Ask John Kerry the wrong questions and get tasered by police
You may have seen a video clip of this on the news.
This happened in America, the land of the free and home of the brave.
I find this very disturbing that a young man was asking John Kerry a few tough questions and the police hauled him away, threw him to the ground and tasered him in front of an audience of people who showed no collective outrage for what was happening right in front of their eyes, AND as John Kerry answers the young man’s question (why didn’t he also ask the police to backoff a bit while he answered is beyond me).
Here’s a few video versions of what happened - be sure to watch all of them, the last one shows the questions that were being asked of Kerry:
The one I saw on the news:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6bVa6jn4rpE
A related one I found from another news source on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCBcOQkUNjI&NR=1
This next one actually lets you hear and see the questions asked that brought this treatment to the young man, and contains Kerry’s comments as the police are ‘taking care of the situation’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag&mode=related&search==
And here’s one other article that I found this morning, it’s worth reading too:
http://www.newstarget.com/022041.html
This young man threatened no one, he struck no one, this young man didn’t hit police…this young man asked questions of a high-ranking government employee and was treated in a brutal manner, all while his fellow citizens watched (and some others actually applauded and smiled).
I long for the government we had that was for and by the people, not against the people.
Thomas Jefferson stated…
“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”
Here is a page of quotes from Thomas Jefferson, I suggest that it’s a good thing to read these quotes and compare what America’s founding fathers had in mind and how things have changed to our current state of affairs:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_jefferson.html
Be active, ask questions of your elected representatives, and if you don’t like what you see and hear, elect them out of office and out of power, for we the people should have the power, not them.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Kerry condemned it later. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/students-rally-.html
Maybe he had to get the poll results first
Thank God we have O.J. to distract the nation from the war on Liberty.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Since the Patriot Act, America ceased to be the Land of the free. it is now a totalitarian police state.
The liberties and guaranties of the people have been shrinking at an alarming rate.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Another example is Freedom of Speech. Sept. 15th, just a few days ago, thousands and thousands were protesting the war in Iraq and demanding the impeachment of bush/cheney. The real story behind this is that the group sponsoring said march and protest had already been fined $30,000 for putting up posters. Mind you, they had already researched the local law and was within the boundaries. Campaign ads, sale advertisements, everything else was ignored. But the anti-war group gets fined $30,000!! If the Government doesn’t use the police, they try to break you through your wallet. Pathetic!
September 19th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Thats America for you.. the land of nutters and jerry springer
September 19th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
My God I had a lump in my throat when I watched that, and I live in the UK!
So are the people responsible for this outrage going to be punished?
September 19th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Excellent post, Mark.
There is definitely a need for this to be brought out made people aware. Thanks.
Even though I believe the question was asked with a sarcastic and disrespectful tone, you’re right. He did nothing threatening or ‘wrong’.
Disrespect is the most he was guilty of. Definitely mistreated and abused.
He’s got a case if he wanted to pursue it. The question is, “Would anyone listen?”
As you pointed out, if the other citizens just sat by while all that took place, would he stand a chance in a court room?
Sad.
Mark
September 19th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Pretty unbelievable! Looks like some third world country.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I agree with you that what is happening is frightening… But just as horrible as the POLICE moving in for no reason on this University of Florida student and tasering him, is that NOBODY IN THE AUDIENCE PROTESTS while this is going on! In fact, look at the people who are watching, and some of them are smiling, as if it is a good thing that he is being arrested, then TASERED! UN-F*****G-BELIEVABLE! Where did everybody go? And JOHN KERRY didn’t protest or intervene… What is going on? - Ellis
September 19th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Apathy runs strong in modern society it never wakes up fearing the tyranny. It waits until the tyranny is in complete power before it wakes up.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Nice post Mark! America has became the country we were taught to fear back in elementary school back in 50s/60s. We are the ‘big red bear’ we were so warned about as we did the desk dives.
All the last election proved to us sane Americans is you can never underestimate the power of stupid people in large crowds!
But do not blame us Floridians… our vote does not count. We are from the state of Elective Dysfunction!
But I believe we all need to support America. So run right out and buy a Congressman!
I love m,y country but now days surly fear our government and the police state we live in.
So we really have freedom?
So get involved in our Countries. Stop being lazy! Vote and do NOT sit on your anger with the shape and direction of OUR country. We the people must take our country back before its to late and to be honest its problem to late to get America back to the highly respected country we once were. One we the people can force the changes we need.
Regards, Stu
http://seoportals.com
September 19th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
I think we have waited to long to take action to reclaim the rights that we’ve let slip quietly away in the night. Complacency has taken us to the brink. Will we turn back or be lead over the edge? Thanks for your post.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Whether anyone thought his questions were valid or not, he has the right to ask them, yet the police tried to shut him up before he even got the words out.
This is an outrage!
September 19th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Nice post Mark!
America has became the country we were taught to fear back in elementary school back in 50s/60s. We are the ‘big red bear’ we were so warned about as we did the desk dives.
All the last election proved to us sane Americans is you can never underestimate the power of stupid people in large crowds!
But don’t blame us Floridians… our vote does not count. We are from the state of Electile Dysfunction!
But I believe we all need to support America. So run right out and buy a Congressman!
I love my country but now days surly fear our government and the police state we live in.
Do we really have freedom?
So get involved in our Country. Stop being lazy! Vote and do NOT sit on your anger with the shape and direction of OUR country.
We the people must take our country back from the corpocracy before its to late and to be honest its problem to late to get America back to the highly respected country we once were.
Regards, Stu
http://seoportals.com
September 19th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Judging by this post I am probably in the minority here, but if by liberty you mean the right to disrupt public gatherings to push your own agendas, then I don’t want your kind of liberty. There was a set time limit, the guy started ranting, then resisted when they went to pull him off the stage after they had to cut off his microphone. I say the police were right, otherwise everybody gets to think that they don’t have to follow the rules set up for everyone. I say the guy deserved his treatment and deserves felony charges.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
It is really interesting that the man was actually asking some rather good questions, too, that I would have liked to have heard the answers to, but instead the police decided that he needed to be silenced because he appeared to be a little too agitated.
The whole situation is way too much like George Orwell’s 1984 where the ministry of peace is in charge of war…
If it weren’t for the Internet, we wouldn’t get half of the truth about anything that goes on. It is too easy for the news media to “not cover” important information or to slant it in the political direction that they are noted for.
Blogging is the newest way to get the word out about everything, and of course, everyone still has their opinion, but the facts can still be laid out to be seen and the world can make up its own mind.
We really need to fear the day (coming soon to a home near you) where you finish posting an opinion and you get a knock on the door. Do you really think it is that far away?
Well, that is all I have for now, I have to get back to work. Thanks, Mark for opening up our eyes (at least we didn’t have to get tased to get our eyes opened) to what is happening in our own state.
Have an amazing day!
Micheal Savoie
http://productinaweekend.com
PS - Thanks for your interview yesterday, you really overdelivered on content! I am excited to be able to include you among my online friends!
Man that helicopter is flying awfully close to the house…
September 19th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Kerry should have come down off the stage and taken control of the situation. This brings back bad memories of how police handled demonstrations against the VietNam war. Back then there were no cell phones to document what was happening, the cops could bash heads with little fear of any comeback. Let’s see what happens next with this incident.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
I am so near to tears after seeing that. It is just so appaling the violent way he was treated and then for nobody to want to intervene. In my view, if he had an opinion/question he should have been allowed voice it.
There are millions outside of America who also love the country and the people - to see that happen to a citizen is incredible.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
The problems faced by American citizens run much deeper than might be supposed by even the most astute observer.
I, for one, have put my new career as an aspiring internet marketer on hold because of these problems.
Do I have any special hold on the truth? No, I don’t at all.
Am I cutting off my nose to spite my face? Perhaps
When I closed a “successful” business I’d had since 1994, in January, 2006, I became determined to re-evaluate what fundamental truths about my existence I actually could still hold on to… and how it is I could ethically participate in an authoritarian, coercive power structure which dehumanized me… and was destructive of my right to be loving and free.
How indeed was it possible to “first, do no harm” while, at the same time, to live prosperously and without abandon?
What footprints could I leave which were worthy of my time… spent living in this world… anyway?
Does my life - or my happiness - even matter?
I’m well past 50 now. Will I continue the destructive patterns which have caused me to think I must prey on other people’s neuroses in order to survive?
How much more “stuff” does a human being really need to aspire to a certain level of a “just fulfillment”… in harmony with principle and honorable intentions… and still be allowed to flourish… in all his pleasurable pursuits?
Mark, your exposes of some of these “off-topic” incidents in our lives is why I’m commenting today.
As a social being… and a fellow truth-seeker… I tend to gravitate towards those I want to trust.
And, thankfully, in cooperation with this machine and your internet blog, there’s still space enough - in this instance at least - to still speak out.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
As much as the audience, I fault Mr. Kerry for not doing something in the moment. He had the opportunity to stop what happened and didn’t.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
I find it more sad that we comment on the “easy targets” like this incident and ignore the more difficult questions like those that are happening in the case of the Jena6 trial:
http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/
September 19th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Lincoln characterised democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Now Anerica invents excuses to invade other countries to “export democracy.”
But democracy in the USA these days is “government of the people, by the lobbyists, for the vested interests.”
Is it any wonder that the popularity of the US is plummeting, even amongst allies?
September 19th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Yeah Tracy ..
I dont agree with what you say so I should taser you, eh ?
Public gatherings are public, and everyone has the same right to speak surely ?
Things are going badly wrong when people can be hurt or arrested for speaking their beliefs (whether others like them or not).
September 19th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Matbe, if enough see this, Americans will come to understand why they live in the country that is the most feared in the world.
You are winning the war FOR terror and nobody seems to care. In the real world, the terror tactics of America are both despised and the cause of great despair
September 19th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
I did some research into this and found that news sources were not giving a complete and accurate view of what happened. The video was ‘clipped’ to just show the police in the worst light.
Apparently, the young man had been asked to relinquish the mic, because he was monopolizing it. He was supposedly asked several times, and yes, he was being sarcastic to the extreme.
I’m not sure that tasing him was the right thing to do, but removing him may have been - but again, we didn’t have the full story from the initial news reports. There’s always more to the story than you see on the news!
September 19th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
This is how you get on the wrong slippery slope
The student was doing nothing wrong other than being disrespectful with his tone.
Some reports stated that he was taking to much time - I didn’t see that in the multiple video’s.
The first wrong step was the police. As soon as that officer grabbed the student, it all went down hill from there.
I think the crowd didn’t do anything because they thought he was just being escorted away from the microphone.
The second wrong (and this is a big one) is when the student failed to listen to police directions. It’s obvious to me he lacks respect for authority so his behavior is predictable.
Did they need to taz him? NO - good grief there were enough police to drag him outside and contain the situation - they failed to do that.
Now we have another situation where police are going to be charged with brutality. This doesn’t help foster respect for law enforcement.
Just watch any real life cop show - even the real crooks don’t resist arrest that bad.
My fear is this kid is going to “win” his police brutality case and it will only serve to the erode the power police are supposed to have.
My opinion, the student was given plenty of opportunity to comply with the request of the police. He escalated this problem by not showing respect and by resisting.
The cop was wrong to taz him. Drag him outside and contain his drama.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Some may think that I am an alarmist.
But I submit to you that we are well on our way, executing a blueprint to a fully developed fascist state - here is why>
If so inclined, please examine the sequence of events leading up to the following:
Nazism, Argentina under Pinochet, Milosovic’s regime, Marcos’ Philipines, Saddam’s Iraq, in general just about all fascist dictatorial societies.
What you find is an easily compared blueprint to effect a fascist state.
The steps are always subtle and incremental.
The populace, as a whole, never thinks that any single infringement is worth outrage.
But as infringements of human rights accumulates, it is increasingly difficult to return to ‘normalcy’.
Caution: These fascist blueprint steps are never happenstance or casual.
Even though some of the powerful enablers have no idea that they themselves are mere pawns in the process. These steps are put into play deliberately.
Examples of pawns in the process using division and intolerance:
-Religious zealots/extremists of all types.
-Unreasonable ultra-nationalists with marketing buzzwords (Fatherland-Homeland etc)
-Greedy profiteers who are unwilling to create businesses that not only produce profit but are also concerned with the common good.
-Unwitting common racists that perform for their puppet masters at the drop of a hat.
-The organized consolidation and control of information dissemination - which allows filters, therefore propaganda, and marketing mind control.
Yes. The fascist storm is not quiet any longer.
The executed blueprint is bearing fruit.
Behind it all:
International, extra-national corporate conglomerates with no allegiance to any jurisdiction. e.g. if corporate climate is unfavorable in U.S, then move to Dubai, or elsewhere, until the time is right to return.
No. The corporation implied above is not alone.
There are others that also hold decisive sway over all political leaders negating any semblance of democracy.
Frustrated
September 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Tracy (#14) says he deserves felony charges for going over his time limit? I hope this Meyers fellow takes this to court and makes a big thing out of it. The law and other court cases are on his side. Thank you, Mark, for bringing this up.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Skull and Bones is very protective of their own. You do not get to high office in this country without being a member of it. The cops did what they were supposed to do - they protect their own, not us.
This guy did not deserve this treatment - all politicians should be rounded up and slaughtered.. but then we’d be guilty of the same fascism they are forcing on us.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I was shocked at first, too….Then found a whole lot more on utube. Check out O’Reilly. After researching some more it seems like this guy knew exactly what he was doing.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
The long arm of American ‘law’ even extends to the UK, where I live. Back in 2004 the British government did a reciprocal deal with the US agreeing to extradite suspected criminals to stand trial in each others countries.
There was just one snag our dozy politicians agreed to let the US extradite our people, but it’s one way traffic because the US side of the deal has never been ‘ratified’.
Now there’s a surprise!
There is actually another snag, there doesn’t need to be any formal evidence and it doesn’t matter if it isn’t against the law in the UK either.
The way this ‘law’ is written there is no defence against a US request, no appeal nothing! They ask for you, you’re going.
There have been countless appeals to the highest courts in the land these past couple of years and so far only one has succeeded, a woman in her mid seventies who was judged not well enough to stand trial.
God bless America!
Keep up the good work on this Mark, it’s all extremely worrying.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
America is transforming into a police state right before our very eyes. Some believe the transformation was completed when local police departments were reorganized and militarized under the Dept of “Homeland Security”. The time for outrage is now. “If not now, when? If not us, who?”
September 19th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Yes that was a terrifying exhibition of police action. Freedom of speech is one of our most prized rights and it is rapidly fading from our reach. I understand that at Bush appearances, a front team goes thru and removes any anti-Bush signs from and members in the crowd. That is a sad state of affairs.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Tracy you should move to a communist country where you would feel more comfortable.
Remember the statement you made the next time you are going five miles an hour over the speed limit. I guess that would be deserving of a good tasering too. Can’t have any rule breakers running around.
Thanks Mark for this post. There are many similar video that can be found on YouTube. Students getting tasered numerous times for not having their school ID while in the Library.
Please do some online research on RON PAUL. He is the only hope left for this country. He is a true defender of The Constitution and a champion of liberty.
Another video you may want to look up on You Tube is Police State and Terror Storm. Fantastic videos.
Please keep spreading the word. I loved all of the comments except for the one by Tracy, but I would still take a bullet to defend her right to state her opinion.
Join the Ron Paul Revolution.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Geesh- go over the time limit & annoy people and you get to be dragged off, tazered, spend the night in jail and face felony charges??? HUHH??? Might there not be a slightly more appropriate way to have handled this situation? Tracy, I think we already HAVE your kind of liberty…Great post, Mark, even if it is nauseating…but, you know, it’s just the beginning…
September 19th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
That is very disturbing!!
Both the videos and the understanding that no one did anything, like he was a common criminal. Good thing he wasn’t an African American or Latin American. He might have disappeared or ended in jail for something crazy like an assination attempt! Who among you would have stood up to the force of the brutal police?! Not me!! After all I’m a gay American. I’m probably already on their watch list!
September 19th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Well, this event bothered me for two reasons - the actions of the police and INaction (apathy) of the crowd. It was NOT okay to treat this guy with such excessive force. Yes, he was excited but since when is it a “crime” to feel passionate about an issue and, in this guy’s case, 3 questions.
Could the terms “pushing an agenda” be replaced with “sharing an opinion”? And, if you had an opinion and wanted to share it (just as Kerry himself was doing), would you want to be wrangled and tasered for it?
The only thing we can do is commit to being the one that stands up and says/does something if an event like this occurs. It is apathy that destroys the rights we hold (or think we hold).
September 19th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
I’m outraged that it’s taken this long for people to become outraged at all this. Two years ago, a man and his son were arrested for wearing t-shirts that advocated peace. They were shopping in a mall at the time. No one who doesn’t support Bush gets into his rallys, functions,etc. and it’s not unusual for someone to get tasered in the process. I have been actively speaking out but it seems to fall on deaf ears. Why hasn’t Bush been impeached? Is it more acceptable for a President to drag us into a war based on lies than for one to get a blow job? Don’t be surprised if Bush finds a way to call off the elections in 2008.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Mark,
What can one person do? Whatever you can wherever you are whenever you get the chance. Speak and Act!
With all the blogs available to comment - make your voice heard.
Letters still work - whether it be to newspaper editors or politicians.
In this climate of threat and fear each of us has a duty to speak out and protect the freedoms of others - lest there be no one there to help us when they come for us as the story of Nazi Germany goes.
Thanks for the opportunity to register one more voice for freedom.
Val
September 19th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
When I first went to watch the video, I was prepared to see an injustice committed by what I think is an overzealous police force.
But then I saw it.
And what I saw was a loud-mouthed ass who was more about glorifying himself than actually asking questions.
I have a feeling that the other students didn’t protest because they already knew the guy.
I’m with Tracy on this one.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
I hope that you ARE in the minority. Felony charges for speaking your mind in a public Place? Pretty extreme, asking his own questions. I suppose the Taliban would treat him the same.
Did you miss the link to the Thomas Jefferson quotes?
Freedom isn’t easy, it never was.
Thanks for sharing this Mark.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Unfortunately not Enough Americans become involved in the voting process or make comments or an effort toward change.
Sad isn’t it.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Our rights are never taken from us, we simply give them away by doing nothing, saying nothing, etc. What America once was she can be again by the re-transformation, not of the government, but of the people.
God bless,
Mark
September 20th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Since the John Kennedy era at least and maybe before, I have seen poorer quality of men and women being elected to public office. They seek office not to serve but to be served, in other words for power. Kerry was a rat in my book in 2004. He condemned the acts of the police only after his advisors told him it would be a mistake politically if he didn’t. If you watch the vidoe closely, you can see the police receive instructions via radio. It is then that they move in. Someone back stage was leading the show. It is what I would have expected from Kerry’s camp. What I wouldn’t have expected was for that many people to sit there without a protest. It is worse than I thought. Take a close look at the 2008 candidates, especially the Damacrats. There isn’t a one better than Kerry and some much worse.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:05 am
Between your excellent post, the videos themselves and the comments I don’t know where to begin…
I will start with the last poster. Tracy applauds the actions of the police here. Fortunately for you, Mark is in favor of free speech so your post stayed up. ‘Nuff said.
Now let’s talk about “Freedom Of Speech.” Note that the current definition of this holds that money is speech. This essentially means that whoever has the most money to spend can control what “Speech” we hear. This is why we have the version of a “Free Press” that we have right now. Also why we have two Presidential candidates from the same secret society. We all know that “Freedom of Speech” is relative, and not absolute(the well known “yelling fire in a crowded theater example). On the other hand I would agree that this individual was just passionate about what he was saying. HE never became violent, or lashed out at the police regardless of what they were doing to him. So I do not think that he violated the tenets of “Free Speech.” Did he violate the rules of the forum he was at? Perhaps, but if he did, does the punishment fit the crime? Anyone with a shred of common sense would answer no…
Lastly(I could go on for pages here) I would like to address why the crowd did nothing. In a word - Fear! They were afraid that if they helped, the same thing would happen to them. Remember that we are in the America of “The Patriot Act.” If ever there was a misnamed piece of legislation, this is it. Because of this one “law” do you realize that the definition of a “Terrorist” can consist of just the fact that someone quotes from the constitution in a blog? Interesting that the entirety of this “law” violates that same Constitution at every turn…
Floyd Bogart
September 20th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Actually the response from Tracy sickens me even more than what I witnessed for it clearly shows that there are people today that have no concept of the Constitution of the united States of America and will do all they can to welcome even more of a police state then we have degraded to
No longer are we one nation under God but now we are one nation of many gods and such acts would have abhorred our founders.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Since the World Trade Center incident America is playing into the hands of the very ones that struck. They want us to have no rights and liberties, hence the free speech rights are being quashed and the perpertrators are being subdued as common criminals. My God where are the brave???? Let’s get back America where we can all stand free!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 12:17 am
By all appearances the Constitution of the United States is now dead and buried. When I see things like this and the Jena Six Case I realize that we are living in an Oppresive Facist State. Hopefully I won’t get arrested for saying this.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:17 am
All it takes is apathy - and apathy comes from a feeling of isolation and non involvement. As we become more isolationist in culture so we will become more easily dominated.
Binaural beats
September 20th, 2007 at 12:18 am
John Kerry said, to the police, “That’s all right, let me answer his question”.
Please keep in mind, the man (there’s no evidence he was a student) got tased for resisting arrest and continuing to struggle and trying to get away after the police repeatedly told him to stop resisting.
How many times did that happen at the Bush events, plenty. Did you post those incidents, Mark?
If you believe you are being arrested without cause you must take up your case when you go to the court hearing. To resist the police is pure stupidity.
If you believe that there was no corruption in the Florida elections simply because Kerry conceded the election, you are not well informed or at least mis-informed about politics and that situation.
Furthermore, if you are concerned about your civil rights and the corporate take over of America, don’t look at John Kerry as the problem. Remember he’s not our president - the guy YOU elected TWICE is: King George the W.
Look at Kerry’s record, he fights FOR civil rights and the 1st Ammendment.
G.W.? Afraid not.
You chose to post only this incident, and not any of the disturbing things George Bush has done to damage this country. This country has become divided because of the Administrations leadership, or lack thereof.
Let’s find issues we can agree on. Let’s find causes both sides can support. Let’s find ways to be supportive of one another. That will be the start to rebuilding our country.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Tracey and Bones…
It doesn’t matter how obnoxious this bloke was, at the end of the day he was treated with excessive force!
He had as much right to his opinions as did anyone else.
To be honest, I’m scared to death that the UK is going to end up going the way of the US.
It’s now a glorified Police State
God help you all
September 20th, 2007 at 12:26 am
Talk about Scary! When I saw this … I was !! HORRIFIED !! Will you be too?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTvPljNxYTI&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zr0_9P-gz8&mode=related&search=
You’ll find more … Will you share this news too?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0pfGOH4uxA&mode=related&search=
The more I research, the more I am blown away
I feel as if I am awakening from a DEEP Sleep!
http://www.watch.pair.com/reich.html
The more I research, the more I find to consider
http://stargods.org/Fourth_Reich.htm
September 20th, 2007 at 12:27 am
If you check out the guy’s website, you will notice that he does this sort of thing intentionally to get on the news.
If you are given the mic at a forum, and given a certain amount of time to ask a question, get to the question and allow an answer. When your time is up leave the mic.
If you have stayed past your allotted time, and are asked to leave, leave.
If you have to be removed, leave peacefully, don’t start screaming and swinging your arms.
Unless of course, you are just trying to get on the national news!
September 20th, 2007 at 12:38 am
Amen to your point of view Mark. I’ve been deeply disturbed by a great many things happening in our government as of late. We are watching our freedoms vaporize right before our eyes.
I’ve decided that Ron Paul is the only candidate I really agree with on most issues because he like you wants to go back to the Constitutional government we all believe in.
If what you saw in this incident disturbs you look up information on the NAFTA Superhighway (8 lanes connecting Canada to Mexico through US) which will surely secure our borders, the North American Union proposal and the REALID Act that is supposed to go into effect May 2008 and will require basically a National ID card and require much more proof of identity and be used as a way to prevent people from banking, working or travelling if they don’t have it.
Hope you’re well Mark, it’s been awhile since we spoke.
May you and America be blessed.
All the best!
Bill White
The Synchronicity Expert
September 20th, 2007 at 12:42 am
Why didn’t John Kerry step down from the podium to intervene? It’s not like he has a big entourage of Secret Service anymore. As a former Congressional staffer myself, the student probably overstayed his time at the mic & was probably a pain in the @#%, yet if this was any indication of how Kerry would have led our country as President…and defended our citizens and free speech rights … gosh.
Hillary would likely have given the officers a taser shot so they could see how it felt..yeah!
Again, this deal shows Kerry the wimpy leader and why law enforcement has a horrible image, created by a few GottaPunchSomebodyInTheFace policemen out there.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:44 am
This “kid” does not get my sympathy.
He pushed the envelope and got what were natural consequences. Did he “act it up”? I think so. What happened to good manners and fair play? - yes I’m talking about the college kid - I hope he learns his lesson and others realise that free speech is not having a temper tantrum because you don’t get your way.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:46 am
Oh my gosh!! I am sitting here in shock over what I just saw. Mostly I tend to be a person who is positive and looking for the good in every situation.
I am having a very hard time finding any “good” in what I just witnessed in the videos. I am horrified about how this young man was treated by the police (the authority figures we are told we should trust), by Kerry, who apparently is more of a politician than a leader, and by all of his fellow classmates in the audience, some of whom found what was happening amusing.
How can this be happening in our society which was founded on liberty and freedom? This totally frightens me and makes me sit up and take notice.
Mark, thank you for sharing this with us. I have long ago given up watching the news because it is always so slanted and negative. I may not have been aware of this event if you had not posted about it.
My only remaining thoughts are that this shows how important it is for all of us to be more aware, to let go of negativity, and promote more positive thought and action in every thing we do — and hope that it is not too late to turn around the trends that are becoming more prevalent in our world.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:52 am
What is “permitted” if it goes against/challenges the powers that be?
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com (specifically parts 2 & 3) How asleep are we to abuse of power?
Another compelling perspective.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:01 am
I’am sorry Mark,
but your story got lost when i read “I long for the government we had that was for and by the people, not against the people”.
When was that?
The one thing Americans need to focus on now, is ending the so-call War on Terror
September 20th, 2007 at 1:02 am
2 sides to every story…the sensationalized, media version and just about any other. The guy came to cause a scene, asked provocative questions (his right) to which Kerry was willing to respond. (he said at least twice that he would answer his question.
He asked 3 questions w/o pause for an answer, went over his time and refused to relinquish the mic. When cops tried to remove him, he created a ruckus, vigorously resisted being removed and screamed like a little girl to be sure he had everyone’s attention!
I’m not sure if he’s a true believer of some sort, a starving student seeking a payday or just an attention seeker. Whatever his goal, I’m sure he’s accomplished at least 2 out of those 3.
Everyone’s right, I see no need for tasering, either. I think the police were provoked and over-reacted. I also think that if the guy just wanted answers to his questions and had no other agenda, he wouldn’t have staged such an irrational display.
BTW, he wasn’t arrested for “asking questions”. He was arrested for pitching a fit and resisting the cops trying to remove him from the microphone!
September 20th, 2007 at 1:06 am
Mark,
Your patriotism is great! But nowadays, we must ask to what we are patriotic to….
If this recent event at John Kerry’s event alarms you, then you really need to watch this.
You will really have to ask yourself what has happened to America!
It is a recent documentary by a well known movie producer.
WATCH IT!:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173&q=america+from+freedom+to+facism+full+movie&total=3&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
September 20th, 2007 at 1:10 am
I think John Kerry should be able to handle any hecker, if that is what the young man was,.We expect some straight answers from our elected officials. To me John Kerry is as close to being a traitor as they come. His pictures hangs in the Vietnam Museum of people that contributed to helping the Vietcon perpetuate and win the war. He shouldn’t even be in congress alone run for President. No matter what John Kerry put himself in the position to be asked those questions by showing up for the event.
For those who think the student got what he deservw, they really don’t understand american freedom. The next time a foreign power bomb us or destroys are buildings, they may wake up and find out what freedom is and don’t go askeding anyone why they let it happened, blaming congress and anyone else they think they can push the blame on. Blame is on all of those who don’t believe in a strong government and fighting for the principles this great country was founded on.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:15 am
The guy was a nut case and got his upcoming, cops only did what the should have done. He came out late yesterday/today and stated it was all for a joke and he didn’t blame police for what they done. Fools fool around and sometimes get hurt thankfully no one else got hurt by his little bit of joking and 5 minutes of fame.
Jack
September 20th, 2007 at 1:18 am
The kid is a journalism major, and behaved VERY unprofessionally. He alerted security because of his loud ranting and arm waving. If, on top of that, he went over the alloted time and/or number of questions, he rightly should have been told to sit down and shut up, then warned if necessary. If he ignored the warnings and continued to rant and yell, he should have been handcuffed, physically removed, and charged with an appropriate misdemeanor.
It appears however, that the security police chose to apply brute force with no warning. They are guilty of misconduct and police brutality. They have been suspended pending an investigation.
Incidents of police misconduct are not that rare. It says a lot about the quality of law enforcement personnel and their training, and nothing about the US government. Police departments are local organizations and have absolutely nothing to do with the federal government.
Having said that, I want you to know that I’m rabidly anti Bush and as disgusted with the US government as anyone. However, that’s a different issue.
I’m simply trying to keep this in perspective. This is a local, not a federal problem.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Hi,
Am I missing something here…?
When I read the email which led to this blog post and watched the first youtube vid I was ready to see something completely outrageous as was “spun” by the post…
BUT I couldn’t help but see that this guy was actually “forcing” security/police to “man handle him”… he was NOT co-operating with them escorting him out. See how he kept pulling away and trying the whole “oh look at me, why are you doing this to me, I’m not resisting…” all the while his actions are escalating the actions by security/police…
He seems to have been disrespectful(I haven’t read and seen all the news fotage/stories) and I would have expected somebody to escort him back to his seat or remove him from the room for being disrespectful/badgering/antagonistic…
when he offered to leave “in peace”… he already refused that course of action… yes, they could have helped him up and let him go, but he was given that option… should he have been tasered - I saw the vid clip where you could hear the taser go off seemingly FOUR times…? WOW! Now I would say that’s over kill. Now how badly was he resisting on the floor?
Overzealous security/police? Yes. Now what would you do if you saw someone obviously resisting your colleagues’ attempts to escort this guy out…?
My overall impression was that he was putting on a show…
September 20th, 2007 at 1:34 am
After watching the video I searched more on the subject - yes, the police over-reacted, BUT the student had cut in line and interrupted another student in mid question, and had made sure in advance he was being filmed.
I saw someone ask a good question - if he had pulled a gun and shot Kerry, would people accuse the police of slow reacting when this student was cleary overheating.
Important to get all sides of the story I guess.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Fear is why no one stood up and helped this guy - the fear that they too would be arrested for intefering with a police officer in the line of duty.
My question is, were these real cops or were they rent-a-cops hired by the school?
I’m not saying they did right, or they did wrong, but it could have been handled better. A simple arm-bar could have been applied and he would have walked right out of the building with nothing more than his ego bruised.
Several years ago while we were fighting the building of a large FedEx cargo hub with 126 nightly flights being built smack in the middle of a residential area, we were granted a whopping three minutes to speak. When time ran out, the microphone was turned off, (unless you were speaking in favor of the hub.)
In any case, our nation has become paralized by fear, and not fear of the terrorists, but of our own government.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Kerry did make a slight attempt to get the officers to back off in the beginning by telling the offers it was ok, he would answer the questions. Apparently they didn’t hear. The question about the secret society is what set it off, wonder what that’s all about.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:02 am
Regarding the crowd: it’s easy to sit here and say how they “should” have acted, but actually being there is much different.
During the first half of the incident, had I been there, I would have expected they would remove the guy and it would be over. It was not a public open mic, and the guy wasn’t playing by the rules. The cops should NOT have touched him and definitely should have taken longer to tell him what was going on.
Where it all went very, very wrong was when they had him on the floor and THEN tased him. Comon! That is cowardly and outrageous. We had a local man about a year ago die of a taser hit, these are very dangerous weapons and should only be used in life threatening situations.
Back to the crowd. There were many people in the crowd who were yelling and getting up at the end. You can hear them screaming at the police and you can even hear an officer reply to one of them.
While I am deeply concerned about the fear that is being used to manipulate American citizens, I also don’t blame the crowd. It’s one minute they were listening to a speech and the other minute we expect them to jump up and get into a battle with the police!
That’s just not how things happen in the real world. If you are shocked about what the lack of action the crowd took, ask yourself just how much action you have taken against what is happening in this country.
Doug
September 20th, 2007 at 2:04 am
There’s so much more, but start here.
http://www.mvp-seattle.com/Pages/pageFascism.htm
Just keep in mind - Mike Adams (God bless him) is offshore. The rest of us are spoiled, scared, and/or apathetic.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Tracy Says:
—————————
Judging by this post I am probably in the minority here, but if by liberty you mean the right to disrupt public gatherings to push your own agendas, then I don’t want your kind of liberty. There was a set time limit, the guy started ranting, then resisted when they went to pull him off the stage after they had to cut off his microphone. I say the police were right, otherwise everybody gets to think that they don’t have to follow the rules set up for everyone. I say the guy deserved his treatment and deserves felony charges.
==============================
My response to the above ignorant comment. Hey Tracy, now is NOT the time to give authority figures any quarter if you can’t see what’s plainly in front of your eyes you are apathetic just like the audience who sat there while the “PIGS” (Facists) abused their authority. He was not being disruptive and I think he was being way too polite if you ask me. Politicians don’t play by the rules and neither should we anymore. We should dissent and disobey until the miserable machine comes to a schreeching HALT. This is not the time to be passive while your country is being lead down the path of tyranny and despotism. Rethink your statement or perhaps you should view the video over and over again until you realize that your rights were also violated, not just his.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:09 am
Of course, this has been getting worse all the time. People want to be protected, but they didn’t think they needed protection from the protectors. In a country where we can be thrown in jail for what we think (hate crime laws) or for exercising our free speech rights, we should be very consious when we vote. If you see an incumbent on the ballot…JUST VOTE NO!
September 20th, 2007 at 2:13 am
Thank you for bringing this video to my attention. It was soft peddled on the national news. I appreciate you stepping out and making a statement about what’s important to you.
3 things struck me about this:
1. It’s hard to believe that this kind of thing can happen in this country in the first place.
2. To make matters even worse the police had no fear of retaliation by the crowd or how they would be portrayed in the press.
3. Unbelievably his fellow students sat inches away and watched while he screamed for help!
This goes beyond shocking, but why hasn’t this gotten more air time of TV? I heard someone in the background on the video mention Rodney King. Have we become so complacent that this is OK now?
The bigger question is what can we do about?
September 20th, 2007 at 2:16 am
Great post, Mark!
This is just one more reason we in North America need to get our online businesses up, running and solid so we have the mobility to emigrate to saner locales.
As you know, Teri & I live in Canada but spend a lot of time in the US, so our perspective may be a bit different. From here, this latest event seems just the next step in the progression.
Over the last few years, the first evidence of it was in the police videos they show on TV. Almost without exception, at the end of police chases the video shows the police punching, kicking and using batons on the perp, who is in handcuffs by that time.
Next came the travesty of Katrina, not the hurricane but the lack of compassion and aid from the government in the hurricane’s wake.
Early this year, a new resolution was passed that allows the President to arbitrarily declare any person an ‘enemy of the state’, thus suspending any and all rights that person would otherwise have had. This is a right normally seen only in countries like China, Russia and, dare we say, Iraq.
The issue in this case is two-fold - first, when the students don’t have the right to debate, where is society going? And secondly, what is the mind-set of police who, with at least 6 officers on the scene, felt the need to taser a single student? He was obviously out-powered and unarmed, so the taser was a choice, not a necessity.
The breakdown of government, lack of concern by individuals, and brutality of the police, when coupled with the current housing crisis and looming recession/depression mirror the collapse of empires throughout history. The time for those of us with true mobility to desert the sinking ship of North America is rapidly approaching, I fear.
Thanks for raising the issue…
Doug Champigny.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:25 am
Watching this as a UK citizen this does not surprise me. We had a senior citizen physically ejected from a Labour Party conference last year simply for asking difficult questions of a speaker. The general public are ASLEEP to how the politicians are taking away civil rights generations have fought for. When I speak out for civil liberties amongst the people I work with I get the response “if you haven’t done anything wrong you have nothing to fear”. What did this guy do wrong - nothing.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:32 am
He deserved what he got.
And I could care less what John Kerry has to say. In my opinion he should be lumped in the same boat as Jane Fonda and all the other old hippie wannabe nuts.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:45 am
Mark-I saw this too and it is terrible to say the LEAST! Everyone, please go to google videos and watch Aaron Russo’s movie “America-From Freedom to Fascism” And then wake up! Do something! Look at Congressman Ron Paul. He is running for president on the republican ticket. Go to his website (just do a search on google for “Ron Paul” and it will give you several places where you can learn about him and what he stands for. He is the ONLY honest politician that I know of. He wants to get rid of the Federal Reserve System and the IRS. He is against the national ID card and he wants to bring our troops home from Iraq now! Please take a look at him. You can also go to “We the People Radio” and listen on the internet to people who are trying to start getting this country back on track the way our founding fathers wanted it. You all know that we are not a democracy –right?–we are a republic. Please check it out.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:54 am
I have the opportunity to be living outside of the US and I thank God every day for that. I want to tell you a little story about the state your country is in. A friend of mine who has lived here her entire life, but happens to be British and has a british passport, (Blonde and Blue eyes) went to the US border to go to enter the US to go to a football game. She was hauled out of the car, finger printed, photographed, and interogated for three hours before they put her back onto the road to Canada. Actually called her a terrorist! Hmm, let me see, a 20 year old, blonde blue eyed beautiful girl trying to go to a football game is some how a terrorist. Um you think tazering a college student is bad enough, I think you guys have terrorist fever.
You couldn’t recognise a terrorist if you saw one. At least here in Canada us “Canadians” don’t want the “terrorist” coming over and at least we can admit our Stupid Government still lets them in for “humanity” reasons. I can spot one, come visit one of our Toronto Malls and see how many you can spot!
We all have to clean up our act. We all need to demand change. And it needs to start with our delusional politicians. You guys voted in Bush, we laughed. We voted in our own Prime Minister Stephen Harper and I have never figured out why any of us would be so stupid to do that.
Voice change. Get tazered! Get rid of the Drugs, guns, then educate your/our people, then get rid of the terrorists.
But hey if you don’t start with change inside your own country you can’t change the foriegn policy that has caused the rest of the world to hate the Americans and it’s not even the American people they hate, just the American Government! But trust me, you will pay because you live there and we as Canadians, will pay because we are your friends. (unless the border keeps turning us away)
By the way, I laughed at the news last night. It was viewed by us as very typical.
Mary
September 20th, 2007 at 2:57 am
This reminded me of a resent e-mail I received with this link.
watch the 1hr.51min. video of America: Freedom to Fascism
http://www.silverbearcafe.com/private/ftf.html
This is the last documentary movie that the late Aaron Russo made.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:11 am
I agree with a lot of what Rob #52 and Bill #53 have to say. I listened to commentary on the news this morning from people who were there and those who also know this young man and apparently he lives for the limelight. Do I believe that the police could’ve handled things better than they did, absolutely but, what has happened to our society when both celebrities & the average Joe do and say just about anything for attention, notoriety, and 15 minutes of fame?
As for what Bill states, like him I have been deeply disturbed by the rapid erosion of our freedoms and how blind the masses especially our young people are to what’s really going on around them. It would appear that we’re all being duped by both political parties, look at NAFTA supported by both parties by the way, the Biodiversity Treaty which the Senate rejected in 1994 but, President Clinton implemented anyway thru the President’s Council on Sustainable Development which unknown to most Americans, put 47 large parcels of US land larger than Colorado called “Biosphere Reserves” under UN control and where development is prohibited to boot! Make no mistake both parties are guilty of undermining our freedoms and the partisanship we’re exposed to on a daily basis is nothing more than a distraction to keep us divided while they do their dirty work behind the scenes. These are only two of the operations set in place to relieve us of God-given rights and what it all boils down to is that in some cases there really isn’t too much difference between the 2 parties. If we as a nation don’t remove the blinders from our eyes then I’m afraid what’s to come will make this scuffle between the young man & the police look like a walk in the park and THAT’S what I find the most disturbing Mark! Thanks for providing a forum for still free (for the time being)Americans to agree or disagree on.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:15 am
I’m almost paralized by what I whitnessed, Ron, and reminded not only of the history of the European and the German authoritarian movements and dictatorships but of other devastative regimes in the later decades of the last century century. But thank you even though. It’s of eminent importance to give such an information from hand to hand to make as many peolple to witnesses of political violence and such a failure of a democratic representative voted by many people to stand for their constitutional rights.
The Article of Michael Adams in The News Target.com Newsletter with the resources and his clear analysis meet the nerve of the development that up to this day already changed the States’ inner conditions. Everyone will agree on rereading his arguments and conclusions.
I’m sure it will be helpfull to many for finding their own positioning to look into Hannah Ahrendt’s ‘The Origins Of Totalitarism’, especially the second and the third part, published 1955 in the States where she lived after she had escaped the Nazi terror in the thirties.
Everybody can make use of her great collection of resources on the topic (even Jefferson is referred to) and become aware that the beautiful word of’God’s Own Country’ has degenerated into what could be watched in so many videos open to the public -thank God!-
(And this was not the first incident!)
AS I learned by now that in so many cases IM people tend to ask their contemporaries for help, to collect money for a certain ‘good reason’ shouldn’t we begin to collect money here for the best lawyer of the country Andrew Meyer deserves?
As a matter of fact ‘afterwards’ he will only be the symbol for defence of the freedom of speech and the other infringements of constitutional rights to be observed now in those numerous videos. No, they cannot be put off by any court as manipulated materials. There are too many of them.
The next year will be the time when to decide in favor of the contitutional rights of the individual AND the country or to bow in fear and to give in like
those who laughed and applauded in that first video which only proved the submission of the weak who tend to give in in the face of violence and totalitarian demonstration of power. The videos and the noises undeniably showed that.
Ron, please make use of the power of word - of the internet - of the blogs - of the lists you and your friends are in command of!
Don’t give in. Be strong and proud. Be couragious and compassionate. This isn’t the time for tears or fear.-
Do that for the Country of the Free!
I wish you the strength and the courage it takes, the love for your country and your countrymen to call for the community of the democratic people, to call for a fair and legitimate justice for that young student who made use of his constitutional rights.
And thank you once more that you
let me know about all that.
Mara
September 20th, 2007 at 3:55 am
I campaigned and voted for Sen. Kerry and I know John Kerry well enough and have done enough campaigning to know that although Kerry probably wanted to get personally involved and let the discussion with the student continue,but he knew he could not stop the Police from intervening. Kerry has been briefed and counseled to not get personnally involved, in what are termed by law enforcement, security situations. I work for the Dept. of Homeland Security and with the Mass. State Police and a politician cannot control what they are going to do unless they are in direct authority over the police in question. Remember, Florida is/was Jebb Bush’s state- the home of totalitarian government. I would not doubt that some of the police reaction was to embarass Kerry given the way police in Florida think. That is not some
crackpot comment but based on experience of driving through Florida under the speed limit
and being stopped by Florida State Police probably because I had a Massachusetts license plate.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:58 am
This link was just sent to me by Dr. Robert Paul, the physician son of Dr. Ron Paul, Republican candidate for U.S. President in 2008.
Robert expressed his concern for those whose thinking reflected disdain for this young man’s pluck and determination to be heard.
His vice may have been apparent, but in a supposedly free society, his crime was not.
Even if “you believe just because there was a consensus that his removal was justified… as we have seen numerous times… the majority isn’t always right!”
http://www.lysanderspooner.org/VicesAreNotCrimes.htm
Please don’t believe our first organizing principle of governance is based on democracy. It is not. It’s founded on the rule of law - under our system of checks and balances - as worded only in the American Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Whatever, or whoever, could possibly be behind this outrage?
Democracy, like the rule of law, has been given over to our corporatist overlords “for our protection” - not to “promote the common good.”
The good old U.S.A has been handed over to its creditors, folks - and thus, we’ve almost lost our last true defenders of liberty.
So sound the alarm bells, people!
Please, let’s stand up and be counted. Let the ideal of freedom… loudly ring… all across this great land… we proudly call America…
… While we still can!
“Freedom is popular!” - Dr. Ron Paul
http://zeitgeistmovie.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2pxW7D1Vao
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n3h3_u6yOc
http://www.apfn.org/apfn/reserve.htm
http://www.barefootsworld.net/sui_juris/uccconnection.html
http://www.constitution.org/law/bastiat.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyZpo4En1po&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3u1IGWbf2Y&NR=1
September 20th, 2007 at 4:11 am
He was tased for resisting arrest - not for asking questions.
And now he is both martyr and a celebrity, which is what he wanted.
Too bad his parents didn’t teach him to be civil - even when talking to the likes of Kerry.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:15 am
The american government has been hijacked by corporate/utility interests since the 60’s, and by central bankers controlling the federal reserve.
Listen to the kennedy speech on the secret societies and the new world order Council on Foreign Relations (funded by rockefellers/rothschilds)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBF5DbPbg_A
Kennedy wanted to get rid of the CIA and federal reserve! (now you know why he was wiped out.
Read The Anglo American Establishment/Tragedy and Hope by intellectual and Bill Clinton Mentor Carrol Quigley who CONFIRMED the secret societies of the Round Table (UK) and it’s offshoot - the Council on Foreign Relation (almost all secretaries of state and presidents come from this society - a one world government society).
If you read the works of Zbigniew Brezinski (under Carter) who spoke of ‘BALKANISING’ the whole of Asia , you will understand that US foreign policy is not to unite, but to fragment so no predominant power comes into effect (Bush has not done a bad job in Iraq - he followed his own plan perfectly and will have troops in key strategic areas)
The facts prove that the official government conspiracy theories are
false (remember, the term conspiracy theorist is a term to shut off legitimate debate - MIND CONTROL!!!!)
Realise that this government is without a doubt (as Daddy Bush confirmed in a speech - on Utube) - that they plan for a one world Government - a new world order and will use any excuse to invade the areas not under their control) - see speeches on the new world order by Clinton, Daddy Bush, The Council on Foreign Relations et.c)
There is so much more, I am not american but the evidence is for you to see that this is a corrupt government wanting to take away your freedoms and put you in the Amero Currency, just like we’re in the EU(It starts off as A ‘partnership’, a free trade partnership - then a fascist union of member states) - you’ve been warned)
Dave
September 20th, 2007 at 4:15 am
Incredible. I don’t even have words for it. Barbaric? Unconstitutional? John Kerry yelling into the microphone telling the cops to stop would have been a start if he knows what’s good for his campaign. He could have done something to stop that. Pathetic.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:15 am
What an over-reaction!!Upstarts like this turkey, invoke riots & such. Police were justified in what they did imo. If the guy learned some manners (which so many folk lack these days) I am sure some kind of answer would have been forthcoming. Would a television journalist ever get an interview if they presented their questions like that? I think not. So why should this idiot expect any nice treatment by doing things the way he did? What an absolute nutcase! Fine for him to have his political views… I have no problem with that, but his presentation method & his own reaction to the consequences of his approach were disgusting. Good job by the Police! Actually feel sorry for the Police. Damned if they do & damned if they don’t. Ask yourself, what the outcome would have been if the Police hadn’t stepped in.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:33 am
Hi Mark:
This is my second visit to your blog. The fist was to watch the Potts videos, I was impressed. But for this, I do not see why you were shocked and upset!! What for??
When your son or daughter sticks his/her finger in your face, would you call it “freedom of speech? That is called “Disrespectful”
I have watched a number of clips, and I can tell you he was being grossly disrespectful.
That is the way society is going… downhill. Look back and think again, when you were 21, was that how things were?
As Derbie noted above, you need to get the whole story.
losing moral values has nothing to do with FREE Speach. It is called: DISRESPECT!!
September 20th, 2007 at 4:34 am
Oh & one more thing. In most civilised countries, is it not the case, that protesters who get “out of control” are bombarded by teargas or water cannons or even shot with rubber bullets. You see it on the news from time to time. Seems not many folk are too concerned about that. Most probably think something along the lines of ’serves you right for disturbing the peace’ So what is the big difference between that, & this case. Storm in a teacup!
September 20th, 2007 at 4:53 am
Get used to the police state. That was just an inkling of what is to come. Get used to it or rise up. One or the other.
September 20th, 2007 at 5:11 am
..Search for Osama Bin Laden’s history, his background. You will find ‘we’ (USA) & Saudi Arabia were the straw which gave us 9/11. I am NOT apologizing for him. His methods are/were horrific.
But having watched this video, make not of this guy’s name. Such oppressive force, with no just cause, creates the problem you’re trying to ‘eliminate’…
September 20th, 2007 at 5:20 am
..(Addendum to above)…
On the flip side:
1) Can you say ‘Dirty-Tricks’?..possible competitor sent stooge in to embarrass Kerry..
2) Can you say ‘Reverse-Dirty-Tricks’?..Kerry’s campaign low in polls, create publicity..
3) I vote for #2. Kerry’s people staged it. He’s behind in money & the polls..
THINK. Before you react with emotion. NOTHING happens in a political campaign without PLANNING. NOTHING.
When something does happen, without planning…people quit or resign. ( i.e. Muskie, Senator Craig..)
Now, is discussion of a ‘police-state’ valid? Not where is comes to a political campaign. SOMEBODY set this up.
September 20th, 2007 at 5:35 am
Hi Mark,
Please check out this web page tomorrow sept. 20 at 10 am for a very interesting live interview on the law.
It won’t be boring.
http://www.wtprn.com/
You can listen to the live feed or download the interview 30 minutes after the call.
You can read about the guy conducting the interview here:
http://www.wtprn.com/programs.html
Here is the call in number to the show if you would like to comment live.
+1-888-202-1984
Pass it on to anyone you think might be interested.
September 20th, 2007 at 5:58 am
http://www.HolisticMatters.net
September 20th, 2007 at 6:08 am
Thanks, Mark, for this blog. We, as Americans, do need to get involved. Join the Minuteman Corps, call your representatives, get informed. Our global elites are selling us out. They don’t care what happens to the middle class. They are out for power and are destroying our freedoms. We need leaders, like you, to get everyone involved. Thanks.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:12 am
I listened to Bill O’Reilley on the radio today. He said that the kid tried to keep on asking questions after the question session had ended. After watching the video I can see that this is a blatant lie. So what’s the agenda here?
Sure the kid was abrasive and should have been hooted down by the audience. I think the audience reacted totally inappropriately to the whole incident. What kind of college kids do we have now a days.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:24 am
The world and our government are not the same. The police are itching to do something. They want some excitement. The empathy for our fellow human being is diminishing at an alarming rate. Common sense seems to be dying as well. Incompetence is growing in leaps and bounds in this country.
There is a big problem in this country–all across the board, all over the place. Children migrating here from third-world countries are placed in a grade or even two higher than they would be in their country as their education is better where they came from. Our jobs are going to other countries–and with all the incompetence I’m coming across lately, quite frankly, I don’t blame the big corporations. We are among the few countries that does not provide free college education, or national healthcare.
Our government is failing us. My husband and I are seriously talking about moving to another country–after our case against two police officers who beat him up for no reason while on the way to the hospital is settled.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:24 am
The Kid was being arrogant and was asking a lot of questions and was about to ask Kerry why he conceeded so quik on the night of the election returns, when the law took him away. I would have liked to know why he conceeded so quick also.
Here is the story I think you will find out just what has been running our country for the last 50 years. The book is called
“The Economic Hitman” and Amy Goodman interviewed him (John Perkins) who wrote the book and you can read the interview here.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/06/05/149254 Copy and paste if it isn’t active.
Great article.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Well Mark, ya managed to get my blood racing on this one. First let me say that you deserve kudos for going into an unusual issue for an internet marketer. The issue of our rights and the direction of America is in sore need of discussion. Things don’t look good and it certainly looks more and more like the unfolding of a new Fascism right before our very eyes.
However, nothing in what I witnessed,in the various clips, shows me anything that gives any credence to that in the least.
Mark, your outcry is unjustified in light of what really happened. You have unwittingly played “The Boy Who Cried ‘Wolf’” on this one. There were so many other examples of why we ARE headed for trouble in this world, so why settle for this mockery? I agree with Tracy (#14); Derek (#22); Kelly (#24); Tap (#29); Bones (#39); Rob (#52); Leslie(#55); Diane (#59); Jack (#61); Sally (#63); Yoon (#64); Gordon (#65); Jeffrey (#83); Steve (#86), and Samuel (#87); as a result I won’t go over the same valid points they made.
A more intense over-reaction than what the police engaged in are some of the posts I’ve read here! We need to learn to think a bit more logically and not go with the flow of first impressions and its accompanying emotion.
To be fair in our evaluation is to render an invaluable service to the cause of truth.
An unbiased evaluation of the incident can never lead to the sort of conclusion you have reached, Mark. Having said that, I still love you!
Don’t misunderstand this. Please keep bringing to the fore important issues for discussion.
Joe Faia
PS Anthony Tomei (#70), are you serious? I’ve seen some of your comments on other issues and you need to seriously revise your thinking, buddy! When I first started reading your post I thought, “This can’t be the Anthony I know. He’s sounding logical and sane.” then I realised I was reading your quote from Tracy!
Still, maybe we can have a beer over this one day and shoot the breeze some!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:01 am
I agree with most of the comments here, since 9/11 and the Patriot Act things have gotten really police state like.
The airports are the worst, most of the security never smile and treat everyone like they are being arrested when entering.
The press is also very gov. orientated and shows nothing but the war, crimes and negative issues 24/7. Which is why I stopped watching it.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:21 am
Since I’m going to have to deal with BCIS and DHS and so on real soon, I’d rather stay anonymous. They scare me.
The guy was stupidly provocative. The police were inept and brutal without cause. What I find appalling is how many people commenting are shocked by this rather mild incident. Haven’t you ever seen films of Chicago? Rodney King? You all been living under a toadstool or something?
Our ‘rights’ have been being chewed up and digested by government for a long time. Of course we did at least have habeas corpus until recently.
Hay, write “Kip Hawley is an idiot” on your TSA Ziploc baggy and see if you have any free speech rights in your friendly airport security zone. And enjoy your strip search too.
Government was originally (in the US anyway) supposedly designed to be the servant of the people not their master. It wasn’t meant to take care of us, to control our thoughts (or even very many of our actions), to steal our earnings, or to police the world. And it certainly wasn’t intended to be a giant bonanza for bureaucrats, politicians and all the rich old boys in the network.
If you want to really feel horrified, read the constitution and see just how far down the path to tyranny we already are.
Ron Paul is, I think, perhaps the only - or at least one of the very few - honest politicians who knows enough to have reasoned positions on issues supported by facts and a knowledge of history. Most politicians seem to be ignorant, bereft of ideas and skilled only at manipulation, duplicity and waffling. Perhaps Ron is right and it’s past time to start disassembling this monstrosity we’ve allowed our government to become.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Mark -
Times have really changed. You and I are the same age - children of the 60’s. Say what you will, but injustice did not go unnoticed then.
I long for those days of passion and righteous indignation. Holding our government accountable was the norm. Even if it was an illusion.
Our newspapers did it with abandon. Today, they watch as the world falls apart.
When I was 16 and attending a high-school basketball game with my friend, someone through a bottle on the floor.
A policeman came to my friend and said I saw you throw the bottle.
I was sitting beside him and said automatically, you’re wrong. He didn’t throw anything.
The policeman “arrested” both of us and ejected us from the fieldhouse - when we were outside, he let us go admitting that he didn’t see us, but needed to take action so that the crowd knew they couldn’t get away with it.
The point is this: Standing up for right is something we can never turn our back on.
My standing up for my friend was automatic. No one in that audience stood up for the student.
The potential for punishment today is greater than “being ejected” from the fieldhouse. You could disappear to “Gitmo”!
Our wonderful country - the beacon of freedom around the world - fought to bring freedom to the Soviet Union for years.
Now, we are the Soviet Union!
And we’re afraid to stand up for anything…
David Perdew
September 20th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Mark, you are invited to check out the last few entries in my blog on myspace.
http://myspace.com/judes_spot
thanks for this Blog, Mark.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Definitely not one of the finer moments for my doctoral alma mater, the University of Florida. However I’m leaving the 99th comment because no one seems to have brought up what another out of control young man did on April 17,2007—on the Virginia Tech campus. He killed 33 people.
The use of force on this impolite, ranting questioner was inadequately considered. By all appearances, he was not a risk to himself or others, only a badly groomed boy with manners to match.
Yet if he had been carrying a deadly weapon, the same public safety officers would have been praised for reacting appropriately and saving lives.
Had bystanders risen to his defense, chaos would have followed, and the officers so quick to use disabling force may have escalated even that.
Perhaps the other students did not intervene because they didn’t support his conduct, didn’t like him or didn’t want to get in the way of police officers visibly struggling with their job responsibilities.
I’d die for a short list of causes, myself. A boy’s right to be rude is not among them.
Emotions run high for many reasons on college campuses, where virtual strangers are forced into such close proximity. Freedom to experience and express them must be exercised with better judgment than this young man showed.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Mark,
I applaud you in publishing this.
I have a couple of thoughts….
First Off….GO GATORS! Top Notch Taser Work If I Don’t Say So Myself. Eight Cops and the Taser Used Four Times in a Police Zone Defense. Sorry I was in ESPN mode.
I’d love to interview the cops. Would make for great bonuses for my upcoming course “Dog Fighting For Fun and Profit” couse.
POLICE. It’s a viewpoint I would love to better understand. Honestly, these cops think that they are serving the public good and the majority of the public thought so as well.
Our Founding Fathers created this country where the individual was SENIOR to the government. That one concept is what made this country so unique.
Democracy can be very dangerous when it is mistaken for mob rule.
The last time I felt this way was “the Branch Davidians” in Waco back in the early 90’s.
I was completely disgusted by the way the military killed those individuals and how the media whitewashed the story.
Our citizens are scared of being individuals.
We are fed half truths by our government and told to fall in line.
We are taught at an early age to not discuss politics, sex and religion and in this thread we get all of those flavors.
I saw this video yesterday on the news and was completely nauseated. I do agree that the victim was obnoxious and possibly rude and disrespectful however…..the silence of the crowd and of Mr. Kerry in not coming to this individuals rescue in this instance is what I consider truly disgusting.
I was equally nauseated a few years back when President Bush landed on the aircraft carrier and proudly proclaimed “Mission Accomplished!” That was 4000 deaths ago wasn’t it?
Many scholars have commented that the United States has come full circle. Our country was founded by terrorists and now dissenting opinion is to be crushed with whatever force is required force under the name of democracy and the public good.
Patrick Henry stated “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!” How is this famous quote any different from what this college student is doing?
Draw your own conclusions.
I have long been disgusted witht he media.
They rarely get it right.
I’m all for putting together a campaign to help this young kid raise some money to get a hot shot lawyer to bring these cops to Justice.
All in favor say…aye….
And Now a word from our capitalist sponsor….
http://cgi.ebay.com/Taser-him-again-Dont-taser-me-bro-Tshirt_W0QQitemZ320160479911QQihZ011QQcategoryZ15687QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
September 20th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Hi Mark. Not sure by your post if this Kerry’s fault or what.
I saw it and the police should be cited for assault. Period.
That kid made no threats or accted in any way to deserve that treatment. BUT, if the police are on your back telling you to stop talking you need to think about cooperating first.
Who told those cops to go after that kid. They are liable as well. Reminded me of the Geo. Allen extravaganzo and the kid with the video cam. take care
September 20th, 2007 at 8:27 am
“Don’t Tase Me Bro”
Holy Cow.
What’s happening to you America?
Land of the Free?
Be ashamed.
Sad.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Wow. It’s a shame so many people see or hear little bits of something and go crazy with their condemnations and accusations. If anyone took a few minutes to do a little research about the entire incident and the so-called “victim” they’d realize that this was a stunt. He’s done these things before, he asked people to be sure to film him and so on. He got exactly what he wanted out of the incident.
And above and beyond his setting up the entire incident to get his 15 minutes of fame, it’s not true that he did nothing wrong. The organizers of the event (also students) asked the he be removed. They tried to remove him and he resisted. Is that what we’ve come to now? People can act like idiots, resist arrest and the cops are just supposed to say, ‘oh, well, he’s resiting. We’ll let him go and move on to someone else that we hope doesn’t resist arrest.
Tazer him again.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Thanks, Mark. I am in total agreement with you. I cannot say this was Kerry’s fault, however. This a total over reaction by the police. This was totally wrong.
I greatly appreciate your insight in this matter. You must be especially upset that this happened in your own home state. But, the real truth of the matter is this could have happened in any state.
We can never be afraid to speak up. The sad, sad, thing was the kid, did not do anything but ask a question. Thanks for reminding all of us, when we see or hear someone wronged, we need to raise our voices to be heard.
Thank you, Mark, for raising your voice.
I hear you. Lots of us do.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Mark,
Great post Mark. but where have you been? The America you long for (as do I) is long dead. All that survives is the symbology of that America. And the only reason it survives is because it is useful to those in power from time to time to tug at our heartstrings so we follow blindly any ridiculous notion of the Power’s choosing…
Ask yourself…
In THAT America,
…Could the Patriot Act ever have been passed? (In my humble opinion, the so-called “war on terror” was lost on the day it became law. Terror was established [at least potentially] as US law.)
…Could our biggest export have been millions of decent wage blue collar and white collar jobs?
…Could the biggest and longest war ever waged be the war on our own middle class, that’s gone on relentlessly for 30+ years?
…Would the people have traded freedoms that were guaranteed for 225 years for security (which is not and never can be guaranteed AT ALL)?
…Would citizens have stood for naming things THE EXACT OPPOSITE of their real intent (ex: the Patriot Act [which I'm sure has the original patriots spinning like supersonic tops in their graves- can't you hear the hum?] and Homeland Security [Whose Homeland? What security?]
…would the people have stood by while we unleashed war on Canada for something a bunch of radical Mexicans did? (substitute ‘Iraq’ and ‘Saudis’ if you want, I never said that!)
…and most of all, would those Americans have stood by while the fracturing of the country by pitting group against group became so vile and widespread that sensible debate no longer exists, and has been replaced by redefining the ‘enemy’ as anyone who disagrees in any way with what the Powers’ have done and are doing to OUR country?
I agree that the internet allows more people to have more direct communication- but to what end? Will it help reverse these abominable changes?
Seems to me it’s just another placater, like soap operas and Monday Night football. Just like them the internet distracts and prevents real change. Kind of like Public Radio- endless talk,talk, talk, talk…when action is what’s needed.
Alex
MoreMoneyBetterLife.com
September 20th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Obviously there are some very opinionated people on here, and as I said in the post I knew I would be in the minority. So, to address those who disagreed, and a few who agreed:
22. Derek No, you do not have the right to taser me unless you are acting as a trained professional and are attempting to obtain my compliance through nonlethal means if I am resisting arrest, but thanks for the offer.
27. Carol No, he does not deserve felony charges for going over his time limit, he does deserve felony charges for disrupting a public event and most importantly for acting unlawfully in failing to comply and resisting arrest, or did you and most others miss his little breakaway and dash back towards the stage before they wrestled him down?
33. Nathan, I do not really understand how my comment causes you to infer that I should move to a communist country, but to each his own. A speeding ticket is not the same thing as resisting arrest, and if I were to resist arrest I would expect some sort of effort by the police to bring me under control. Luckily for me I do try to abide by the laws and more importantly try not to be an ass around fellow members of society. Oh, and I am male (ever heard of a Johnny Cash song called A Boy Named Sue) and can protect myself quite well, but thanks for offering to defend me.
34. Kristen, my kind of liberty would be that we respect others, and this guy was not showing proper respect to the Senator or his fellow students.
39. Bones, you said my point even better than I did, thanx.
44. Floyd, the fact that my post stayed up shows that Mark is level-headed and does see that there are two sides to something, even if I may not agree with him.
45. Bruce, sorry to have sickened you, but I hope that any disagreement of your views from others does not really cause you to become physically, morally, or emotionally ill.
70. Anthony, you were making sense, then I realized it was my quote, sorry, dunno what to respond to your comment about my ignorance and your diatribe that we should distrust ALL authority figures, in that respect if we considered Mark an authority figure on the internet then your logic says we should distrust him. Pretty circular I would say.
98. Joe, thank you, excellent summation.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Mark:
I know a lot of you are outraged, but please read this account before getting all upset.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/18/10649/5334
The youtube video was sanitized and edited. There is more to this than you think.
-Floyd
September 20th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Here’s some more for you to read:
http://www.local10.com/news/14138122/detail.html?rss=mia&psp=news
-Floyd
September 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
No Smoking! “Comrade”
Fasten your Seatbelt! “Comrade”
Shut your mouth! “Comrade”
Can you imagine the outrage if the video was of some farmer excessively shocking a cow with an electric prod? (Nowhere near the power of a police tazer.)
Yeah, I know this was just some annoying college kid not a defenseless animal!
September 20th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I am an American citizen living in Wales and I am proud of my country. I am ashamed of the way our ‘government’ is behaving towards its own people. What is a shock, though, is the complacency of American citizens. We have nothing to fear but fear of our own government. The truth is that the ‘government’ IS afraid of the people which is why they have legislated against us. WE have to take our rights back and stop the politians and their henchmen from destroying our great country.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Mark,
As an outsider (non-American), I wasn’t aware of this incident until I read your post.
And to my surprise and wonderment, ALL You-tube videos on this incident were muted, as in no sound at all!
I read a few of the comments here, and none mentioned this particular problem. I guess the You-tube videos are muted only outside America.
Of course Americans are unaware of this. (And many other happenings.)
September 20th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
What can I say? I was shocked, horrified, outraged and angered by this incident. He did absolutely nothing to warrant such treatment. It was a public political meeting where you should expect and encourage this kind of lively debate. OK so he went on a bit long but any politician worthy of office knows how to put down such people without the help of the police. Shame on John Kerry for not stopping it. Shame on the police for every one of their actions and shame, shame, shame on those who think the guy deserved it. No-one should condone the treatment this guy got because they think he’s a jerk, or was “disrespectful” to John Kerry.
God help us all.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
This is for Floyd, 110 & 111. Thank you very much for the additional information. While this particular incident isn’t as we have seen it on video clips, my comments on fear and rights remain. I have watched our President and most other politicians whip up fear in American citizens so that they believe that the world is against us and foster a “we have to get them before they get us” mentality. “There is nothing to fear but fear itself” (a quotation from FDR - one of our truly great leaders). If anyone is out to get us, it’s our government - they want us to be scared so we don’t notice that they are stealing our heritage. They want us to fear the rest of the world so that they can isolate us and make us small. We do not have to be brutes to earn the respect of our neighbors - why do you suppose that people still want to live in the US? There is no where else in the world that offers freedom, justice and opportunity in such abundance - until we lose these forever.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I have long held my head in despair at what is happening in the US. I live in the UK and we too have been duped. My biggest fear that this will all end in disaster. The sad fact is I don’t think it is about individuals any more, as thick and repulsive as Bush is, I can’t just blame hime. The system is rotten and it is rotten to the core. Governments have become addicted to their corporate sponsors and I cannot see a happy end to all of this. The corporations ‘buy’ the votes and then the Governments become their slaves.
I think the incident you have highlighted shows the level of ‘double speak’ currently in play. If I hear the words ‘freedom and democracy’ one more time I promise, I will puke.
Here’s to every politician who is in politics solely for the greater good. Names on a postcard please…
September 20th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
BTW, nobody has mentioned that it was the event organizers, university students, that asked to have him removed. Remember, these were not government jack booted thugs, they were just campus police involved in this.
Some witnesses have said that he calmed down as soon as he knew he wasn’t on camera anymore. I wonder why that was. It was also reported, by witnesses, that he apologized to the police and said no hard feelings. Of course this was out of camera range.
I think the real victim here is the organization that had their event interrupted by an attention-whore. Imagine the work they put in to set up. Now consider how difficult this idiot has made it for them to have high-profile speakers come to this campus in the future.
Well, at least we are discussing this, and not that other idiot OJ!!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
My question is this: Did Kerry ever answer the questions he was asked? How can “we the people” get those answers? In the video, it sounded like he was about to answer, but if he did that’s not included. How do we find out?
Or is the point of the whole event to arouse curiosity about the questions?
If it was staged, then for whose benefit? And what was the payoff?
Come on people, THINK!! It’s easy to react, harder to see a bigger picture.
Yes I agree that it’s shocking that no one intervened in what appears to be excessive force by the police. But why were that many police staff on the scene in the first place? Doesn’t that kind of, well, smell bad right there? Is it really so unreasonable to expect unarmed, young people to challenge 6-8 armed police staff in full regalia? How would they defend themselves if the violence escalated? The students might be outraged but I’m sure they are not suicidal (well, maybe we should wonder about that after what they just experienced, though. . . )
There are many issues at play here — only a handful of which have already been named.
It’s critical to realize that until we have people in positions of power who understand how to create a prosperous peace culture, we will get more of the same. The people in power currently only know how to destroy, create fear and control people. I don’t know what that is called, but it’s not a democracy — and it’s not the kind of country the majority of the people living here want.
I’ll reserve my further opinions (and I do have some!) until a future time. I hope that time comes!
September 20th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Mark,
I respect you and I think that you are generally right on. So, please don’t take it personally that I disagree with you on this.
“It’s a clear case of police brutality.”
“We live under a totalitarian regime.”
“It’s Free Speech, man! They’re out to stop Free Speech!”
No, no and no. Sorry to be so blunt, but this was a staged event, orchestrated by Andrew himself as a marketing stunt. And guess what… IT WORKED! Even I’m blogging about it. And I generally don’t blog about political topics.
The thing is, this event had nothing to do with politics. This had everything to do with Mr. Meyer’s wish to be in the spotlight. As a result of this widely publicized event, his wish has come true. This week he’s been on the front page of newspapers, he’s been featured on popular websites, he’s been a guest on TV news shows. I’d be surprised if there isn’t a book deal in the works!
What did Andrew do to garner all this attention? He disrupted a question and answer session with John Kerry at the University of Florida. He cut in front of other students waiting in line to ask their questions of the senator. He refused to give up the microphone after being asked repeatedly to do so. He resisted campus police officers as they lawfully tried to escort him from the auditorium.
And now he’s a star.
I counted no fewer than 3 different video recordings of this incident posted at various places on the web. One of those was filmed with a video camera that Andrew himself gave to a girl sitting in the audience. He asked her to film him asking his questions, and right before the “action” started he turned and asked if she was “getting this.”
Coincidentally, none of the clips I was able to find included Andrew’s actions prior to being escorted away from the mic. Why should they be included? They’re only facts and we know how facts can get in the way of a good marketing message.
And the marketing message was this: “I am THE Andrew Meyer. I am an activist. I am concerned. And I am worthy of your attention!”
Well, his message got out and was taken seriously for a time. But that time is over. As we learn more about what happened leading up to Andrew’s arrest as well as his history of being a prankster, hot-head, and general all-around nuisance, it becomes apparent that Andrew was trying to cause as big a scene as he could in that auditorium. Call it a cry for attention. Whatever. It’s not news. It’s not an indictment of our society. It’s just pathetic.
But what’s more pathetic is how seriously this whole matter has been taken and how many people have jumped on the “I’m outraged!” bandwagon without any critical evaluation of the incident. The video that Andrew and his friends thoughtfully provided was taken at face value and the media and most of the blogosphere ran with it.
Now, if this doesn’t give you an idea of the power of video in marketing, I don’t know what will. Make a video. Make it as controversial as possible. Put it on YouTube. Then sit back and watch the fireworks.
OK, I have to put in one comment for the other side. The campus police completely mishandled Andrew. I think they were caught off guard and let the situation escalate far beyond where it should have. And, I don’t think they should have used the taser. I think they had him subdued and could have cuffed him and dragged him from the auditorium without that. But, hindsight is always 20/20.
Just my $0.02…
- Dan
September 20th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
This video didn’t show from THE VERY START to show the whole story but I too, do not see what wrong he did!
He merely asked people questions - may be questions people have no wish to answer. Can’t they just answer his questions? Or they have something to hide?
I know the senator or person in charge of security, has all rights to get him off “private property” but isn’t there better ways to deal with this young man’s questions than haul him out instead of asking politely?
“What did Andrew do to garner all this attention? He disrupted a question and answer session with John Kerry at the University of Florida. He cut in front of other students waiting in line to ask their questions of the senator. He refused to give up the microphone after being asked repeatedly to do so. He resisted campus police officers as they lawfully tried to escort him from the auditorium.
And now he’s a star.”
What? All that was staged? Hmmm…this shows that bad publicity is better than NONE doesn’t it? Like Paris Hilton being jailed, etc.
‘Now, if this doesn’t give you an idea of the power of video in marketing, I don’t know what will. Make a video. Make it as controversial as possible. Put it on YouTube. Then sit back and watch the fireworks.’
That was exactly what I said to someone recently who wanted to promote a shopping centre before Christmas here in Singapore! lol
I’d still like to ask WAS THAT REAL OR A SET-UP?
September 20th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Unbelievable! I too could not believe when I saw it, and the reaction or lack there of from the crowd is apalling. America is quickly desintegrating into the land of no freedoms and boy oh boy do you folks have to be prepared for what’s coming. All the signs point to danger. Do not ignore them - remind your govt that they exist based on the will of the people.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Hello Mark;
I’m glad you and others brought the “John Kerry” story to the attention of the American people and those of us from around the world.
It is very disturbing to watch what the Police and Government officials are doing these days. It is also disturbing but, understandable why the people in the crowd “did nothing.” Don’t you think they were thinking, “if I step in to help, the Police will probably arrest, possibly beat & taser me also”. It’s sad but we are all so self- absorbed we only think of our own #1 concern “self preservation.”
I think those “Police” should be fired, but that probably won’t happen, but they
may be transferred to another town or city. So, good citizens of America watch out “it may be your town and you may be the next victim.”
I am a Canadian citizen and we have the same problems here.
Innocent people being beaten and tasered (do you know that some people have such a reaction to the taser that they have actually died from it?) Some have been shot dead while handcuffed and sometimes even while in a jail cell.
My last comment is “try and rectify your problems (i.e. free speech and police brutality), because we don’t want them coming here to Canada, we have enough of our own sick cops.” I could tell you stories that would give you nightmares.
P.S. I love the USA and the
American people and always
wanted to live there,
maybe some day I will.
P.P.S. Don’t let history repeat
itself, ok?
———————–
September 21st, 2007 at 12:42 am
Hello Mark,
First, let me qualify all of this by saying that my only exposure to the video was via the clips shown on CNN International while I was at work. The volume was extremely low and I was unable to hear the questions being asked by the young man, nor did I hear Mr. Kerry’s response. I’m sure the CNN commentary was, as always, irrelevant.
First, based on your post, it looks as if John Kerry was trying to handle what was, at best, an uncomfortable situation with dignity, tact, and grace. It’s just a snapshot in time and an isolated incident, but that did leave a favorable impression on me. And while he may not have intervened on the perpetrator’s behalf, perhaps that was nothing more than Mr. Kerry’s desire to not interfere with police work? Did anybody film Mr. Kerry’s reactions when the young man was actually shocked? That would be an interesting thing to observe (perhaps he did not expect it?).
From watching the clip under the conditions I mentioned above (I use a dialup connection and can’t access the online videos), I came away with a couple of impressions. First, the young man did not seem to want to cooperate with the security officers, breaking away from them at least once and continuing to try to presumably ask questions in a manner that was apparently not considered acceptable to the event organizers. Freedom requires responsibility; it does not give us a blank check to do as we please. It seems to me as if this young man made a poor decision by continuing to press his cause in a manner deemed inappropriate for the occasion. Free speech does not give anybody the right to act like this. Would you allow me to come to your next ISS event, grab the microphone, and talk about my children the entire time? Of course not — and apparently either the questions or the manner in which they were asked was inappropriate to the event’s orgainzers. That’s their decision and was one that had to be made in an instant.
And freedom of speech does not mean that we can say anything we want whenever we please. Beyond the obvious laws against libel, slander, and other such tortuous statements, we also need to take under consideration the venue. Just as you, Mark, would not allow me to plaster ads for my websites and products all over this blog at no charge, neither should somebody be allowed to commandeer an assembly as this young man attempted to do. He did not pay the rent for the hall, set the agenda, publicize the event, etc. and his actions were simply not appropriate under these circumstances.
Insofar as the Tasering went, I am unqualified to comment. It seems to me that law enforcement officers consider these Tasers to be a weapon of first resort and use it as casually as you and I would use a typewriter and mouse. This is not good, and doing what we can to stop this abuse is good (and I thank you for using your position of influence to bring attention to this growing problem). As a retired soldier, I know that we were always given very strict rules and guidelines regarding the use of deadly force and would be held accountable for its misuse. I’m not confident that such strict rules exist for law enforcement use of Tasers; if these rules do not exist, they need to be drawn up and enforced in the same manner as rules and policies for the use of a pistol in the course of duty. It’s not my place to second-guess them — I was not there, I did not see the entire incident and am therefore unable to pass judgment on either party — but the discharge of a Taser should be handled the same way that the discharge of a pistol would be because both have the potential to take a life.
Beyond that, it seems to me as if a Taser is being treated as a device to quickly and effectively “neutralize” an uncooperative and potentially hostile suspect while minimizing the potential risk exposure to the police officer. This is good thinking from a security standpoint and I certainly understand and appreciate the desire for these officers to do everything they can to prevent being hurt in the course of their duties. I simply think that these devices are being used far too casually and that the effect that the electrical shock given by these devices varies greatly from person to person. They are most definitely not a “one size fits all” device and their current use does not take the “target” into consideration at all. Beyond that, did the situation really call for the use of a Taser? Did this young man pose a violent threat to anybody? His attempts to break away from the security officers seemed to be nothing more than an attempt to remain in the hall to ask more questions.
In summary, it wasn’t an issue of so-called free speech; it was an issue of a zealous young man making a poor choice regarding his strong desire to communicate with Mr. Kerry. The entire situation is far too complex to simply call it case of “ask the wrong questions and get Tasered”. I also think that I’m unable to comment as to whether this use of force was appropriate in this case (although it seems to me that it was not) but can only hope that the discharge of this potentially deadly weapon will be investigated with all seriousness and gravity and proper and appropriate actions taken as a result.
I do feel, however, that we Americans have lost a lot of our freedoms over the past seven years and have gotten little in return. Thanks for “taking a stand”, and even if we don’t agree on all of the fine points of this event, I do stand with you as a citizen who is concerned with the way our rights and freedoms seem to be continually trampled.
Best regards,
Tom
P.S. — I think that the people who were applauding and cheering were probably doing so out of relief. They were acting civilly, and their reaction most likely was simply an emotional response when this disruption was eliminated. I somehow think that nobody in their right mind would enjoy seeing electricity shot through the body of another person!
September 21st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
However staged the whole event was and everything I think the actions taken by the police shows they would need better training to handle annoying persons in a dignified way.
One aspect of this that I don’t hear much about is that the fact that this was on a University Campus means most of the people involved probably knew each other (or at least has heard the talk about what kind of persons the main players where).
The police is called a campus police, which makes me assume they work only on the campus thus knew about Andrew and his well known ticks. Maybe they was already fed up with him from prior encounters? Or school employees had informed them about him being a potetial problem?
As a sidenote I find it strange that you need police permanently at a univerity campus. I live in Finland and during my 16 years in school up to college I think I have never seen a police officer inside the school area.
Well maybe some time when they have been on some infomration champaign, anti drugs maybe.
Sure in high school we had some kids that neede a little “help” from police outside of school activities but during school time there has been no need for police intervention.
When I was in college we had a couple if individuals that was allways asking disruptive questions during lecture, questions aimed at attractiong attention and not really related to the actual lecture.
It was fun at times but often it took valuable time out of the actual lecture.
If some of those students had been on lectures with Andrew, they might have already been totally fed up with his pranks so I that case I can fully understand why they applauded him beeing carried away by police.
I still think the police and the school could have handled it better, and should have handled it better.
Another aspect of this that I find interesting is if politcial meetings are held on private property. And if the owner of the property is free to throw out anyone they wish for any reason (like asking difficult questions). Then that puts a lot of political power in the hande of those owning propery, taking it away from the people.
You have to get that politician to your own home, otherwise you are only allowed to ask the questions that the property owner lets you?
That might have been a bit far fetched but I sense some danger to the fair democratic process here.
Simon
September 21st, 2007 at 10:09 pm
An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile, hoping it will eat him last — Winston Churchill
—–
ENOUGH! I don’t want to read -, HERE of all places- that we are philosophically *accepting* this kind of nonsense as if we can do nothing about it. The last I checked, all evidence to the contrary, America is *still* a democracy.
Unless thinking Americans band together to INSIST on Constitutional treatment for ALL citizens, we will have *earned* whatever ends up happening to each of us personally under fascism (check out the parameters before you conclude I am hyperbolizing)
#1- If Kerry lacks the leadership skills to have stopped that crap COLD, he has no business running for any office in a democracy.
Mamby-pamby “I will answer his important question” from the mic does not absolve him of consequences for ALLOWING it to continue. It COULD have - and SHOULD have - been stopped. Trust me, there would have been @*&^ to pay if they’d tasered or arrested Kerry - he was the only one in that room in no physical danger.
This is beyond a “deal-breaker.” Withdraw, Kerry. You don’t have what it takes to protect a nation. CLEARLY.
#2- The BULLIES (they don’t deserve respect of title when they are not willing to grant respect to American citizens) - the COPS who participated need to *lose their jobs* over it. Nothing less. They are a disgrace to all the brave police officers that might otherwise be considered colleagues. NO American is safe when hooligans are legally empowered to use tasers, irrespective of guidelines, simply because they are equipped with them.
SO - how do we call for this in a way that it creates a MANDATE - a clear statement that WE THE PEOPLE will no longer tolerate violence to American citizens for exercising the Constitutional RIGHT of free speech?
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. — Margaret Mead
Sincerely, and sincerely appalled by ALL of it,
Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, CTP, CMC, A.C.T., MCC
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 am
All of everyday life…is a series of activity… and “staged” human events.
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts…” - Shakespeare
Man, in his circumstance and condition - whether individually or collectively - will always struggle in his demand to be loving and free.
When one man harms another by intentionally preying upon his neuroses… is this not a coercive and potentially violent act… in and of itself?
So why harm him by denying his basic human right to be free from coercion in the first place?
When one person is harmed all of humanity cries out for truth and justice, does it not?
“Freedom is popular!” - Ron Paul
What evidence do we have that the student jumped his queue and used obscenity? Senator Kerry acknowledged he would take receipt of his questions when the student spoke out. What, or who, enacted and embraced the rules for others to follow?
Did I miss something?
The trend today towards “free speech zones” at American universities is really very disturbing. Apparently, in this instance, this was not one of them. Coercion is still a violent act, albeit just one step ahead of “ethical” persuasion and influence… long before physical violence ensues.
To my way of thinking, education must be a two-way street if the principles of free speech and non-violence are adhered to… and the master-pupil, buyer-seller authoritarian construct we’re indoctrinated to from birth is largely responsible for the dumbing-down of the “public” school system we mostly abhor.
Yes, the university, if it accepts funding from the state or from private industry allied with the state, is a collectivist or public entity because its charter granting it its existence is borne from the state.
Thus, the first violent act was the enactment of the university’s command-and-control authoritarian construct from the very start of this relationship. And the student may not have been entirely knowledgeable of the university’s “rules of the road” at the outset of this conflict. In any case, its rules were a violation of the free individualist’s right to be heard in a private-public forum.
When authority figures herd us from the standpoint of “respect” and “politeness” for their chosen authority figures to get heard… in an institutionalized authoritarian setting… at what point do we stand up for ourselves and object passionately to respectful and polite acceptance of “scripted messages”… in a milieu in which truth-telling no longer accounts for anything?
So, at the heart of this drama - from its beginning to its conclusion - the authorities and their agents had it wrong. To impose themselves as masters over their serfs (pupil customers) was coercive and guaranteed to restrict freedom of speech… and the right of peaceable assembly… absent from conflict.
How long must we sit on our hands and remain silent and docile anyway? If our representatives and the purveyors of these “education products” do not stand for truth and justice anymore… then who in authority does?
I submit we have a right to dissent… and of to our vices… in a free society - the rules and procedures established by the usurpers of these individualist rights be damned!
When the sheeple have a need to awaken themselves, for the survival of the herd to sustain itself in peace and harmonious interaction, sometimes it takes a “black sheeple” or two to instigate some fundamental change.
Our survival as a free people is put at stake when we deny the lone voice who exclaims “the emperor wears no clothes” his just due.
Don’t you think?
And mob rule never justifies physical violence in a truly peaceful free society - ever!
The student may have been guilty of being impolitic and impudent in his actions, but the agents of the authoritarian state - at the moment physical violence was administered - engaged in an irrational, over-the-top counter-measure, which was, upon reflection, the only criminal act in evidence.
For a brief but concise synopsis of the coercive and destructive nature of authoritarian power structures…
http://www.rit.org/reviews/guru_ppr.html
On what it means for an individualist to be allowed to be loving and free from authoritarianism, go here…
http://www.theanarchistalternative.info/
A discussion of trust, truth-telling and “radical honesty”…
http://www.trustedadvisor.com/blog/163/#comment550
Alternate views… of new paradigms in “the business of schooling”…
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/historytour/history5.htm
On the rule of law, the Constitution, and the “state”…
http://www.mises.org/story/2657
Thank you for entertaining all viewpoints in this discussion!
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 am
I’ve read the posts on this thread numerous times and agree that there are a lot of interesting viewpoints to consider here.
Even if this was a publicity stunt…which some evidence certainly points to, the excessive police force is a scary thing to witness.
Even if the victim planned this stunt for his fifteen minutes of fame….his fame is only possible because excessive force was used by the police.
I have been in bars where bouncers handled much more threatening situations with greater skill and effectiveness than the campus police handled this predicament.
Mr. Kerry had his moment to take complete control of the room. After all he had the microphone and he did nothing.
I don’t think 99.9% of other politicians would’ve handled things any differently. The only exception is Ron Paul whom I consider a role model. If my memory serves me correctly he was one of the only politicians who voted against the Patriot Act.
I’m going back to the drawing board and reading as much Thomas Jefferson as I can get my hands on.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:27 am
Hi Mark,
This goes far deeper than one student being tazered. There is a movement going on right under our noses for Global Domination. It’s being done by people who are controlling our government from behind the scenes. They’re commonly known as the Illuminati and consist of the world’s elite.. the Rockefellers, Vanderbuilts, Bush’s (Bush’s grandfather was a Nazi supporter) and others. I’ve been studying this for several years and it IS real. There are several movies that all Americans need to see immediately if we’re going to stop this thing.. and in truth it actually may already be to late. The first is “Why We Fight”.. which is a documentary on Ike Eisenhower’s closing address to the nation. He spoke about a “Military Industrial Complex” that was already in existance.. which he vehemently opposed. The reason we have an intersate freeway system is because he took money from the war machine to finance it. He was trying then to warn us what was coming down the pike. The second movie is “America, Freedom To Fascism” by the late Hollywood producer Arron Russo. It begins by investigating the fact that there is NO law on the books that requires us to pay income tax.. and ends up exposing the plan for Imperial Domination of the entire planet. He was a friend of David Rockefeller for a while and when David told him this was happening he broke off their friendship and made the movie to tell America about it. Unfortunately.. not many have been listening yet. The next movie is called “Loose Change”. It reveals that 9/11 was an inside job. In my own investigations I discovered that there were several reasons for it. The first was that there had been a plan for years to enact the Patriot Act (yes.. it was written LONG before 9/11) because the PA is actually designed to provide the government with a control measure to keep us in line when they enact their coming plan. The second reason for 9/11 was that an oil conglomerate called Unical (sp) had been building a pipeline for pumping natural gas from the Caspian Sea and they were going across Afghanistan when they were stopped by.. the Taliban! So it was imperative that Bush have a reason to go in and take care of it. Long story short.. the pipeline is now built. The last reason for 9/11 was to provide a reason to go into Iraq. Hussein had been a US puppet for years and was in fact put into power by the CIA.. but he needed to be removed so that the US could establish a presence in the middle east. Iraq also has the second largest oil reserves in the world and they wanted control of it. Next on their agenda is to go into Iran. The spin doctors in the media (they are being controlled by these same people.. in fact Colin Powell’s son is head of the FCC!) are already trying to make us believe that Iran is a terrorist threat. The only terrorist threat is our own government. I could go on and on.. but watch these movies and do your own research and you will discover that our freedom is not only long gone.. things are about to get a whole lot worse. In closing.. PLEASE do NOT accept a National ID card! They are to monitor YOU.. not terrorists!
John Michael
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:23 am
So what are YOU gonna do about this besides post on a blog?
http://www.printfection.com/freeandrewmeyer
—
By now, you’ve seen the footage: On Monday, Meyer hijacked the microphone during an on-campus speech by former presidential candidate John Kerry, rattled off a torrent of questions before being grabbed (and, eventually, Tasered and led away in handcuffs) by members of the university’s police department. And you’ve probably heard his howls of “Don’t Tase me, bro!” — a pained exclamation that’s quickly become an Internet catchphrase on par with “All Your Base Are Belong to Us” and Chris Crocker’s “Leave Britney Alone!”
But you probably haven’t heard the “Don’t Tase Me!” remix, 44 seconds of Meyer’s now-infamous plea chopped up over a pulsing techno beat. It’s the kind of de rigueur response that accompanies any online phenomenon, really worth nothing more than a quick chuckle. Until you realize that it’s the handiwork of Meyer’s classmate and friend Toby Turner, who’s trying to raise money for his buddy’s legal-defense fund.
“I know Andrew, and he’s a good guy. So I watched the clip of him getting Tasered, and as soon as I heard him yelling, I knew it would fit in a hip-hop song or something,” Turner said. “And after I made the remix, I realized that it would get a lot of plays, so I decided to put an ad on the end of it, to let people know that they could go to another site and buy ‘Don’t Tase Me’ T-shirts. I wanted to give him the profits.”
Meyer was arraigned on Tuesday at the Alachua County Criminal Justice Center, charged with resisting arrest with violence (a third-degree felony) and disturbing the peace (a second-degree misdemeanor). He was released from jail that day and is awaiting a trial date, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs an investigation into UPD’s use of a Taser.
Battling those charges is going to cost some serious coin, and Turner was hoping that sales of his T-shirts would help offset those costs. The only problem? As of Friday (September 21) he’d only sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 shirts, which, well, doesn’t exactly translate to much of a war chest.
“In the first couple hours after I put the remix video up, I sold about 10 shirts, and since then, I’ve sold something like 60 more,” Turner said. “Even if I sold a lot of them, it wouldn’t translate to a lot of money because, since I’m going through a site to sell them, I only make like $2 to $4 a shirt. … Basically, so far, I only have, like, $250.”
And that’s hardly enough to mount a legal defense. So given the fact that Turner is a college student, he’s devised a rather brilliant way of helping his pal: He’s going to use the money to throw Meyer a totally awesome party.
“I’m gonna throw him a welcome-home party. He has parties at his house all the time, and they’re packed with people, so I’ll try to have something like that,” Turner laughed. “I’ll get a keg or two, plus whatever else he wants. Hopefully he won’t be mad at me though. I haven’t spoken to him since this whole thing happened, and I don’t know if he’s seen the remix. I’m not sure how I would feel. But I’d probably think it’s funny.”
http://www.printfection.com/freeandrewmeyer
—
from: http://www.abcnews.go.com/print?id=3616977
Andrew Meyer, 21, spent a night in jail before his release from jail Tuesday morning on his own recognizance. He had no comment when he left. His attorney, Robert Griscti, did not return messages seeking comment. …
Videos of the Monday night incident, posted on several Web sites and played repeatedly on television news, show officers pulling Meyer away from the microphone after he asks Kerry about impeaching President Bush and whether he and Bush were both members of the secret society Skull and Bones at Yale University.
University spokesman Steve Orlando said Meyer was asked to leave the microphone after his allotted time was up. Meyer can be seen refusing to walk away and getting upset that the microphone was cut off.
As two officers take Meyer by the arms, Kerry, D-Mass., can be heard saying, “That’s all right, let me answer his question.”
Audience members applaud, and Meyer struggles for several seconds as up to four officers try to remove him from the room. Meyer screams for help and tries to break away from officers with his arms flailing at them, then is forced to the ground and officers order him to stop resisting.
As Kerry tells the audience he will answer the student’s “very important question,” Meyer yells at the officers to release him, crying out, “Don’t Tase me, bro,” just before he is shocked by the Taser. He is then led from the room, screaming, “What did I do?”
Meyer was arrested on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, according to Alachua County jail records, but the State Attorney’s Office had yet to make the formal charging decision. Police recommended charges of resisting arrest with violence, a felony, and disturbing the peace and interfering with school administrative functions, a misdemeanor.
University President J. Bernard Machen issued a statement Tuesday saying he requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the arrest. Officials said it would determine whether the officers used an appropriate level of force.
Machen said two officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the probe.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Kerry said he regretted that a healthy discussion was interrupted and that he had never had a dialogue end in 37 years of public appearances. He also said he hoped neither the student nor police were injured.
“I believe I could have handled the situation without interruption, but again I do not know what warnings or other exchanges transpired between the young man and the police prior to his barging to the front of the line and their intervention.”
Meyer has his own Web site and it contains several “comedy” videos that he appears in. In one, he stands in a street with a sign that says “Harry Dies” after the latest Harry Potter book was released. In another, he acts like a drunk while trying to pick up a woman in a bar.
The site also has what is called a “disorganized diatribe” attributed to Meyer that criticizes the Iraq war, the news media for not covering the conflict enough and the American public for paying too much attention to celebrity news.
—
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:30 am
Thanks for the post Mark. I believe it is imperative that American citizens wake up to the truth of what is actually going on in this country. We started losing our freedoms many years ago, especially during the Vietnam era. 9/11 was used to create Homeland Security and the Patriot Act under the guise of protecting
American citizens when, in truth, what it has done is take away many more of our so called freedoms. This was intentional. This is not the same country that was founded on the Constitution. It all started to change in the early 1900’s.
You are correct Patricia in stating that the Skull and Bones Society protects their own. There are certain key words that if used in public against an elected official will get you exactly what this young man received. It can also happen if you state a personal opinion that goes against our government or G.W. while emailing. If a key word is picked up on, the email will be routed to be read by “other” than the intended person. The next thing you know your front door will be busted down. Part of the Patriot Act states that any suspected terrorist can be arrested and held without reason given and without access to a lawyer. You could be held for an indeterminate amount of time and be tortured. And yes, this can happen to any ordinary citizen, though we all like to think otherwise.
If you would like to learn more about what is really happening in this country then check out http://pods.zaadz.com/compassion_in_action. John speaks of the New World Order and gives links to several websites to view videos.
Also, and I believe this is critical, don’t buy into the fear. Fear is riding a wave in this country and it is building into a tsunami. It is necessary to know the truths in order to understand why we are where we are right now in this country. It is true what Michael says about not getting half the truth of what goes on if not for the internet. It is time we start to spread the word to family, friends, and anyone else who will listen. Yes there will be those who wish to turn a blind eye to this and ignore it in hopes it will go away. But the more people know, and the more they are aware, the better chance we will have of turning this around before we lose all our freedoms.
Sincerely,
Steve
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Just a few more points: This occurred in a UNIVERSITY which traditionally is supposed to be a place with more than usual Freedom of Speech. Next… if you look at the video, you will see that he first THANKS KERRY… then he asks Kerry a very good question, namely WHY DID KERRY CONCEDE THE ELECTION SO SOON?… Next… the police move in on him when he is not threatening or a menace.
Then he is HANDCUFFED and ON THE FLOOR and you hear somebody says he has a taser against his bare chest… the boy then says “Hey! Don’t taser me” and then he is tasered not once, but SEVERAL TIMES, and he screams and howls in pain, several times.
NEXT… In another video you can see what happened OUTSIDE the auditorium… the boy (Meyer) asks why he is being arrested and the police answer that he is being arrested for INCITING A RIOT…
Next…The President of the University (in an audio which I listened to) DEFENDS THE ACTION OF THE POLICE, and says that two police have been SUSPENDED WITH PAY while the incident is being investigated… and that he has asked the state attorney to possibly pursue Meyer.
Meyer was Tasered and charged with a third degree felony and a second degree misdemeanor after officers said he resisted arrest with violence and disturbed the peace.
It is very very disturbing to me, but even more disturbing to read so many people defending what to me is obvious EXCESSIVE AND CRUEL police brutality… The police could easily have led him out of the auditorium without such cruelty. A taser is an extremely dangerous weapon, and should never be used if it is not absolutely an emergency, which this definitely was not.
And these were University of Florida police, who are there to PROTECT students!
VERY SCARY…
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Sorry… that post above from “He was handcuffed when he was tasered” is from me, Ellis Toussier
September 26th, 2007 at 5:02 am
It’s happening all over the world…why?
We farm our kids out to indoctination camps called state schools where they “teach” them to be compliant to the state but rebelious against any other authority such as that at home.
Dont be like the crowd and stay silent otherwise America, Britain etc will end up like the country of my birth…Zimbabwe….where in the 70’s the Rhodesian (what Zimbabwe was called before its glorious marxist “liberation”) $ was worth 3$US and now $50,000 won’t buy you a loaf of bread and the US$ is worth 60,000 Zimbabwe dollars!
Where we were once the “bread basket” of Africa but now 80% are on food aid (if they are lucky). Where any opposition is stamped out, tortured and even killed…Where they now have inflation of 8000% and the lowest life expectancy in the world (34)….all in 25 short years…..because we (and now the rest of the world) sat silently bye whilst the country, it’s people and it’s way of life were totally destroyed by a ruling elite concerned only with power!
Don’t leave it until it’s too late America we depend on you as Britain is almost already lost and the rest of Europe IS lost already.
Stand up and fight….or subjection is soon to follow.
Andy Clarke
September 30th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
As a Canadian I find the level of violence by your police force appalling.
Once again it takes a bunch of overbearing, bullying idiots to quell an
unarmed, harmless student who was just exercising his democratic right
to “freedom of speech” Anyone who now votes for John Kerry is
as bad as they are.
The biggest problem with the States is the two party system. One is
either “for” or “against” with no, “middle of the road” and no alternate
policies. You have a government so far removed from democracy
as to be laughable.
Your President is the laughing stock of the world and revered
about as much as Mickey Mouse.
He constantly claims to be seeking Bin Lauden but this man is
the nephew of one of his big Saudi buddies and when everything
ground to a halt,on 9/11 we all know how fast they were allowed
out of the country.
You went to war for what? Don’t claim the oil fields, yes, they are
nice but the oil will be gone in an estimated twenty years while Canada
will continue to supply you a lot longer!
Even the war that you’re fighting is for the benefit of American
Government contractors who will get billions of your tax dollars
supplying arms and equipment and for “rebuilding” this unfortunate,
poor, war-torn country. Money that could well be better spent on
medical service for you.
Wake up America! You’ve been brain washed into believing how
wonderful everything is when in fact you live in a corrupt, greedy
country ruled by even more corrupt, lobbyist owned politicians
who constantly sell you out to the highest bidder.
If America does nothing about this incident then once again you
have shamed yourselves before the world.
October 1st, 2007 at 1:19 am
To Ginger…
The man who was tasered was NOT an innocent victim. He is a hoaxster who stages events and has his friends film them to be posted on youtube and other sites. He deliberately caused the scene to get attention as a publicity stunt. He should have been tasered on his balls. You ignored the true situation and turned a lie into an excuse to bash the US.
Bash the US all you want — as if we care, eh. In Canada, a sick dog can get an MRI within hours, but a sick Canadian citizen has to wait months to get one. Oh yeah, what a great country you have, eh.
I live in the greatest country in the world. This morning I went to church. I ate a nice breakfast. I read a newspaper. I watched news shows on TV. I’m on the Internet. Tonight, I might clean my guns. I can see any doctor I want. When I need medical care, I don’t have to wait on line. I have freedom of religion, speech, information, and even the right to bear arms.
Why would I want to live anywhere else, eh? Why do so many Canadians flock here to live, eh?
My Grandfather used to say: “Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.”
October 1st, 2007 at 9:48 pm
“He was tased for resisting arrest - not for asking questions.
And now he is both martyr and a celebrity, which is what he wanted.
Too bad his parents didn’t teach him to be civil - even when talking to the likes of Kerry.”
I just can’t believe I am hearing statements like this and the others that say he got what he deserved.
The police, under law, have to verbally state what they are doing in a case like this and can not put hands on you until they do so. Just saying shut-up doesn’t cut it. Do some research into the law and you will see that we have the right to resist unlawful arrest by police. One precedent even says we have the right to resist the point of causing bodily harm, up to and including the death of an officer, if being unlawfully arrested.
Just because someone is a police officer, doesn’t make them right . If they do not know or follow the rules, then they can not expect a populace to obey the rules.
Sad to say, but some people “deserve” what they are about to receive from this Police State, but that doesn’t make it right.
If the people in the audience where so upset by this guys actions why didn’t they stand up to silence him? If the majority of the crowd were to stand up and start heckling him back and telling him to leave the podium, I am sure he would have left with his tail between his legs.
“Those that give up a little liberty for a little “security”, deserve neither liberty nor security.” Benjamin Franklin (not the exact wording)
VOTE RON PAUL http://www.ronpaul2008.com