'No one would ever boo Obama'

On Tuesday, my 11-year-old son joined children across the country in what ought to become annual back-to-school tradition: He watched intently as the President of this United States extolled the virtues of hard work and diligent study as means to the fulfillment that comes with education.

"Obama was pretty good," my son said.

"Did anyone boo when he told you to do your homework?" I asked in jest.

My son's quick reply:

"No one would ever boo Obama."

A day later, some adults proved less in control of themselves than the average American middle-schooler.

President Barack Obama took his promise to reform health care to Congress last night (right). His speech was serious stuff -- dead serious, as anyone caught in the crucible of the U.S. health system well knows (prior post).

Congress responded with an absence of decorum that rivaled the most raucous Westminster backbenchers.

Just 2 examples out of many detailed in this Washington Post article by Dana Milbank:

► "You lie!" U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) blurted in response to Obama's assertion that his plan would not cover illegal immigrants. He spat the words so loudly that they were fully audible in TV rooms everywhere.

► "Rep. Al Green (D-Tex.), also on the GOP side of the aisle, felt the need to pound his fist in the air and make what looked, awkwardly, like a fascist salute."

This from officials who owe a debt of trust to the public that elected them and pays their salaries. More of the same, on health and education, from others who've sought to skewer rational debate these long summer months. The nonsense underscores a point made first by Justice Holmes and repeated on this blog 2 weeks ago: Even the most basic of human rights are not won without a fight.

This one's a knock-down drag-out.