The who are you US congressman

[Castout]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v60oNUoHBYM&feature=topvideos

Oh my . . .

so who are you?!

[UnderseaLcpl]

Wellllllllllll..........:hmmm:

I do see the representative's question as being valid, and I don't approve of the "student" refusing to present his identity. Etheridge's caution was not unwise.

That said, I don't understand why he would be so unwilling to answer the question or why on God's green earth he would think it appropriate to manhandle someone who is only asking him questions.

I figure there must be more to this story, but I'd have to see it before I could come to a conclusion.

[Castout]

Well those students were smart not to give out their particulars!

That would probably save them a lot of future trouble.

The congressman's behavior can't be justified imo he had no rights to be rude and somewhat violent to those students WITHOUT provocation whatsoever. It's like being mugged by a congressman.

I wished at some point for those students to stand up for themselves I mean the congressman is an old man. I don't mean to hurt him but to be tough on the guy and not so relenting.

That congressman could be brought to court even in my third world country

[CCIP]

Meh, exactly "democracy" at work. A public servant sure has trouble speaking in a public place - okay, that's understandable. Maybe not the right time of day. But "who are you?" - give me a break. What lies underneath that question is the ugly fact that politicians prefer to have their public images managed and are in fact mortified by the chance that kids on the street might catch their likeness saying something 'on record'.

Look, if you're a public servant of this sort, prepare to have yourself questioned by - gasp - the public. That means by anyone, anywhere. What does it matter WHO? Any member of the public has their right to ASK. And they have every right to record themselves asking. Now it's up to the representative whether to answer, and if it wasn't the time or place - I think it was his every right NOT to, and would've been wise not to. He should've just walked away, and that's that. Making a scene like that is silly. And again, just points to the fact that away from his PR managers, this guy is a hopeless dud. Can't behave himself in public to save his life.

Hope this circulates. Public officers allergic to the public need to be given a swift kick in the behind.

[DarkFish]

"I have a right to know who you are."
"Sir, I'm standing here in a public place."
"So am I, who are you?"

Now I don't know about US law, but in the Netherlands being in a public place doesn't somehow grant you the right to know who everyone is.

Nor does it grant you the right to smash a camera out of someone's hand and grab him by the neck.

[krashkart]

This is the United States. People have a right to treat each other like crap here. :03:




Not that that's a good thing. It's just true. Don't let the friendliness fool you.

[tater]

MSNBC said the guy was a victim of "ambush" journalism. I read another story where they described the incident (I kid you not) as the congressman hugging the guy.

He had every right to ASK who the kid was, you can ASK anything you want, the kid had no responsibility to tell him, and no one ever has the right to physically assault someone except in self defense. They should press criminal charges against him.

[AVGWarhawk]

He just needs to learn to say, "No comment." Then just walk away. That ploy has worked for decades. :03:

[mookiemookie]

Did he look absolutely sh*tfaced to anyone else?

But that kid in the video is one of Breitbart's minions. While physically assaulting someone is over the line, it makes you wonder how the video was edited (as Breitbart is famous for) and what they're not showing. How did they antagonize the guy to the point where he gets physically violent?

[SteamWake]

Wellllllllllll..........:hmmm:

I do see the representative's question as being valid, and I don't approve of the "student" refusing to present his identity. Etheridge's caution was not unwise. .

Bull**** the 'student' has no obligation to provide identification. If the congressman feels that threatened I would recommend he defer to the secret service.

Contrary to what some may have you believe we do not have to carry 'papers' this is the United States.

The congresman's behaviour is way out of hand and this could well end up in legal action.

[tater]

Did he look absolutely sh*tfaced to anyone else?

But that kid in the video is one of Breitbart's minions. While physically assaulting someone is over the line, it makes you wonder how the video was edited (as Breitbart is famous for) and what they're not showing. How did they antagonize the guy to the point where he gets physically violent?

There is no possible way to un-edit that to make it acceptable. Laying hands on someone is assault, period.

And yeah, he looked drunk to me, too.

So we have an elected representative drunk while he's at work, who also assaults people.

[tater]

BTW, were the video somehow nefariously edited, the congressman would not have apologized so readily. Which he did.

He should lose his job, frankly. When you are a public figure like that, you will get questioned by many people. If you are incapable of dealing with it—knowing full well you are being filmed—without resorting to violence, you lack the demeanor to hold office IMO.

He should get booted.

[mookiemookie]

BTW, were the video somehow nefariously edited, the congressman would not have apologized so readily. Which he did.

Sure he would have. He was filmed physically assaulting someone. Which is completely beyond the pale.

But it still doesn't change the fact that Breitbart has a history of doing that sort of thing. While I don't condone assault, and yes, he deserves to lose his job, I also don't condone "Hey let's screw with that guy to the point of him losing it, and film the results"

[AVGWarhawk]

"Hey let's screw with that guy to the point of him losing it, and film the results"


What part of this in the video did you see this happen? The kid asked one question. The Rep just kind of went into defense mode and then a physically detaining the kid mode. The went into a, "I'm screwing up mode." He then is hugging the kid with his right arm. It is all wrong for the Rep from jump street. He should have just kept on walking and not acknowlege the kid with a question.

[mookiemookie]

What part of this in the video did you see this happen?

You didn't, but this is a Breitbart production and that's their M.O.

[AVGWarhawk]

I see what you are saying. Perhaps something previous was edited out that made the Representative get so enraged that holding the kids wrist, whacking at his camera and head area was deemed ok. Well..edited or not...it is not ok to do the physical that the Rep did. If you can't handle baiting and being ridiculed, specifically in his position, time to find a new career. Learn to walk away.

[mookiemookie]

I see what you are saying. Perhaps something previous was edited out that made the Representative get so enraged that holding the kids wrist, whacking at his camera and head area was deemed ok. Well..edited or not...it is not ok to do the physical that the Rep did. If you can't handle baiting and being ridiculed, specifically in his position, time to find a new career. Learn to walk away.

Indeed.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Bull**** the 'student' has no obligation to provide identification. If the congressman feels that threatened I would recommend he defer to the secret service.

Contrary to what some may have you believe we do not have to carry 'papers' this is the United States.

You misunderstand me. My fault, I'm sorry.

What I was trying to say is that Etheridge's caution was not unwise for the same reason that mookie has pointed out. People in government are held very accountable for everything they say and do, so it is not unreasonable to expect them to question who they are talking to for fear of being misrepresented.

That may sound funny coming from me, as I am staunchly anti-government, and I wouldn't trust Rep. Etheridge as far as I could throw him, but I am still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in this case. There are agencies on all sides of the cluster**** that we call US politics who have an agenda to push are are not above taking things out of context just to get their way. We should know that by now.

The congresman's behaviour is way out of hand and this could well end up in legal action. You are very right about that, assuming that the video itself is accurate and complete, but there are still two sides to the story. Etheridge grabbed the student, but he immediately released his arm upon being asked to. He then "hugged" the student, but again released him upon request. That really doesn't qualify as assault.

Personally, I feel that a US representative should not have to ask who a person is before confidently stating his platform and ideals, and for that reason and his voting record I do question the quality of Rep. Etheridge, but I'm not at all sure that this video is politically or criminally damning.

[AVGWarhawk]

The assault was the whacking of the camera. Furthermore the holding of the students wrist was also assault. This is an assault case no matter how you view the tape. The hugging bit was after the Rep said in his brain what he was doing was not right.

Who are you? Who are you? Who are you?

Is this guy drunk?

[tater]

Sure he would have. He was filmed physically assaulting someone. Which is completely beyond the pale.

But it still doesn't change the fact that Breitbart has a history of doing that sort of thing. While I don't condone assault, and yes, he deserves to lose his job, I also don't condone "Hey let's screw with that guy to the point of him losing it, and film the results"

Bottom line is that he shouldn't "lose it."

Sorry, unless the reporter assaulted him FIRST, there is nothing that could have been edited out to even mitigate his behavior. You would also expect that you'd hear him referencing any comments made before, which he doesn't.

You claim this is Breitbart's "MO." Elaborate, please. I know he's considered conservative, but can you provided edited and unedited video as proof that this is not just something that sometimes happens, but that demonstrates the pattern of behavior required to call it his modus operandi?

[tater]

Actually, watch the video again. He's walking down a sidewalk towards the camera with a high wall to the left. Clearly nothing immediately predicated the interview.

He was also clearly drunk I think.

I see no "MO" here, sorry.

[UnderseaLcpl]

The assault was the whacking of the camera. Furthermore the holding of the students wrist was also assault. This is an assault case no matter how you view the tape. The hugging bit was after the Rep said in his brain what he was doing was not right.

I'd like to think so, but that is not legally the case. Don't take my word for it, see whether or not he gets charged with anything. More importantly, see if he gets convicted of anything. My guess is that neitehr will take place. [/quote}


Who are you? Who are you? Who are you?

Is this guy drunk?

I hope not, because that could be a mitigating factor in an assault case, though he could still be charged with public intoxication. Again, my guess is that he will be convicted of neither. If he were to be convicted of assault the charge would likely include public intoxication, and if he's found innocent of assault the verdict could be used to indemnify him against "Public Intoxication", which, in as few words as possible, requires disruption of the peace. What that means is something else entirely.

That's our justice system at work, AVG. All it takes is a good lawyer and some creative interpreation of creatively interpreted indecipherable law to make anything legal, but you know that already, don't you?

It is a sad state of affairs, my friend.:nope:

[Tribesman]

Actually, watch the video again. He's walking down a sidewalk towards the camera with a high wall to the left. Clearly nothing immediately predicated the interview.

But as you know nothing of what preceded the video you cannot know that.

But that politician was clearly a politician so by default is a pillock and was caught acting like one.

[Platapus]

He just needs to learn to say, "No comment." Then just walk away. That ploy has worked for decades. :03:


Part of being an elected official used to mean acting in a professional manner. Congresshumans have been harassed for about 220 years by the public. If you can't keep on walking and maintain some dignity, then you should not be a congresshuman.

Sure both parties acted jerks. But there was no cause for this congressman to act that way. :nope:

[Molon Labe]

Did he look absolutely sh*tfaced to anyone else?

But that kid in the video is one of Breitbart's minions. While physically assaulting someone is over the line, it makes you wonder how the video was edited (as Breitbart is famous for) and what they're not showing. How did they antagonize the guy to the point where he gets physically violent?

Yes! I was about to post the same thing! Well, I thought he sounded drunk. Or maybe I just haven't heard that variation of the southern drawl before.

[Molon Labe]

There is no possible way to un-edit that to make it acceptable. Laying hands on someone is assault, period.

And yeah, he looked drunk to me, too.

So we have an elected representative drunk while he's at work, who also assaults people.

EDIT: I thought it was battery, but I looked up the DC statutes and they don't separate assault and battery, they just have an all inclusive "assault", so I was wrong.

by the way, voluntary intoxication is only a defense when there is a very specific intent required for the crime; battery (or assault) isn't one of them.

[AVGWarhawk]

I'd like to think so, but that is not legally the case. Don't take my word for it, see whether or not he gets charged with anything. More importantly, see if he gets convicted of anything. My guess is that neitehr will take place. [/quote}


I hope not, because that could be a mitigating factor in an assault case, though he could still be charged with public intoxication. Again, my guess is that he will be convicted of neither. If he were to be convicted of assault the charge would likely include public intoxication, and if he's found innocent of assault the verdict could be used to indemnify him against "Public Intoxication", which, in as few words as possible, requires disruption of the peace. What that means is something else entirely.

That's our justice system at work, AVG. All it takes is a good lawyer and some creative interpreation of creatively interpreted indecipherable law to make anything legal, but you know that already, don't you?

It is a sad state of affairs, my friend.:nope:

It is assault hands down. Even the very act of a husband grabbing his wifes wrist in the same manner as this Rep did is enough for an arrest. :hmmm: Look at it this way. If I walked up to you and whacked your phone or camera out of your hand it will be considered assault. Can't chalk it up to just having a bad day.

[SteamWake]

Actually, watch the video again. He's walking down a sidewalk towards the camera with a high wall to the left. Clearly nothing immediately predicated the interview.

He was also clearly drunk I think.

I see no "MO" here, sorry.

No clearly it was an ambush concocted by the tea party angry mob ! :rotfl2:

By the way does this not remind you of some nefarious paparazzi events? The media was all over those. This you have to drag out of you tube.