View Full Version : "When Congressmen Attack’"
This is scary....seriously. This guy seems to think he is a god.......:eek::mad:
VIDEO: Congressman Assults Student
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/06/14/next-on-when-congressmen-attack-rep-bob-etheridge/
Next on ‘When Congressmen Attack’ — Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC);
Update: Sorry…that he got caught
By Doug Powers • June 14, 2010 10:11 AM
"You know when you go up to your member of Congress and ask if they support the president’s agenda how they almost always take a swipe at you and then put you in a semi headlock? Yeah, Democrat Rep. Bob Etheridge of N. Carolina did that to a student who approached him on the street.
Getting a little testy, aren’t they?
Newsbusters asks: Did Etheridge commit a crime? Well, Etheridge voted for the health care sham, so he may have done so long before he took a swipe at this kid.
Reminder for Democrats: If somebody comes up to you and expresses a concern for where their tax dollars are going, just do like Charles Rangel and say “None of your damn business” and walk away."
He appears to be intoxicated...
mark46th
06-14-2010, 16:35
The kids wouldn't identify themselves. They would only say it was a "project" and they were students. Not that I like what the congressman did, but he didn't know who these people were and they didn't give a good answer...But, he probably was drunk...
Defender968
06-14-2010, 16:42
Watched the tape, and just saw his apology on the news (real convincing:rolleyes:), unless there is more that we couldn't see, if I walked by and grabbed a kid on the street they way he did because the kid had a camera pointed at me and said something less than flattering I'd get disciplined if not relieved, sued, and likely charged with assault....I'm not saying these kids didn't try to get a reaction out of this moron but you can't grab a kid on a public street for asking you a question camera or not.....he's a public representative he should expect questions about where he stands especially in the current political environment, don't like it, say no comment, or better yet say make an appointment with my secretary and we'll talk about it and walk away. From what I could see the kid never put his hands on the Congressman, so he's got nothing from a legal standpoint IMO to defend his actions....if he makes this poor a decision on the streets of DC, wonder what type of decisions he makes in the halls of congress where there aren't cameras? Our leadership at work :rolleyes:
rubberneck
06-14-2010, 16:47
The kids wouldn't identify themselves. They would only say it was a "project" and they were students. Not that I like what the congressman did, but he didn't know who these people were and they didn't give a good answer...But, he probably was drunk...
Why are they obligated to tell the Congressman anything? He is a public official and he asked him a legitimate question in regards to his job. If I was walking down the street and someone with a camera asked me if I supported the President's policies I'd keep on walking or I'd answer depending on my mood. I wouldn't snatch the camera out of that persons hand nor would I grab them and demand to know their names. He's an idiot and he probably had too much to drink and now he is going to pay the price in the polls.
Defender968
06-14-2010, 17:04
The kids wouldn't identify themselves. They would only say it was a "project" and they were students. Not that I like what the congressman did, but he didn't know who these people were and they didn't give a good answer...But, he probably was drunk...
Mark46th, respectfully the congressman doesn't have the right to demand identification from a kid on the street who asks him a question, and they have no duty to give him that information. He's a public official and they asked a policy question.....they have a right to free speech, not to mention this wasn't a shady looking character in a dark ally, it was clearly a teen in a Sports jacket with a camera in broad daylight on a public street. The congressman doesn't get to go hands on just because he wants too, as an LEO I couldn’t just go detaining anyone who said/did something I didn’t like (that wasn’t illegal). If them not identifying themselves was that upsetting he should have just walked away, he doesn't get to illegally detain someone because they annoyed him. I don't know DC/Virginia laws but by SC statute if you physically restrain someone’s movement you could be charged with kidnapping, and were I this kids dad I’d be talking to whoever has jurisdiction over that street to press charges.
mark46th
06-14-2010, 17:07
I know it's Washington D.C. and there are TV crews everywhere but this was on the street with no warning. There wasn't any ID on the mike or camera. I would imagine there are ROE for news people to follow regarding approaching a member of congress and I'll bet these kids didn't follow an established protocol.
Like I said, I don't approve of what the congressman did, but the kids should have done a better job of identifying themselves. And I still think there is a chance he was drunk...
The Reaper
06-14-2010, 17:29
Okay, news flash here.
I grew up in the next district over from his.
Bob Etheridge is an asshole, plain and simple.
Being a Congresscritter should not make you above the people. He is no better or more privileged than one of his constituents. And as their rep, they have the right to question him about his actions.
Love his dyed hair, though. Very youthful looking.:rolleyes:
TR
Defender968
06-14-2010, 17:29
I know it's Washington D.C. and there are TV crews everywhere but this was on the street with no warning. There wasn't any ID on the mike or camera. I would imagine there are ROE for news people to follow regarding approaching a member of congress and I'll bet these kids didn't follow an established protocol.
Like I said, I don't approve of what the congressman did, but the kids should have done a better job of identifying themselves. And I still think there is a chance he was drunk...
Agree with you on the drunk thing, his eyes made me think the same thing....however neither intoxication nor congressional media protocol supersede the 1st amendment or give him the right to violate another person’s rights be they a kid or not. We’re either a nation of laws or we’re not, hook-em and book-em…..if it were up to me.
......... I would imagine there are ROE for news people to follow regarding approaching a member of congress and I'll bet these kids didn't follow an established protocol. .......
Ya' don't say......
Well what is/are the ROE for Joe Blow walking up to a Congressman and asking a question?
Must you ID yourself? Looking to be "Joe the Plumber"ed?
Do you ever watch the MSM? Does it look like they operate by any REO? Ever see the 20/20 crew ambush somebody? Oh, yeah, the ambushee is a private citizen - no rights for them.
Now a congressman, he is something special. You must Kow Tow and run your nose through 5 miles of dung before you may raise your face and ask a question.
Edited to add - The drunk fool is my Congresscritter - sad to say. I'm voting for the Girl in November.
longrange1947
06-14-2010, 18:21
He is an idiot and sorry Mark, the man was wrong and screw any ROE for media. Question, what would have happened if someone grabbed his wrist when he was pointing a camera and asking a question? What would have been the reaction of man y in here if the jerk grabbed your wrist while taking a picture and asking a perfectly legitimate question that the MSM seem incapable of now??
And by the way, they did ID themselves. Would the name Joe Blow mean anymore than "we are students on a project"? I think that speaks more as to ID then names.
The drunken fool needs to be sent home.
Peregrino
06-14-2010, 18:57
The drunken fool needs to be sent home.
By way of an assault charge. He's an arrogant ass, he's gotten away with it forever because Fort Bragg represents jobs and he's always leveraged anything to do with the military in his favor. Pity I'm not in his district anymore (not really, I like it a lot better where I am now!). And drunk is an indicator, not an excuse.
BigJimCalhoun
06-14-2010, 21:18
Has anyone heard about any pending charges?
ZonieDiver
06-14-2010, 21:27
Has anyone heard about any pending charges?
That'll be the G-damned day!
cetheridge
06-14-2010, 23:00
Quote:
Originally Posted by longrange1947
The drunken fool needs to be sent home.
cetheridge
06-14-2010, 23:11
Whoops...let try this again...
Quote:
Originally Posted by longrange1947
The drunken fool needs to be sent home.
IMHO all Representatives and Senators should be tested daily for intoxication by "pissing in a cup" and "blowing the alcosensor straw" before entering the Capitol.
Bob Etheridge (no relation), Hank (The island will tip over with too many troops) Johnson, Ted (bless his drunken soul) Kennedy are a few that stand out.
Kinda says it all...
Bob Etheridge incident: What does he have to apologize for?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0614/Bob-Etheridge-incident-What-does-he-have-to-apologize-for
Richard :munchin
mark46th
06-15-2010, 15:58
I don't know the way things are in Washington D.C. but I was surprised to see a congressman walking down the street alone. Maybe I'm just paranoid but I did some personal security for an international family of some importance. There is no way I would have let these kids within arm's reach.
I am trying to make the point that if these kids had introduced themselves properly, this wouldn't probably have happened...
...There is no way I would have let these kids within arm's reach. ....I am trying to make the point that if these kids had introduced themselves properly, this wouldn't probably have happened...
Who approached who? The video kinda' looks like the kids were stationary as he walked by on the sidewalk.
And he stops and turns.
So what would you have done as his security? Whip out your piece and bust the kid in the chops? That kinda' sounds like Union Thug Tactics.
And you think House members should have a security detail?
If it comes to that we are screwed.
...House members should have a security detail?
If it comes to that we are screwed.
Agreed Pete Sir.
His behavior was "already there," IMVHO. Thinking He was beyond and above...that's the scary shit, to me anyway....damn. What has Our Country become?
Holly....:munchin
The first thing I thought when seeing the video was how long it would be before the kid filed assault charges, which he clearly could. Then I put myself in Bob's shoes. I have been at a fundraiser for Nancy, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the ugliest woman on the hill; as already noted, I have probably had one too many martinis, and now these presumptuous children have the gall to demand to know if I am in Barry's corner! I would be pissed too.
longrange1947
06-15-2010, 19:55
The first thing I thought when seeing the video was how long it would be before the kid filed assault charges, which he clearly could. Then I put myself in Bob's shoes. I have been at a fundraiser for Nancy, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the ugliest woman on the hill; as already noted, I have probably had one too many martinis, and now these presumptuous children have the gall to demand to know if I am in Barry's corner! I would be pissed too.
Yes, but being of sound mind and not an idiot, you would have quietly walked away and not confronted them as you would have realized that nothing good could come of it.
Mark - I still don't see the "he was accosted by". He walked by and they asked a simple question. He over reacted AND came back to them. On the personal protection detail thing, been there, done that, I would never have given him a chance to turn around and return to them. I sure as hell could not kick them off the sidewalk they were standing on and as long as their hands were not holding a weapon then there is not much that can be done. You can stand between them and him and try not to allow photos that are ruinous but an over reaction by a protection detail is just as bad is not worse. This is the US and not some 3d world country where manhandling for the sake of manhandling is allowed.
Also on the personal protection detail thing, as stated, DC, Capital area, I would hope that we never need that option.
He was a pissed off drunk and acted out as such.
mark46th
06-15-2010, 21:40
Accosted may have been the wrong word, approached is better. And I agree, I would have gotten him out of there, also...
I am not arguing the guy isn't a dick, he obviously is. I think the kids should have ID'd themselves a little better.
Do congressmen need a security detail? I hope not. Some of the jobs I worked on were as much to keep the client from themselves as anything...
ZonieDiver
06-15-2010, 23:32
If you had to hang around with Nancy Pelosi all day, you'd probably need more than a couple martinis, too!
Stingray
06-15-2010, 23:47
If you had to hang around with Nancy Pelosi all day, you'd probably need more than a couple martinis, too!
Excellent point.
Utah Bob
06-16-2010, 16:06
All the dickhead had to do was keep walking. How simple can that be?:rolleyes: