UF Student tasered at John Kerry Speech

[Nbadan]

He asked great questions, which Kerry never bothered to answer...It's appalling that some people were applauding as he was being arrested and tasered...seems to be happening a lot recently...

Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag)

[Wild Cobra]

You could have at least posted a good quality video:

University of Florida student Tasered at Kerry forum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bVa6jn4rpE)

I smell a ripe lawsuit, and big time discredit towards Kerry for not stopping the action. That much security on the guy could have easily removed him without such incident if all he was doing was resisting being moved from the mike.

Handcuff, pick up and carry.

You know what is normal practice when someone takes too much time....

Turn off the microphone!

[ChumpDumper]

Dumbass wasn't letting Kerry answer. It's obvious he was just showboating. I applaud his being arrested and tasered.

[Whisky Dog]

You have to be smart and calm. Once he started yelling and carrying on he was going to be escorted out. If he would have just gone with them and left without struggling he wouldn't have been taken down. He deserved what he got.

[Wild Cobra]

You have to be smart and calm. Once he started yelling and carrying on he was going to be escorted out. If he would have just gone with them and left without struggling he wouldn't have been taken down. He deserved what he got.
Yes, and no.

I agree the right to remove him. I just think that security did a poor job of doing so, and used the taser in an abusive way. They had other options before using the taser.

Tasers have been known to kill people! Sure it's rare, but it has happened.

[ChumpDumper]

It all depends on their written procedures. Chances are pretty good this action fell within procedure. He has been charged with felony resisting with violence.

[ChumpDumper]

You could have at least posted a good quality video:I like dan's, you can hear the guy saying "Rodney King!" better.


Handcuff, pick up and carry.Yeah, you cold have done that all by yourself, tough guy.


You know what is normal practice when someone takes too much time....

Turn off the microphone!
But when his microphone was cut off, Meyer began to scream in protest. Members of Accent, Student Government's speakers bureau, cut off the microphone because Meyer used profanity, said Steven Blank, Accent chairman. Accent sponsored the forum, which was held at the University Auditorium.
http://www.alligator.org/articles/2007/09/18/news/campus/arrest.txt

Damn, you're an idiot WC.

[I'm confused]

You could have at least posted a good quality video:

University of Florida student Tasered at Kerry forum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bVa6jn4rpE)

I smell a ripe lawsuit, and big time discredit towards Kerry for not stopping the action. That much security on the guy could have easily removed him without such incident if all he was doing was resisting being moved from the mike.

Handcuff, pick up and carry.

You know what is normal practice when someone takes too much time....

Turn off the microphone!


Discredits kerry? How. because the security guard decided to taser him? When you physically resist you better be prepared to pay the piper..

[Whisky Dog]

non-lethal stun weapons are used many times to prevent having to slam a subject around in an attempt to subdue and cuff. The possibility of damage and harm to everyone is greater if your wrestling the guy to gain control over a quick jolt to immobilize for the second needed to gain leverage and a dominant position.

Regarding Ammendment rights, I don't recall the right to resist arrest. Maybe I overlooked that one.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

The idiot wasn't arrested because of what he asked, he was arrested because he resisted being escorted out. Free speech doesn't mean you can do whatever the fuck you want, where ever the fuck you want to do it, as long as you're saying something while doing it. This jackass was seeking attention, plain and simple, as evidenced by the fact he wasn't letting anyone respond.

I don't agree with the officers using a taser to subdue him, not when there are 6 of them to 1, but the dumbass definitely got what he was asking for IMO.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

but he WOULDN'T QUIT TALKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


you're right

he needed to be arrestedhe wasn't arrested because of the talking, you can clearly see the officers trying to escort him out before he starts screaming like a little girl that he was being arrested. He resisted, so yeah, he needed to be arrested

[xrayzebra]

I thought the crowd was a little skimpy. Actually, I thought
they could have accomplished everything they wanted by
just shutting the mike off, like they did. Hell dimm-o-craps
are used to shouting over everyone else. They should have
been used to it.

[George Gervin's Afro]

I thought the crowd was a little skimpy. Actually, I thought
they could have accomplished everything they wanted by
just shutting the mike off, like they did. Hell dimm-o-craps
are used to shouting over everyone else. They should have
been used to it.


:rolleyes

[Trainwreck2100]

It all depends on their written procedures. Chances are pretty good this action fell within procedure. He has been charged with felony resisting with violence.


When someone begs not to get tasered they are really resisting, the security handled this horribly. Guy has two things going for him the video went viral, and the fact that he's white. :greedy

[Wild Cobra]

Discredits kerry? How. because the security guard decided to taser him? When you physically resist you better be prepared to pay the piper..
Kerry had to know what was happening and could have interjected a little restraint. How many of them were campus security and how many were Kerry's security? Maybe I should know that first. He might not have had any say in the matter. I could be wrong in this case, but I have a feeling he had some say in it.

[Wild Cobra]

aww good ol' first amendment rights
The first amendment has restrictions. When you are at someone elses event, building, etc. those in charge can set restrictions.

[DarkReign]

non-lethal stun weapons are used many times to prevent having to slam a subject around in an attempt to subdue and cuff. The possibility of damage and harm to everyone is greater if your wrestling the guy to gain control over a quick jolt to immobilize for the second needed to gain leverage and a dominant position.

Regarding Ammendment rights, I don't recall the right to resist arrest. Maybe I overlooked that one.

Absolute bullshit. Ever been tasered? People have died from it. What if the kid had an undetected heart murmur? Dead. Or heart arythmia? Dead.

One must think about the individual who wants to be a cop and the reasons for doing so. Have you ever considered why these people want to be cops in the first place?

Its a powerr trip. Control and status. Law enforcement is just a subsitution for fraternity. A necessary component, no doubt, unequivocally. But these things are bound to happen when you consider the psychology behind a person who wants to be a cop.

NOTE: so its out there, the kid was being a douche. Deserved to be taken down, I just dont like Tasers as a means to subdue an unarmed idiot. to be clear, when I say "unarmed" I mean a person without a weapon of any sort. If a guy has a gun, the cop should shoot him. If the guy has a baseball bat, he should be tasered. If the guy is unarmed but 6'7" and about 330lbs of raw beef, he should be tasered. See my point?

[Lebowski Brickowski]

Everyone of you has a right to resist arrest in that situation. He was asking questions and the pigs came up and told him he was under arrest and laid their hands on him. They were violating his rights.
The lack of reaction by the audience is deplorable. Watch this to see a just reaction:Soccer teaces us how to stand up to police brutality (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKK9EjEEG_Q)

[Wild Cobra]

Absolute bullshit. Ever been tasered? People have died from it. What if the kid had an undetected heart murmur? Dead. Or heart arythmia? Dead.
Absolutely correct. I meant to bring those up. Thank-you.

Thing is, even if it was a detected problem, the security doesn't have the medical files to know what they can and cannot do.

Tasers are not to be used for convienence. Period.

[Wild Cobra]

Everyone of you has a right to resist arrest in that situation. He was asking questions and the pigs came up and told him he was under arrest and laid their hands on him. They were violating his rights.

Sorry, have to disagree.

Who paid for the forum time?

Does he have the right to take all the time and let no one else speak?

Those in charge, like it or not, had every right to remove him. Just not with a taser in this case.

Personally, it wouldn't have bothered me much for him to interrupt a Kerry event. Kerry is a real slimeball in my view.

[Holt's Cat]

The police reaction was disproportionate to the crime. Tasers can kill and are generally used in place of deadly force. This guy was being a douchebag at a public forum, but that's about it.

[ChumpDumper]

Kerry had to know what was happening and could have interjected a little restraint. How many of them were campus security and how many were Kerry's security? Maybe I should know that first. He might not have had any say in the matter. I could be wrong in this case, but I have a feeling he had some say in it.All those guys were university police.

Do you ever bother to look anything up before talking out of you ass?

[Lebowski Brickowski]

All those guys were university police.

Do you ever bother to look anything up before talking out of you ass?
It doesn't matter. Kerry's reaction was far less than honorable -- same as the rest of the crowd. Fear the police.

[ChumpDumper]

What were they supposed to do? Riot?

Fuck that. Douchebag should've stopped resisting. He fought the law and the law won.

[johnsmith]

Chump, set your damn partisan politics aside for a second. This fucking kid was being a douche bag, no doubt. Did he need to be escorted out, absolutely. Did he need to be tasered when there were six guards there, FUCK NO!!!!

Take the kid down to the ground, cuff him, and get him the fuck out, don't do something that damn near kills him.

Should we start tasering Cindy Sheehan every time she shows up at an event?

If this had happened at any conservative politicians speech, you'd be fucking outraged. You can say you wouldn't all you want but no one will believe you.

Partisan politics have ruined this country so much that half of the country supports police brutality if it's convenient for them and the other half doesn't, and vice versa.

[Mr. Peabody]

All those guys were university police.

Do you ever bother to look anything up before talking out of you ass?

Do you really believe that if John Kerry had said "No, don't arrest him. He was just asking a question and I want to answer it," they still would have arrested this kid? I don't think they would have. I am not saying that Kerry was obligated to do that, but I think he had more control over the situation than you give him credit for. Plus, his comments about the kid, while the kid was being arrested were in poor taste.

[johnsmith]

Plus, his comments about the kid, while the kid was being arrested were in poor taste.


Most of what comes out of Kerry's mouth is in poor taste.

Stupid American soldiers.

[Holt's Cat]

What were they supposed to do? Riot?

Fuck that. Douchebag should've stopped resisting. He fought the law and the law won.


What was he being arrested for? Asking too many questions? We can't have our public representatives so troubled, apparently.

[Mr. Peabody]

Chump, set your damn partisan politics aside for a second. This fucking kid was being a douche bag, no doubt. Did he need to be escorted out, absolutely. Did he need to be tasered when there were six guards there, FUCK NO!!!!

Take the kid down to the ground, cuff him, and get him the fuck out, don't do something that damn near kills him.

Should we start tasering Cindy Sheehan every time she shows up at an event?

If this had happened at any conservative politicians speech, you'd be fucking outraged. You can say you wouldn't all you want but no one will believe you.

Partisan politics have ruined this country so much that half of the country supports police brutality if it's convenient for them and the other half doesn't, and vice versa.

This is like a thread in bizzaro world. I agree with WC, johnsmith, and the rest of the posters that I normally disagree with. Meanwhile, the people that I thought shared similar ideals as me seem to be in complete agreement with what the police did to that kid (DR -- you're the exception), instead of being outraged. I don't get it. :wtf

[Holt's Cat]

It's comforting to know that you can get tasered for a non-violent crime here in the US of A. It's odd how the standards for the use of force are gradually eroded in this country. A taser is a weapon. It was introduced as a less destructive means to deal with criminals rather than shooting them up and hitting a bystander in the process. I don't see what this kid did as warranting being arrested, much less hit with a taser.

[Wild Cobra]

This is like a thread in bizzaro world. I agree with WC, johnsmith, and the rest of the posters that I normally disagree with. Meanwhile, the people that I thought shared similar ideals as me seem to be in complete agreement with what the police did to that kid, instead of being outraged. I don't get it. :wtf
I think they are just in the habbit of disagreeing with people like me. Right or wrong!

Maybe I should tell them the sky is blue, and see how they respond?

[clambake]

how do you blame kerry for the actions of campus cops?

[Holt's Cat]

how do you blame kerry for the actions of campus cops?


I don't. It could have been Bush, Clinton, or whoever. Doesn't matter. Being tasered for a non-violent act is ridiculous.

[Mr. Peabody]

how do you blame kerry for the actions of campus cops?

I don't blame him for it, but you and I both know that had he intervened, the cops would not have arrested that kid. Again, I am not saying that he was obligated to intervene, but he could have if he wanted to. Instead, he stood there making wisecracks while the kid was being arrested.

[Extra Stout]

This is like a thread in bizzaro world. I agree with WC, johnsmith, and the rest of the posters that I normally disagree with. Meanwhile, the people that I thought shared similar ideals as me seem to be in complete agreement with what the police did to that kid (DR -- you're the exception), instead of being outraged. I don't get it. :wtf
This is easy, sir. The kid was being disruptive at the forum of a Democratic politician. Therefore, the lefties are bound to applaud the police response, while the righties denounce it. Had it been Mitch McConnell speaking at UK when something like this happened, you would see the sentiments flip nearly quantitatively.

Cheering for your own team is all that matters. The Constitution is just some obsolete 18th-century document that has no real bearing on modern governance.

[Extra Stout]

I don't blame him for it, but you and I both know that had he intervened, the cops would not have arrested that kid. Again, I am not saying that he was obligated to intervene, but he could have if he wanted to. Instead, he stood there making wisecracks while the kid was being arrested.
It could have been worse. At least Kerry didn't throw any medals at him.

[clambake]

it looked to me as though the situation became personal, between him and the cops. how many cops would stop their aggression because someone says "leave that poor boy alone"?

[2centsworth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag&NR=1 is a much better video.

I don't think the kid did much to be arrested. The kid came across as a moveon lib. The police overreacted and the taser is going to cost them lots of money.

[Extra Stout]

It's comforting to know that you can get tasered for a non-violent crime here in the US of A. It's odd how the standards for the use of force are gradually eroded in this country. A taser is a weapon. It was introduced as a less destructive means to deal with criminals rather than shooting them up and hitting a bystander in the process. I don't see what this kid did as warranting being arrested, much less hit with a taser.
The taser is just the modern version of a nightstick. It's funny, if you picture an unruly political dissenter on a university campus in a European country in the 1930's getting 'subdued' by six cops bearing nightsticks, that of course is totally different from an unruly political dissenter on a university campus in the USA in 2007 getting 'subdued' by six cops bearing tasers, because this is the USA and we're awesome.

[Mr. Peabody]

Most of what comes out of Kerry's mouth is in poor taste.

Stupid American soldiers.

I don't remember Kerry making that statement. I do remember him saying something along the lines that education is important so you don't get stuck in Iraq. The actual line was supposed to something like "so you don't get us stuck in Iraq," a swipe at the President. Kerry misspoke, plain and simple. With Kerry himself being a former American soldier, the allegation that he was calling American soldiers stupid makes no sense.

[Mr. Peabody]

it looked to me as though the situation became personal, between him and the cops. how many cops would stop their aggression because someone says "leave that poor boy alone"?

If that statement is coming from a Senator at a forum for that Senator and the incident was precipitated by a question to the Senator, I think most cops would have stopped their aggression. Hell, the cops looked wide-eyed and uncertain as to what they should do to begin with.

[2centsworth]

the way this country is headed, I'm sure all of us will get arrested or tasered in the future for saying the wrong things.

[Mr. Peabody]

the way this country is headed, I'm sure all of us will get arrested or tasered in the future for saying the wrong things.

Especially if people are applauding it while it happens or justifying it to each other after it happens.

[clambake]

If that statement is coming from a Senator at a forum for that Senator and the incident was precipitated by a question to the Senator, I think most cops would have stopped their aggression. Hell, the cops looked wide-eyed and uncertain as to what they should do to begin with.
i agree with that. but when you resist, the training kicks in. they're not Rhode scholars. they're trained to respond the way they did. i'm sure there has been crash courses since virginia tech.

[2centsworth]

Especially if people are applauding it while it happens or justifying it to each other after it happens.
what's encouraging is that left leaning posters started this thread and others have been critical of what happened.

[2centsworth]

i agree with that. but when you resist, the training kicks in. they're not Rhode scholars. they're trained to respond the way they did. i'm sure there has been crash courses since virginia tech.
I sort of agree with you about the police, but what Kerry should have done was tell the UF student "give me moment to respond". If the UF student continued then remove him. The way it went down should be a huge warning sign.

[Extra Stout]

the way this country is headed, I'm sure all of us will get arrested or tasered in the future for saying the wrong things.
You should read David Gelernter's book Americanism: The Fourth Great Western Religion, in which he argues that the ideals of the United States are superior to, and abrogate, the tenets of Christianity.

The folks over at Power Line blog think it's awesome. So does the American Enterprise Institute. It's a neocon's wet dream.

Do you see some things starting to converge? Maybe your grandkids can end up like Polycarp!

[2centsworth]

Do you see some things starting to converge?

Yes!


The folks over at Power Line blog think it's awesome. So does the American Enterprise Institute. It's a neocon's wet dream.

please elaborate.

[clambake]

he's not the first politician to freeze during an urgent situation.

[2centsworth]

he's not the first politician to freeze during an urgent situation.
it wasn't an urgent situation, it was during a speech. These guys should be pros.

[Extra Stout]

Yes!


please elaborate.
In other words, both wrote articles reviewing the book in which they substantially supported its premise, and stated that it makes an important argument about the mission of America in the world, and that conservatives ought to read it.

I don't really agree with the premise of the book, inasmuch as it is a horrendous blasphemy, anathema anathema maranatha, and makes America out to be the abomination that causes desolation.

[Extra Stout]

and makes America out to be the abomination that causes desolation.
Which I've regarded as a feasible eschatology for some time now.

[2centsworth]

I'm picking up the book today. Thanks and also for the new words.:)

[smeagol]

:tu

This thread has been a great read (so far).

[Mr. Peabody]

I'm picking up the book today. Thanks and also for the new words.:)

:lol

I had to m-w and wikipedia that post as well.

[Spurminator]

So you've got a smartass kid drawing attention to himself by yelling about racism and secret societies removed with unnecessary force by anxious cops overreacting in an effort to silence him in order to make the whole incident less awkward for a clueless politician on stage who has no idea how to handle any of it in front of a large crowd of people who are pleasantly entertained by the whole thing. How perfect.

[smeagol]

So you've got a smartass kid drawing attention to himself by yelling about racism and secret societies removed with unnecessary force by anxious cops overreacting in an effort to silence him in order to make the whole incident less awkward for a clueless politician on stage who has no idea how to handle any of it in front of a large crowd of people who are pleasantly entertained by the whole thing. How perfect.

So you are saying the kid is an idiot, the police are idiots, Kerry is and idiot . . . I cannot do anything but concur.

[2centsworth]

So you are saying the kid is an idiot, the police are idiots, Kerry is and idiot . . . I cannot do anything but concur.
according to Extra it's a sign of the end of the world.

[Spurminator]

Idiot is a strong word.

The student is simply communicating his opinion in the way we have grown to expect them to be communicated. Brash, stubborn, loud and sarcastic.

The campus police are underpaid and undertrained, and are part of a larger society that, for the most part, believes public disturbances should be silenced whenever possible.

John Kerry is a career politician, trained for decades to speak as vaguely as humanly possible, and sheltered from being put on the spot by real people.

[Extra Stout]

according to Extra it's a sign of the end of the world.
One possible scenario I have imagined is that, once the democratic polity of the United States is exhausted, as is inevitable given that every institution of the present world is subject to death and corruption, it becomes an autocratic state in order to protect what is left of the power of the elites, and that in order to keep the people in line, a hyper-patriotic Christo-American synchretistic state religion is instituted, and that those who will not bow before the state are persecuted as threats to national security, just as in the Roman Empire prior to A.D. 313.

This idea is by no means deterministic.

[Extra Stout]

This idea is by no means deterministic.
But come to think of it, it would be a cool premise for a movie.

[ChumpDumper]

I don't give a shit that it was a Kerry speech. I'd feel the same way if it was Ann Coulter speaking. Once you start fucking with the police, you're going down. He started fucking with the police -- it's completely different from fucking with a speaker. Had he not resisted, he would not have been tasered. He should've just gone limp and kept yelling.

This could go either way in court, but this kid gave away control of his situation by actively resisting.

[smeagol]

One possible scenario I have imagined is that, once the democratic polity of the United States is exhausted, as is inevitable given that every institution of the present world is subject to death and corruption, it becomes an autocratic state in order to protect what is left of the power of the elites, and that in order to keep the people in line, a hyper-patriotic Christo-American synchretistic state religion is instituted, and that those who will not bow before the state are persecuted as threats to national security, just as in the Roman Empire prior to A.D. 313.

This idea is by no means deterministic.

In this brave new world, would boutons be persecuted like Christians were in pre-Constantine times?

[Extra Stout]

In this brave new world, would boutons be persecuted like Christians were in pre-Constantine times?
Do you really think he'd have the backbone to stare down the barrel of a gun and stand firm?

[smeagol]

Once thing I'm struggling with is that, no matter how much unnecessary force the cops used, once they approach you, you cannot resist. I'm assuming that if he did not resist, we would've not been tasered.

If people condone that kind of behavior, society quickly goes down a very slippery slope.

If you don't believe me, come and visit the land of the Pampas and see how policemen are treated here. As a society, we have gone down that slope and it not pretty.

[smeagol]

Do you really think he'd have the backbone to stare down the barrel of a gun and stand firm?

Barrel of a gun? That would be to easy compared to what those dudes went through.

But to answer your question, I'd say hell no.

[DarkReign]

:lol

I had to m-w and wikipedia that post as well.

<-- same

[Extra Stout]

Barrel of a gun? That would be to easy compared to what those dudes went through.

But to answer your question, I'd say hell no.
I really don't know what the 23th-century equivalent of grappling with wild beasts would be.

[boutons_]

September 18, 2007
Vital Signs

Safety: In Stun Gun Training, Officer’s Spine Is Fractured

By ERIC NAGOURNEY

Advocates for the use of stun guns by police departments like to point to evidence that they are a generally safe way to subdue aggressive suspects.

But they could probably find a better spokesman than an officer in North Carolina who volunteered to be shocked at a training class. The officer ended up in the emergency room with two spinal fractures.

The incident, involving a Taser, is described online by The Annals of Emergency Medicine. The authors of the report say it is the sole case like it they could find.

The officer was described as a healthy 38-year-old who volunteered to receive a standard five-second Taser discharge. The device usually fires two darts into its target.

But in this case, to avoid puncturing the officer’s skin, the Taser charge was conveyed through two alligator clips, said an author of the report, James E. Winslow of Wake Forest University.

Two other officers supported the volunteer as he was shocked, to make sure that he did not fall. At first, everything appeared normal, with the officer experiencing the usual pain and muscle contractions.

But he continued to suffer severe back pain, and when an ambulance took him to a hospital, doctors found two fractured vertebrae. The fractures were caused by intense muscle contractions, the report said.

Nine weeks later, the officer reported considerable continuing pain and told doctors that he had been able to return to work just part-time and at a desk job.

Tasers are used by more than 11,000 law-enforcement agencies in the United States, and they are widely considered safer than other tools used by police officers, like pepper spray and nightsticks, the authors said.

( safer for whom? http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smilol.gif )

“However,” they wrote, “conducted energy weapons are weapons and, like other weapons, are clearly capable of causing injuries.”

[Extra Stout]

Once thing I'm struggling with is that, no matter how much unnecessary force the cops used, once they approach you, you cannot resist. I'm assuming that if he did not resist, we would've not been tasered.

If people condone that kind of behavior, society quickly goes down a very slippery slope.

If you don't believe me, come and visit the land of the Pampas and see how policemen are treated here. As a society, we have gone down that slope and it not pretty.
It is very difficult to justify the force used given the video evidence.

[2centsworth]

But come to think of it, it would be a cool premise for a movie.
count me in as an executive producer.

[xrayzebra]

Judge has ordered him released.Click-click (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,297197,00.html)

[smeagol]

It is very difficult to justify the force used given the video evidence.

I can't watch the video from work.

I will do so at home.

[DarkReign]

Was he obnoxious, yes. Did he deserve to be forcibly removed, absolutely.

To be tasered?! Absolutely not. Fucking pigs.

[Extra Stout]

Was he obnoxious, yes. Did he deserve to be forcibly removed, absolutely.

To be tasered?! Absolutely not. Fucking pigs.
We do live in a society which generally condones erring on the side of excessive force in order to suppress public disruption.

[2centsworth]

Was he obnoxious, yes. Did he deserve to be forcibly removed, absolutely.

To be tasered?! Absolutely not. Fucking pigs.I think it's questionable if he should have been forcibly removed at the time. To me it looked like he was too excited, but the questions were reasonable and Kerry could have attempted to answer them. If the kid wouldn't have let Kerry respond, and then forcible removable would have made more sense.

[ChumpDumper]

the questions were reasonable and Kerry could have attempted to answer them. He didn't even let Kerry answer the first question.

[johnsmith]

He didn't even let Kerry answer the first question.


Yeah, taser him!

[Extra Stout]

ChumpDumper dreams of a forum taser which can be used on posters who get out of line.

[ChumpDumper]

I don't give a shit about Tasers.

Don't fuck with the police. You'll lose.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah, taser him!No. Not for that. I just won't pretend that he was giving Kerry a chance to answer. Tase me for that if you like.

[johnsmith]

I don't give a shit about Tasers.

Don't fuck with the police. You'll lose.


I thought they were campus security guards?

[Extra Stout]

I don't give a shit about Tasers.

Don't fuck with the police. You'll lose.
Don't taser a snot-nosed kid who already has been removed from the situation and subdued. You'll lose your job.

[johnsmith]

No. Not for that. I just won't pretend that he was giving Kerry a chance to answer.


Who's pretending?

Dude, this isn't about Kerry, it's about abuse of power and potentially killing someone when frankly, it wasn't necessary.

[ChumpDumper]

I thought they were campus security guards?University police.

[ChumpDumper]

Don't taser a snot-nosed kid who already has been removed from the situation and subdued. You'll lose your job.No one is going to lose his job over this. Chances are it followed procedure.

[Extra Stout]

Gratuitous displays of force in order to demonstrate police authority are fully in concert with a the ideals presented by a forum with a U.S. Senator.

[ChumpDumper]

Who's pretending?Whoever is saying Keey wouldn't answer his questions. It wasn't you so it wasn't directed at you.


Dude, this isn't about Kerry, it's about abuse of power and potentially killing someone when frankly, it wasn't necessary.I completely agree it wasn't necessary for this guy to resist arrest. I already said I don't care who was speaking.

[Holt's Cat]

We cannot question the actions of cops because they are always clean and pure and 9/11, apple pie, and babies.

[Holt's Cat]

My guess is Janet and Alberto are down with it.

[ChumpDumper]

We cannot question the actions of cops because they are always clean and pure and 9/11, apple pie, and babies.Sure, they can be questioned -- and this is being reviewed and two officers are suspended with pay while this is being sorted out.

The man shouldn't have actively resisted the way he did.

[Holt's Cat]

Politicians aren't used to having to speak with the little people outside of a controlled and contrived forum.

[Holt's Cat]

What was he arrested for? Being a douche?

[Extra Stout]

The man shouldn't have actively resisted the way he did.
True. And since there is no such thing as proportionality in the use of force, they simply should have shot him in the leg. That's a non-lethal wound, and definitely would have subdued him.

[ChumpDumper]

What was he arrested for? Being a douche?According to the independent student newspaper, he's charged with disturbing the peace and felony resisting arrest.

[Holt's Cat]

The police accosted him and starting walking him out for no apparent reason. I don't see any evidence that he threatened the life of the senator or any else. A clear overreaction by the boys and girl in black.

[Holt's Cat]

Disturbing a US Senator's peace? Why we can't have that.

[ChumpDumper]

Disturbing a US Senator's peace? Why we can't have that.But we can have resisting arrest, right? Perfectly acceptable.

[Holt's Cat]

Yeah we can't have anyone resist an arrest when they've committed no crime.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah we can't have anyone resist an arrest when they've committed no crime.He was charged with one, and failure to comply with a police order usually is considered one too.

I think his questions were perfectly valid and I would like to have heard Kerry respond. Too bad this guy was such an idiot that he didn't want to hear any answers.

[Extra Stout]

I heard somewhere that the kid is a real troublemaker and once held up a sign revealing the end of the latest Harry Potter book. Clearly, that makes it OK to use a Tazer on him.

P.S. The device was used in "Drive Stun" mode, which does not incapacitate the target, but rather simply inflicts a large amount of pain. Clearly, a true patriot will lie still while experiencing this, rather than writhing around like a troublemaker. Extra points are awarded if you simply scream, "Freedom!"

[Holt's Cat]

He was charged with one, and failure to comply with a police order usually is considered one too.

I think his questions were perfectly valid and I would like to have heard Kerry respond. Too bad this guy was such an idiot that he didn't want to hear any answers.


So because he was charged with one he actually committed one? How many cops does it take to put cuffs on someone anyways? Looks like the cops felt like hitting him up with a little juice just because.

[ChumpDumper]

Actually he had already committed the crime (disturbing a public event) before resisting.

I can't tell whether he was fully handcuffed or not. I assume they were telling him to comply and threatening with the taser if he didn't. Dude shouldn't have resisted.

[Holt's Cat]

Why is it that when politics moves outside of the soundbite it's criminal?

[Holt's Cat]

Actually he had already committed the crime (disturbing a public event) before resisting.

That's disturbing a public event? C'mon.

You can't ever go off script in today's America.

[ChumpDumper]

That's disturbing a public event? C'mon.

You can't ever go off script in today's America.I didn't write the laws -- take it up with the DA and the Florida legislature. He had actually already disrupted it once by rushing the mic and demanding his questions be answered because it looked like the ~25 minute Q&A session was ending. The police wanted to take him away then but Kerry called them off. That's why they were standing right behind him when the nicely edited video starts.

[Holt's Cat]

So it's a crime to try to question a US Senator?

Guilty until proven innocent.

[ChumpDumper]

So it's a crime to try to question a US Senator?It's a crime to disturb a public event in Florida.
Guilty until proven innocent.Show me where guilt must be proven before an arrest can be made.

[Whisky Dog]

Absolute bullshit. Ever been tasered? People have died from it. What if the kid had an undetected heart murmur? Dead. Or heart arythmia? Dead.

One must think about the individual who wants to be a cop and the reasons for doing so. Have you ever considered why these people want to be cops in the first place?

Its a powerr trip. Control and status. Law enforcement is just a subsitution for fraternity. A necessary component, no doubt, unequivocally. But these things are bound to happen when you consider the psychology behind a person who wants to be a cop.

NOTE: so its out there, the kid was being a douche. Deserved to be taken down, I just dont like Tasers as a means to subdue an unarmed idiot. to be clear, when I say "unarmed" I mean a person without a weapon of any sort. If a guy has a gun, the cop should shoot him. If the guy has a baseball bat, he should be tasered. If the guy is unarmed but 6'7" and about 330lbs of raw beef, he should be tasered. See my point?

Once again, non-lethal stun weapons are used to subdue subjects for the safety of all involved. In numerous studies there has been no evidence that the stun gun itself causes a death, the deaths were usually attributed to immune deficiencies from heavy drug use or from complications suffered during the struggle itself. Besides, don't resist arrest. If you don't want your ass shocked or beaten down then dont resist. You're not going to get away. Just go along.

[Holt's Cat]

Show me where guilt must be proven before an arrest can be made.

Well, you did say a crime had occurred.

[Whisky Dog]

So it's a crime to try to question a US Senator?

Guilty until proven innocent.

Guilty until proven innocent?? HAHAHAHAHAHA

That phrase get's thrown around so much ignorant people like this fellow don't even know where it applies anymore.

[Extra Stout]

Actually he had already committed the crime (disturbing a public event) before resisting.

I can't tell whether he was fully handcuffed or not. I assume they were telling him to comply and threatening with the taser if he didn't. Dude shouldn't have resisted.
Whether the kid was resisting arrest or not, guidelines regarding the use of force would require that the target be dangerous or violent, and that he in fact violently resist arrest, for a Taser to be used to subdue him.

It is exceedingly difficult, given the video evidence, to conclude that the officers were in any kind of danger that would justify the use of a Taser.

It is not acceptable to conclude that because the target was resisting arrest, and had already been warned that he might be 'Tazed,' that the use of the weapon was justified under the circumstances.

Besides all that, the mode in which the weapon was used is noted by the manufacturer to lead to "prolonged struggles" since it does not incapacitate the target.

A competent police officer could have taken that kid out quickly with a lot less fanfare, but the Tazer is a really cool new toy, and the cops can use it to show a snot-nosed kid who's boss.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, you did say a crime had occurred.There was ample evidence a crime had occurred for the police to act.

[Holt's Cat]

Guilty until proven innocent?? HAHAHAHAHAHA

That phrase get's thrown around so much ignorant people like this fellow don't even know where it applies anymore.

"get's"? Check your own self first whisky breath.

[ChumpDumper]

Whether the kid was resisting arrest or not, guidelines regarding the use of force would require that the target be dangerous or violent, and that he in fact violently resist arrest, for a Taser to be used to subdue him.Actually, you don't have the guidelines for the UF police and neither do I, so let's not pretend we do. At least one source says his resisting indictment is a felony, meaning resisting with violence.


It is exceedingly difficult, given the video evidence, to conclude that the officers were in any kind of danger that would justify the use of a Taser.Depends on the guidelines. The Chief intimated that there only had to be a threat of an officer's being injured. At that point that may have been the case.


It is not acceptable to conclude that because the target was resisting arrest, and had already been warned that he might be 'Tazed,' that the use of the weapon was justified under the circumstances.Ok, it just proves what a dumbass this guy is. I'm fine with that.


Besides all that, the mode in which the weapon was used is noted by the manufacturer to lead to "prolonged struggles" since it does not incapacitate the target.

A competent police officer could have taken that kid out quickly with a lot less fanfare, but the Tazer is a really cool new toy, and the cops can use it to show a snot-nosed kid who's boss.I wouldn't say it's new. If you'd rather they clubbed him, just say so.

[Holt's Cat]

There was ample evidence a crime had occurred for the police to act.


So the cops should've been able to determine the sentence then and there, no?

[smeagol]

Takeaway: Do not resist arrest.

[Holt's Cat]

Don't get between a US Senator and his ride back to his Lear jet.

[ChumpDumper]

So the cops should've been able to determine the sentence then and there, no?No. Not their job. I'm perfectly fine with leaving the judgment of the police actions up to the Florida officials who will review them. I can also say with some certainty that this man had multiple opportunities to stop the tasing before it happened.

[ChumpDumper]

Takeaway: Do not resist arrest.Actually passive resistance would have been quite effective, avoided a felony indictment and still gotten him on YouTube. But I guess moveon.org needs new bloggers; a self-made martyr is as good as anyone.

[Holt's Cat]

The cops had him immobilized on the ground and a weapon needed to be used? Because he might say something? What has happened to this country?

[Extra Stout]

After watching the video a few more times, I am completely reversing my position. After being nearly carried out by the large cop, the young man has an opportunity to leave the auditorium peacefully, but instead tries to run back towards the senator. When two or three officers attempt to restrain him from doing so, he resists them violently. At this point the other three officers jump in, and the target is Tazed in order to induce pain compliance so that he can be handcuffed. Until the man makes that lunge to try to run back into the auditorium, there is not even an attempt to handcuff him, just to remove him.

Had that been Secret Service rather than U of F police, the target might have been shot and killed. Had he gotten past those officers, there was nobody between him and a U.S. Senator. Probably he's just a drama queen looking to make a scene, but you can't assume that.

It looks bad and produced a negative emotional response, but after repeated review, I guess I can't fault the officers for what they did. The use of force was justified after all.

[Holt's Cat]

Who was he running at when he was on the ground? They had control of his ass before they popped him.

[ChumpDumper]

Probably he's just a drama queen looking to make a scene, but you can't assume that.I pissed off Ken Griffey, Jr.

A True Story

BY ANDREW MEYER

I pissed off Ken Griffey, Jr. Before I explain how, let me repeat that for a second: I pissed off Ken Griffey, Jr. So here’s what happened:

I went to see the Marlins play the Cincinnati Reds on May 31, 2004, and sat eight rows behind home plate. My real seat was way up in the upper deck, so I was practically forced to sneak into a better section. Anyway, in the top of the seventh, Sean Casey came up to bat with a man on first and one out. Before I delve into my tale, let me give some background info.

For those who don’t know, a mere week earlier, the Marlins were in Cincinnati for a three game stretch. In the middle of the first game, Casey, the Reds’ hulking first baseman, comes up to bat with one out and a man on first. Casey was batting near .400, and tearing up the league, so Marlins manager Jack McKeon opted to intentionally walk him in order to face – who else – Ken Griffey, Jr. Now, Griffey is a sure-fire first-ballot Hall-Of-Fame guy, 7 homers away from 500 for his career at the time. So he was kind of peeved, understandably. Naturally, Griffey smacks a 3 run homer, winning the game for the Reds. But as he rounds the bases, he glares over at McKeon, in disgust. He denies this action later, but it’s too late. Now the Marlins are offended. Brad Penny and Josh Beckett take exception to Griffey’s action, and fire up the team. The Marlins take the final two games in the series.

Now, you have to know this about me: I am huge Marlins fan, and a born heckler. My purpose in life is to badger, jeer, and cajole professional athletes. I have angered two other All-Star baseball players, Bobby Abreu and Odalis Perez, on separate occasions. I have booed singers that mess up the national anthem. Heck, I’ll even heckle other hecklers if I don’t care for their stuff. What happened during this particular game was destined to be, the paths of Griffey and I on a collision course.

With Sean Casey about to step into the batter’s box, I spy Griffey in the on deck circle. Knowing full well the previous week’s events, I was almost forced to do what I did.

“WALK CASEY TO GET TO GRIFFEY!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. “WALK CASEY TO GET TO GRIFFEY!”

I now not only had the attention of my entire section, but Griffey himself turned an eye in my direction, and began to stare. I was on my feet, and he spotted me immediately. I was nowhere near done with this.

“WE WANT GRIFFEY!” I screamed, deliriously. “WE WANT GRIFFEY!”

There was no question about it now. Griffey was staring me down, angry. Instantly I realized what I had done. I had twisted the lion’s tail, awakened a sleeping giant, rousted the dragon from his lair.

“If he hits one out it’s on your head!” the man next to me shrieked. I grinned sheepishly. Casey stepped into the box. Ball one. I began to squirm in my seat. Ball two. When the umpire called that second ball, I knew down in my gut everything that would happen next. Casey walked on four pitches. Griffey walked to the plate, still glaring in my direction. The pitcher winds, delivers --- Strike one.

“That’s right Griffey! You’re nothing!” I yell.

Griffey knocks the next one out of the park. As he rounds third, he points right into the stands behind home plate, right at me. My friend would tell me later, the radio play-by-play man on 560 would assume Griffey was pointing to his family in the stands. Only the people around me knew better. As he touched home, Griffey still had that angry look on his face, and he was still glaring in my direction. The crowd was in shock.

“You idiot! He hit that because of you!”

The next time Griffey entered the on deck circle was in the ninth. He did not look pleased, and he did not look pleased AT ME.

“Uh, hey Griffey, I was just kidding,” I managed. “JUST KIDDING!”

Griffey struck out swinging.

The Marlins lost nine to seven that day, beaten by Ken Griffey, Jr.’s home run. I didn’t say another word.

http://www.freewebs.com/newforum/bioandpersonalstories.htm

[Holt's Cat]

He's a douchebag, but even douchebags don't deserve to be hit with a Taser.

[Extra Stout]

Who was he running at when he was on the ground? They had control of his ass before they popped him.
That's debatable.

[Holt's Cat]

That's debatable.

5 or 6 cops could not subdue that kid when they have him pinned to the ground already?

[Extra Stout]

He's a douchebag, but even douchebags don't deserve to be hit with a Taser.
Also, have you seen the full video, which is about two minutes long?

[Extra Stout]

5 or 6 cops could not subdue that kid when they have him pinned to the ground already?
Once he made that move to rush back in the auditorium, all bets were off.

[cornbread]

For some reason I'm having a hard time sympathizing for a priveleged college boy who thinks he can challenge police while in the presence of a United States Senator. His dose of reality could have been much more severe.

[Spurminator]

Well, if there's anything positive about it, at least it's a step up from throwing a pie. Progress?

[Extra Stout]

If that had been President Bush rather than John Kerry, and the young man had pulled a stunt like that, he would have been shot and killed. Does anybody doubt that? Would there be any real debate about it?

[Holt's Cat]

Once he made that move to rush back in the auditorium, all bets were off.

Yeah, we can't have a US Senator have to sit through an unscripted and boorish line of questioning.

[Holt's Cat]

Also, have you seen the full video, which is about two minutes long?

The one I saw was 4 minutes long.

[jackseven]

That kid is what this country needed. This society is moving into conformity where people are afraid to ask questions and question authority. So what if his questions were antagonistic or annoying to John Kerry?

And for public peace or safety being the reason he was arrested? Please, a riot was more likely to break out for the way the cops handled that than anything that kid did.

That kid had more balls than I have or 99.9% of this generation. I admire his courage of going against the grain and trying to make his mark in a political forum.

The common people should stand up in real life. Actual grass roots politics - not just in blogs or videos on the computer.

The law isn't always right chumpdumper.

Just because you win doesn't mean it's right.

Just because you're the authority - even in the United States - doesn't mean you're right.

What kind of open forum in it if you can't have passionate speech or talk for a few minutes?

Chumpdumper, if everyone thinks like you, in 2100, our children will live in boxes where they are restricted even moreso in how they can think and act.

This nation has regressed in liberties and rights. Hopefully there are more speakers like this kid that provoke more questions.

[Holt's Cat]

I count 7 cops on him while he is pinned down on the ground. And they had to Taser him? Someone's a bit trigger happy.

[Holt's Cat]

Nowadays most public officials seem unwilling to have to deal with the little people. The President has never seemed willing to appear at any kind of public event where he might be graced with the presence of dissenters in his midst. IIRC his predecessor was the same way. Bush 41 I'm not sure about as well as Reagan. It certainly seems like politicians in general over the last decade have found ways to avoid unscripted and perhaps unfavorable interaction. Has our politics become that poisoned?

[Holt's Cat]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7NWukZhsiBw&mode=related&search=

This video captured what happened once he was taken out of the lecture hall. The cop tells him he was arrested for trying to "incite a riot." Oh well, just another day in America. Please check your opinions at the door. Or you will be Tasered.

[Holt's Cat]

Thank God for widely available digital video recording devices and easy ways to distribute video recordings.

[Nbadan]

From a eye-witness at the event...


However, while Senator Kerry was responding to a student’s question, all of a sudden Meyer rushed to the microphone with cops in pursuit. At that point no one knew what was going on. Could he have a gun, a bomb? Immediately, Meyer began yelling into the microphone that he had been waiting in line forever and that Senator Kerry should “spend time to answer everyone’s questions!” Senator Kerry tried to calm the student down by telling him that he would “stay here as long as it takes to get the questions answered.” The police approached Meyer who began taunting them by saying “what! are you going to taser me? are you going to arrest me?!” The police grabbed Meyer, but Senator Kerry asked the police to let him go and that he would answer his question. Senator Kerry finished answering the other student’s question and then proceeded with Meyer. (*This entire scene is not in any video I can find so far. This is why 2 cops are seen right behind Meyer at the start of some videos*).

Meyer approached the microphone and began to talk about a book he had which stated that Kerry won the 2004 election because of disenfranchisement of black voters and faulty voter machines that produced “Bush” as the winner. He then posed another question about why President Bush had not been impeached. “President Clinton was impeached because of a blowjob, why not Bush?”. The third and strangest question he posed to Senator Kerry was asking him if he was part of the skull and bones society with Bush at Yale. Meyer’s mic cut off after that, probably because he had mentioned the word “blowjob”. The cops grabbed him, but Meyer was able to get away several times. Eventually more cops were brought in to help subdue Meyer. Meyer continued to resist arrest, scream, curse; however he was enventually subdued by about six cops up around the entrance. As he is on the ground, he is told several times to put his hands around his back. He is also warned that he will be tasered if he does not comply. Eventually he is tasered twice. The video does not show whether he complied or not.

Senator Kerry was trying to answer his question to the audience, mostly the one about faulty voter machines. I am a die hard conservative Republican but I do respect Senator Kerry for trying to soothe the situation as best he could and trying not to escalate the situation. He DID intervene by letting the student at least present his question. I never received an opportunity to ask my question, but when Senator Kerry ended the show after the Meyer incident, he did come off stage to shake hands and give autographs. At that point, I was able to ask him my question, shake his hand, and get a autograph at the same time. Now why couldn’t Andrew Meyer do that?

I don’t know if this is relevant or not, but Andrew Meyer is a former sports writer for the school newspaper The Alligator. In his columns, he has been known to make ridiculous statements in order to gain attention for himself. Was today a publicity stunt?

Brad Blog (http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5083)

What book was Meyer waiving at Kerry?

http://www.bradblog.com/Images/GregPalast_ApparentlyDangerous.jpg

Tasered Student, Waiving Greg Palast Book, Asked Kerry About Conceding 2004 Presidential Election


'In this book, it says five million votes were supressed. Didn't you want to be President?' Asks 21-Year-Old Prior to be Dragged Off by Security
'Kerry, true to character, stood immobile,' Notes the New York Times Best-Selling Author in Response...

Fortunately, it happened at a John Kerry event. So we'll likely hear a whole lot about this incident. Had it happened at a Republican event, Fox "News" and the rest of the news channels that receive their assignments from them, would have made this a one-day story at best.

The blurry-ish video version of the incident (available via the link below), shows the entire statement and questions asked by University of Florida student Andrew Meyer. He was waving the recently released paperback version of investigative journalist Greg Palast's Armed Madhouse and recommend the book to Kerry before asking him about his early concession to the 2004 Presidential Election.

"He says you won the 2004 Election, isn't that amazing?," proclaimed Meyer referring to Palast's claims in the book. The 21-year-old student continued on to speak about "multiple reports of disenfranchisement of black voters in Florida and Ohio on the day of the election" and "electronic voting machines in Volusia County, Florida that counted backwards."


Floppingaces (http://www.floppingaces.net/2007/09/18/the-new-taser-incident/)

[clambake]

Harry dies.

pretty funny

[inconvertible]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.




ARE WE NOT AMERICANS? WE SHOULD NOT LET THIS INCIDENT GO UNCHECKED.


http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/us-flag-640x480.jpg

[smeagol]

What a fucking annoying kid!

I'm sorry, he got what he deserved.

[Switchman]

hahahaha

Don't Taze me Bro!

[Switchman]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7NWukZhsiBw&mode=related&search=

This video captured what happened once he was taken out of the lecture hall. The cop tells him he was arrested for trying to "incite a riot." Oh well, just another day in America. Please check your opinions at the door. Or you will be Tasered.

That one completely changed my opinion. What a bitch.

[IceColdBrewski]

The tasered student apparently has a history of taping jokes

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/09/18/student.tasered/index.html


But the student's behavior and past activities are prompting questions about whether the incident was part of a stunt.

The Florida Division of Law Enforcement will investigate Monday's arrest of Andrew Meyer, said University of Florida President J. Bernard Machen. Machen called the incident "regretful for us."

"The thing that I regret is that civil dialogue and civil discourse did not happen," Machen said. "That's fundamental to a university campus. Why it didn't happen is what we're trying to sort out."

During Monday's forum, Meyer came to the microphone to question the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee from Massachusetts. Watch the incident unfold »

"You will take my question because I have been listening to your crap for two hours," Meyer told Kerry, according to the police report of the incident.

He then turned to a woman and said "Are you taping this? Do you have this? You ready?" the report said.

Clarissa Jessup, who contributed I-Report video of the incident to CNN, said Meyer gave her his camera and asked her to shoot video of him posing his questions to Kerry.

Organizers had cut off questioning before Meyer went to the microphone, she said. Watch Jessup describe the incident

Meyer asked Kerry why he did not contest his loss to President Bush in the pivotal state of Ohio over allegations that African-American voters were disenfranchised.

Meyer also questioned Kerry about why he did not support impeaching Bush and whether he belonged to the Yale University secret society Skull and Bones, as Bush did.

One of the police officers on the scene observed that Meyer was "yelling as loud as he could as to sensationalize his presence," according to the police report.

Meyer had about a minute and a half at the microphone before police stepped in to haul him away. As he tried to escape their grip, Kerry protested, "That's all right, let me answer his question."

But as Meyer repeatedly questioned why he was being arrested, officers dragged him to the back of the auditorium and then used a Taser on him when he continued to struggle.

While Kerry pleaded for calm, officers warned the student he would be shocked if he did not stop resisting.

Meyer responded, "What did I do? Get off me ... get the f--- off me, man, I didn't do anything. Don't Tase me, bro, I didn't do anything."

Police noted that his demeanor "completely changed once the cameras were not in sight" and described him as laughing and being lighthearted as he was being driven to the Alachua County Detention Center.

"I am not mad at you guys, you didn't do anything wrong. You were just trying to do your job," Meyer said, according to the police report.

At one point, he asked whether there were going to be cameras at the jail, according to the report.

Meyer was charged with resisting arrest with violence -- a felony -- and a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace. He was released without having to post bond Tuesday.

Machen said the clips posted online paint an incomplete picture of the scene. Watch the university's reaction

University spokesman Steve Orlando said before police moved in, Meyer was asked to relinquish the microphone because he was "being disruptive."

But the arrest triggered a protest by a group of University of Florida students Tuesday. One of them, Benjamin Dictor, called the arrest "an assault on reason itself."

"For a question to be met with arrest, not to mention physical violence, is completely unacceptable in the United States," Dictor said.

Some students cheered Meyer's removal, and others looked on quietly. But several screamed in protest when officers prepared to shock him.

Meyer was carrying a business card advertising "TheAndrewMeyer.com 'Speak My Mind,' " the police report said.

The Web site features videos of Meyer taking part in several practical jokes. It also includes a "disorganized diatribe" that criticizes the war in Iraq and the media.

The Web site said his friends had posted coverage of his arrest.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Kerry said he didn't know a Taser had been used on the student until after he left the event, and said he hoped no one was injured.

"In 37 years of public appearances, through wars, protests and highly emotional events, I have never had a dialogue end this way," he said.

"I believe I could have handled the situation without interruption, but again, I do not know what warnings or other exchanges transpired between the young man and the police prior to his barging to the front of the line and their intervention."


Machen said authorities have not determined whether Tasers were used improperly.

In addition, he said a student-faculty review panel will examine "all of our protocols relative to student dialogue and faculty interaction" in the wake of the incident.


Too funny. After all this, he was just being an attention whore out to create a disturbace as one of his little pranks. He got exactly what he deserved.

[Holt's Cat]

Nothing better than a couple vigilante cops busting prima donna college students with a Taser. America. Fuck yeah.

[IceColdBrewski]

Nothing better than a couple vigilante cops busting prima donna college students with a Taser. America. Fuck yeah.

Vigilante cops? Don't be an idiot. The guy was being an asshole and was disturbing the peace. They tried to escort him out peacefully but prankboy wasn't done putting on his show yet. When you start resisting arrest, all bets are off. The cops don't know if he's got a weapon or what until they can get his hands cuffed.

[Holt's Cat]

Yes, much of what colors your excuse for the cops' excessive use of force smacks of an endorsement of vigilantism. Being an asshole isn't enough cause for an arrest. Nor does it justify administering a shock to a subject who was already subdued on the ground by 7 officers. Especially a subject who had made no threats nor had any exhibited any reason to suspect that he had a weapon. This was a situation which could have easily been prevented had cooler heads prevailed.

I suspect after review that the cops will receive some kind of disciplinary action for their overreaction.

[Wild Cobra]

I don't care how some of you justify the action by the police. It was flat out wrong.

Oh well, another insight into people morals.

[jackseven]

Looks like the idealistic fashion in which I saw the encounter were based on a kid trying to make a name for himself rather than take a stand in a political forum.

He's got a t-shirt for sale in his fly by night website.

[Phil Hellmuth]

dudes a lil bitch, he got what he deserved.

[Ignignokt]

DEMOCRATS 98 REPUBLICANS 97
___Home__________Away______


Cuz it's Root root root for the hometeam, at the old ball game.

[Wild Cobra]

dudes a lil bitch, he got what he deserved.
Yes, and he's also a howling little sissy. That still doesn't justify the taser.

That many law enforcement personnel unable to subdue a sissy? They obviously should be in that job field.

[ChumpDumper]

Yes, and he's also a howling little sissy. That still doesn't justify the taser.

That many law enforcement personnel unable to subdue a sissy? They obviously should be in that job field.WC would have taken him down with a single antenna.

[Oh, Gee!!]

WC woulda thrown some rabbit ears on the punk and tuned him in to the "Knuckle Sandwich Show."

[xrayzebra]

WC woulda thrown some rabbit ears on the punk and tuned him in to the "Knuckle Sandwich Show."


Nawh, WC, would have just made a microwave antenna
out of him and cooked his goose. And then he would
have welcomed just a little jolt from the Taser......WC
has an imagination, not like you kibitzers.

[Phil Hellmuth]

Yes, and he's also a howling little sissy. That still doesn't justify the taser.

That many law enforcement personnel unable to subdue a sissy? They obviously should be in that job field.

:dramaquee

it is a taser, he will still live.

cooperate with cops, then unleash your poutiness elsewhere, not when you want attention. no sympathy for this far liberal goon

[Holt's Cat]

When 7 cops are on top of you don't piss them off or they'll use a weapon on you for the hell of it. Sure, the guy is a prima donna attention seeking douchebag, but that doesn't justify the use of excessive force.

[johnsmith]

"Armando Diaz of San Antonio, Texas
It was a setup job. It looks like this guy did it to get media coverage. I just hope the masses can see through the ploy."

rofl

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/19/student.tasered.feedback/index.html


Jesus Fucking Christ this town is full of idiots.

[Nbadan]

Looks like the cops may be getting a little to taser-happy, and not just in the Kerry case either....


Officers said they arrived to find Delafield in a wheelchair, armed with two knives and a hammer. Police said the woman was swinging the weapons at family members and police.

Within an hour of her call to 911, Delafield, a wheelchair-bound woman documented to have mental illness, was dead.

Family attorney Rick Alexander said Delafield's death could have been prevented and that there are four things that jump out at him about the case.

"One, she's in a wheelchair. Two, she's schizophrenic. Three, they're using a Taser on a person that's in a wheelchair, and then four is that they tasered her 10 times for a period of like two minutes," Alexander said.

According to a police report, one of the officers used her Taser gun nine times for a total of 160 seconds and the other officer discharged his Taser gun once for a total of no more than five seconds.

A medical examiner found Delafield died from hypertensive heart disease and cited the Taser gun shock as a contributing factor, the report said. On her death certificate, the medical examiner ruled Delafield's death a homicide.

News (http://www.local6.com/)

[Cant_Be_Faded]

The University of Florida
The University Police
The City of Gainsville
The State of Florida
and John Kerry

are all very very VERRYY lucky that Andrew Meyer was not black.
I ROFL each time i play out future hypothetical possibilities with that one.

[Nbadan]

If he was hispanic he would be in Tiajauna by now.....even if he was a naturalized citizen!

[xrayzebra]

so the UF cops got put on paid leave

taser student for no reason = vacation

University cops.

nice job