As a student and a political science major I am completely overwhelmed by the actions that took place in Florida.  To think that this course of events could happen to me if I attended a university debate with a public official is quite honest emotionally traumatic. 

As a political junkie I have always liked Senator Kerry’s politics and I think he possess great leadership quality.  However I truly believe that he should address this issue publicly as soon as possible.  Making an excuse is not going to cut it.  If Senator Kerry wants to become a national icon for freedom and people’s rights then he should stand up publicly against the actions in Florida.  Additionally he should publicly answer the question posed because now everyone has seen the question on youtube but no one except the actually witnesses saw his answer.  Throwing in an apology to the student probably wouldn’t hurt his rating either.

I know if I saw “JK” address this swiftly and compassionately it would convince me that he has the leadership ability to be President.

It seems this blog is now just changing the facts..the video shows the student being tasered and begging for help numerous times.  It didn’t happen in the back of the room it happened right in from of"JK"...Brian on the online communicator is now implying all kinds of things about the student resisting..he didn’t.  There were 6 cops some smiling as they ASSAULTED him, first you say JK left and then you say he stayed and answered questions afterwards.  He knews to speak out that this is wrong we don’t live in a dictatorship we have the right to expect to speak freely without being attacked.  Do the right thing JK say it was wrong

Very likely Sen. Kerry could have managed to handle the situation had the police not interfered. All the rest is really beside the point. Senator Kerry may not have the “authority” to call of the police, but he should have intervened actively in what was obviously a case of police brutality.

And no, the student should not have been removed from the outset, as you seem to suggest.  In this country we are supposed to have the right of free speech. And in all realism, it is not always possible to have the atmosphere of a polite tea party.

As has become usual in American discourse, there is no awareness of principles. It was not enough for the Senator to calmly ask that the student be allowed to finish. When it was clear that police were removing the person, let alone tasering him, he should have intervened actively, and above all once it was clear that he was being brutalized.  I might add that the students themselves were shamefully passive before this act. Cowardice and violence, hypocrisy and prevarication, seem to be the order of the day in our rapidly degenerating country, of which the politicians are the prime example.

Sarah, Karen and Mary-
Were you at this event?  The reaction I’ve seen from students who were at the event tell a completely different story.

Eyewitness testimony:"However, while Senator Kerry was responding to a student’s question, all of a sudden Meyer rushed to the microphone with cops in pursuit. At that point no one knew what was going on. Could he have a gun, a bomb?” - UF student Tyler Antar

http://tinyurl.com/yudw3f

“John kerry did try to interfere with the police. at one point, police where holding on to meyers. kerry got to a point where he almost lost his composure and said officer guy. you, let him go. i do want to hear his question, i do want to hear to what he has to say. i do want to answer him. that was at the point the officers said will pull you aside to ask your question. but as he was attempting to ask his question. the officers themselves appeared to me to make themselves clear not allowing him to stay and hear the question and yelling into his ear.”

http://tinyurl.com/2ygxbx

So, this guy disrupts an event where hundreds of people were gathered to listen and speak to John Kerry.  The Mr. Meyers is there for one reason only, and that that was to disrupt the event and heckle a United States Senator.  And some of you are sticking up for Meyers?  Incredible.

Here’s The Mr. Meyers: 

Now, you have to know this about me: I am huge Marlins fan, and a born heckler.  My purpose in life is to badger, jeer, and cajole professional athletes.  I have angered two other All-Star baseball players, Bobby Abreu and Odalis Perez, on separate occasions.  I have booed singers that mess up the national anthem.  Heck, I’ll even heckle other hecklers if I don’t care for their stuff. What happened during this particular game was destined to be, the paths of Griffey and I on a collision course.

http://www.freewebs.com/newforum/bioandpersonalstories.htm

Sen. Kerry handled this exactly as he should have.  I wish the cops hadn’t tased the guy, but that was their choice, and they’ll have to deal with the consequences.  This incident is not about Sen. Kerry, it’s about the cops and how they handled some disturbed college kid.

Sheesh.

I find this statement ridiculous and unacceptable considering what happened at the UF town hall meeting. I can only believe my eyes and ears as I view the video. Shame on the attendees that clapped while the police officers converged on this young man exercising his free speech rights and duties. Shame on Senator Kerry for being as oblivious at President Bush in that Florida classroom on 9/11.

Senator Kerry should have spoken up and protected this young man’s rights to the microphone. There was no reason for the police action I saw unless we are living in a fascist state.

Senator Kerry must apologize to the Mr. Meyer and the American people.

I voted for John Kerry in the last election, and now I am truly thankful he did not become president. His inability to protect the First amendment rights of a petulant andrew meyer, his utter incompetance in not stopping the actions by the zealous police disgusts me. I will never again vote for John Kerry and will be sure to vociferously work against any re-election plans in the future. Bad move Senator, I find you to be a wimp, and totally without character.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Minadeo

This was an American function at an American University with American students conversing with an American Senator. “America The Free” - just not in speech, or at least when the Senator is asked a tough question or two. John Kerry may not have had the “legal authority” to stop the radical police officers, but I bet you money, if Senator John Kerry, had come off that stage in defense of the American young man being wrestled to the ground and having jolts of electricity blown through his body - He COULD HAVE STOPPED THIS FROM HAPPENING! However, this was not the case. NOW.... John Kerry has the opportunity to come forward and speak out against what happened (being that he now knows what happened). I don’t mean some tiny tidbit written statement either… I mean he needs to get back on the plane and to where it took place and use his influence to make this right with everyone - in front of the cameras for all to see and hear! John Kerry needs to PRACTICE WHAT HE PREACHES and come to the aid of another American that had his freedoms and rights electrocuted in front of everyone!!! A taser is an alternative to lethal force. At no time was either one called for. He never threatened anyone verbally or otherwise. His hands were in the air and simply wanted to be heard. Good grief, the Police have this young man charged with a FELONY! In John Kerry’s own statement, he said he probably could have handled it. Well, Mr Kerry..... get a grip and go handle it! We’re all watching and listening.

I repeat to all who think they know what happened: a prankster asked if he were going to get tasered, as if doing and saying what was needed to get the result he wanted. He baits and creates the scenario, and many here are determined to go along with his creation.

John Kerry did not approve of the student being removed. If the student continued as out of control, the other students might have shamed him into stopping. But remember he brought the police with him. No one knew in real time how deliberate and ultertior the student’s motives and actions, and he could have been a real threat charging forward.

That said I wish tasers weren’t used, but Kerry didn’t know it happened, or was happening.

(But I think most of you know that.)

Now that everyone is concerned about civil rights, can you all drum up enough outrage to repeal Bush’s FISA law, or is all the civil rights abuses from repealing habeas corpus to spying on American to engaging in torture okay as long as this heckler gets to disrupt a public forum?

Everyone keeps harping on the free speech aspect of this when there is none. The police overstepping their bounds is an issue of excessive force for sure, but police have nothing to do with the content of the exchange between Kerry and Meyer.

This isn’t about free speech, it’s about removing a <a href>self-describe heckler</a>, who became intentionally disruptive, from an event. Remember that’s separate from the taser incident. He was tasered at the back of the room, kicking and screaming at that point, not at the microphone, and not by Senator Kerry. If he had left quietly or hadn’t been tasered the free speech issue wouldn’t even be forced into the discussion. Kerry’s answers would have been heard and the heckler would still have been dragged out of the room (the police action).

Oh, Lawrence be thankful you have George Bush, he sounds like your kind of guy!

NO! Mr. Young. That simply will not do! I am so disappointed that I voted for this spineless piece of shit. (Oops, I cursed. Please don’t let “their” police get me!)

You know, ethics go a lot further than just doing what you have to. This blog entry is absolutely disgusting, and it is the reason that Democrats continue to lose. I will not vote for another Democrat until you people grow some balls.

How hard would it have been for JOHN KERRY!!! to call these guys off, instead of standing up there joking. This was a real human being, and regardless of how “obnoxious” his opinions are, he has a right to express them.

And if Mr. Kerry does not have time to address an honest opinion (as he seems not to have time to address this matter in person), perhaps he does not belong in politics.

The trolls on this blog are dishonest and ridiculous.  You are all lying about the content of the video and what actually occured because someone sent you marching orders to come here and lie.  I don’t believe that ANY of you ever voted for or supported John Kerry in your life; anyone can lie over the internet. 

“Freedom of speech” is NOT the freedom to be belligerent, rude, and disruptive.  The cops should not have tasered this man but they were right to remove him, and Kerry did everything a responsible person could have done - he asked for order but he didn’t presume to do the police’s job for them.  The right-wing Rovian trolling here is just beyond the pale - but we all know there are no dishonest depths to which swine will sink to trash JK.

I have but one question… Why didn’t John Kerry himself address the officers to leave him be, and just let him leave on his own?  From the looks of it, that what he would have done.  Honestly, this doesn’t look good.

Wow, it is hard to believe so many people who have posted are quick to accuse Senator Kery of wrong doing, but totally ignore the antics of the student involved.
I don’t even have to second guess this, Senator Kerry did noting wrong or inappropriate. This was a police matter and they were there to protect the other students and the Senator. Senator Kerry did all he could do legally. He called out to the officers requesting that he be permitted to answer the addtional question from the student and the police ignored his request. Even Senator’s must obey the law and show respect for law inforcement. What possibly could he have done?
And, as was obvious from all the video shown- even the cropped one, the student was over re-acting. Come on, this was a staged event for the video cameras. If he would of complied with the officers requests he would not of been tazered at all. Resisting arrest whether you think you are right, is against the law.
I am stunned that anyone would actually find anything to blame Senator Kerry for. He did nothing wrong.  And, I have to question the motives behind some people’s misplaced accusations. This was not an issue of free speech, the student butted in line and insisted that he be heard, which he was and a question answered. His behavior was irratic and beligerant, and the police reacted to possibly threatening behavior. At that point, it was a police matter and had nothing to do with free speech.

Shame on those who were so quick to judge Senator Kerry, without considering all the facts. He certainly did not deserve the kind of mean spirited treatment he has received. I have to question if some of those so quick to judge him are not in fact political operatives working for other candidates or parties.

In response to FEDUP. Yes, I have seen all the videos and all the audio. I have also read all of the police reports as posted on the University Of Florida’s web site. You will need Adobe. It is the ACTUAL police reports of the officers involved. I have also seen everything on Andrew Meyers website. He may be a heckler. He may be alot of things, but in this case, he was a student wanting to be heard. He did nothing that warranted what happened to him. John Kerry did offer to answer his question. However, John Kerry did nothing else - not then - nor does he seem to have any desire to do anything about it. He is a Senator. He should stand up for this young man’s rights, whether he agrees with his opinions, statements or otherwise. It’s about freedom that we all are suppose to enjoy. FOR YOUR INFORMATION: “An illegal arrest is an assault and battery. The person so attempted to be restrained of his liberty has the same right to use force in defending himself as he would in repelling any other assault and battery.” (State v. Robinson, 145 ME. 77, 72 ATL. 260). REMEMBER, MR MEYERS DID NOTHING ILLEGAL. The Senator needs to step up and defend Mr Meyers liberty.

The insulting comments left on this blog don’t deserve a response.

ProSense @18 has it exactly right.  All you self-proclaimed civil rights advocates:  how do you feel about today’s filibuster of the habeas corpus vote?  How do you feel about the revolting filibuster of the senate republicans of the rights of soldiers?  Their desire to serve their country has been turned against them by a faithless president who proclaims his love for the military and yet treats them like indentured servants.

And yet you have the nerve to come over here and whine about an incident that one kid made happen during a Kerry speech.

I call BS.

RyanK, Kerry DID ask the officers to leave him alone, he DID say he’d answer the guy’s question.  He was heard repeating over and over “that’s all right, I’ll answer his question.” Please read an objective summary of the incident or watch ALL the videos - then you would know that.

This was nothing but a publicity stunt for Mr. Meyer - he went there with the FULL INTENT of heckling and being harassed by the cops:  http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2007/09/19/meyer_jerk/index.html

Yeah, and those of you pretending to give a shit about “the first amendment” sure aren’t saying a damn thing about Habeus Corpus - because everyone knows you’re here to lie about John Kerry, not because you give two damns about “civil rights.”

Lee:
That is one of the dumbest explanation I have ever read.  This guy comes screaming into the middle of a hall, interrupts someone in the middle of a question, yells his fool head off and creates a public disturbance loud enough for the event organizers to call campus police and that this is somehow Sen. Kerry’s fault?

That is moronic. This man is old enough to get into college, old enough to devise a way to make a public nuisance of himself, old enough to figure out how to get on tv, then he ought to be old enough and mature enough to take the consequences.  If he hadn’t been crazy and had actually tried engaging in civilized dialogue like everyone else in the hall, he might have heard the answers to his questions.

Free speech doesn’t mean that you have the right to cut everyone else off because you feel that your questions are somehow purer than theirs.  This kid acted like a jerk, prevented others from speaking and ruined a public event.  I hope the University expels him.  I can’t see how he is in any way an asset to that college or someone that should be bragged about in admissions brochures.  He is a boorish, selfish, self-important jerk.  He doesn’t stand for free speech; his actions are those of someone who wants to prevent it.

I think you should consider picking a better role model.  This kid’s actions show him to be nothing but a jerk, a publicity hound and an public nuisance.  I hope he learns from this incident and grows up.

The auditorium was not an unlimited public forum, like a quad or other open space. The college can make rules regarding conduct in the auditorium, and even an invited speaker can be removed. Most certainly an uninvited one can as well.  The student was asked to leave when he made remarks regarding bl*w jobs and S&B;.  He clearly resisted.  The law is settled on this.

“..The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in ACLU v. Mote (2005) and courts within the 5th Circuit have found college campuses to be limited public forums. This means that they are not traditional public forums such as public streets or parks available for anyone to use at any time, but have been opened to the public for limited use. Usually in such instances an individual or group must reserve time to speak and may speak only in designated areas. When a speaker does not follow the institution’s policy concerning uninvited speakers, he can be prohibited from speaking and asked to leave the campus.

AND

..in a case concerning an uninvited speaker, Bowman v. White. The court ruled that specific parts of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville campus were considered an unlimited public forum...”

SCOTUS Rulings Campus Speech
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/speech/pubcollege/topic.aspx?topic=campus_speakers

The Senator doesn’t need to defend him. He’s not the guy’s lawyer, shrink or daddy. The guy is a jerk, and the world’s full of jerk. It’s not in the Senator’s job description to defend jerks.

Actually John Phillips it’s knee jerk responses like yours that have nothing to do with the party but everything to do with bashing a member of our party.

WTF does this have to do with a campaign? Sheesh, the monsters are coming out of the cellar.

An elderly diabetic confined to bed calls for medical assistance and gets cops who taser him. A wheelchair bound middle aged woman gets tasered ten times and dies. Armed DEA officials “raid” pain management clinics, hurl 90 year olds dying of cancer out of their wheelchairs sending their drips flying, and handcuff them on the floor as “drug addicts”.

Perhaps the brutalization of America has something to do with having to rationalize reports of Iraqi children being raped in front of their parents as an officialy sanctioned form of torture, and similar?

Please remember that many modern Germans are tormented by guilt, despite being born over 40 years after the fall of the Third Reich - and their grandparents knew less about what was going on than modern Americans do.

You do not want to leave your grandchildren with such a wretched legacy, but that means having the courage to make conscious, wise choices at this critical time (as the American people have fact done) and then action them. The student’s debating style was not good, but his points were.

Jim, breaking the rules isn’t a free speech issue. Removing someone who is being intentionally disruptive is not a free speech issue. Surely you don’t think yelling fire or bomb in a crowded theater is free speech? Only a moron would think that. Free speech doesn’t give a moron the right to create chaos. If a moron chooses to become a nuisance then that moron should be prepared to accept the consequences of his/her actions.

There are rules, remember those?

Jim is right.  It is a shame that Senator Kerry did nothing to assist a person having their rights violated infront of his eyes.  Command presence is not just exercising authority by writ of law.  I am hesitant to consider leadership that would let this happen.

Final word goes to Jon Stewart: “It was obviously a combination of police overreaction and student douchebaggery.”

End of story.

You guys criticizing John Kerry all got to be republicans. I’ve decided I don’t like blogging, it is too easy to say anything. Real change takes real work.  Sen. Kerry is out there working hard to bring an end to the Iraq war and successfully lead the democrats to a strong and smart strategy with a deadline.
Sen. Kerry would never discourage free speech; most of you guys are just too young to know.

BOSTONGIRLSROCK: You wrote: This guy comes screaming into the middle of a hall, interrupts someone in the middle of a question, yells his fool head off and creates a public disturbance loud enough for the event organizers to call campus police and that this is somehow Sen. Kerry’s fault?” ---- Ok, first, you need to get the facts straight. This guy (Andrew Meyers) did NOT “come screaming into the middle of a hall”. He stood in line for more than two hours to ask Kerry question(s). He was acknowledged by Senator Kerry when he moved to the microphone once Kerry said he would take another question. Meyers began by complimenting and thanking him for his time and recommended a book in which Kerry stated “I have it and I have read it”. So, He did not come screaming in and he did not interrupt anyones question. Kerry had completed his answer to the person before acknowledging Meyer. Secondly, Meyer did not “yell his head off” until the police were interrupting him and then dragging him away. Third, as for the “public disturbance”, this was caused due to the actions of the officers. Fourth, as for “calling the campus police”, no one called them. They were present from the get go. Last, you ask if all that is Kerry’s fault? Well, if the facts were as YOU put it, the answer would be no. However, your version of the REAL FACTS are not even close to the actual facts. The reason this is what it is, is due to the actions of the police and the inaction of a Senator, be it may that Meyers may have gotten excited, with every reason to do so. The bottom line is, the student, Andrew Meyers, did NOTHING illegal, was wrestled to the ground, jolted with 50,000 (fifty thousand) volts of electricity, with at least one cuff already on his arm and six officers holding him down… and Kerry really did nothing to stop it. Yes, Kerry said he would answer his questions, but said or did nothing in a true attempt at stopping the injustice that was taking place. Now I am willing to accept that maybe, just maybe Kerry could not see exactly what was happening, but I am certain he could hear it. Nevertheless, it is clear by Kerry’s own statement, he is NOW aware of what transpired and he should do more about it than issue a lame, brief statement. He needs to get involved just as the Florida Department of Law and the State Attorney is doing. His influence as a Senator along with his knowledge of the complete incident, he could help to alleviate a FELONY charge this young man now faces for conversing by invitation. He was not heckling nor was he protesting Kerry. I also think the organizers of this event (ACCENT) need to answer a few questions about their involvement.

I think this could have been handled better by all involved.  Yes, the guy is a jerk and was obviously planning to be disruptive.  But, his questions were good.  What is wrong with asking why he conceded and if he is (note like Eagle Scouts and Marines they never quit being one) a member of Skull and Bones?  It is not just a rant. 

What bothers me most is that if any person is tasered, they should be seen by a doctor (my opinion) for clearance before they are booked into jail.  Their Use of Force policy states:
d. Person(s) who have been subjected to the Taser, or it’s probes, shall be treated as follows:
(1) Once in custody, the arresting officer shall advise Communications to have EMT/paramedics respond to
the scene.
(2) The officer will inform the EMT personnel that the person has been subjected to the Taser and relate the
approximate time the action occurred.
(3) If the probes penetrate the skin, the puncture sites shall be brought to the attention of the EMT.
(4) Only EMT’s or the emergency room staff shall remove Taser probes that are embedded in soft tissue.
The probes will be disposed of in a Sharp’s Container in accordance with biohazard regulations. The
cartridge and remaining high voltage wires will be packaged and sealed in a paper bag and turned over to
the Training Division Commander. Those police officers that volunteer for an exposure while attending Taser
training in which the Taser is shot and the probes enter the soft tissue of the subject, will not require an EMT or
emergency room staff to remove the probes. Taser instructors are trained to remove the probes in a safe
manner and may remove the probes but only in the training environment. The student shot with the Taser will
be observed for a period of time reasonable to ensure that no further medical attention is required.
(5) After examining the affected person, the EMT’s will make the determination if the person should or should
not be transported to the hospital. Transportation procedures to medical treatment facilities will follow
Department Standards Directive 4020.
(6) Members must be aware that one easily overlooked aspect of injury in shooting a subject with the Taser is
that of falling from a standing position. A thorough physical examination with particular emphasis on injuries
resulting from the fall should be performed by the EMT’s.
(7) A transporting officer must immediately advise booking personnel upon the arrival at the jail that a Taser
was used on the prisoner being booked.

No where in the police report do any of the officers mention calling emt’s or following this procedure.

The simple fact of the matter is, 3 extremely pertinant answers were asked of Mr Kerry, which, for most people, due to the lack of mass-media coverage of the needed background, would require a preface, that being that there has been serious evidence of vote-tampering in many places (I recall the day of the elections, in ohio, there were many reports, before the voting was even finished, that republican majority districts were allocated more voting machines than democratic majority districts, leading to lines in some dem. districts of 8 hours to vote) This begs the question, why did Kerry concede the election that day rather than even put up a farcical resistance to it as Gore had done (leaving out the question of the illegally disenfranchised voters that we all have heard about by this point).  The second question being why Kerry has not called for Bush’s impeachment. And the third question, which pretty much answers the first two, if Kerry would be honest enough to answer it, is whether or not he shares membership in the Skull and Bones society with the Bush Dynasty (GW, GHW, and Hitler’s good buddy Prescott).  That they are both members of this nefarious group is not wild speculation, it has been reported as fact by CBS -see- http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/02/60minutes/main576332.shtml If Kerry would answer these three questions, no reasonable person could blame him for the incident which followed them being asked.  To not answer these three questions casts suspiscion on him.  That none of the responses from him or his staff on this site even address the questions, even with the circuitous non-answers that politicians are known for, two full days after they were asked, leads me and probably most people who understand the implications that the probable answers leave, to suspect the worst.  That being that, as a junior (to GWB, who was a legacy member) of Skull and Bones, a society whose members put that society ahead of even their own family, (even willing their estate to the society upon their death, with the understanding that the society will ‘take care’ of their family) Kerry handed the election to Bush, and this would also explain why he has made no effort to remove him from office, even though it is common knowledge that he lied to the nation in order to justify the war in Iraq. 
Until he answers these questions in a straight forward manner, I, and most people I know, will have to form our own conclusions, that, once one puts those three questions together, seem quite obvious.

Why bother to come here with unwillingness to read the accounts by eyewitnesses and explanations of others? Ulterior motives to your feigned concerned for Democracy?

Whether directed by others, or yourself misdirected, Senator Kerry has nothing to apologize for on this issue. You, who insult, however, need to examine your need to be ignorant of the facts offered, and reconsider your lack of respect for a decent and honorable man, working heart and soul for solutions that concern you.

Please take responsibility for what you say and how you think, especially if you have friends and relatives over in Iraq who want to come home. Don’t be silly and mean-spirited.

I would like to believe that some of the people commenting here are simply ignorant or confused, but the sheer number of comments ignoring the facts and determined to misunderstand the true situation makes that impossible.

I have seen comments like these at other blogs and they are clearly the comments of people with an agenda that has nothing to do with who John Kerry really is and what he really does and stands for.

I love what Jeanne @ 50 says:
Real change takes real work. Sen. Kerry is out there working hard to bring an end to the Iraq war and successfully lead the democrats to a strong and smart strategy with a deadline. Sen. Kerry would never discourage free speech; most of you guys are just too young to know.

That is most definitely the real issue.  Does anyone here know what JK said in his speech to the students at UF who really came to discourse with him rather than to disrupt the event?  What answers he gave to those students who asked him real questions rather than trying to use him for their own publicity-minded ends?  As far as I’m concerned, John Kerry accepted an invitation to speak to and with UF students, he did so, and when a selfish, self-confessed disruptor tried to make a mockery of the serious discussion, the Senator did everything he could to try to meet rudeness and disrespect with courtesy and respect.

You should be honoring Senator Kerry for his incredible compassion and forbearance, and questioning the UF police and the legality of Tasering as a police technique.  If you don’t think JK would be the first to condemn police brutality then you don’t have the faintest idea who he is.

Do your homework.

UF Alumni Chapters around the world are humiliated and disgusted at the attack that took place at the John Kerry Accent Forum and I don’t mean the verbal one between Senator Kerry and Mr. Meyer, but the physical one between the University Police and Mr. Meyer.

I have been to many of these UF Accent sponsored events while enrolled as a student at UF where the discussions, such as the Michael Moore Forum, have become more heated that this one, and never have I seen such an extent of police force being used.

What is even more disturbing to me is TWO (not all six) of the officers involved in this furor were placed on PAID leave of absence. PAID! Why such luxurious treatment is in their contract is beyond me. I am certain I did not vote in any student election to grant such a vacation for actions like this. This should be one of the first protocols to be revised during President Machen’s call for review.

Additionally, the University Police Department should start interviewing more student-friendly employees who do not become impatient, reckless, or ruthless in such situations. I wonder if any of these six officers have students of their own who are in college or if they themselves even went to college. If they have/did then they would certain understand that at this age students are EXPECTED to be expressive in similar manners? Should they start tasering every Tom-Dick-and-Harry who is living this College Life?

I AM OUTRAGED. You senators, and all other politicians are virtually impossible to talk to by the public. Joe Taxpayer (like myself) cannot really ever talk to politicians and make our voices heard to the people who are in control of our country and more so, of our lives. And now, when someone actually steps up and raises a very valid, true, and important issue; what happens? His mic gets cut, police surround him, and he’s eventually taken to the ground by multiple officers and tasered. Why? Ok, so maybe the student was being obnoxious, maybe he really did cut a long line.....but neither of those actions are illegal in this country (from what i’ve heard, but it seems i could be wrong.) So it appears that since whoever was running this “show” didn’t like the question he was asking Mr. Kerry and decided that this student’s voice shouldn’t be heard. WHAT HAPPENED TO FREE SPEECH?! Everyday I see more and more of these videos of UNACCEPTABLE Police behavior. It’s scary to think, “hey that could have been me!” And the people in the crowd just sat there like the mind-numb cattle that they are and LAUGHED at this! Are you kidding me!? And if you look at one of the tapes closely at the end, you can see one of the officers involved in the incident SMILING and LAUGHING about it too! I am shocked that this could happen in what i used to think was the greatest country in the world. But lately, I’ve been pricing houses in Canada (no b.s. like this and better health care too!) I actually supported John Kerry in the ‘04 election, (but really only because ANYONE would be better than Georgie Boy Dubbya!) I’m repulsed by the fact that I actually voted for Kerry that year after seeing this video. He’s a US Senator, you’re telling me there’s nothing he could have done or said to these poor excuses for police officers to make them stop their brutality? REDICULOUS!! I gotta say, after seeing this, and after the past TWO elections being frauds; I WILL NEVER VOTE AGAIN. I’m a 20-something male from Florida (that’s right) and I’ve given up on our government and its actions, and I KNOW I’m not the only one. So Mr. Kerry if you or anyone with some kind of real power ever read this (don’t worry, i’m NOT holding my breath on that, i’d surely die) APOLOGIZE to the VICTIM of this CRIME, NOW! No excuses, no “Cut and run”, no dancing around the subject like you politicians do so well, The people of this country DEMAND justice!!! I want freedom, that’s what I want, and that’s what YOU should want. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to work so the government can steal, oops i mean “tax” my hard earned dollars. this is bogus, rediculous, unacceptable, repulsing, disgusting, wretched, awful behavior by everyone involved except for the VICTIM. I commend you sir, whoever you are.

You know, this whole thing is starting to sound pretty well coordinated, from the entrance of self-described “born heckler” Mr. Meyer to some of the comments on this blog.
Regardless, I think Mr. Meyer’s problems are bigger than what happened at UF the other day.  At first, I thought he was just some obnoxious guy trying to get his 15 min, but now I’m not convinced.
I hope Mr Meyer gets some help.  I read his bio, and it’s pretty disturbing.  He enjoys heckling people who are singing the National Anthem?
How sad is that?  Maybe this whole thing will lead to some counceling for the young man. I think his behavior may be a cry for help.

This is rediculous. Preamble and all - there is no justification for this student’s arrest, but clearly no justifcation for use of a taser. No clear, concise reason was given for his arrest - even after the studet requested such information (as is his right). The reason that was finally given - insighting riot? - is obviously bogus - who in that crowd of maybe 50ppl was going to riot?! However, the MOST apauling thing here was to have to watch John Kerry stand idlely by and allow this to occur. A person of his status could have easily put a stop to this. Maintaining authority and order is one thing - abuse of that power is another - but submission to that abuse, especially by equally powerful authority (JK), is the worst & most sad (in)action to watch. How could we expect him (John Kerry) to carry on a legitimate fight for a country if he can’t even stand up for a defensless student, armed with no more than questions and a book. It’s a truly sad state of affairs.

JK actually JOKED about “..come up here and swear me in as President...” While Meyer was being brutalized by the police.  He can be heard speaking right up to the moment the Taser is used.  There are multiple screams from the crowd when the taser is being used, as well as Meyers own screams which are extremely loud.  You expect people to believe he couldn’t hear or wasn’t watching what was happening?  Everyones attention was on Meyer.

To claim that JK had absolutely zero knowledge of what was transpiring right before him is an outright lie.  To blame this on bright stage lighting is an insult to the intelligence of the people who come here to read this blog, looking for hope.

It’s time I seek a new candidate and a new hope, because JK clearly demonstrates his keen ability to dodge responsibility and shrug off the truth in a shameful display of political self-preservation.  Truth and honor?  Just another punchline to a situational joke at the most inopportune moment, just like his joke about Meyer while he was being tasered.

Kerryvisionary said,
“If you don’t think JK would be the first to condemn police brutality then you don’t have the faintest idea who he is.”

That’s the whole point, there was police brutality and he has not condemned it, so I think I do know who he is.

Another thing, I’m not young I’m a VietNam era vet who fought against US aggression, and for the right of GIs to resist while still in the Military.

Someone else on this blog who thinks it’s right to call people they disagree with names rather than DEBATE said I needed to check my definition of torture after that is how I characterized the use of the tazer on this student. So let me quote from the UN “any act by which severe pain or suffering...is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as...punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him ...” Well? is that what the police did? And did Kerry stand by and whimper about how he could deal with it or did he really try to stop it?

One more thing, I hear a lot of these Kerry apologists talking about how the kid was disruptive, a “moron” an “idiot” and on and on, well democracy is not a calm and gentle thing often times it’s an insurection. The biggest problem with this country right now is that people are NOT getting angry enough to get off their butts and disrupt this a little bit!

Well that’s about it I am still a member of VVAW by the way, is Kerry?

Jim, when I read your first comment, I gave it extra respect because you are a Vietnam vet.  But you, of all people, should know who JK has consistently been and that he WOULD be the first to condemn brutality of any sort.

The fact is that he did his best to be respectful and gentle with this self-avowed disruptor, something only very few in his position would do.  He gave the guy respect in answer to his rudeness and violence.

The fact is that Senator Kerry was in no position (he was on stage, far away from what was happening between the police and Meyer at that point, at the BACK of the large auditorium) to know what was happening.  Although the decision to taser Meyer was made completely by the university police, I know that if JK had been in a position to know they might use a Taser, he would have objected.

But please, Jim, remember that JK was a speaker at a student event, a guest of the university and Accent, the student organization that had invited him, and his responsibility was to speak and answer questions, not to second guess or personally supervise university security.

I respect your service, but I do not respect your uninformed anger or exaggerated language.  If you really knew John Kerry, you would never associate the word “whimper” with him!

Finally, see JK’s statement for his words on the tasering incident once he found out it had happened: “I was not aware that a taser was used until after I left the building. I hope that neither the student nor any of the police were injured.”

Clearly, he did not know what was happening at the time, in the back of the auditorium and clearly the decision to taser was that of the police.  What people who are outraged about the tasering SHOULD be doing is talking to UF police officials, not attacking the speaker whose event was disrupted.

Kerryvisionary I hardly think you can be objective here.  This student was standing at the mic asking a question.  When the mic was turned off because of an uncomfortable question, he walked toward the center where his question could be heard.  There was no need for the police to abuse the student.  Oh, that’s right, Rodney King, Kent State...guess it is common practice that is covered up the best we can here.  John Kerry as a LEADER was ABSOLUTELY responsible for stopping this terror when he saw a gang of police officers bully this kid on his behalf! Despicable.  So much for freedom of speech, right John Kerry!  If you don’t denounce this brutality, the implication is that you condone it.  Way to shape and lead our country BACKWARD!  Andrew Meyer was yelling for HELP.  Appalling disregard by Kerry and disgusting abuse of power by the police!  Shameful!!

Connie

Oh, I absolutely agree that the current adminstration, quite frankly, should have been impeached long ago, just as our eccentric boy Meyers stated (well, it was in the form of a question). I still can’t believe it’s never happened..
But that’s not the issue at hand at the moment. This is a matter of Kerry having an opportunity to show his worth and he failed. My outcry is in my disgust in the police and loss of respect for Kerry.

Bush and his insane administration and their mind boggling escape of accountability or punishment is quite another thing.

It would be awesome if you would publish JK’s answers to Meyers’ questions here ...

People are posting to bash, without grounds or facts. This is not performance art, and you are not elevated for participating. Since the litany continues unchanged, trying to outwear our patience, I’ll put in less effort and REPEAT my above entry:

Why bother to come here with unwillingness to read the accounts by eyewitnesses and explanations of others? Ulterior motives to your feigned concerned for Democracy? Whether directed by others, or yourself misdirected, Senator Kerry has nothing to apologize for on this issue. You, who insult, however, need to examine your need to be ignorant of the facts offered, and reconsider your lack of respect for a decent and honorable man, working heart and soul for solutions that concern you. Please take responsibility for what you say and how you think, especially if you have friends and relatives over in Iraq who want to come home. Don’t be silly and mean-spirited.

I want to make clear; I am a Kerry supporter. My issue is only with Kerry’s lack of action after the incident.

On the other hand, I am not a Brian Young fan. He claimed he was gonna spare us of his opinion but it’s all over this post. Even worse is that he tried to disguise it as fact!

Byron Johnson Says:

Byron, do you know that Senator Kerry does not hear that well due to injuries he suffered in Vietnam ? Oh and by the way you were not there. You have no idea the size of that auditorium, you have no idea of the lighting, you have no idea of how the sound carries. To put it bluntly you have made your statement based on a video that was close to Andrew Meyer not Senator Kerry, so you have no idea or no right to think that you know what Senator Kerry did or did not do, heard or did not hear, and see or did not see.

I just love the internet, you actually get to see why this country is in the mess it is in, when a kid stages an act and ends up in more **it then he planned on. Do I believe in tasering, NO and Andrew Meyer himself said to the cops once the CAMERAS were OFF, “I’m not mad at you guys” after he knew his act was completed. The kid had his 15 minutes of fame, now it’s on to OJ. Get over yourselves.

# dwb Says: September 20th, 2007 at 02:01 PM why dont you answer the questions? 1 why dont you senators try to impeach bush? 2 were you ever or are you a member of this secret society( s.and b.)?

But he did, dwb! The impeachment question was answered quite a while ago in a blogger’s conference call. http://davideisenthal.typepad.com/the_eisenthal_report/
2007/04/more_on_sen_ker.html

And, although the S&B;question is actually too ridiculous to be dignified with an answer, others have ‘gone there’, too. Watch this Youtube video where Tim Russert, of all people, lowers himself to depths heretofore unknown. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9hcdhUkHFc

But really, illinifan on kos sums it all up quite nicely: http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2007/9/18/14510/5786/8#c8

quote

1. Even if all of the evidence Palast compiled in his book is true (and they may be), John Kerry did not have that evidence on the day of the election.

2. John Kerry is in the U. S. Senate.  Impeachment is a task of the U. S. House of Representatives.

3. What the hell does it matter what clubs John Kerry was in when he was in college forty years ago?

4.  This question should be addressed to the police officers.

end quote

I wonder why the media didn’t jump on this comment (and why the detractors are ignoring it): The so-called war on terror is a public relations agenda. They could have at least covered the content of the speech.

They could have contrasted Bush’s war on terror (with all its propaganda) to Kerry’s views on fighting real terrorism, NYT 2004 article:

</blockquote>When I asked Kerry what it would take for Americans to feel safe again, he displayed a much less apocalyptic worldview. ‘’We have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives, but they’re a nuisance,’’ Kerry said. ‘’As a former law-enforcement person, I know we’re never going to end prostitution. We’re never going to end illegal gambling. But we’re going to reduce it, organized crime, to a level where it isn’t on the rise. It isn’t threatening people’s lives every day, and fundamentally, it’s something that you continue to fight, but it’s not threatening the fabric of your life.’’

This analogy struck me as remarkable, if only because it seemed to throw down a big orange marker between Kerry’s philosophy and the president’s. Kerry, a former prosecutor, was suggesting that the war, if one could call it that, was, if not winnable, then at least controllable. If mobsters could be chased into the back rooms of seedy clubs, then so, too, could terrorists be sent scurrying for their lives into remote caves where they wouldn’t harm us. Bush had continually cast himself as the optimist in the race, asserting that he alone saw the liberating potential of American might, and yet his dark vision of unending war suddenly seemed far less hopeful than Kerry’s notion that all of this horror—planes flying into buildings, anxiety about suicide bombers and chemicals in the subway—could somehow be made to recede until it was barely in our thoughts.

Kerry came to his worldview over the course of a Senate career that has been, by any legislative standard, a quiet affair. Beginning in the late 80’s, Kerry’s Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics and International Operations investigated and exposed connections between Latin American drug dealers and BCCI, the international bank that was helping to launder drug money. That led to more investigations of arms dealers, money laundering and terrorist financing.

Kerry turned his work on the committee into a book on global crime, titled ‘’The New War,’’ published in 1997. He readily admitted to me that the book ‘’wasn’t exclusively on Al Qaeda’’; in fact, it barely mentioned the rise of Islamic extremism. But when I spoke to Kerry in August, he said that many of the interdiction tactics that cripple drug lords, including governments working jointly to share intelligence, patrol borders and force banks to identify suspicious customers, can also be some of the most useful tools in the war on terror.

link

</blockquote>

I can’t help but think that this phony outrage is a distraction. Can’t let it get out that Kerry continues to be one of the most outspoken critics of the war.

Prosense this incident sure has brought out a swarm.  I am suspicious of the way this has gone down the day after Kerry completely shot John McCain and his prowar arguements on Meet the Press the day after

The best video--from a fairly wide distance was the video shown on Countdown with Rachal Maddow commenting.  He was agitated and when he got away from the guards he went right for the stage. 

Coincidentally this story knocks most of the coverage of this week in the Senate off the front page.

I just watched the extraordinary speech that Senator Kerry just delivered on the Senate floor about the Iraq policy. The contrast between the outstanding power of thought, analysis, empathy, understanding, and so much more, in what I just heard, and the pettiness and irrelevance of some of the comments here and unfortunately elsewhere, is beyond belief, and to be honest beyond my comprehension.

As many of you here let Andrew Meyer get his 15 minutes of fame, real serious altercations are happening daily in our schools.

My son who is a High School teacher was right in the middle of a big gang fight at his school, no Youtube video of this, for sure. He was attacked from behind and clipped on the neck and took control of this kid, as he was told he would be killed. No video, my son had to watch his actions so he would not over react and then be blamed for cruel and unusual force from a bunch of kids who think they can disrupt and do whatever the hell they want.

This is reality.

I hope the people howling that Andrew Meyer got what he deserved aren’t around when any one of us hogs a mike or gets obnoxious. They’ll have us all crushed down and tasered by (once again) out-of-control, unaccountable cops who do whatever they want and make up whatever law they please. (Did you see the video of the cop who ludicrously told Meyer that he was being arrested for “inciting a riot.” Anti-war and other activists have experienced those kinds of law-enforcement fabrications for years. Those lies are purposefully intended to suppress dissent.) The people who are slamming Meyer also are the same ones who are doing zilch to stop our priceless civil liberties from being progressively junked for some illusionary security. All kinds of injustices are being done to us and to others through the excuse of “fighting terrorism.” But a crucial way to cut down on terrorism against us is for us to stop the terrorism being done in our name by our government with its criminal actions in Iraq and elsewhere. As for Kerry, give him a break. He’s no more spineless, self-serving, hypocritical, wicked or useless than most of the other joker leaders and “authority figures” we allow to rule over us.

Rich, no one is saying we needn’t be engaged, question the media, protest harms done. Sen Kerry encourages dissent and protest, and credits the adotpion of the Clean Air Act and ending the Vietnam Wat to exactly that, protest. He wanted to have a dialogue with Andrew Meyer, who may have wanted more to goad, blame, make himself the news. We’ll never know, due to the police and their bad judgment.

When people should be supporting the Senator’s efforts to end the war, understand the issues, even remotely interested in the content of the speech on national security, they’d rather get caught up at seeing the event through their own prism, their own bias, about elected officials, the election, but not the reality of the event or Sen Kerry. That’s counter-productive, and unfair.

I, too, voted for John and know he would have been FAR better for this country than Bush.

But, don’t you understand, John? We are hopping mad because your response to this incident is what we’d expect from Bush & Co. We already know what to expect from them. But anger and disappointment are multiplied when we feel betrayed by one of our supposed good guys.

BTW: Are we ever going to get answers to the questions Meyer asked?