[quote name='thrustbucket']While watching the speech I was shocked when that happened.
Afterwards, I felt foolish for being shocked. I don't get the big deal and the guy should not have apologized. If people are not allowed to vocally dissent then people should not be allowed to cheer either. Why the double standard?
Who says these speeches are only for vocally agreeing or silently staying quiet? Where is that rule written?
The British have it right. At least they understand and practice free speech better than we do.[/QUOTE]
[quote name='bmulligan']I totally agree. I started reading this thread and my mind went directly to every British parlimentary debate I've ever watched. At least, every one I've seen in HoC.
This was not a traditional address. It's sole purpose was to advertise and push his position on the healthcare issue, and unabashedly, a use of the 'bully pulpit'. In that sense, I think this should outbursting should become a more common practice. If the voice of the people at town hall meetings isn't valid to some, where else will the living voice of the people be heard if not from their representatives on live television?[/QUOTE]
The British comparison is apples to oranges. Every Wednesday (yes, every week) at midday the PM goes to parliament for what is called 'Question Hour' where it's in the MPs' tradition to yell and shout at the PM. I wouldn't consider this speech of Obama a weekly occurrence or some political TV show (it's damned entertaining while on lunch break).
Here's a much more comparable Parliamentary proceeding to Obama's situation, with dissent and all (but in a much more civilized way):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okHGCz6xxiw
Still, the Brits love to take the piss outta each other, it's their culture (and unfortunately not ours).