A member of the Congressional Black Congress (CBC) has spoken out regarding Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst last week during President Barack Obama's health care speech. On Tuesday, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) said:

"[Wilson] did not help the cause of diversity and tolerance with his remarks. If I were a betting man, I would say it instigated more racist sentiment. And so I guess we'll probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again and riding through the countryside intimidating people. ... That's the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked, and Congressman Wilson represents it. He's the face of it."

For Wilson's part, he said that he called the White House and apologized for his behavior and that "[President Obama] graciously accepted my apology and the issue is over."

Not so fast, though, said most of the House last night. In a vote on whether to punish Wilson, 233 Democrats and 7 Republicans voted to create a "resolution of disapproval" for Wilson's "breach of decorum."

Obviously, Johnson believes that Wilson's behavior goes far beyond manners. Would Wilson have felt audacious enough to interrupt former Presidents George W. Bush or Bill Clinton while they were addressing the nation? Are the mothers who snatched their children out of school on the day President Obama beckoned kids to take their education seriously really worried about "indoctrination," or is there a seedier side?

My guess is that most Americans have not seen this sort of bubbling racism and hysteria in this country for some time, say decades. Which brings us back to Johnson's comments about both the implication and effect Wilson's outburst will leave on our national consciousness if not addressed. I think Johnson couldn't be more dead-on, and I applaud the House in going the extra step to make the piper pay.