Imagine if a politician got arrested if he kept talking off the moderator asked him to stop....

[TheUniverse]

Imagine if he was tazered also despite not doing any violent actions... Why are some people here cheering on this undemocratic action, when politicians do the same thing this kid did all the time in debate. How many times has a politician kept talking after the moderator asked him to stop? Is talking after you've been asked to stop all of a sudden a criminal action and grounds for torture?

[eleny]

1. It's hard to find the perfect analogy

Frankly, I don't think we need one. Tasering under the circumstances of 6 cops to one individual flailing without a lethal weapon is wrong, imo.

Not even when it's a politician!

[MadMaddie]

2. The main problem I have with this is there were 5 or 6 able bodied

police officers (men and women) that could have subdued him if that's what the situation called for. I am not of the firm belief that the abuse they implemented was necessary.

[JVS]

3. I want to see some tazering and police "escorts" at the oscars

[MonkeyFunk]

4. I've seen precious few people

applaud the tasering.

I've seen people dispute that it was just an innocent kid trying to get an answer. I've seen people dispute that the content of the question caused the reaction. I've seen people dispute that Kerry was complicit in the police response.

Yet somehow, people here equate that to applauding the tasering. It's become ridiculous.

[TheUniverse]

7. I've read a few messages here where people supported the tazoring.

Yeah, those people are in the minority, but I have read a few of them. I can't believe that anyone who could call themselves a liberal or a progressive would support tazering someone who is not a threat. I'm even shocked that about half the people here think he should have been arrested for not stop talking after he was asked. Thats a crime now? If it is, politicians need to start getting carried out in handcuffs in debates.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. Yes

but very very few. The problem though, is when people dispute the OTHER claims I listed above, they're accused of applauding the tasering, which is unfair and unwarranted.

[blm]

5. Let's see if a politician acted the way it happened....

Ted Donaldson (Rollins) wrote
5 hours ago
"If you want to hear it from someone that was there:

The disturbance did not begin with Andrew asking the question. He caused quite a scene by bursting into the room in the middle of Q+A, rudely interrupting Kerry answering another question (what was supposed to be the last one), and demanding to be heard. The cops followed him in (I have the feeling he had been giving them a hard time outside as well)

John Kerry responded by asking him to calm down and wait his turn, that his question would be answered next.

As some of the videos show, his question was long and rambling without much focus, less of a question if you will than an outburst. John Kerry remained calm, tried to guide him to the direct question he would like answered, but Andrew continued. After Accent cut his mike off, the cops tried to guide him out and as you can all see the real event began.

I was sitting in the back row of the auditorium- less than 5 feet from where he was restrained and ended up being tasered. (you can see my green shirt next to my friend in the striped shirt on most of the videos) He WAS NOT handcuffed yet when they did it. He was still attempting to get up and resist the police officers and would not put his hands behind his back.

Within close range, I have to say that I didn't feel it was the safest situation. I did not feel like they had him under control at all- and was scared that if he did manage to get up- he would have started getting riled up again. I personally was in a location that if he had started flailing around again- I would have been at risk.

Now- my opinion- I think Andrew had intentions to be disruptive and was not going to leave peacefully. I am by no means a proponent of violence, but the way the UPD handled this situation was completely appropriate."

-Stephanie Sims, former UF College Democrats PresidentReply to Ted
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Post #2Erin Decker (UF) wrote
4 hours ago
Thank you for posting that. I was also at the forum and completely agree with that account of the incident. I also felt unsafe because Mr. Meyer was being excessively aggressive and violent. I am thankful that UPD was finally able to control the situation and think they acted properly.Reply to Erin
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Post #3Chris Agard (FIU) replied to Ted's post
3 hours ago
I'd like to also thank you. I wasn't as close to him, but agree that his actions were meant to disrupt, and make a scene. He deserved what he got and UPD did what they had to, and had they not handled it as professionally as they did, they wouldn't be doing ther jobs. Being that it was Sen. Kerry the police also had to act accordingly.


http://uwm.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4943984636

[TheUniverse]

8. He didn't act up till the cops arrested him.

He wasn't violent, and was just giving them the respect they deserved.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

13. Ah, so rambling and yelling and not letting someone answer the question.....

.....you are asking isn't "acting up"?

And punching an officer isn't violent?

I'm wondering what "Universe" you live in.

[TheUniverse]

14. When did he punch the officer?

Its hard to see, and I dont know if he was asking in self defense. I'll wait for the judge or jury to decide because it was all so quick. And yes, rambling on may be "acting up" but it sure as hell is not criminal.

[TheUniverse]

10. I want to address one more thing.

He did not "cut in line." All he did was go to an open mike after Kerry said he was done answering questions. He said kerry should atleast answer the questions of the people in line and kerry agreed. Then he waited until the other row of people asked questions, and then he asked his questions. How the hell is that a crime?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Florida_Taser_incident

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

15. Sounds like that is in dispute

Read post 5.

[flaminbats]

17. so he didn't asked to be tazered?

something told me this wasn't just another student who spoke a few seconds too long at the microphone and wanted to hear Kerry's answers!

IMO this student had no intention of walking away from this peacefully, he wanted a little publicity..and he knew how to get it. ;)

[Purveyor]

6. Hmmm...brings about ideas for the next primary debates. You know those dog-collars

that give off an electric shock if...

{{{chuckle}}}

btw, I think Hillary would look fucking 'hot' with a collar and perhaps it would correct her annoying 'head nodding'.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

11. Uh, oh.......where's the sarcasm tag?

:popcorn:

[LittleClarkie]

12. Politicians skip ahead in line?

Politicians make sure they are being photographed as they disrupt?

Politicians call themselves born hecklers?

Politicians make a scene only to be joking with the cops later?

Do tell.

[TheUniverse]

16. He did not skip ahead in line.

Here is a good description of what happened.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Florida_Taser_incident


Kerry said he was done answering questions. So he went to a open mic asked kerry to answer the questions of people already in line. He then waited until Kerry answered the questions of the people already in line, and then asked his question.

[TwilightZone]

18. Nice try, but that source is already in dispute.

Try this one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1837251

[LittleClarkie]

20. Daily Kos has a different account

One where the dude skipped.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/18/125041/427

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

19. Oh God These Threads Just Keep Getting Worse And Worse!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

This has got to be one of the worst analogies ever!

:spray:

[Bitwit1234]

21. Even in the house of senate if they talk over long they cut off the mike.