http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html Article I, Section 5 Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. Article I, Section 6 They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.
Well, the speech was a joint session, wasn't it? The House was actually in session, although similar comments (Pete Stark comes immediately to mind) were made about Bush while the House was in session.
Agreed. It made the Republicans look petty and desperate. When you're confident of your policy prescriptions, you shouldn't need to resort to tactics like the Republicans did back in the late 90s.
Why do you refuse to see the obvious loophole? It exists. I know what the language says, but without enforcability, you can't uphold that part of the law. That's why the Democrats rejected the amendments that would have closed those loopholes.
I am quite sure the house has the power to punish Wilson. It's obviously a partisan vote only possible because they have enough to pass it. Though there were many times Ted Kennedy said things about people while on the senate floor that would have gotten his ass sued for libel, but was protected by Article I, Section 6: and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.
Main Entry: ad·mon·ish Pronunciation: \ad-ˈmä-nish\ Function: transitive verb Etymology: Middle English admonesten, from Anglo-French amonester, from Vulgar Latin *admonestare, alteration of Latin admonēre to warn, from ad- + monēre to warn — more at mind Date: 14th century 1 a : to indicate duties or obligations to b : to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner 2 : to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to Seems politely appropriate, why the outrage?
