You have to enjoy the irony of the Chairwomen Louise M. Slaughter, Committee on Rules U.S. House of Representatives giving a summary of decorum in the House and in Committees today.
In part Slaughter states you should not “allude to personal misconduct.” One has to question, first, the Constitutionality of these rules. For example, could the House not have alluded to personal misconduct of President Nixon in the alleged Watergate coverup. Or could not allude to Andrew Johnson’s violation of the Tenure in Office Act – itself probably Unconstitutional due to separation of powers – because it was alleged to be personal misconduct. Likewise, one would have to conclude that the House could not allude to President Clinton committing perjury. In short, it would make the President immune to criticism.
However, the saving point is that it is fascinating that Slaughter uses the word “allude” which means to “suggest or call attention to indirectly” or “hint at.” Given the plain language from Rep Slaughter, as long as one states plainly that “President Obama lied when he stated the government will not take away your health care,” one does not violate the rule. There is no “alluding” going on. It is stated plainly and clearly.
A Member of the House that chooses to follow these rules is violating his or her oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, particularly the First Amendment. The Founders intended robust debate and any rules to the contrary must be ignored. Anything else makes a mockery of the concept of free speech.
Other statements that seem to be allowed:
“President Obama misrepresented the facts when he discussed his health care nationalization proposal.”
“President Obama misinformed you when he gave a speech on socialized medicine.”
In short it seems one can use words like these:
fib, dissemble, dissimulate, prevaricate, stretch the truth, mislead, exaggerate, whopper, falsified, invented, used a piece of fiction, distort, skewed, or misreported.
Likewise, as long as you state something outright, you are not going to run afoul of Rep Slaughter’s speech controls.
Continue reading House of Representatives Limits free speech!
