COMMENTARY | I remember when President Obama called for civil discourse by Americans and suggested they turn down the rhetorical heat that made governance increasingly difficult.
After the horrific tragedy in Tucson, Ariz., it was widely assumed that conservative politics pushed Jared Loughner toward a shooting spree. NPR presented a range of opinion on the subject and praised the president's healing words in the aftermath.
Loughner turned out to be a maniac for all political persuasions, but the sharp tone of the dialogue between Republicans and Democrats bubbled to the surface again this week.
"Eric, don't call my bluff," said a frustrated president before quitting budget talks Wednesday.
It was tame stuff, compared to the wild and unruly world of the blogosphere, but it was a sign of things to come. Rep. Joe Walsh yesterday exhorted President Obama to "stop lying" while being himself called "crazy" by Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky.
People are often ambivalent about appropriate language in the free ranging theatre that is called American politics.
When your political opponent uses language that requires a seven-second delay, it's "highly inappropriate." When those in your own party use questionable language, it's called "colorful imagery."
In writing about House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's participation in deficit talks today, a Wall Street Journal article today revealed, in highly colorful terms, Pelosi's sense of proportion with regard to Democrats' budget concessions and demands.
"A pimple on your nose is different than a pimple on an elephant's (behind)," Mrs. Pelosi is quoted.
That would be considered a delicate remark in New Jersey where New York state senate president Stephen Sweeney recently referred to Governor Christie as "a bully and a punk."
"I wanted to punch him (Christie) in the head," said Sweeney, after reviewing parts of the governor's budget.
Christie wasn't the only governor to be assailed with foul language because of budget cuts and restraints. California state assemblyman Tom Ammiano termed it a "cheap publicity stunt" when Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared at a 2009 state Democratic fundraiser.
Ammiano may have been influenced by "You lie!" originator Rep. Joe Wilson during President Obama's 2009 address to Congress, when he interrupted Schwarzenegger with the same "You lie!" taunt during the governor's speech.
Ammiano spiced up his diatribe with a saucy repartee before quitting the Fairmont Hotel locale.
Anthony Ventre is a freelance writer who has written for weekly and daily newspapers and several online publications. He is a frequent Yahoo contributor, concentrating in news and financial writing.
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