It Begins… Unhinged Dem Rep. Bob Etheridge Violently Assaults Student Reporter (Video)
Posted by Jim Hoft on Monday, June 14, 2010, 5:34 AM
Woah… Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC2) violently assaults a student reporter on the street after he is asked if he supports the Obama agenda.
What a thug.
That’s odd… He doesn’t look like a tea party protester?
Honestly, was this necessary?
Is this what we can expect when we question democrats about their radical agenda?
Via Big Government:
Power Line added that according to the Cook Report, his district is an R+2 district. He has a credible opponent. Check her out here.” Support Renee Ellmers!
UPDATE: Of course, Bob Etheridge prides himself on being “accountable and accesible to North Carolinians.”
…As long as you don’t ask him a question!
ADVERTISEMENT
-
Featured Story:
Republican Military Hero & First Female to Command Fighter Squadron Will Announce Run For Congress Today
Published February 8, 2012 at 8:42 pm - 105 Comments
NC Cop commented:
It’s an assault, plain and simple.
That kid should have punched him square in his face.
Bob commented:
It is not easy being a democrat these days. The kid should file charges.
Betsy Ross commented:
Very chilling how the congessman asks “who are you?”…
The kid should have said, “I’m an American citizen and you work for me”.
File charges, kid. I think youv’e got a case…
ADVERTISEMENT
Just_Saying commented:
Assault. Plain and simple. File charges.
.
Joanne commented:
Could you imagine if he did this to a woman asking the same question? Holy smokes. This is assault! He had no right to know who the young man was anyhow – he was just asking a question – a simple yes or no would do.
JKB commented:
The kid asked “Do you fully support the Obama agenda?” The congressman gets scared and violent. We can only deduce that Obama’s name doesn’t have the cachet it used to. Plus, the rank and file are tiring of Nancy’s loyalty tests and now mistake people on the street as her enforcers.
Rachelle commented:
Charge him with assault and battery. What he did is both criminal and a tort.
John Gargano commented:
Thank God for video cameras. The absolute arrogance of this Congressman is beyond words. Clearly, he has no boundaries. He acted like he was justified in smacking and grabbing that kid because….what? Because the kid, who was in a jacket and tie, asked him a simple question on a public sidewalk?
This type of holier-then-thou behavior is but one reason why Congress has such a low rating. And what is going on with politicians in SC these days? Maybe they need to put some Lithium in the water there.
Militant Conservative commented:
Role play for a moment. Congressman white violating the civil rights of a black reporter in North Carolina?
File charges and take the video to court. Assault and Battery plain and simple, Democrat is now ineligible because he is now a convicted felon. powder is dry.
Flyover Sam commented:
Just as we mock the media for its relentless, almost daily use of the word “unexpected,” we need to also reconsider our reaction to these events which regards them as atypical, anecdotal events of unhinged nutcases.
There are far too many of them to write off as the product of isolated weirdos. Consider his demand “We have a right to know who you are.” Who is we? And why does this mirror Rep. Pelosi’s and Sen. Reid’s comments? And why does it parallel statements issued by DHS to law enforcement? Who is tracking and monitoring those who are speaking out? What we wants to know? What we gives this Congressperson the arrogant confidence that his aggressive actions will not only be defended, but are supported by the law of some “we”?
We’ve had our revolution already, as a year and a half of legislation against the will of the people has shown. There is a “we” that has embraced a State of Exception to create a new extra-legal nation that would not be recognizable to any constitutional scholar of the past.
Hedgehog commented:
The Democrat/Progressive/Socialist/Communists have gone to bed with the Devil. They know that if they admit to completely supporting the Obamunist agenda they will be beaten at the polls. If they deny that they completely support the Obamunist agenda they will be punished by the party. Tough spot. Well earned. This creep ought to be charged with assault, prosecuted and convicted. Since that is not likely to happen due to Democratic Immunity, everyone should remember this chilling incident in November.
Joanne commented:
OT
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/06/iranian-war-ships-head-for-gaza-media-affectionately-call-the-aid-ships.html
Iranian ships head for Gaza, supposedly with aid.
Joanne commented:
What is interesting is this guy thought he could assault the young man while a video was being taken of the incident? Does he believe he is above the law, like Obama, his thugs, and those they choose to protect? It certainly looks that way, but who could blame them – they seem to be getting away with everything; Obama even has the Supreme Court wrapped up.
wanumba commented:
“Who are you?”
“Undecided voter … until you grabbed me by the neck.”
Big L commented:
Check out those bags under his eyes. Be interesing to follow him around to see what his day is like…
Just try that with Fred Phelps and the Westboro folks, congressman. You’d look good in Orange.
Lee commented:
poor ole Bobby…He just can’t keep his hands to himself…
wheeze
myohmy commented:
Who needs Gitmo?
Robert commented:
This looks like a clear case of assault to me.
He didn’t even wait very long to strike the camera-phone, that action might be battery.
Additionally, he snatched the phone at 0:24 and kept it at 0:55 and walked away.
Additional charge of theft.
“Who are you?”
“You’ll find out when you’re served with an arrest warrant.”
Sen. Fuller Bull - D commented:
Remember, how we were told by Pelosi and her gang of thieves that the Bush administration was the biggest group of thugs? We couldn’t question the Bush people or the Republicans. Bush was starting a new Reich.
TalkinKamel commented:
This guy needs to be arrested!
Vanishing Point commented:
He must be loosing in his NC district 2 contest.
Criminal charges will not help either!
neomom commented:
Flyover Sam, Riotous catch on the “WE” thing. That could be expanded on. Let your mind wonder, We, not you. I am we, you are not. I am part of something you must answer to, or, chillingly, obey.
SeniorD commented:
Not only should this kid press charges (let’s see the Congresscrook say he’s on his way to a vote), but he should also go after Etheridge in Civil Court.
When are the Demodonks going to realize their Party-like-its-1968 has been conquered by radicals, former Hippies, Flower-power junkies and other assorted kooks? I’d prefer the Hubert Humphrey/Henry Jackson form of Democrat. At least they had this Country’s best interest at heart.
KR commented:
The congressman also stole the young man’s cell phone. You could say Etheridge did this intentionally to find the owner’s identity and other personal info to harm him.
Tammy commented:
Looks like the Congressman got his training from SEIU thugs.
You are ALL going DOWN.
See you in November, “Congressman”.
You won’t be one for much longer.
BackwardsBoy commented:
If that excuse of a Congressman had touched me, he’d be sitting in a jail cell right now. If he’s that paranoid, why doesn’t he have a security detail with him at all times?
big kahuna commented:
While this guy was a jerk and acted like a moron …The kid also was not acting in the best way in my opinion. As a “reporter” I felt he should have introduced himself first (as most professional reporters are expected to do…) but at the very least when he was asked.. He should have given his name and said who he was or student doing research etc. The congressman could have ignored him if he didnt want to answer the questions and walked on but he acted like a jerk and as others have stated basically assaulted the kid although it was pretty lame.
However I think the kid should have no problem identifying himself as well. By refusing to do so he made the confrontation worse and in a way provoked it to some degree. He has every right to ask the man questions and so on but I do believe he should have used a bit more manners and respect in the approach. Then if the congressman creates a scene and makes and idiot of himself he cant more easily blame the interviewer of being the problem.
It will be interesting to see the media and public reaction.
bill-tb commented:
explains why there were no public hearings on these massive donks bills that no one reads, doesn’t it.
Stanley commented:
Poor Bob! He is unable to control his emotions and yet, he still believes he is qualified to have power over other peoples lives and a nation.
LC commented:
That’s assult, brother!
Seriously – time to press charges. Time to get this documented. Time to ensure this man has a felony record to show for what he has done.
jainphx commented:
Hey big kahuna since when is asking a question not acting right? People like you allow people like the congressthugs to get away with this sort of bologna. You sir are an enabler.
daryl commented:
A working congressional ethics committee would have this loose cannon snubbed back down to the bulwarks and sent back home after a proper hearing.
These democrats are unhinged with fear of being found lacking. They are all lacking and the lack extends all the way to the WhiteHouse..
Joe P commented:
The student reporter has a duty and a responsibility to press charges. If he doesn’t, it will send a message that one can assault reporters, or Tea Party protesters for that matter, with impunity.
Patman commented:
Sweet.
justasimplepatriot commented:
To: All Americans
We Rule, you obey. Got it?
The Democrats
Robert commented:
New campaign slogan for Renee Ellmers;
This November, Etheridge won’t know what hit him.
Drider commented:
I think they have chosen the ass that needed to be kicked and it was that student.
Sandy commented:
Poor Ethridge he got it wrong. He thought his job was to repress the people not represent them.
g6loq commented:
“We can’t be so fixated on our desire
to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans…”
BJ Clinton
Source:
March 1, 1993 during a press conference in Piscataway, NJ. Ref: USA Today, 11 March 1993, page 2A
Sandy commented:
Big Kahuna — WRONG. The People have a right to peacefully confront their Representatives. He had the right to walk away without answering.
Radegunda commented:
bigkahuna, nice try at explaining away Democrat thuggery. The kid did not “provoke” the congresscritter. He just asked a question, and Etheridge immediately turned aggressive. At the very least, he could have asked more nicely if the student was a reporter with XYZ, or he could have just walked away if he didn’t want to answer.
Etheridge is definitely guilty of assault. I was in a situation where a woman was informed (after legal consultation) that she could be charged with assault for giving me a little push on the shoulder, caught on camera. (I was not pressing charges; I was a witness to a scene where she was cynically accusing someone else of racism.)
jomojava commented:
I fully expect some future legislation in Congress that will make it illegal to do what these students were doing.
big kahuna commented:
jainpnx…You are a moron as well. I said the congressman was a jerk and moron…. and if the kid wants to file charges I support him. But if he expects the jerk congressman to answer his questions just out of the blue like that..not in a press conference etc I just felt he could have said Sir I am so and so…. and would like to ask you a question. Being polite doesnt mean you cant ask hard questions and expect answers of elected officials. I am so far from an enabler you have no idea. People like you are brain dead if you cant see a simple point like being reasonably polite and if asking questions you expect to be answered you arent willing to answer some of your own then dont be surprised you dont get answers or get treated badly. Now dont give me he is my elected official stuff. The kid may not even be a constituent of his. I just feel the kid could have taken a much better approach and could have been on a much higher level of respectability had he simply and quickly answered with his name and where he was from. Then he could say I answered your question right away honestly and now I would like you to do the same. Many people in office need their collective a$$es kicked in my opinion but need it done in a way where when we do it we are justified. This congressman is one of them I suspect. I also support the moron congressmans right to have walked by without answering those questions( if the kid wouldnt answer regarding his name) if he so chose. If people then see the video and dont like the way he acted/answered or reacted then they can form their opinions and vote accordingly.
Sandy commented:
Its really sad to be a Democrat right now and have your best candidate be Porn Peddler, Alvin Greene.
bg commented:
++
OT..
National Flag Day 2010
National Anthem USA
The Star Spangled Banner
God Bless America!!
==
Kevin commented:
Too bad that kid didn’t have a little martial arts training, the congressman put himself in agreat position to wind up flat on his ass, which is where he would have been if it had been me. This needs to go viral and he needs to be charged with assault, no two ways about it. I am not his constituent but I am going to send him an email anyhow, might even call his office, to voice my displeasure.
Boil it down and you have a congressman assaulting a private citizen on the street for simply asking a question and then committing theft, unacceptable.
I think this needs to be brought to the attention of South Carolina’s governor perhaps.
aprilnovember811 commented:
He needs to be charged with assualt, and the reporter should sue him in civil court.
DEMOCRATS=CRIMINALS
John Fembup commented:
The linked article closes with this remark:
“It is going to be a long, hot summer. But, you’ve been shown a politician who can be beaten this November.”
And after this particular politician is beaten, I hope he is then defeated at the polls.
Mike commented:
Note to Bob: If you ever touch me or mine like that, I will know exactly whose @ass to kick and when. What a coward but what also a typical Democrat.
KR commented:
We Know Exactly Whose @ss To Kick:
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=26118
Vanishing Point commented:
More Renee Ellmers campaign slogans:
Let’s give Bob the bum’s rush!
Bob needs some quiet time!
Keep our streets safe, vote Ellmers
Robert commented:
big kahuna #48
I think the Congresscriminal was very confrontational and escalated the situation very rapidly. He was questioning the kid before the kid had even finished asking his question. This probably put an inexperienced young interviewer off balance, and appears to have intimidated him (the interviewer). He then assaulted the interviewer within 4 or 5 seconds of the question being asked.
I also wonder whether the interviewer may have also been trying to process the odor of alcohol that may have been coming from Congresscriminal Etheridge.
Regardless, the assault happened too quickly to give Congresscriminal Etheridge any benefit of the doubt. And, physical violence negates any consideration that Congresscriminal Etheridge might otherwise receive.
Flyover Sam commented:
So how long will it be until the “Save Journalism Act” (under discussion ala Drudge Tax) includes provisions that require government-issued journalism credentials prior to the public use of videocameras “in the capacity of reporting a news event”?
We’re circling right back to the British Star Chamber, where the King required a license for the ownership of a printing press. It was all done in the interests of “protecting the people from the scurrilous representation of falsities and other malicious, harmful communications.” John Milton wrote a remarkably vital essay, Areopagitica, that took the King’s concerns at face value and determined that truth and falsehood must be allowed to openly grapple should the concerns be legitimate.
We all need to be very concerned about current proposals to prohibit citizen journalism, crafted in the guise of “restoring journalism” and “prohibiting free riders stealing our journalism.”
bg commented:
++
he was preemptively attacked, period!!
==
bg commented:
++
jainphx @ 8:58 am #35
re: [You sir are an enabler.]
more like an excuse maker, oh wait..
==
Alana commented:
This video – bad as it is (and I’m not arguing it isn’t) – I worry about it. What came before?
I’ve got a feeling that there may have been something that wasn’t shown, that came before, that would cause people to sympathize with the Congressman.
OTHER people’s sympathy, understand. Not mine.
Just a feeling I have.
davsun commented:
You can not ask, “who are you?” to someone breaking the law in Arizona, but you can demand the answer of a law abiding citizen in Washinton, D.C.
daryl commented:
Bigpetunia,
WRONG!
When Etheridge forced the kid’s face toward the camera by twisting his neck he didn’t just cross a line. He committed an assault and battery on him. How much longer can this sort of behavior from the liberal democrats be tolerated.
big kahuna commented:
Robert # 58,
I agree the congressjerk acted extremely poorly and should not have touched , grabbed or ASSaulted the kid. All I was saying is that I thought the kid could have done a better job of starting out his questions by introducing himself and explaining he was a student reporter, researcher, concerned citizen etc. I would say the same if it were a liberal reporter or whatever( assuming this kid was a concervative???) In some cases since the MSM conservatives are portrayed badly( unfairly) we need to outsmart them and give them little room for excuses. Besides outsmarting libs is not that difficult. Usually it simply involves using their own words, actions, videos and results to back our arguments up.
I hope this costs the clown dearly in the election as I am concerned liberal policies are killing this country and rhino republicans have too often been complicit. Our budgets are unsustainable.
We need to cut Govt spending 20-25% across the board in my opinion..starting with the whitehouse party, travel and golf budget. ( that could be cut 50-75%.
I would eliminate all goverment pensions and put them in the Soc Sec system they have stuck us with. See how they like it. Obama did it when he confiscated GM. I say lets see how they like it. Besides Govt service should not be a gold mine it should be a service and job that doesnt give you more rights or benefits than those that pay your salary. If you dont like that dont stay their for long much less..life!
I would cut NEA by 75% and shift focus to local schools. Eliminate most of the IRS and make it a flat tax or national sales tax. Nobody should be eliminated from paying for the benefits we all share. A Nat sales tax would allow those who buy the least or least expensive to reduce their shar and allow them to better save for themselves though.
I believe we should drill our way to independence and give states more of their own power to govern and compete for the best ideas and if people and companies choose to live and do business in one state over another then they should reap the rewards of smart policies.
Anyway thats all off topic but the point is politicians have gotten to important, to powerful, too corrrupt and to big for their britches as they say. I am all for keeping them under watch and accountable but we can do it with common sense and dignity to start with. After they become jerks then we can say bets are off more freely.
TalkinKamel commented:
Frankly, Big Kahuna, I don’t think it would have made a bit of difference how the kid approached him.
This guy was spoiling for a fight. And if a question as mild as does he, or doesn’t he, support the president’s current programs sets him off, what would he do if faced with some real, hard questions? Pull out a machine gun?
Guy needs to be charged with assault.
TalkinKamel commented:
Anyway, reporters, young or old, rude or courteous, ask questions. It’s what they do. Politicians should be used to this. If they aren’t, they have a problem.
And, having seen the video, I blame the congressthug’s outburst on the congressthug himself, not the kid, who didn’t do anything to justify this sort of reaction.
bg commented:
++
Robert @10:14 am #58
re: [Regardless, the assault happened too quickly to give Congresscriminal Etheridge any benefit of the doubt. And, physical violence negates any consideration that Congresscriminal Etheridge might otherwise receive.]
extremely well stated..
==
Mark1957 commented:
Can you just imagine the outrage if Sarah Palin had put Katie Couric in a headlock ! The left would be screaming bloody murder and Dave letterman would have wet his pants.
TalkinKamel commented:
And, yeah, sorry, I’m gonna give you the Elected Official stuff. Elected officials should be willing to answer questions, whether the one asking is their constituent or not. They work for us. They represent Americans as a whole, even if the ones that didn’t vote for them. They shouldn’t be treated as high priests and Brahmins, unapproachable by the “rabble”, and with no need to explain themselves.
bg commented:
++
Alana @ 10:29 am #62
i respectfully disagree..
watch the video closely & you’ll see..
the only thing, if anything, that could have happened would have to have been totally unrelated to the young man who was preemptively attacked..
bottom line: there is no excuse..
as far as i know..
even if someone was verbally attacking you,
to physically counter back is against the law..
==
big kahuna commented:
Talkin Kamel I dont mean they shouldnt have to answer questions and I have said so repeatedly. I may be wrong but he only works for his local constituents not those outside of there.
Collectively they all work for us in a sense. I dont have a problem asking any elected official questions. He had no right to assualt the kid and I have said so repeatedly. I just said simply I feel he would have been better off and on a higher moral ground and in my opinion should have just out of common courtesy simply introduced himself first or at the very least after congressman jerkoff asked him. Then he could have continued asking him all of his questions. As I stated if he chooses to file charges I support him. If he doesnt..thats his choice. If ethics boards etc decide to punish the jerk or hopefully more inportantly the voters. So be it.
I just dont see my issue being that big of a deal to consider and I have not not in any way excused the congressmans behavior. If you see it that way its your missunderstanding not mine.
Robert commented:
There is comment elsewhere about editing. It looks to me like the Congresscriminal is still walking by when the incident then occurs, there is no cut in filming from the time he is walking and the time he hits the student.
It then cuts to the other camera, but I just don’t think anything substantial happens between the time of the two scenes. In fact, there is a slight overlap between the two scenes, as you hear the student say “whoa” in both cuts.
Incidentally, apparently the student had gotten his camera/phone back to have posted his part of the video, unless there is some technology going on that I am not familiar with.
jonyjoe101 commented:
Obama told his supporters get in their face. The congressman is just following his training.
Holder will not allow any criminal charges to be filed in this case. Just a simple case of “mutual combat”, the reporter assaulted the congressman with the “obnoxious question” and the congressman retaliated to defend himself. The lawyers run the country, they can even arrest the reporter if they wanted to and make it stick.
Next time they need to have a “black” or “muslim” ask the questions, no one attacks the minority reporters. It’s political suicide.
Robert commented:
At any rate, tar and feathers are clearly called for.
TalkinKamel commented:
Big Kahuna, you say you don’t excuse the congressman’s behavior—then you drag in the big BUT! BUT—the kid should have been more polite! BUT—he should have identified himself more properly. BUT—the congressman doesn’t really work for him!
So, in fact, you are excusing his behavior, by attempting to shift it onto the kid. If he only-hadda-shoulda-woulda-behaved-hisself, the congressman wouldn’t have blown his stack.
So, yes, whether you realize it or not, you’re excusing him.
You’re also ignoring the extremely weird, and paranoid nature of the attack. He asks, “Who are you?” Does he think enemies are out to get him, and they’re now so bold they’ll attack him out on the street? He drags the kid around, trying to make him face the camera—why? Does he think he’s his mortal enemy, Professor Uber-Moriarity, come to get him, and that this will somehow “prove” it to the police? And he attacks the kid midway through the first question, not even bothering to listen to whole thing. I don’t think politeness, or introducing oneself first, or any of that, would have helped a bit. As I said earlier, this guy’s just spoiling for a fight. A reasonable man would simply have walked away, if he didn’t want to answer any questions, not come out swinging, shouting, “Who are you? Who are you?”
(And why should he mind being asked whether or not he supports the president’s programs? Is he hiding something? Is he just crazy? What’s the problem?)
The issue isn’t the young reporter’s behavior, it’s his.
daryl commented:
Etheridge’s “deepest apologies” for his having assaulted and battered a college student who asked him a simple question.
I call that apology pure horses**t! You need to get on the evening news and show us you’re sorry, you repulsive, out of control, pos.
Etheridge Statement on Viral Video | Congressman Bob Etheridge
http://etheridge.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=190412
mark commented:
ASSAULT. PRESS CHARGES. THE KID ASKS A SIMPLE QUESTION. KING OF TOLERANCE AND COMPASSION ASSAULTS HIM.
Radegunda commented:
TalkinKamel, you’re 100 percent correct. Notice that bigkahuna claims that the kid “provoked” the confrontation “to some degree.” So, simply asking a policy question of an elected representative is a provocation?? Etheridge turned hostile as soon as the question was asked, and assaulted the kid without really waiting for him to answer “who are you?”
daryl commented:
Stop VEXATION from subpar representaion from these elected with neanderthal mentalities.
“Whooo’er yeew?” indeed. This is “the brightest and best” N. Carolina has to offer?
kato commented:
Does the D stand for Democrat or drunk?
He looks like the type who’ll cry when he tells the media that he’s been taking medication.
Time to announce that he wants to spend more time with his family.
newton commented:
Etheridge just lost the election. Mark my words.
bg commented:
++
daryl @11:36 am #79
oh puke, just put an ‘R’ after his
name & watch what goes down..
so many people in a position to stop all of this insanity are
so freakin’ asleep at the wheel they are beyond apathetic..
==
martha commented:
I have a feeling that in the next few days he will announce his “retirement” so that he can spend more time with his family
jimg commented:
“I just dont see my issue being that big of a deal to consider and I have not not in any way excused the congressmans behavior.” – Big Kahuna
As others have pointed out, that’s exactly what you’re doing.
You’re attempting to rationalize Ethridge’s behavior by stating the kid should’ve acted differently. In other words, you’re putting the onus on the student and not the public official who assaulted the student.
You’re trying to create a gray area where there is none.
The congressman had no reason to assault the student in any way shape or form. None. At all.
In short, you need to stop digging.
Chisum commented:
Ole Bob “apologizes”.
It’s a good thing this kid wasn’t an illegal, huh?
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/06/14/video-etheridge-expounds-on-virtues-of-civic-engagement-in-politics/
bg commented:
++
big kahuna @ 11:05 am #73
re: [I dont mean they shouldnt have to answer
questions and I have said so repeatedly.]
ipso facto: no he didn’t have to answer any questions.. he should have just kept walking vs preemptively attacking someone he obviously viewed as vulnerable..
another ipso facto: you can call people names, you can write a mini novel explaining your reasoning / opinions, that will not change the bottom line fact that you are WRONG, the law says so..
==
pm commented:
Woke up to Dennis Miller telling his audience about this video.
He suggested others should approach him and provoke him – not hurt or touch him – cuz he’s about to explode; but enought to give good cause for his removal from Congress. Whoa, I immediately headed for GP to see what it was all about.
Now having seen this video, this guy should be toast already. The Dems probably know he won’t win his election, so maybe they’ll want to replace him if they can.
But there you have it. This is an out of control party BO’s leading. And that party is his mess. He set the tone and level of behavior — even as he campaigned for this high office. Why people couldn’t see that not one good thing could come from a man so devoid of character and judgment still amazes me.
This could be a very long, hot and hopefully not too violent summer. But I suspect that’s what’s on their agenda.
Conservatives and others on the right, I hope we keep our cool. Let the violence be all theirs. Self defense, yes. But I think they want nothing more than for us to behave as badly as they do.
Vanishing Point commented:
New reality show – “Fired in America” – Bob Etheridge and Helen Thomas explore zany and UN-PC ways of getting fired – FAST!
big kahuna commented:
“another ipso facto: you can call people names, you can write a mini novel explaining your reasoning / opinions, that will not change the bottom line fact that you are WRONG, the law says so..”
Well you can choose to believe whatever you want. I chose to believe first and foremost that the Congressman was a jerk and attacked /assaulted the kid and luckily nobody was hurt and that if it hurts a democrat politically so be it. Im happy to eliminate most if not all of them from office. I never came close to suggesting it was legal , ethical or right to attack the kid. Hence I am not WRONG because the law says so.
That doesnt change my opinion and it was stated as such and thats still my right in our country and here of all places should be appreciated and welcomed. I never once excused the jerk for the assault and never once suggested it was ok or acceptible. I hope he pays a political price and if he gets charged I wont shed any tears.
I just feel if the kid had simply introduced himself I think when the video as it now will be seen has much more chance of being seen as unprovoked even by liberals like Matthews and Olberman etc and they have no wiggle room to excuse his behavior even for liberals.
I prefer to let them hang themselves with their own rope. I dont see condemning the congressman and feeling the kid could have approached the issue better cant be seprate opinions dealing with the same issue.
So think what you wish. If we are not free to give a reasonable opinion on issues… you become democrats in my opinion.
bg commented:
++
big kahuna @ 12:49 pm #92
re: [If we are not free to give a reasonable opinion
on issues… you become democrats in my opinion.]
no one said you weren’t free to give you’re opinions, reasonable or not.. all anyone who disagrees with you is doing is countering your opinions & stating their opinions.. of which you also seem to consistently revert to name calling for should they disagree with yours.. so let me ask you, are we not allowed to counter your opinions w/out being designated morons, Democrats, or whatever??
bottom line: those who disagree are obviously relying on the facts
presented, whereas you have delved into projecting your emotions..
you want to talk about hanging?? hah!! you’ve all but literally placed the
rope around the kids neck, just like the Congressman did with his hands..
at any rate, i’m sure you’ll continue to
hang yourself as well, so do carry on..
==
SheldonHall commented:
I have to hand it to that student for keeping his cool; he could’ve justifiably done some serious damage Ethridge.
As it is Ethridge should face assault charges, and I hope the students follow-up and press charges.
Vanishing Point commented:
I wonder if holding the kids arm and not letting him go when asked constitutes kidnapping?
Just wondering.
Vanishing Point commented:
This looks official…False Imprisonment D.C. Code § 12-301(4).
pm commented:
An awful lot was probably going on in that kid’s mind as he was being assaulted. I know I would probably be in shock and at a loss for words, wondering what kind of mania had gripped the man.
This administration has left many feeling as though it’s not safe to disagree with their policies.
He probably didn’t want to give his name for that very reason. The congressman’s actions and words were very threatening to this young man’s sense of safety. Grabbing hold of his arm was especially concerning to me.
While the congressman said, “I have a right to know who you are” — this young man had a right to ask a question of a public servant and not be assaulted.
TalkinKamel commented:
Vanishing Point, if not kidnapping per se, it certainly seems as if it could constitute something!
And Pm, yeah, considering how the congressman was acting, I wouldn’t have told him my name either! He’d probably stalk me!
Vanishing Point commented:
The rabbi that outed Helen Thomas is getting death threats. This kid should keep his head down.
Veryconcerned commented:
That was clearly assault and the esteemed congressman was DRUNK. Time to retire him and when he’s a civilian drag him to court or give him back some of the same treatment. They have to be held to account for what they say and do and this was illegal and wrong on so many levels.