Congressman Bob Etheridge Caught on Tape

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

^^^I believe we are. Etheridge is apologizing right and left or is it left and left.

That doesn't mean at all that we know the whole story or that we know what was or wasn't edited out.

And nice save on Robespiere and the Jacobins.

Meanwhile, Etheridge is hardly left and left. More like middle and middle.

[Ghostwriter]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

That doesn't mean at all that we know the whole story or that we know what was or wasn't edited out.

I believe he would have said something if there really was anything left out. Looks more like a bully got caught. If this had been John Baynor the hue and cry would be for him to resign his seat. I would have joined in and would be one of them calling for it. Time for the Dems to stand up and do the right thing and dump him.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

I believe he would have said something if there really was anything left out.

Not necessarily. All I can say is that, as a lawyer, I would be very hesitant to introduce or offer a partial anything -- video, transcript. It begs the question: What was left out and why?

His "excuse" was that it had been a long day. I put "excuse" in quotes because he said there was no excuse for his behavior, and I agree. Maybe there was nothing more in what was edited out, but maybe he chose not to mention anything else because he decided not to make excuses or dilute the apology. He was asked the question specifically about what might have been edited out and said "I'm not getting into that today, I'm here to apologize."

If anyone is interested, here's his public statement.

Here's my question: who made this video and why? Who's the guy who was willing to make the video for a "school project" (here's your assignment: take a video camera and ask members of Congress if they fully support the Obama agenda) and willing to make sure it got to the internet, but not willing to take to credit for it? These were guys hoping for embarrasing reactions. Etheridge took the bait.

Looks more like a bully got caught.

Nah, he's not a bully.

If this had been John Baynor the hue and cry would be for him to resign his seat. I would have joined in and would be one of them calling for it. Time for the Dems to stand up and do the right thing and dump him.

Of course, Baynor wouldn't have resigned his seat. I wouldn't be too fast on the "time for the Dems to do the right thing." As AOII Angel said, we live in a time where public discourse has gotten completely out of hand. Donations pour in to a Congressman who calls the President a liar during a joint session of Congress; he writes fundraising letters for Republicans in other states. This is definitely a glass houses scenario.

Let the voters decide. I have to give credit for class, though, to Ellmers' response that she feels bad for Etheridge and that she wants voters to vote for her because they agree with her and want her to represent them, not for something like this.

[Ghostwriter]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Here's my question: who made this video and why? Who's the guy who was willing to make the video for a "school project" (here's your assignment: take a video camera and ask members of Congress if they fully support the Obama agenda) and willing to make sure it got to the internet, but not willing to take to credit for it? These were guys hoping for embarrasing reactions. Etheridge took the bait.

Nah, he's not a bully.

Why in the world would that matter?

He is a public figure who grabbed a person who was asking him a question. I can think of tons of answers and reactions by Etheridge that would not have included slapping and grabbing. I am sorry but you have to call this guy out for his actions. If he can't handle the pressure of kids asking questions he needs to leave the Congress and spend some time at home in peace and quiet.

If not a bully then he is must be a whack job. You just don't grab and push people around because you don't want to answer their question. Just keep walking and smiling.

From what I see the kids were not being rude or insulting. Unless you call saying "Sir, please let go of me" insulting. Oh, I guess the question about "fully suporting the Obama agenda" would be insulting to most anyone.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Why in the world would that matter?



From what I see the kids were not being rude or insulting. Unless you call saying "Sir, please let go of me" insulting. Oh, I guess the question about "fully suporting the Obama agenda" would be insulting to most anyone.

A) because who the person is and what his reasoning was influences the material that is leaked and the context around it
B)"From what you can see" is rather the point here. The video is edited. No one has excused this guy's actions, but it's fair to say you're probably NOT getting the full story.

And C) Wouldn't be insulting to me.

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Why in the world would that matter?

He is a public figure who grabbed a person who was asking him a question. I can think of tons of answers and reactions by Etheridge that would not have included slapping and grabbing. I am sorry but you have to call this guy out for his actions. If he can't handle the pressure of kids asking questions he needs to leave the Congress and spend some time at home in peace and quiet.

If not a bully then he is must be a whack job. You just don't grab and push people around because you don't want to answer their question. Just keep walking and smiling.

From what I see the kids were not being rude or insulting. Unless you call saying "Sir, please let go of me" insulting. Oh, I guess the question about "fully suporting the Obama agenda" would be insulting to most anyone.

He should never have yelled at them or laid a hand on them; obviously he was in the wrong. But I also think it is rude to shove cameras in people's faces and ambush them on the street. I don't like it when Michael Moore or Bill O'Reilly engage in that sort of behavior, and I don't like it when these unidentified "students working on a project" do it, either.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Why in the world would that matter?

Because of what ThetaDancer said:

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

He should never have yelled at them or laid a hand on them; obviously he was in the wrong. But I also think it is rude to shove cameras in people's faces and ambush them on the street. I don't like it when Michael Moore or Bill O'Reilly engage in that sort of behavior, and I don't like it when these unidentified "students working on a project" do it, either.

I think it matters because it's an example of the lows of current public discourse.

He is a public figure who grabbed a person who was asking him a question. I can think of tons of answers and reactions by Etheridge that would not have included slapping and grabbing. I am sorry but you have to call this guy out for his actions.

Have you missed the multiple times I said that there is no excuse for what he did?

If not a bully then he is must be a whack job.

Really? So you've never overreacted to a situation? Ever? I'm impressed.

People who are not bullies or whack jobs can have bad days. Once again, this doesn't excuse it, but unless you have something showing that this is part of a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident, give the bully and whack job accusations a rest.

From what I see the kids were not being rude or insulting.

I consider sticking a camera in someone's face without first identifying yourself and asking permission very rude.

[Ghostwriter]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Have you missed the multiple times I said that there is no excuse for what he did?

Really? So you've never overreacted to a situation? Ever? I'm impressed.

People who are not bullies or whack jobs can have bad days. Once again, this doesn't excuse it, but unless you have something showing that this is part of a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident, give the bully and whack job accusations a rest.

I consider sticking a camera in someone's face without first identifying yourself and asking permission very rude.

Come on, you can't have it both ways. Saying he may have had a bad day and overreacted is an excuse. No excuses means no excuses.

I am not the one on camera "overreacting". I have never assaulted a person. I am also not a public figure.

I don't understand why would you care what I call Rep. Etheridge unless he is he a member of your immediate family. I don't believe bully or whack job is too far off. Got to call them as you see them.

Taking this admittedly to the extreme, but if a person has a perfect history but one day gets pissed off and shoots their spouse should it be considered an isolated incident? Even if you believe so, do you not also believe that there still should be some penalty for the "incident" and the person should be held accountable by society? Unless the person could successfully plead self defense there is no justification for the assault. I do not see self defense here.

I have had a camera stuck in my face and asked questions by an unannounced AP reporter and I didn't smack her around. She didn't tell me who she was but only said she was an AP reporter. I asked her if she would promise to portray my answers accurately and then answered her questions. I am not a publc figure but we all know that public figures are, and must be, held to a higher standard.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Really? So you've never overreacted to a situation? Ever? I'm impressed.

People who are not bullies or whack jobs can have bad days. Once again, this doesn't excuse it, but unless you have something showing that this is part of a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident, give the bully and whack job accusations a rest.

I agree.

I look for a pattern of behavior before I assume people are crazy or unable to contain themselves. The only exception is if they do something that is sooooo over the top and the closest Etheridge got to that is grabbing the man around the neck. That was inappropriate but almost looked like a father scolding his son. Other than that, I consider this an isolated incident for which he has apologized.

I just hope he doesn't claim to be seeking anger management or some kind of treatment. Enough of public figure apologies followed by treatment programs.