My E-Mail to Congressman Joe Wilson (9/9/09) Following His Outburst During the President's Health Care Speech.
Sir, Although I am not in your district, nor in your party, I write to respectfully protest your behavior this evening. As one who endured many years of Republican Presidents whom I believe lied (or at least affirmatively misled) Americans on many issues, as a patriot, I have always sought to register my displeasure and disagreement with respect. After all, regardless of how I vote or what politics I adhere to, the President, once elected, is my President (and yours). This was my training in the Boy Scouts, through the rank of Eagle and is the same ethos I work to instill in my children and others today, as a leader. I am certain that you have strongly held convictions on the point that gave rise to your outburst this evening, but I simply cannot believe that they are any more strongly held than the way I felt about other issues, including committing American lives in a war instigated by the United States without provocation. And while your beliefs may be strongly held, they appear to be unfounded. http://bit.ly/mNeqt So, I am left to wonder about the cause of your outburst -- an issue of emotional instability (which makes me wonder about your fitness for the high office to which you have been elected by the fine people of your district), or whether you had some other agenda. Either way, you have disgraced this country and the character of every American has been sullied by your actions this evening. I will look forward to seeing your public apology (not a written statement) and to the possibility that you might be one of the Republicans who is willing to work constructively to fashion a revamped system of health care in this country that works for Americans. Respectfully, R. Todd Johnson
