Student Tasered at Kerry Lecture

[honeychile]

I'm a bit surprised that no one has posted this before. The story is here.

The bottom line is that there was a question and answer forum, and FSU student Andrew Meyer had gone over his time limit. The police stepped in, an argument ensued, and he was tasered & arrested.

Granted, he was over his time limit, but I've never seen such a curtail of free speech before in my life!

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I'm a bit surprised that no one has posted this before. The story is here.

The bottom line is that there was a question and answer forum, and FSU student Andrew Meyer had gone over his time limit. The police stepped in, an argument ensued, and he was tasered & arrested.

Granted, he was over his time limit, but I've never seen such a curtail of free speech before in my life!

Uh, did you watch the video?

It was clear that he wasn't interested in asking a question at all, and was using the mic as his own podium. He was properly shut down, then removed when he made a scene. I have no problems with that - this isn't a "free speech" issue at all, really, and to portray it as such really smacks of being inflammatory or reactionist.

The only real issue should be whether the kid should have been hit with a taser - that's an issue of use of force, unrelated to speech at all. We don't have nearly enough information to determine whether the force was excessive - the video is heavily edited, gives no indication of whether he is struggling, and only shows that he was not subdued or cooperating at all . . . draw your own conclusions there, but don't act like this was Tiananmen Square or firehoses at Kent State. Jesus Christ.

[Tom Earp]

As reported, he struggled with the campus police.

If he did get totally out of hand, sometimes it may be felt there was a need of extra force.

But if they could not subdue they have to make a moments judgement.

Being tasered will constrict the muscles and make the person totally unable to fight anymore.

Whether this was the case or not, I do not know, I was not there.

The right of freedom of speach? If there were limits set down they should be respected. It seems he was the more confrontational one first off.

[whitegreyhat]

The video only showed him talking for 15 seconds? I think i am missing the whole story. But it is quite sad, yet he should have left and complied with the police. Unfortunately since Kerry is a senator and former presidential candidate, he is entitled to a certain level of security. The kid seemed angry at him which could be considered a threat. (although iam not sure why he was) Tasing is not that big of a deal, I have been tasered by a friend and although it does hurt, its not lethal or anything under any circumstance. People need to learn to present their arguments in a respectful and educated manner, not screaming at Kerry like he just ran over your puppy.

[Drolefille]

The video was by a student w/ a camera so I'm not sure when it started.

I think it's funny that people blame Kerry for this. Like he sent the University Police after this guy. I haven't yet seen the video so I'm reserving judgement. People who've seen it have gone both ways on it and the students there definitely felt like he was treated improperly. (At least according to their student paper comments) Apparently the guys a known conspiracy "nut" but that doesn't justify being tasered if he was physically subdued.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Uh, did you watch the video?

It was clear that he wasn't interested in asking a question at all, and was using the mic as his own podium. He was properly shut down, then removed when he made a scene. I have no problems with that - this isn't a "free speech" issue at all, really, and to portray it as such really smacks of being inflammatory or reactionist.

The only real issue should be whether the kid should have been hit with a taser - that's an issue of use of force, unrelated to speech at all. We don't have nearly enough information to determine whether the force was excessive - the video is heavily edited, gives no indication of whether he is struggling, and only shows that he was not subdued or cooperating at all . . . draw your own conclusions there, but don't act like this was Tiananmen Square or firehoses at Kent State. Jesus Christ.

I agree. The kid was acting like a douche. Sadly, he's a journalism major. I guess this video will be his ticket to work for the NYT.

[Kevlar281]

Here is the least edited vid I could find on youtube.

Oddly enough the best background information I have found on this kid has been over on college humor.

“Don’t taze me bro!” What a douche…

Here’s a vid of the aftermath. Apparently the kid is worried that the cops are going to kill him.

/edit: added another vid

[UGAalum94]

But don't you think there would be at least as much if not more "stifling-of-free speech" spin had it been a Bush or Cheney event, whether they had requested he be removed or not?

[Senusret I]

I think it's funny that he actually yelled "help!"

LMAO what a tool.

[Kevlar281]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I think it's funny that he actually yelled "help!"

LMAO what a tool.

Right? I mean everyone knows that you’re supposed to yell fire when attempting to incite a riot.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

But don't you think there would be at least as much if not more "stifling-of-free speech" spin had it been a Bush or Cheney event, whether they had requested he be removed or not?

Well you need tickets to those, and "known liberals" aren't allowed in.

Not that they don't try.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by whitegreyhat

Tasing is not that big of a deal, I have been tasered by a friend and although it does hurt, its not lethal or anything under any circumstance.

Actually, there are a number of cases, two that I know of here in Denver, where subjects who were tased died, possibly due to pre-existing heart conditions that the tasing exaserbated.

It's not the norm, but it may well be lethal.

Here's a story:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/201827_taser01.html

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

But don't you think there would be at least as much if not more "stifling-of-free speech" spin had it been a Bush or Cheney event, whether they had requested he be removed or not?

We both know it would have spun out of control, had the shoe been on the other foot.

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Actually, there are a number of cases, two that I know of here in Denver, where subjects who were tased died, possibly due to pre-existing heart conditions that the tasing exaserbated.

It's not the norm, but it may well be lethal.

Here's a story:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/201827_taser01.html

One of the main reasons I posted.

When I first posted, the information about this guy being a conspiracy freak wasn't widely published, if at all. I was wondering more about whether the police who tasered him were college security, or regular police, and also the whole "why is he so weirded out when he's going with the Kerry program?" bit.

I'll save my other remark - free speech, don't you know?

[FSUZeta]

please honey,

don't give him to us!! he is a student at the university of florida.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I'll save my other remark - free speech, don't you know?

Oh I see what you did there!