Yesterday afternoon, amid all the hubbub over Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) outburst, the Tribune's Marc Silva pointed out that Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) had actually walked out of the House chambers during President Obama's Wednesday speech to a joint session of Congress. 

Family emergency?  Bathroom break?  Nope.  He just didn't want to listen anymore:

"Congressman Shimkus was frustrated that the president was not offering any new ground and left with just minutes remaining in the speech,'' spokesman Steven Tomaszewski said.

Yesterday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jamie Riley wrote in response: "Wilson offered an apology to President Barack Obama today. Now it’s Shimkus’ turn to apologize."  Sounds right to us.  It's fine to disagree with the president. But at least have the decency to hear him out in full.

The incident also caught the attention of MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, who briefly discussed the matter with Lawrence O'Donnell last night.  Watch it:

Meanwhile, Philosophe Forum -- a blog based in Shimkus' 19th District -- notes that the congressman has a Democratic challenger in 2010, Tim Bagwell.