Oops! Moments

When President Obama presented his health care speech to Congress a week ago, senators and representatives were severely divided on the issue (they still are). On the other hand, congressmen and women had recently returned to Washington from a heated summer of town hall meetings, where many angry Americans opposed the plan. The night of the speech, the atmosphere in Congress was simply tense.

As a result of the tension, reactions to the president's speech varied. While some clapped (mostly Democrats) to the president's plan, others stayed uncomfortably put (mostly Republicans). But, what no one expected was South Carolina Representative (R), Joe Wilson, to interrupt the president by screaming, "You LIE!" 

Oopsis! What happened? (Notice the reactions of the VP and Speaker of the House in the back) 

There is no doubt that Representative Wilson broke all the rules of decorum by interrupting the president in his speech to Congress and the nation.

Moments after this Oops! moment, Congressman Wilson apologized for his behavior and is now viewed as a hero by those who oppose health care reform. 

I am sure Joe Willson did not mean to interrupt the president on purpose. He was probably caught up in the heat of the moment. He had an Oops! moment. We all have had one. It is one of those moments where we react to a situation—and a minute later ask—“what was I thinking?!!!" Oopsis!!  

I had an Oops! moment this summer on a plane. The plane was already departing and the passengers were asked to shut off cell phones. On our way to the runway, the plane returned to the gate (there was an issue with the crew).

However, the plane never shut off its engines (that is when one can turn on the phones again); it simply taxied at the gate for a few minutes.

Due to this incident, I knew my plane was going to land later than expected. I wanted to call my mother, who was picking me up at the airport, and alert her of the delay. So, I violated aviation rules and called her.

While I was on the phone, I was caught by a flight attendant.

Oops!—“sorry," I said. She gave me a dirty look and walked away....

Have you had an Oops! moment?

Oopsis!!!