President Obama vs. Governor Jan Brewer

[TonyB06]

I don't think the Secret Service can realistically be put at fault here. Clearly, the sitting governor of a state being visited is going to be in the president's protected security circle.

I do think, however, the level of disprespect shown President Obama is unprecedented. From congressmen yelling "you lie" during a previous State of the Union, to this incident, to others, this goes well beyond the role of "the loyal opposition."

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

I don't think the Secret Service can realistically be put at fault here. Clearly, the sitting governor of a state being visited is going to be in the president's protected security circle.

Yeah, having photos makes it seem like a more intense and lengthy discussion than it may have been. I just think that by the time the discussion got heated enough where a finger is waved and the President has to walk off mid-sentence, was there anyone moderating this ordeal?

For instance, angry politicans do stupid things and it is not unheard of for people (Secret Service or anyone else) to monitor and moderate certain transactions.

Originally Posted by TonyB06

I do think, however, the level of disprespect shown President Obama is unprecedented. From congressmen yelling "you lie" during a previous State of the Union, to this incident, to others, this goes well beyond the role of "the loyal opposition."

I watched "Undercover Brother" (which has a different connotation depending on the topic) last night. They are so silly. It brought up some things that went on with Gen. Colin Powell and are going on with President Obama.

Originally Posted by TonyB06

Can you imagine all the "Obama as Othello" stories we'd have seen if the President had handled this less professionally?

Big, Black, cornrow-wearing, sunflower seed eating President Obama (known hereafter as O-Dog) towered over and threatened a little blond woman who was only speaking her mind, her right as a citizen today ... blah, blah, blah

nah, the president kept his head and handled it the only way he could.

Exactly. It is enough that President Obama plays basketball, sings Al Green, and people think the White House smells like fried chicken, no lye relaxer, and hair grease.

Ch2tf would not have done anything, either. She's just talking smack.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

I do think, however, the level of disprespect shown President Obama is unprecedented. From congressmen yelling "you lie" during a previous State of the Union, to this incident, to others, this goes well beyond the role of "the loyal opposition."

I don't know about this. It probably is just more apparent because of the increase in media coverage.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I don't know about this. It probably is just more apparent because of the increase in media coverage.

Media coverage of everything in the world has increased but the media has always existed. Some level of media coverage of the President of the United States has always existed. My question was whether anyone has heard of (i.e., articles, historical footage, videos) people being able to jump crazy on the President of the United States (at least in the past 40 years). Let me know if you find anything.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I don't know about this. It probably is just more apparent because of the increase in media coverage.

I don't think so. Many folks from both sides of the aisle who have been in Washington long enough to see changes have commented on the deterioration of civility, and that's what this is part of.

As for Dr. Phil's question, my memory is that at the time of the "you lie" incident, historians commented that it was pretty much unprecedented.