I’m Just Saying: Democrats Required Decorum at Presidential Address

God bless Congressman Sylvester Turner.  

The 70-year-old Texas Democrat was so put out by what he heard from President Donald Trump during his address to Congress Tuesday night that he went home and promptly died. 

Seriously. 

If you needed evidence that tensions, tempers, and blood pressures run hot whenever Big Orange has the floor, Congressman Turner gave his life in the process of proving the point. 

I would never seriously ponder the eternal destination of any law-abiding citizen outside my personal acquaintance. I do wonder, however, if Saint Peter, Rip Torn (IYKYK), or any other celestial civil servant will be presenting video for "final destination approval" of Turner and his fellow Democrats. I feel certain footage of those assembled refusing to acknowledge or pay respect to the 13-year-old cancer survivor, the families of rape and murder victims, or the new West Point cadet would play prominently.  

Such material has been known to keep souls out of paradise, at least according to Albert Brooks. 

I certainly understood when, in 2020, the terminally ill Rush Limbaugh was given the cold shoulder by that bunch as Trump presented him with the Medal of Freedom. Rush had been whipping up on the Dems like rented mules for over 30 years, and he expected (and received) the disgusted mumbles and rolled eyes as he accepted the award.  

But those who were shown similar disdain this week, simply because of Trump, did not deserve the same disrespect. 

That was a first, as was the ejection of a Congressman from a Presidential address. 

Representative Al Green, yet another Democrat from Texas, decided he needed to stand and shout down the President. He apparently disagreed with his use of the term "mandate" and made his point while shaking a rather sturdy walking cane at the clearly irritated Commander in Chief. He was warned twice to refrain from such outbursts, so when he pushed his luck for a third time, it came as no surprise that the Sergeant at Arms removed him from the chamber. 

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE:  

I consider my attendance at the 2015 State of the Union Address the greatest single night of my professional life. As then-Senator Johnny Isakson's guest, I was treated to an amazing experience that included a formal dinner and a personal tour of the Senate Chambers and behind-the-scenes spaces known only to the Senators and their top staff. Before the actual address, I was briefed on the many rules and etiquette of the evening. Particular emphasis was placed on respectful behavior and not making any sudden moves or dramatic gestures - at the risk of great bodily harm.  

While I am a Conservative, I am first and foremost an American. I would no more disrespect tradition because I didn't care for the current President than I would blow up the White House or rip up the Constitution. Only a traitorous pig would feel otherwise. 

 Virtually every important American politician is in that one room, and it is smaller than most high school gyms. To say the Secret Service is touchy when it comes to security is an understatement. 

I understand the dynamics of the room and the event from personal experience. When Congressman Al Green stood screaming and shaking his heavy walking cane in the direction of President Trump, he was lucky he wasn't taken to ground by security personnel. Since 1975 there have been 12 gallery incidents at Presidential State of the Union/Joint Session events. All but one involved members of Congress booing or yelling out short phrases once or twice.  

The other verbal outburst came from Steve Nikoui, the father of a soldier killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal disaster of 2021. He was quickly removed from the gallery as he yelled "Remember Abbey Gate", briefly interrupting the address of then-President Joe Biden. As a grieving parent I understand his frustration, but he could not be allowed to remain. 

Our elected officials ought to know better. That also goes for the folks who brought in signs to hold up like 8th grade punks taking shots at a substitute teacher. 

Congressman Green's punishment should be banishment from the next such event. In an effort to nip this ridiculous trend in the bud once and for all, the Speaker of the House should announce similar penalties for any future outbursts. Any additional displays would bring a permanent ban. 

Of course, we could go the other way and allow the chamber to devolve to the level of the British House of Commons where shouting matches are the norm. 

We all get that Congressional Democrats don't like President Trump, and their frustration is more than a little bit fun for many of us to watch. But if they are going to continue to choose to act like hooligans, they can do it sitting out in the hallway, just like Green did.