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

[BradBlog]

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."


"Kerry, true to character, stood immobile," writes Palast in response today...

COMPLETE REPORT: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5083

[TayTay]

1. Actually, he didn't

He answered the student's question.

But why let truth get in the way of a good rant.

[radiclib]

2. He did? What did he say?

Is there a link? A transcript?

[TayTay]

3. No. that is the point

No one got to hear the answer. The incident at the back of the room drowned it out.

All the news articles mention that Kerry asked to be able to continue and answer this kids question. Apparently, none of the cameras in the room focused on the Senator as he answered the question, only on the kid as the trouble ensued.

[JohnLocke]

4. Here

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

Throughout the incident, Kerry urged the audience to "cool down" and acknowledged that Meyer had raised an important question. As officers escorted Meyer from the auditorium into the lobby, Kerry went on to explain that he did not think there was sufficient evidence of voter suppression to justify contesting the 2004 election.

"We just couldn't do it in good conscience because we didn't have that evidence," he said.

http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20070917/NEWS/70917016/1002/NEWS

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. Kerry obviously said that after Meyer was removed. The reply wasn't on the video.

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

[goodgd_yall]

26. The cops' disruption disallowed anyone from hearing what he had to say

[lateo]

7. He didn't and that isn't the point.

He stood immobile and let this kid's 1st amendment rights get tazered.

[dailykoff]

9. He didn't know the kid was being tasered.

"I was not aware that a taser was used until after I left the building," he continued. "I hope that neither the student nor any of the police were injured. I regret enormously that a good healthy discussion was interrupted."

Read his statement here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1834174&mesg_id=1834174

[lateo]

10. I have read his statements and...

I think they are BS. Not knowing the kid got tazered is immaterial. He saw the kid getting dragged out of this place and you can't tell me he didn't hear this kid yelling. Auditoriums are designed to carry sound not to suppress it. This kid was screaming for his life.

[dailykoff]

11. He was giving a speech, not running security.

I don't understand what you think he should of done.

[YvonneCa]

17. No, he was throwing...

...a temper tantrum. Then security escorted him to the back of the room.

[lateo]

47. Wrong.

He was being very polite until the cops tried to remove him. Then he freaked out.

[2rth2pwr]

58. I'm not sure that you know what the definition of polite is.

Because butting ahead of 10-12 other people in line, heckling the speaker, dismissing staff asking him if he was a student, ignoring requests from members to let Kerry answer a question and acting like a lunatic when his mic was cut off...etc doesn't meet any definition of "polite" that I'm aware of.

[lateo]

62. I must have seen a different video than you.

Because I haven't seen any video that showed him doing half of these things you say. Do you have links?

[RangerRK]

50. he was screaming 'don't tazer me'

n/t

[dailykoff]

5. Didn't know that.

Is it your impression that his rant was for real? I haven't watched the video with sound so hard to tell, but the whole thing stinks worse than a Texas turdblossom.

[blogslut]

6. Sorry Brad and Mr Palast

But Andrew Myer knew exactly what he was doing. He was no innocent. He wanted a confrontation and to get his name in the papers and his face on the evening news. He got his wish.

[lateo]

8. Yeah, heaven forbid...

someone finally gets a chance to ask Kerry why he screwed all the Americans that voted for him. I can't blame this kid for being excited or pissed off when he asked this question. And if you watch the video he as being VERY polite at this point. He thanked Kerry for coming and spending time with them it wasn't until the asshole cops behind him started grabbing on him that it turned worse.

[blogslut]

12. Myer didn't want answers

He was there to make a public proclamation. If he had wanted answers then he would have asked them in a manner where they could have been answered. Instead, he fired off rapid points with no time between for answers. He came with the intent to disrupt. The man is a journalism student. He knew damned well his actions would get no answers.

[lateo]

24. And you know this how?

You seem to be able to read the mind of Myers...or maybe you just like to deal in logical fallacies. Maybe just maybe he fired them off because people were putting pressure on him to stop. Remember it is after the first question that the cops grab him and he, very politely, asked them to quit.

[blogslut]

27. Experience

I've had over thirty years experience watching people and crowds and predicting the outcomes of their behaviors. I spent at least 15 of those years working in bars. One does not navigate through a venue full of a thousand drunk college students without being able to recognize the troublemakers. I'll match my ability to spot a shit stirrer against any psychologist or sociologist, any time, anywhere.

[lateo]

30. Riiiight...ok...

And of these times you have read people's minds...how many times have you been wrong? You wouldn't really know though would you? Because you can't just approach someone and say "Dude, I just read your mind...I'm calling the cops".

[blogslut]

32. Believe what you want

But in all those years I never was assaulted, robbed or even had my tray knocked over. And yes, I have had to have security escort many many many people out of an establishment. And like Mr. Myer, I did so AFTER they began to make trouble.

[blm]

31. Like he very politely rushed the line that other students were waiting a turn at the mic?

THAT is why the police went after him, and to blow it up into an incident where Kerry somehow orchestrated the attack on him as been ABSURD and demobstrably false - since Kerry clearly says he'll answer his question.

The police over-reacted, but so did this man who showed NO democratic concerns to the other students who stood and waited as per the standard rules of any town hall.

[BradBlog]

54. Evidence for that claim? (NT)

[RestoreGore]

53. Would you feel that way if he were talking to Bush?

I bet not.

[blogslut]

56. In the first place

He would not be allowed to ask any unscripted questions of Bush. Unlike president peddles, John Kerry is willing to hear and answer to views that differ from his own.

If Andrew Meyer wants to shout his beliefs from the rooftop, I am all for it. What I am not for is his baiting a man while having no intention of actually listening for a response. He wanted to get his face on the teevee and that little bit about Skull and Bones proved to me the guy was looking for a fight.

[RestoreGore]

63. That's not the question I asked

[JeanGrey]

55. It seemed to be like he asked the first question and

then rapidly asked two more and he was getting louder and louder - I saw the cops touch him one before (I think trying to calm him) and he kept it up. I also noticed that most of the students applauded when he was taken out.

I also saw his website.

[YvonneCa]

19. So maybe your anger is misdirected...

...on this. :)

[gort]

15. As Albert Einstein said:

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.


Thanks for nothing

[blogslut]

18. Hey, he got his point cross and his message out there for all to see

So looks to me like Mr. Myer got all he bargained for and then some.

[OzarkDem]

34. Bullshit

He asked important questions, period. He also committed the crime of asking about impeachement.

Don't like hard questions? Too fucking bad. Don't ask them then. But keep your warped criticism to yourself about people who have the guts to ask them.

[blogslut]

38. No

I will not keep my criticisms to myself. I do not believe Myer wanted answers. John Kerry is an affable man and he was there to answer questions. Myer was there to make trouble.

[SaveElmer]

13. Palast is wrong...Kerry did answer...and the kid was acting like an ass..

I'm sorry he got tasered, something probably not necessary...but the guy is no martyr to free speech. He had been given ample opportunity to ask his question....

[BradBlog]

16. But wasn't polite enough to enjoy his First Amendment rights without being tasered??

Wasn't aware the First Amendment had a "Politness Clause".

Was he a threat to someone's security? The video doesn't seem to indicate that.

[blogslut]

20. Watch it again, Brad

Myers is a big fella. He fought back and continued to fight from the moment he was approached by the campus police.

[lateo]

28. He was being arrested illegally.

Did he over-react? Sure but what would you have done?

[blogslut]

29. I would have gone limp

Civil Disobedience 101

[YvonneCa]

23. Brad...I'm a fan...

...and probably agree with you on 2004. But this kid's out-of-control behavior is seen by security as a perceived threat to every person in that auditorium. Security is there to protect the audience. This kid sounds like a publicity hound...but security people have to keep the public good in mind.

I don't think he should have been arrested or tasered...I think they made a mistake there. But this student is old enough to accept consequences for his actions. His temper tantrum was inappropriate.

[SaveElmer]

35. Feel free to ignore what I said...

I'm used to it...

I'm pretty sure...yes I am sure I said the kid probably did not deserve to be tasered...but he was acting like an ass, and he had been given more than ample time to ask his question...he was trying to get himself publicity...and I guess he accomplished it!

[OzarkDem]

37. Will do!

Thx!

[BradBlog]

45. With all due respect to SaveElmer and YvonneCA...

...as well as the others here who have stated similar. I'm quite troubled by the comments that "he probably shouldn't have been tasered" but he was "seeking publicity" or some such.

If he did not deserve to be tasered, then that's the end of the story. We all should be outraged about it.

It's quite troubling that a number of comments here (and I'm equally troubled by the lack of reaction from other citizens in the room) seem willing to allow such overly-violent reaction to what clearly seems to be a non-threatening situation.

If you feel he was a threat, that's one thing. Then he would deserve to be tasered, arguably.

But if he didn't deserve to be tasered, as admitted by several above, then it seems to me folks should be damned outraged about it -- whether he "had his turn to ask his question" or "was seeking publicity" or not.

I don't think you can have it both ways. Well, you can, but color me less than enthused about what it says for the compliant, fearful-of-authority nature of our citizenry at this point in our history.

[SaveElmer]

46. I wasn't there, don't know what threat was perceived...

But that is a separate issues from his behavior. It is possible to not condone his tasering without viewing him as some martyr. He was acting like an ass with the clear intention of disrupting Kerry's remarks...

[BradBlog]

49. Me neither...

And I don't believe I've characterized him as a martyr.

That said, whether he acted like an ass or not, seems little to do with whether he should be tasered.

If, as you suggest, you didn't think tasering was necessary, then he shouldn't have been tasered. Period. Whether he acted like an ass or not doesn't seem to have anything to do with it.

The old "When they came for me..." poem keeps coming to mind today.

[ElizabethDC]

33. Indeed. I agree 100%.

The kid was being disruptive, and Kerry did the best he could to keep everybody calm, etc. I think the tasering was a little out of line, but the kid was behaving entirely inappropriately and I'm not surprised that security went to remove him.

[Robson]

43. Wish I could agree -- I don't

1/ He asked Kerry why he caved in immediately in 2004 to an opposition that obviously stole his election. I'd like to ask Gore the same question about 2000.

2/ He asked if both him and Bush were both members of Skull and Bones

3/ He asked why he supposedly opposed the war in Iraq and Iran, yet opposed impeaching Bush

I consider these all questions that most of us would consider as reasonable and that Kerry should answer. MSM doesn't ever bother with these, perhaps because they don't want tasered.

[ElizabethDC]

48. For me, this has nothing to do about *what* was being asked, but *how* the kid went about asking it

The questions were fine, and Kerry said he would answer them, as he should have. I really don't think that's why the police went to remove the kid. I think he went about asking them in an inapproprate manner (ie, shouting, interrupting others, asking a series of questions instead of just one.)

[goodgd_yall]

51. So he broke the rules of polite discourse

This requires strong arm methods of control? This country has really lost its way if it has come to tolerating censorship and police tactics when someone is not behaving "properly."

[OzarkDem]

36. The kid was fine

he deserves praise, not condemnation. Anyone who thinks its a good think to attack students who speak out should be ready for many, many more years of misery under GOP occupation.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. Gee, You're Just A Little Late To The Party, No?

No breaking siren?

:rofl:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

22. If you watch the video there are two men in suits that are standing by the police and it's my guess

they gave the orders to have Meyer removed. I would like to know who they are. Did they work for the University?

Link to video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag

[Robson]

42. Suits in White Shirt - Blue Shirt

I agree ....they ordered the "hit". You could see them colluding with concern, when the questioner asked the second hardball question. They were likely either Kerry or Florida stoolees. The security forces responded to their orders.

[rinsd]

25. I find Palast's pumping this incident involving his book a tad unseemly.

[Marr]

59. I do, too. I like Palast's work alot, but he does tend

to engage in rather questionable self-promotion at times, and it undermines his credibility in my eyes. There's just no need for it.

[2rth2pwr]

60. bingo.

I think Palast picked this technique up from Alex Jones.

[Robson]

39. Tasered for political dissent =FASCISM

The University of Florida security force needs a major slap down for resorting to Tasering this student for political dissent or resisting arrest.

If he had charged the podium, if he had pulled a weapon, if he had threatened other attendees or the speaker…..then he needed Tasered. He didn’t need Tasered for speaking his mind and the truth.

Good questions concerning impeachment and Skull and Bones relationship with Bush in my opinion. I don’t recollect the major media ever having the guts to ask them.

[Marr]

61. Tasered for resisting arrest = nothing new or unusual.

Generally I'm first in line to rant about police brutality, but this guy did everything he could to escalate the situation. He could've asked any question he liked and listened to the answer. He could've even been disruptive and belligerent and just walked out calmly when the cops came for him. Or he could've made them carry him out by collapsing on the floor. None of that would've gotten him tasered.

But he resisted arrest and apparently took a swing at one of the cops. That is just plain stupid.

[goforit]

40. OMG!!!!!! THIS IS HORRIFIC!!! POLITICIANS WALKING ABOVE THE LAW!!!!!

[goforit]

41. I will never ever have any f@#$@#$$%& respect for Kerry again!!!!

[dailykoff]

44. Appearances can be deceiving, especially in Florida.

Just sayin.

[goforit]

52. ALLISON on Oberman SUCKS when she laughs at the TASERING!!!

Doesn't this PISS YOU OFFF??????

[organik]

57. Simple Bush Timeline

I hoped coverage would be better on KO, but I guess not. It is now obvious to me that election fraud is THE taboo topic for mainstream TV news, perhaps second only to covering the 911 truth movement. Shame on Bill Maher for dissing them as well. Since when is it not ok to ask questions?

Timeline:

1 - Steal election
2 - blow up buildings (or at least allow them to be blown up - new pearl harbor)
3 - start endless war to loot iraq and US treasury for corporate cronies (easy after #2)
4 - steal second election (much easier this time due to 2 and 3)
5 - keep war going until out of office
6 - blame democrats for losing war!

Makes sense to me. I left out the midterms, but they of course were tampered with as well.