The who are you US congressman

[Castout]

Oh my . . .

so who are you?!

[UnderseaLcpl]

Wellllllllllll..........

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.




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

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Wellllllllllll..........

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.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

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?

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.