The republican's scripted cry of "You Lie!" during the President's address last night was part and parcel of their strategy to create a sense of apparent truth through the device of fake impassioned outbursts at town meetings and other forums. The fact that it seems to be the first time such an event has occurred (is that possible?) and that it was directed at our first Black president is not an accident. It was a way of signaling the unwillingness on the part of conservatives to accept Obama's presidency as legitimate.
Why? Because they think you can get away with doing anything to a Black man in America, an idea which has been a perennial and sad truth.
As far as the actual act itself goes, I have to say that I'm conflicted. After all compared to what happens in the British Parliament its not that far out. There cries of Shame! are daily occurrences. That is however different than "You Lie!" I've heard some pretty heated rhetoric in Parliament but don't know if accusations of lying are routinely hurled about.
I've also been distressed at times, by the forced civility imposed on our politicians where matters of life and death like the Iraq war DON'T elicit angry outbursts. Of course during the Bush administration demonstrators were headed off at the pass so to speak and flagrantly denied their right to protest by means of illegal detention or police imposed separation at great distance from the target event.
It is high time though that the public meet the devil in his den, by which I mean mass protests at the homes and offices of health insurance executives. There shouts of "SHAME!" should become the soundtrack of their mean, profit driven lives.
Obama took a strong stance last night, mostly to establish the idea that he is in fact strong. and is not going to be intimidated or deterred. Good for him! Its about time!
But his continuing kowtowing to the insurance industry, his obsequious need to accommodate them and not be seen as anti business, even in one contained sphere of activity, is frankly gross and inappropriate. He and his advisors don't seem to get the point that these people are A) Not interested in being reassured, B) Cannot be reassured., and C) Don't intend to give an inch unless forced to do so.
What I longed to hear was a determined President looking into the camera and saying "Alright boys, Game Over!"