B. F. D.

Joe Biden’s commentary on President Obama’s signing the health care bill, captured by an open mic, is a big fucking deal.

It has succeeded in distracting a frenzied media from the bitterness of health care debate for a short while and has paradoxically offered one of the most genuine praises yet from an elected official for this monumental health care bill.

Only a few months ago, America was being lambasted with Sarah Palin’s imagery of a “real America.” This America consisted of infamous men such as “Joe the Plumber,” and after yet another profanity outburst, “Joe the Vice President” can be added to that list.

Joe the Vice President deserves to be counted among all the other Joes whose last names consist of their occupation, or at least the one they dream of being licensed in someday, because he represents the real individual undaunted by the polite speech Zeitgeist. Joe the Vice President has offered more to America through his one genuine reaction to historic legislation being signed into law than the facade of other “real” Americans ever will.

Joe the Vice President has given the media an opportunity to jump off message for a short while and to look for more reactions that were born in that moment. Whether those reactions be from either side of the aisle, and whether those reactions are as intense as this Joe’s is not important. These authentic reactions, when not degrading to another group, form the basis of public opinions.  

What lies key to this argument is that a man who is well-informed and has done his part to help make a difference in the lives of millions Americans has the right to express himself in a way that is not directly offensive to any individual or group. This same form of verbal expression is available to individuals every day, and whether or not it includes “profanity” holds no bearing on the substance of their statements, unless this “profanity” is truly abusive toward an individual in instances such as hate speech hurled by virulent protestors.  

Had Joe the Vice President whispered something to the President along the lines of, “Looks like we’ve finally shoved it up the Republicans’ ass,” he would have been greeted with the same maelstrom of media, but for a substantive reason. He would have effectively isolated a group and offered offensive commentary on their political stances.

This negative reaction is intrinsically different from the positive one that Biden’s expression of congratulations took on Tuesday. It is one that speaks in the common language of a people a joy that is true.             

With polls showing this bill gaining popularity after being signed, it is difficult to ignore the “will of the people,” a phrase which has been tossed around during the past year.

This will is born from authentic attitudes toward a momentous occasion in the United States’ history. A genuine, emotional reaction to a major historical event is no reason to extend a condescending tone toward Joe Biden. In fact, it is the perfect opportunity to see him as a “real American” and ultimately, as a human being.


E-mail: schammoo@indiana.edu