Healthcare activist bites off finger of counter-demonstrator, authorities say

[Joanne98]

Source: LA Times

Authorities are searching for a healthcare reform activist today who they said bit off the finger of a 65-year-old counter-demonstrator during a fight at a MoveOn.org rally in Thousand Oaks.

“It all started with their difference in philosophy over healthcare reform,” said Senior Deputy Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

The incident occurred about 7 p.m. Wednesday at a “We Can’t Afford to Wait Vigil” organized by affiliates of the activist group MoveOn.org, which drew supporters of President Obama’s healthcare plan, Buschow said. The rally also attracted several counter-protesters, he said.

During the rally at Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive, near the Oaks Mall, the two men got into a heated argument and began fighting.

“At which point, one man bit off the left pinky of the other,” Buschow said.

The injured demonstrator then drove himself to Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center about a mile away, he said.

Ilyse Hogue, director of political advocacy and communications for MoveOn.org, called the incident “a regrettable act of violence” in a statement released this morning.

“While we do not have any more facts about what happened than what we saw in press accounts, MoveOn condemns violence in all forms,” Hogue said. “We support the Ventura County sheriff’s investigation into the situation. It is in our firm hope that this event does not detract from the tens of thousands who were out peacefully making their voices heard for health care reform and a public option.”

Authorities said they are looking for a white male in his late 40s or 50s who was last seen wearing black shorts and a black shirt.

“We’re still trying to figure out who was the aggressor,” Buschow said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ventura Sheriff’s Department at [phone].



Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/health-care-activist-bites-off-the-finger-of-a-counter-demonstrator.html

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THERE ARE TOO MANY REPUBLICAN COPS! They don't need to look for him it was SELF DEFENSE!

[T Wolf]

1. The pro-reform guy was trying to cross the street to join "our" side when he was attacked

by the anti-health care asshole.

When the good guy was punched in the face, he instinctively bit down on the object shoved into his mouth.

Case should be closed with maybe an assault charge for the reich-winger. But, we know how the pigs and the DA work, so the self-defense "biter" will be charged and the aggressor will walk onto Fuck Nuze as a hero.

[Joanne98]

8. Yep. And that what he gets for sticking his finger in other people's mouths!

[arbusto_baboso]

10. Exactly! Btw, I live in Oxnard and KNOW what many TO residents are like...

And I know there's a very large, very vocal Freeper-type community there. To illustrate the mentality that is too pervasive in Thousand Oaks, let me tell you this story. Back in 1998-1999, I worked briefly as a civilian employee for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. Part of my training consisted of sitting in with the dispatchers for 2 days to familiarize myself with how calls for service are handled. In any case, one call came in from a TO woman who wanted to report "There's a strange black man walking down my street and I just KNOW he doesn't belong here."

That is Thousand Oaks, in a nutshell.

[wpelb]

2. For some reason

I would have expected the finger in question to be a middle finger.

If the docs aren't (or weren't) able to reattach the pinkie, will the man no longer be able to drink tea in polite society? Or go to a "tea party"?

[Wizard777]

3. Between Geezers slapping babies and biting off fingers.

I think the pharmco's are putting something in the Geritol.

[valerief]

4. It's always men, isn't it?

:rofl:

[kimmylavin]

5. Interesting.

Here's the take from our local radio news station:
http://www.kfwb.com/Health-Rally-Clash-Ends-in-Gruesome-ER-Trip/5143835


The LA Times left out this fun tidbit:

"A hospital spokeswoman says the man lost half the finger but doctors reattached it and he was sent home the same night.

She says he had Medicare."

Good thing the poor guy doesn't have to deal with the specter of government run healthcare!

[diane in sf]

6. Your response has the best info of all!

[Turborama]

12. He just told Cavuto that it wasn't reattached.

He's now Faux's new "national hero".

[northernlights]

7. never mind

Just saw the last post.

So the aggressor wants to deny the rest of us healthcare that he enjoys. Next time, hope someone gets a useful finger. x(

[LiberalFighter]

9. I bet the cops were the aggressor.

Just accepting the word of the geezer that shoved their hand into the face of the other person.

[Turborama]

11. He's on Faux right now being treated as a martyr

And Cavuto nearly burst into tears at the end and said, whilst showing a picture of the supposed finger biter, "I will find you!"

[ProudDad]

13. Did they mention on faux that he's on Medicare

I sure hope the gubmint keeps their hands off it...

[ohio_88]

14. At 12:49 p.m. Sept. 3, 2009 MSNBC gives a different report:

Source: MSNBC.com

Finger Biter Attends Health Care Rally

“Ventura County Sheriff Captain Frank O'Hanlon says a MoveOn.org supporter crossed the street, confronted a man on the other side of the issue and the two of them started a fistfight. Captain O'Hanlon says during that fight, the MoveOn.org supporter bit off the other demonstrator's pinky finger. The 65-year old found the finger and walked to the hospital to see if it could be reattached.”


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32674300/





“Every man is entitled to his own opinion, but no man is entitled to his own truth.” _ Mark Twain

[LeFleur1]

15. It Would Have Been....

...much more helpful to healthcare reform if the guy had bit off the RWgr's. tongue.

And it would have made a much more interesting interview on FOX.