what would have happened to them if they’d tried this in the Russian Parliament, and America coming under this malign influence was something Biden was trying to prevent happening – to them and to America. So, wake up citizens, see where Trump had led you, and make sure it stops NOW.

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  18. I kind of like the way the British PM has to answer to Parliament while everyone is screaming in his or her face. It’s kind of beautiful. I don’t know, I get the thing about decorum, but it’s also kind of duplicitous to smile and nod to someones face and then stab them in the back as soon as they walk away. Decorum is good, but in todays political world it is also dishonest.

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  19. Those two women were behaving like disrespectful children. I doubt that reasoned adult discourse would help them. Instead they both need a long time out facing into a corner. Then no screens for a day. Wash their mouths out with soap. Gruel for dinner, too.

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