Student Tasering at Kerry Q&A

[Agathon]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Nope, sorry. Kerry had his chance to actually say something worthwhile by actually intervening to stop the assault on the kid but chose to stay silent. Coming out with a statement after the fact does nothing to absolve him of his complicity.

Strangely, I agree.

I posted the quote to show Kerry's opinion on the matter, not to absolve him for his lack of intervention.

He really should have demanded that the student be allowed to finish his questions, no matter how odd they were (and I've seen some weird questions at events like this). Kerry should have intervened or at least called the cops out. It just looks really bad when people are manhandled for asking an elected official a question. Lord knows, these events are stage managed enough.

Hecklers are always being removed from events like this, but it's not often you hear of them being tasered. But this guy wasn't a heckler, which is an important difference.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by DaShi


Yup. politicians should always try to get involved when the police are using excessive force to stop some form of disruption. If only Reagan had done that.

Corrected.

[Aeson]

If you listen in the background Kerry is saying "It's ok, I'll answer his question" as the cops start to escort him away, then says several things that are drowned out while it's escalating. One of the things I could pick out was, "If everyone just calms down I'll answer the question". What's he supposed to do? Run down there and fight the Cops off or something? That would only escalate a bad situation further.

Can't blame Kerry for what happened. (Maybe for not being an inspiring enough speaker to diffuse the situation...) The guy asking the question was at fault for repeatedly ignoring the polices' requests, and then resisting as he was being escorted out. The cops overreacted and seemed to use unnecessary force.

[CrONoS]

The blame can be put on the police for over reacting.

But, as a citizen; the young activist got to learn some rules; and he need to obey to policemen... after all he is a citizen, and he have right and duty.

[Kidlicious]

Kids are dumb sometimes.

[Slade Wilson]

Un****ing believable. I defy anyone that has seen the full video to say this was anything but uneeded force and not quite torture.

I was watching this on msnbc earlier, no disagreement there either. And it wasnt keith oberman

[Straybow]

Yeah, can't blame Kerry. But police shouldn't be in such a hurry to tangle with a guy who wasn't initially causing any disturbance.

[Winston]

Student Tasering at Kerry Q&A

Hmm. They kind of missed the most obvious target, in my opinion.

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Apocalypse
1. Tasering doesn't hurt

2. UF protesters have a history of violence

3. If you disagree with point 1, you are a ***** and should leave man discussions

I know guys who were tased as part of their police training and they said it hurt like hell. They said they'd rather go through weapon protection drill again than get tased again.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Aeson
If you listen in the background Kerry is saying "It's ok, I'll answer his question" as the cops start to escort him away, then says several things that are drowned out while it's escalating. One of the things I could pick out was, "If everyone just calms down I'll answer the question". What's he supposed to do? Run down there and fight the Cops off or something? That would only escalate a bad situation further.

Can't blame Kerry for what happened. (Maybe for not being an inspiring enough speaker to diffuse the situation...) The guy asking the question was at fault for repeatedly ignoring the polices' requests, and then resisting as he was being escorted out. The cops overreacted and seemed to use unnecessary force.

I have to agree. In the second video you can hear it better that Kerry was saying he'll answer the question. There is little else he can do. What? Tell the folks there to beat the cops?

The cops were absolutely ridiculous though. WTF was that?

[Kidlicious]

The way he said it though, he sounded really lame.

[Aeson]

Remember Kid... this is Kerry. He always sounds lame.

[lord of the mark]

was this a public space?

Was it University of Fl space?

Are there rules for university spaces?

Are there rules for specific gatherings like this at University spaces?

I wouldnt want to judge just based on the video.

I would note that the fellow who got tasered was NOT asking questions. he was making speeches, very lightly disguised as prefaces to questions - or not even

"Why didnt you vote to impeach Bush? IMPEACH BUSH! Yes! IMPEACH BUSH! NOW!: etc, etc.

He was abusing the Q&A period to get his own platform for a speech, and thus endangering all future Q&A periods. No martyr to free speech.

Given the presence of someone as prominent as Kerry, and someone who in his words was so hostile, and abusive, its not impossible the police feared an assasination.

Whether they over rely on tasers, or should have removed him by brute strength, Im not qualified to say.

I can hardly blame Kerry.

[Slade Wilson]

why dont you just watch the video? I dont like kerry but he DID tell the police it was alright. The police attacked anyway

edit;misread about not judging based on video

[DaShi]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Why not? The student was hardly a cause of disturbance as he was only asking a question when the police saw fit to escalate it. What would the police have done to him? It also would have been an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his supposed committment to free speach.

But what would you have Kerry do? He tried to talk to them to stop and allow them to speak. But generally, when the police are in the act of taking someone away, you don't interfere, politician or not.

PS I don't recall anyone being publically taken out back and beaten at a Reagan rally, perhaps you could refresh my memory since you saw fit to bring him up for some unfathomable reason?

I don't recall any such incident as you describe either.