UF student Tasered after questioning John Kerry

Actually, I think that's pretty darned close to how it happened. Except it was two or three cops, not six, who escorted him out until he jerked himself free and ran back into the room screaming and yelling.

 

But those events weren't videotaped, immediately placed on the internet, soon to go viral seen by billions around the world. And when the world did learn about em (to the extent it ever did) it was well after the fact. Because this vid is catching fire on the net there'll be a whole different level of public pressure involved.

 

Why was that a news story then?

Tell it to the countless overlooked young black men that have had less then pleasant dealings with the police/legal system.

 

Exactly. A little duress like that called for calm, cool leadership. Kerry might not have had the authority over the campus cops, but they would have backed off had he spoke up, and then Kerry could have handled the situation.

He did speak up while the kid was being put down and Tasered -- Kerry said then that it's a good question and deserves to be answered -- but it's obvious that he was just trying to save face at that point.

Too little, too late. He could have put the kid away when he had the chance, and he failed to seize the opportunity. A politician's nightmare.

 

Ummm I believe it was news stories everywhere about them being rapists.

After the truth comes out, what are they going to do? Overlook the fuck up?

 

The story was such a big deal because they were rich white kids. It would have gotten press regardless but at least half of the appeal was the perceived irony of it.

 

Your totaly changing your own point. The original point was the kids got it made because he's white and probably well off. As if to say no charges would stick because of that. Then I offer up the Duke chumps and you try to change your argument to that's why it got covered? Stick to your point and try to prove it without changing topic.

Oh wait I already busted the original argument when I brought up the Duke kids.

Now if you want to argue that because they were rich white boys that's why they were covered in the press, there is no argument, because I agree.

In the words of many idiots on MTV . . . [size=10pt]NEXT![/size]

 

I never said he had it made I said its the only thing going for him. I proceeded to clarify that it is a slight advantage. In fact it is probably so slight it almost assuredly won't make a hill of beans in the end except making it easier for people like us on this forum to pay attention.

Once again I never said no charges would stick in fact if you have been paying attention I said that he would get no more than a letter of apology and the cops would get no more than a slap on the wrist if that.

Regarding the Duke kids you brought it up trying counter my point that blacks have a tougher time when facing authority. I was merely pointing out the ridiculousness of your logic by reminding you WHY the story was such a big deal in the first place.

You are reading into my words something that conservatives have been conditioned to read whenever race is brought up in such situations.

 

I would have liked to have heard Kerry's answer.

 

I am proud to say I voted to Kerry, and I think this country would be a LOT better off if he had won the last election, but he handled that situation terribly.
It turned my stomach.
It wasn't as bad as "My Pet Goat," but it was pretty bad of a "leader" to do nothing in that situation.
He likely wouldn't get my vote again -- at least not in a primary -- after seeing that.

 

I suppose I'm outing myself a bit here, but if anyone cares who I am they already know anyway. I'm friends with someone involved in this, and I trust them. There's more to this than people know.

The guy had someone there with him filming the entire thing from the beginning, which is why he was acting the way he did. Before he went up to the mic he was asked his name, and went with the Glengarry Glen Ross "Fuck you, that's my name" routine. No one has a right at a public forum to get on the mic, particularly after the announced time for questions is done, and just scream anything you want as long as you want without being removed. UPD tried to get him out of there and he started with the theatrics. All he has to do is walk away since his time is done, and everything's fine. He wasn't looking to do that, though, he was looking to put on a show.

Even when they had the guy on the ground, they still couldn't get the other handcuff on him - all he has to do is hold still for that and the taser doesn't happen. He was warned, he still wanted to fight, and he got the mildest possible charge from the taser which did the trick. I'm told that's how it's supposed to go under regulations and that the police are actually thrilled there's multiple tapes of the incident because it shows they did follow regulations. (I make no claim to knowledge of said regulations, just noting what I was told.) As long as there was tape rolling the "I'm being tortured" routine continued, but as soon as the guy was in the car and away from cameras he was perfectly normal and started talking with the officers about UF-Tennessee. Believe the officers involved in this are evil if you want - they didn't want this to happen. The guy did, and he's getting exactly the reaction he hoped for.

 

Wow. You care to arrest and Taser my fiancee for being a "drama queen," too?