Student tased for asking John Kerry questions...

Z

Zeal

Still Mildly Glowing
By now i believe everyone already knows about it

(if u dont check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlnIkhYCS4w, its just one of the many videos around)

what puzzles me is how the hell all the other students reacted so passivly to this...

In Portugal i remember something similar. In a soccer game a fan decided to run around naked in the field in a attempt to call attention. its not a practice that should be allowed, but in this case 4 or 5 police agents brutally grabbed him, threw him in the floor and start using their sticks to beat him when he was already completely detained.

Well, they didn’t do it for long, because everyone else that was watching the game in the stadium suddenly invaded the field to return the favour. The officers had to flee and some sustained injuries. No one was arrested (including the naked man) but those officers were disciplinary sanctioned. Video images of this event passed in prime time in all news reports of my country that day.

It shocks me the way they resolved this situation, and it shocks me more that no college/friend/human being tried to help the guy…

I completely support the law and order forces, but they have the power to serve, not to decide what can be asked or what speech is riot material.

Plus what about the reading of the rights and the statement of charges when they were arresting him? He has all the right to be angry and confused on the moment of arrest. The police officers just jumped on him without warming, cause and remained silent when asked “why am I being arrested”.

who polices the police? It must be us ofc...
 
Very badly handled by all. Still, the guy provoked the stupid police brutality with his carrying on. This sort of think is unnacceptable and should lead to disciplinary action (most probably will). It wasn't like the students could jump in and attack the officers, although Kerry might have had the clout to stop any escalation, but was not forceful enough. I'd hate to see him charing a debate.

We had some overzealous policemen here during A.P.E.C.
 
wow, that's some badly trained police right there.

while i'm not saying a raving dude talking about secret societies might not be removed from a lecture in my homecountry, it is bloody un-fucking-likely that people (or well, students) would sit through the guy getting tasered like that. (not saying they'd attack the cops though, that's one bridge too far)
 
...What... the fuck... I'm afraid of Americans.

The link above seems to be broken so here is another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJbh2MlNHug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y90tjV_Va0o

I can't believe that happened. First off, the guy is rightfully angry as he has witnessed his country ripped apart and kicked to the curb by its own administration. On top of that he feels like an animal trapped in the corner as his OWN elected officials whom were put in their positions to REMOVE THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION do nothing of the sort. In some cases, they get right in bed with them (Nancy Pelosi).

Damn right we should expect to see outburst like this... What else can we do? If a government blatantly ignores the will of the people they will get burned. Fear and oppression can only rule a people for so long before they start realizing what is actually going on.

Edit: Added the actual tazing part
 
That's pretty crazy. It just reinforces the old question of: how can the Bush administration claim to be spreading democracy abroad when the very cornerstone of that political ideology (freedom of speech) is being abused on their home soil?
 
The corrupting power of money, connections and ignorance seem to be some of the more real problems, in contrast to fear and oppression. I don't live in America, but here in Australia our politicians are torn apart by the media in the spotlight, as well as by each other.

If the government too often ignores the will of the people in a democracy, they will lose power.

For this incident it doesn't help that they guy refused to comply with the clear instructions of the police. I could hear people protesting, whilst many are shocked/confused. Kerry tries to calm people down, but he seems too matter of fact about it.
 
Hehe police states. Starting to resemble some Eastern "Democratic" governments.
 
Oh man...

You crazy guys.

First off, if you're going to watch the video, read the report as well.

http://www.starbanner.com/article/20070918/NEWS/70918007/1053/BREAKING_NEWS


"As (Meyer) was escorted down stairs (at the University Auditorium) with no cameras in sight, he remained quiet, but once the cameras made their way down stairs he started screaming and yelling again," Mallo wrote.
Click to expand...

Mallo was one of the officers.


Though Sen. Kerry directed that Meyer be allowed to ask his question, police reported that Meyer did not ask any specific question and instead "badgered" the senator, and at one point said something about President Clinton being impeached over a sexual act.

At that point, police reported that ACCENT Director Max Tyroler turned off Meyer's microphone and asked police to escort him out of the auditorium, saying, "He had said enough," according to Officer Mallo's report.

Officers then proceeded to attempt to remove Meyer from the room, but when he resisted, they placed him on the ground and tried to handcuff him. The six officers who actually took part in holding Meyer down while he was being handcuffed reported that they were only able to get a handcuff on his right hand because he was squirming so much.

The supervising officer, Sgt. Eddie King, attempted to Taser Meyer on his chest, but he reported that his Taser would not deploy. He then instructed Mallo to Taser Meyer, and she Tasered him on his shoulder, according to one of the officer's report.

The officers were then able to fully handcuff Meyer and escort him from the building. Each of the six officers reported that Meyer yelled things like, "They're going to kill me," and, "They are giving me to the government," while he was being taken from the room.
Click to expand...

So to rap this all up.. the guy gets up to the mike and won't stop talking or ask a question. He doesn't leave when he is asked and fights officers who try to escort him out.

He continues to fight when they try to restrain him so he gets tasered which is about 6 seconds of terrible pain, no broken bones, no actual wounds. Why do people always treat this like it is the end of the world?

So let me ask you guys some specific questions.

#1 How long should he be allowed to stand at the mic and babble on before being asked to leave?

#2 After being asked to leave, having his mic cut off and continuing to talk, what would have been the appropriate way to get him out of the building?

#3 If he fights you during "appropriate removal" what should you be allowed to do to get him out of the building?
 
I agree with you Thrawn and have read the report. However the level of force I question, six officers couldn't restrain him enough to cuff him? What about that big guy who carried him? He wasn't strong enough to safely hold him down without a taser?

My opinion is the taser is being over used by police. While an effective tool that doesn't kill the target. It is still intensely painful and easily misused.
 
Yeah this isn't about whether he should have been cut off or not, it's about police brutality. Duh...
 
The Overseer said:
Yeah this isn't about whether he should have been cut off or not, it's about police brutality. Duh...
Click to expand...

#1 How long should he be allowed to stand at the mic and babble on before being asked to leave?

#2 After being asked to leave, having his mic cut off and continuing to talk, what would have been the appropriate way to get him out of the building?

#3 If he fights you during "appropriate removal" what should you be allowed to do to get him out of the building?
Click to expand...

So you sorta answered question one but I'd really like to see a specific answer to 2 and 3.

As for Ah-Teen's question...


However the level of force I question, six officers couldn't restrain him enough to cuff him? What about that big guy who carried him? He wasn't strong enough to safely hold him down without a taser?
Click to expand...

I am a pretty little dude. Yes, 6 people could hold me down and cuff me probably in the same way the officers could have here. But I could also pretty easily have my arm broken in the process.

Hands behind the back is a pretty unatural position and you can put up a hell of a fight to keep them from getting back there. Sure you could get someone in that position with force but you really do run a more serious risk of injuring them than if you just zap them and they submit.

I'd take a 6 second taser shot to a broken or sprained arm any day.
 
I wonder if my police would taser me if I asked. Just to get a feel for it. Maybe one of the of duty officers...
 
The situation might well have been defused without the need to remove him from the building. Such as by concisely addressing his questions and comments whilst making it clear if and why he was out of line. The least sophisticated way is to then threaten that the event will be halted until the man sits down or leaves. A chairperson can generally resolve such situations without the need of several police officers, who shouldn't try to arrest him either. If it reaches a point where the individual will not cease disruption, and refuses to leave, then man(and woman)handling a potential attention whore out of the building away from the crowd and cameras would be appropriate and sensible. If they still wanted to arrest and restrain him for whatever reason, he probably wouldn't continue to resist arrest without an audience. Maybe it is their standard procedure that forces them to try to cuff someone on the spot on deciding to make an arrest.
 
Thrawn said:
Oh man...

You crazy guys.

First off, if you're going to watch the video, read the report as well.

http://www.starbanner.com/article/20070918/NEWS/70918007/1053/BREAKING_NEWS


"As (Meyer) was escorted down stairs (at the University Auditorium) with no cameras in sight, he remained quiet, but once the cameras made their way down stairs he started screaming and yelling again," Mallo wrote.
Click to expand...

Mallo was one of the officers.


Though Sen. Kerry directed that Meyer be allowed to ask his question, police reported that Meyer did not ask any specific question and instead "badgered" the senator, and at one point said something about President Clinton being impeached over a sexual act.

At that point, police reported that ACCENT Director Max Tyroler turned off Meyer's microphone and asked police to escort him out of the auditorium, saying, "He had said enough," according to Officer Mallo's report.

Officers then proceeded to attempt to remove Meyer from the room, but when he resisted, they placed him on the ground and tried to handcuff him. The six officers who actually took part in holding Meyer down while he was being handcuffed reported that they were only able to get a handcuff on his right hand because he was squirming so much.

The supervising officer, Sgt. Eddie King, attempted to Taser Meyer on his chest, but he reported that his Taser would not deploy. He then instructed Mallo to Taser Meyer, and she Tasered him on his shoulder, according to one of the officer's report.

The officers were then able to fully handcuff Meyer and escort him from the building. Each of the six officers reported that Meyer yelled things like, "They're going to kill me," and, "They are giving me to the government," while he was being taken from the room.
Click to expand...

So to rap this all up.. the guy gets up to the mike and won't stop talking or ask a question. He doesn't leave when he is asked and fights officers who try to escort him out.

He continues to fight when they try to restrain him so he gets tasered which is about 6 seconds of terrible pain, no broken bones, no actual wounds. Why do people always treat this like it is the end of the world?

So let me ask you guys some specific questions.

#1 How long should he be allowed to stand at the mic and babble on before being asked to leave?

#2 After being asked to leave, having his mic cut off and continuing to talk, what would have been the appropriate way to get him out of the building?

#3 If he fights you during "appropriate removal" what should you be allowed to do to get him out of the building?
Click to expand...

Did your article mention that two of the officers were suspended without pay? Thats what other media sources are stating. That they indeed used excessive force.

My point (stated in my 1st post) is that this is a sign of what many Americans are feeling, Helpless, frustrated, stupefied, ignored, abused, raped... the list goes on and on.

Whether or not this 21 year old student was trying to play a practical joke (I doubt that) it serves to prove that there is a VERY serious problem with America today. I hope the ripple this person has caused will charge others whom feel the same way to act out and ask these questions. Yes, chances are if you cause enough troubles you will end up like a good friend of mine, randomly audited by the US government three times in one year... You would have better luck winning the lotto...

To sum it up, folks in the USA are pissed and they do not have an avenue to channel that anger without fearing serious repercussions.

aronsearle, my 1st post has a link to the point where he is getting shocked. At this point you hear several collage students screaming and rushing to his rescue where the police tell them to back off.

Edit: Note that the collage student was placed in a holding cell for 24 hours as well.
 
Maphusio said:
To sum it up, folks in the USA are pissed and they do not have an avenue to channel that anger without fearing serious repercussions.
Click to expand...

Then why aren't you in a jail cell? Because you choose to speak out in a method that is acceptable. Jumping barricades to shout at a politician not only is it ineffective, its an easy way to get shot by nervous police.

Charging into the senate screaming impeach Bush is going to get removed . Not because the police and the senate don't want you to say what you will, but because you charged in and didn't speak when it is your time, and yes, even in higher government meetings you can walk in and patiently wait for business to be finished then say your piece. whether its impeaching bush, or gays in the military. If you have your facts straight and your arguments are sound. People, including the government, will listen to you. They wont always see your point of view. They have other information and their own beliefs to take into account and make judgments. But they will listen to what you have to say.

If your an American I suggest you take a trip to your local government and give it a try. If you aren't but you can still do this, I greatly suggest it.
 
Which problem? There are so many.

Writing to your local member as well as meeting up with them is a more direct way to express concerns, rather than relying on the professional media and polls. However, if people want to let off steam they can use the internet to share personal rants, as well as better organise to lobby for political change.
 
Ah-Teen said:
Maphusio said:
To sum it up, folks in the USA are pissed and they do not have an avenue to channel that anger without fearing serious repercussions.
Click to expand...

Then why aren't you in a jail cell? Because you choose to speak out in a method that is acceptable. Jumping barricades to shout at a politician not only is it ineffective, its an easy way to get shot by nervous police.

Charging into the senate screaming impeach Bush is going to get removed . Not because the police and the senate don't want you to say what you will, but because you charged in and didn't speak when it is your time, and yes, even in higher government meetings you can walk in and patiently wait for business to be finished then say your piece. whether its impeaching bush, or gays in the military. If you have your facts straight and your arguments are sound. People, including the government, will listen to you. They wont always see your point of view. They have other information and their own beliefs to take into account and make judgments.

If your an American I suggest you take a trip to your local government and give it a try. If you aren't but you can still do this, I greatly suggest it.
Click to expand...

My point is "things happen" to people that disagree. I have seen people (namely of an Arabic decent) hauled off for no reason never to be seen from again. News papers, media attention are shoved aside while the family only gets the answer of "national security".

That happens in America... If that can happen to anyone, why not me? If someone organizes public venues for impeaching a political figure, protests for restoration of our rights and abolishing the Patriot Act. Then suddenly find them selfs suffering IRS audit after IRS audit after IRS audit (all random and unrelated to one another)... Why not me?

I am voicing my opinion over the Internet, as I hopefully can avoid such unpleasantness. I fear my government, many Americans fear their government... They shouldn't, I shouldn't. Since the year 2000 I have grown to find myself prescribing to fear over compassion... That is both unfortunate, and alarming and I know, I'm not the only one out there wearing these shoes.
 
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