During his first State of the Union, President Biden was speaking of the need to better support the veterans after they return home from the battlefield. During part of Biden's them about supporting veterans, he mentioned his son, Beau Biden, may have been exposed to toxic smoke from burn pits from the battlefield (which may have led to his terminal cancer).
At this quite emotional part of the speech, Biden was interrupted by two members of the GOP, Representative Boebert (R-CO) and Representative Green (R-GA). Both stood and heckled President Biden, especially when President was talking about helping veterans. Later in the speech, Ms. Boebert tried to strike up the chant "build the wall" which was unsuccessful. Regardless, what a poor example set by these two politicians.
Consider that: An American president was speaking about the need to help veterans when they return from the battlefield -- and sharing his own loss of a son to cancer -- when he was jeered by several members of the opposition.
It immediately brought to mind then South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson shouting "you lie" at President Barack Obama during a 2009 speech to Congress. (Wilson took issue with Obama's claims that the Affordable Care Act would not cover undocumented immigrants.)
At the time, there were some remarks by White and Black commentators and writers who flat out said that the Republicans would not do that to a white president -- in other words, according to these writers, Wilson took the shot at Obama because he’s Black. At the time, a simple and logical conclusion but one I never agreed with. It appeared that Joe Wilson's outburst was disrespecting the office and not the person. (To be transparent, Joe Wilson did eventually apologize for his outburst. "While I disagree with the president's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.")
Of course, President Biden's story about his son was used to capture political points but it was more than that. It was to emphasize the Biden Administration will do a better job of taking care of veterans. And who doesn't agree with that? I think it was gauche to interrupt Biden during this address, particularly when it involved, Beau Biden.
No folks, this isn’t a racial question, this heckling during the State of the Union (SOTU) occurred with both black and white presidents. This is a party question, not a racial one. Why do certain members of the GOP continue to heckle democratic presidents during the SOTU? If this is condoned by the GOP leaders, then my guess is such disrespect will continue to occur, during the SOTU or other important speeches, policy talks, or interviews. Unfortunately, I'm not sure the GOP is that unified on what constitutes bad behavior -- it becomes a subjective thing where different GOP members have a different interpretation of bad behavior. The one-party where I often wonder seriously if many of those members love power over the love of country. I know it's a heavy load, but that conclusion comes after watching what they say and do. Age has taught me that their doing is critical to understanding their true colors. I'm not sure if some of this behavior will change or were these two events a mere coincidence?
If it's the Law and Order party, then shouldn't all members show law and order, especially during the Statement of the Union.