free speech = free taser?
I love the fallout after this guy got tasered at a Kerry open mic at the university of florida.Everyone is acting like he got tasered because he spoke out with three dumb questions. No, he was tasered because he resisted the police when they tried to get him out of there.
posted by totallybloated @ 12:26 PM
5 Comments:
but why did they try to remove him in the first place? I've seen people be much more obnoxious than that with questions before. I've also seen people be actually disruptive, yelling, screaming, interupting polical speeches, etc, who have been given a warning or asked to calm down before being forced to leave. (and the prompting to ask his questions is not a warning, not when he then proceeded to do exactly as asked)
He on the other hand waited at a mic for a chance to speak his mind and ask questions.
I don't understand how he posed a threat and needed to be removed. I also have a hard time understanding how 3-5 cops (I couldn't see how many there actually were) couldn't drag him out the door.
I don't get how a 'resisting arrest' charge stands when there is no reason for his arrest in the first place. It's not the democratic national convention, there aren't clearly defined 'free speech zones,' it's a public university.
I heard that he either moved to the front of the line to ask his questions or went up to the mic even though the people allowed to asked questions had finished.
And when a cop puts their hand on your shoulder you really should listen to them. He did not, he failed around like a toddler and got himself in more trouble.
He wanted to make a scene and it was a success. But he should not act like it was anyone's fault but his own.
can you tell me where you heard the he moved to the front of the line or went up to the mic after question time? Those don't seem to match the video where Kerry finishes answer one question and then turns to the guy in question, points, and says 'sir.' The options you offer are two very different stories and I've seen nothing about either in the media that I've looked at, though it is totally possible I have missed sources.
And I'm still curious as to what charges he is being held on. Anyone out there have information on that? A guess or an answer. Can one be held for 'resisting arrest' if there isn't another charge to hold them on? I have no idea, Sarge, you wanna help on this one?
I agree with you on this, he wanted to cause a scene- and he did. Without question he was being obnoxious and trying to make a point. But I am made nervous by any willingness to abdicate power and authority to any and all cops, let alone other sources who claim power and authority. I still would argue that the tasers were excessive use of force.
"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 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."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/18/student.tasered/index.html
This guy was just pulling a stunt, and I hope it was worth the felony. But I just don't like people defending him like the police were at fault, they did their job and he is an asshole.
The taser was a bit much but I would rather he get hurt then a cop who has to restrain him because he is making a sense.
hecklers get kicked out of clubs, bars, theatres, comedy clubs, etc all the time for being obnoxious pricks. that's all this guy is and he was waving his arms around and yelling with a senator in the room. not exactly moves to make anyone take you seriously or feel at ease.
he was causing a disturbance. he wasn't asking questions at all. he fired off three implications that kerry is in kahootz with bush. before kerry can even address the 'questions' doucheman makes it clear that he already has all the answers in his mind by referring to kerry being in skull & bones.
the police were doing their job. that's it.
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