It really got on my nerves that after years of Republicans scolding people about respecting the Presidency while Bush was in office, there they were waving papers and heckling Obama during the speech. These are supposed to be adult members of Congress. That wasn't an attempt at discussion or debate. It was cheap theatrics.
Personally, I have no problem with cheap theatrics or acting out in the right context. I went to rallies and protests of speeches by Bush or Cheney at least six times during their Presidency. Of course, they never let us protest close enough to be seen by either one of them.
At one Bush visit I saw someone get arrested for going outside the "free speech zone" where they corralled protesters. She carried a sign that said "America is a free speech zone!" Apparently, you can now carry a gun directly outside Presidential speeches without getting arrested so freedom is on the march.
I only saw George Bush speak in person once when he came to the dedication of the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. I was pretty annoyed that he sullied the occasion with his presence so I knew I had to make a statement. I wore a t-shirt with Bush's image that said "not my President."
But you know what? When Bush spoke, I sat down and listened. I didn't do it for Bush, who I have no respect for. I did it out of respect for the occasion and the people who came to hear him. If you have the chance to hear a President of the United States speak, the least you can do is shut up and listen, even if you think he's full of crap.
I thought Bush's attempt at using Lincoln's name to justify the invasion of Iraq that day was incredibly disrespectful to Lincoln's legacy and offensive to the people who didn't come for a political rally. But, I still think he deserved the chance to be heard.
These adult members of Congress haven't learned the basics of common courtesy and they disrespected all Americans who tuned in to hear a serious discussion. Who raised these people? Someone call their mothers!
And why on earth did they just sit there stone-faced when Obama denounced the lies about death squads? Do they believe the death squad accusations are real? Are they afraid of standing up to the talk radio hosts who spread that garbage? I can only interpret their failure to condemn the lie as a sign of approval.
Added on edit:I shouldn't be surprised that my own Congressman, John Shimkus, joined the playground of partisan pouters. After heckling Obama with the paper-waving stunt he actually walked out during the speech.
Maybe he needed a potty break. Or maybe was in a hurry to help protect a colleague from being caught harassing underage male pages...again.