I remember when Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina yelled “You lie” at Barack Obama during his State of the Union address. I was aghast at such disrespect, as apparently were most of his House colleagues, because he was sanctioned by the House.

When many Republicans yelled at Joe Biden Tuesday as he was delivering a State of the Union address, I was not aghast. I was not even surprised. Subconsciously, I think I even expected it. And I enjoyed it, as I think did Joe Biden.

Yes, times have changed. We seem to expect entertainment in our politics now. And I guess that is fine, as long as it isn’t dangerous. During the Trump years, the entertainment was very dangerous. The banter at this week’s SOTU seemed to me harmless.

This does not excuse Marjorie Taylor Greene’s yelling “Liar”. That is rude and uncalled for. There are ways to do everything, and this is not an acceptable way.

Now Joe Biden played the Republicans well during his speech. By stating that some Republicans want to curtail Social Security and Medicare, he baited the left side of the room. But Florida Senator Tim Scott, who holds a leadership position in the Republican Senate, did suggest that all government programs be sunset every five years. This naturally would include these two programs. Can you imagine if programs died without Congressional reauthorization every five years? With our divided Congress that can do nothing?

So what Biden said was legitimate. And he said that not all Republicans favored this. But the GOP went crazy. And Biden smartly turned that around and said – well, I guess we all agree that this is wrong then, that’s great. And he went further to state that he will stand up for seniors, which was followed by the Democrats in the room physically standing up and applauding. And because the Republicans could not just sit by and not “stand up for seniors”, soon everyone was standing, and everyone was applauding. I thought it brilliant.

I thought that this year’s State of the Union address was excellent for two reasons, in addition to Biden winning the bantering. First, because of the statistical success of the American economy (whether or not that has been appreciated by all), and because so many of the bills passed last year by the Democratic Congress only come into effect this year or in the future, it was very important that Biden not only talk about what he was planning to do, but what he had already done, even if some of that is not yet visible. Secondly, I thought (and maybe this was by chance) there were many spots which can become short term film clips that can be used again and again, as well as giving Democratic supporters talking points that won’t be overlooked.

As to the unnecessary Republican response given by the Governor of Arkansas who cannot help but being both disingenuous and nasty, I will say no more……now.