Oh, look, little trolls coming out of hiding when they think no one is watching.

Big brave boys.

ONCE AGAIN..PLEASE LISTEN..THAT WAS NOT STAGED,THE TREATMENT OF ANDREW MEYER WAS THE 'NORMAL'POLICE RESPONSE IN FLORIDA TO CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AND RESISTING ARREST..IT IS THE NORM HERE(CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE) AND THAT IS WHY THE POLICE DID NOT EVEN CONSIDER THE CAMERAS..WE HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE KILLED BY TASERS,NOT HARDENED CRIMINALS..JUST YOUR AVERAGE ROWDY PEOPLE..POLICE HAVE EVEN TASERED A ROWDY KINDERGARTENER AND JUST RECENTLY IN JACKSONVILE TASERED TO DEATH,AN OLD WOMAN IN A WHEELCHAIR...WE NEED HELP HERE IN FLORIDA..WE NEED TO OUTLAW TASERS...HELP US,BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR STATE ARE NEXT !!

We are all tough when cloaked by the anonimity of the internet, where we rant and rail in impotent isolation. BUT!

In reality, we are a society ruled by reputation. It is a far more potent sword of Damocles hanging over our heads than the threat of physical violence. To think that one misstep in defense of another make you unemployable, could change the circumstances of your entire life. In fact, for most the consequences remain uncalculated, too vague and scary to ply. Why risk it? Jose Padilla wasn't a good person like me anyways. Surely, the police wouldn't taser someone just because they can? He resisted their abridgement of his rights, isn't that enough justification for their actions?

I have to agree with Naomi's summation. I don't think speaking, emailing, writing, etc. is going to work anymore. It's becoming abundantly clear these people only understand one thing. A rebellion is in order, if only the sheeple could stop scrambling through the maze in search of the ever elusive cheese, they might even notice...

Think about all the people who sided with the cops and accused the kid of deliberately causing a scene.
Think about all the people who called Cindy Sheehan "attention whore"
Think of how Kucinich who most closely represents the views of a growing majority is dismissed and ignored.
Think of how Nader is blamed and accused of having an inflated ego for challenging the status quo and speaking the truth.
Think about how we are chanelled to accept Clinton as the heir apparent.
Think about how well trained we are to unthinkingly be counted on to uphold the status quo and speak against our own interests in supporting the status quo.
And think about how we accuse others of voting against their own best interests.

Get real! Revolt? You've got to be kidding. Americans have already become cowed couch potatoes. It's too late for this country. I agree that the Florida tasering incident is an ominous harbinger, but there's nothing we can do at this point to turn the tide. The people in charge have all the power, and they're getting far more aggressive about using it.

I just read another article about a guy who was merely filming in Times Square prior to 9/11/2007 and some off duty cops aggressively hassled him, simply because he was demanding the truth about 9/11/2001.

And, of course, there are all the stories of people being hassled for wearing T-shirts with the "wrong" message on them, or displaying political messages on their own property.

The powers in charge have developed an us-versus-them mentality, the "us" being those in the government, and the "them" being us ordinary citizens.

We're going to have to wait for the regime to disintegrate and hope we manage to survive in the meantime.

Dave

While I agree that tasering was a bit extreme, after watching the film I believe that the student was a bit irrational in his behavior in the way he took the microphone, the way he presented his questions and the way he reacted to the police. I am first in line to condem what this administration has done to our constitutional rights but I do not believe that this instance is the one to hold in the spotlight as an example of the things that are wrong.

Hey just watch the video . . . Watch as those that are there just sit and watch also. Where was Kerry's voice while this was happening? We are a nation of sheep and we are being lead to the "slaughter" . . . It is happening right here, now . . . Just take the time and sit through this video and watch the people watching it happen . . . Where was the voice of desent while this man was holding his arms up in the air asking "What have I done?"
If "Rent A Cops" can do this what do you think the Army will do when they are called upon to stop a protest???
Get real folks . . . it's over the revolution has been stopped and it was done right here in front of those watching this happen . . .

I watched several different versions of the incident in question on YouTube.com.

Why don't we ask ourselves, why so many of Meyers contemporaries can actually be heard cheering his removal?

And we should also ask why Meyers deliberately resisted when University of Florida campus security asked him to leave? It is almost common knowledge, in this country at this time, that resistance gives law enforcement officials the right to use force. The more I watched of the YouTube.com offerings the more it appears, Meyer deliberately provoked the incident. His protests of "Don't taser me, bro!" almost has the ring of Bre'r Rabbit's plea not be thrown in the briar patch.

Thirdly is the question of Kerry's response. Coincidently the only video I've seen, hopefully there are others, showing Kerry on stage during the incident are from MSNBC's Tucker Carlson program. Kerry is seen and heard asking Florida campus security to "let him ask his question." Yet many commentators, both on the left and the right, hold Senator Kerry somehow responsible for young Meyers' restraint, tasering and subsequent arrest. My question is, what should Senator Kerry have done? Leap down from the stage and throttle the cops? Patently absurd!

From what I can see young Mr. Andrew Meyers is not totally innocent. So from the incomplete and, dare I say, slanted evidence we have been treated to via YouTube.com and over-the-air and cable television news networks, why are we holding an immature, self-aggrandizing college student as a paragon of First Amendment liberties?

ok so it's not like I disagree with the rebellious sentiment, but is this also an advertisement for the books? Give the books away, or should we steal it? otherwise this is like rebelling but being plugged in simultaneously. Is this counterculture? Living large and paying taxes and complaining about it. No wonder there's no active rebellion lately.

secondly, the video itself is subject to interpretation. whether it becomes an "iconic turning point" remains to be seen. There have been countless turning points in the past couple of years that I can think of that turned into nothing really. Like voting democratic in the last election, that was iconic. Well maybe it was but not the way it was represented.

When I think of the inevitable coming dissent, following quickly on the heels of the center not holding and things falling apart, right now I look out my window here in NYC and I see lots of pacified people on the street buying stuff, chatting into cell phones. But I also see convoys of cop cars practicing for the next emergency. What that emergency will be is any body's guess.

a bit irrational..

You see how well we internalize our appropriate and acceptible "behaviors" and openly and UNTHINKINGLY condemn those who step out of line and rock the boat?

The message is : Don't rock the boat, don't ruffle feathers, don't demand accountability, don't think, don't worry, be happy.

The student in question had a habit of filming his pranks and other "aggressive" forms of humor. I'm CERTAINLY not excusing his Tasering, but he's no innocent victim here. He went there to provoke some kind of confrontation.

The cops were wrong and should be prosecuted. However, some of the blame here ALSO lies with Mr. Meyer.

And no, I am NOT arguing that he deserved it. He definitely did not. But that doesn't mean that he's not, on some level, somewhat culpable as well. He went there to provoke, not engage in calm, rational dialogue.

It is time for groups like MoveOn to organize strikes (stay home from work or school and boycott all purchases) and to create a fund for people who need help after speaking out or striking -- money for those who lose jobs, for those who get hurt and for those who need legal aid.

War is peace.

Ignorance is strength.

Freedom is slavery.

Turn out the lights -- the party ended years ago.

"...why so many of Meyers contemporaries can actually be heard cheering his removal?"

Because he made people uncomfortable.
Because we are good Germans.
Why did they cheer on the crucifixtion of Christ?

In the second version I saw there was a girls voice yelling at the cops who kept telling her to get back.

But it wasn't Kerry's voice to those of you thinking to defend Kerry.

"...why are we holding an immature, self-aggrandizing college student as a paragon of First Amendment liberties?"

Are you suggesting that he isn't worthy of his constitutional rights because he is a cocky kid?

Unbelievable!!!

Do something! Do something! No don't do something! You are wrong to do something! You are too arrogant, your ego is too big, you are not civil, you are rude, immature, wacko, loony, self-aggrandizing, egomaniac! Don't get out of line! Don't do anything!

Do you see the mixed messages? Do you see the double-bind? Do you HEAR what you are saying?

The oldest republic has fallen...and it can't get up.

Auberon,
Rational dialogue? I keep hearing this phrase...but it was a question session...in fact..he started by establishing some context for his question and "used up his time" doing that. that's not rational dialogue...there is no such forum available to the peasants...

Shame on Kerry, shame on the students who just sat on their behinds.

SO, the student was agitated? If YOU are not agitated with what's going on in our country then you should lose your American citizenship.

Welcome to USSA

ets

Kerry could have shouted STOP and he could have gone down and taken Myers by the hand..and protected him...But Kerry reacts slowly.

The worst that can be said about Myers is that he is not polite..if you think politeness is an important value and overrides patriotism...then you are an American

Here is Andrew Myer in his own words. He's a kid and he writes like someone from the comments of common dreams:

http://www.theandrewmeyer.com/columns/iraq_the_media_and_shannons_dad.asp

Iraq, the media, and Shannon's Dad
By The Andrew Meyer

Look at all the sheeple above excusing the police for taking this guy down for SPEAKING HIS MIND.

He did NOT 'take the mic', and saying so is pure fabrication. No fabrication is too nice. It's a damn dirty lie. (yeah Watson, I'm looking right at you) He was given the mic and just didn't give it up when it became clear his questions were inconvenient.

Auberon: Excellent post, completely empty of any real information (oh, it contains your unsubstantiated opinion, but no one (least of all me) CARES about your unsubstantiated opinion) and of course lacking any and all sources. Tell me, what disruption did he hope to cause? Airing dirty laundry that is (if not 100% accurate) on the minds of any REAL American.

Does this post sound hateful? It should. I am still shaking from watching this. You capitulators sicken me to the point of wishing you harm.

This ladies and gentlemen is why I have not become a complete pacifist. The students who sat there will tell their grandchildren that they helped beat back the nasty American fascist during the 2nd U.S. Civil War, because that's what the weak do. They do nothing and then (after everything important is done) they claim how they were there fighting the whole time.

Just like Watson, ets and Auberon, a small sampling of a group that is too scared to live in a free country, will be talking about how they carried on the good fight. Just remember, you won't only be lying to your grandchildren, you'll be lying to yourselves.

I'm just glad that we don't actually need a bunch of pansies like that.

just can't get past the notion of people on here condoning the acts of the police and/or blaming the kid for being obnoxious. Clearly the kid was charged up, clearly he was loud and obnoxious, which is not quite yet officially a crime. So, he was agitated, he was asked to wrap it up, he was angry, he basically told the cop to f-off, non-verbally. So what? What if a kid has a stuttering problem and goes on. What if they are nervous? God forbid, what if they have had too much caffeine? Personally, I have switched to tea.

Upon further reading of our Bill of Rights I did not find a "only if you are cool clause" for freedom of speech or anything else. Just ridiculous to say that he brought it on himself. Better hope none of your kids get "riled" up at pep rally or whatever.

Really, what is wrong with people in this country? He did not threaten anybody, or use threatening language. He he says the word blowjob, it looks like the cop in back of him is gasping or something. Give me a f-in break, excuse my language, please don't taser me, but I am angry.

I hope when I go downtown and get some coffee and overhear a discussion from some pod people that I don't get too angry and start arguing with them "loudly" about some inane document like the constitution or some mad idea about our civil rights. Shame on you people!

This, and the REV Yearwood incident should be talked about and the reality of the situation is these people who are pushing the corpwarstate do not want an organized and passionate movement like they had in the 60's, and they are implementing these tactics to make sure all of you are afraid to stand up for yourself or anyone else. Guess what, they are succeeding.

The onus is not on the kid. The onus is on the police. The kid, and let's not forget that, he is 19-21, whatever, a kid, who obviously didn't get enough ridalin as a child, some of you would say, snidely. The police have the weapons, the training, they use force, they hurt and yes kill people. THEY need to be kept in check, not the kid!

Basically you are saying that the responsibility was with the kid not to get riled up and I say that is ridiculous. Tasers are dangerous, heart problem-dead, asthma-dead. Serious stuff people. You think you have anxieties now, what till you are tasered. "Have you been tasered recently? Why not try Atavan. It will help with the anxiety and panic attacks for every time you see a police officer. Who is only really there to help you."

Wake up POD PEOPLE! Although this kid is no Mario Savio, do we have to wait till the old lady who asks about her social security check is tasered to get angry? "Look at that crazy kid putting on a show. Look at all those crazy cops. What is this a Marx Bros routine? They held him down and tasered him for 5 seconds or something. Have you seen strong grown men, some of them cops, get tasered for a second? They get shaken up pretty bad.

Don't need to wait to get tasered to wake up.

Vern, you have missed my point completely.

We have no evidence of what transpired before Andrew Meyers'ejection from that auditorium. All the videos take up from the point where Meyers asks his questions, and they are legitimate, and subsequent ejection, restraint and tasering.

I don't condone Florida campus security's actions at all but I also think we should be very skeptical about Mr. Meyers' motives. And, no, I'm not suggesting some, to use your words, "cocky kid" is not worthy of exercising his First Amendment rights of free speech. But neither do I think Mr. Meyers worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Jesus, Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. Nor do I think Meyers' arrest tantamount to "Kristallnacht" or Tiananmen Square, let alone that most seminal event of American history, the Boston Massacre.

Sorry, but that's my opinion, protected by the First Amendment.

Donald Trump...ego-maniacal, pompous, obnoxious, aggressive and unpopular with many. No one is saying he should be Tasered for his behavior. The public is paying him millions or billions of dollars for acting as onboxiously as this 21-year-old. What is the difference? Power through Force.
Peace,
st john

A few voices here and on other blogs are flat-out frightening. To even suggest that the student deserved what he got because his questioning was rude is the kind of complacency that will kill what is left of our freedoms.

There were students who sat on their asses and applauded when the thugs were manhandling the young man. Imagine us applauding when the thugs come to drag THOSE students out of the picture.

I was outraged over this video, outraged at John Kerry's lack of spine. This student RIGHTLY called Kerry on the carpet to explain his inaction (which he has NEVER done), and Kerry allowed the student to be dragged away.

Our freedoms are dissolving. Slowly and surely.

If we don't do something to stop it--and at this point, I believe we must take to the streets--it's over. The grand experiment is over.

Nothing to see here people, ets doesn't think it's worth noticing that someone was dragged from the microphone and tasered for being to impolite to the rich man.

When they come for you ets, will it still be okay, or is that different, because you ARE able to be compared to Jesus, Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr.? Just curious, where is the line drawn?

Yes, a shocking moment indeed Naomi. So was too the video of the unarmed Reverend getting jumped and leg broken. What I don't understand is how my modern women heroes (Sheehan, Rhodes and Wolf) all appear to be advocating a mass physical response to police aggression. Is that what you are advocating?

The message from the greatest civil rights leader, MLK, was nonviolence. And his message was pretty effective.

Because it is indeed easier to rally a sleepy public to your aid if you are OBVIOUSLY NOT resisting the water hoses, dogs, beatings, poundings, and tasers. These acts of state aggression of course MUST BE RECORDED ON MEDIA (picture, sound, but most importantly video as the Petraus and UF videos demonstrate) before they can be an influence. In MLKs time, newspaper reports were not nearly as effective as the film on the evening news of peaceful demonstrators being hosed, clubbed, and biten by police dogs. How do you suppose the TV audience would have reacted had they seen black men charging police officers back then? It's the same as now. Peaceful nonviolent ACTION is the only solution. Any acts of agression -no matter how well founded- willonly hinder the peace movement and it's participants.

Nerissa

"why are we holding an immature, self-aggrandizing college student as a paragon of First Amendment liberties?"
Vern's last remarks answers this well.

And, in addition, do you seriously believe that if Meyer had been Patrick Henry-eloquent in his pointed remarks, the outcome would have been different???

Please keep this in mind: The drawn out video footage of his vocal and maybe physical resistance to the police forcibly pulling him away from the mic. and out of the room is irrelevant. His rights were violated the moment the cops prevented him from finishing. If he had gone out like a lamb, his rights would have been violated just the same. To his credit, his noisy departure is the only reason we know of the incident and are able to discuss the violation of his rights!

Also, hasn't anyone noticed that the cop's intervention also, very convieniently, kept Kerry from having to answer Meyer's questions as well?

The pertinent facts are, the police forcibly seized him for nothing more than asking pointed questions to Kerry. Period.

I am so sorry for what I truly sense and now feel. My gut (I want it to be so wrong!)tells me that we in
the United States have arrived at a point that we cannot turn around within this narrow, black tunnel into which we have been pushed.

The governing rules that guided this grand, democratic experiment have been shredded, abandoned and stomped out by the iron fist and boots of the New World Order. Our collective sensory -- our brains, bodies and lives have been shocked, consumed and diverted -- and we now walk in pointless circles just like the insects whose antennas have been severed.

We must find ourselves again -- and go through this together. Hopefully, we will make it out through the other side -- re-group and strike again the match and flame for democracy, civil society and for life, liberty and pursuit of happiness! Vision with courage is what will cause us to prevail and not perish!

Hardball discussion with Medea Benjamin and Joe Conason:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/19/hardball-the-assault-on-free-speech-in-america

Wasn't Naomi Wolfe an advisor for Al Gore in the 2000 election? And how did Al Gore react to the election? He sat by quietly as Bush stole it from him. Maybe Wolfe wanted to fight it, but she's a washed up political hack as far as I am concerned. She represents the softer, blander side of bloody corporatism - the Democrats. US would be better off if they read Zerzan rather than Wolfe.

You know what, colleen, I do think politeness is an important value. And, no I don't think it overrides patriotism.

We have become a very coarse and crude society, but that's besides the point here.

When I first watched the videos of "The Andrew Meyer's" performance, I said, "He's got a lawsuit." But upon further review "The Andrew Meyer's" behavior was clearly intended to provoke and he clearly resisted. So I no longer think he has a case.

And, sorry, I don't think I want "The Andrew Meyer" leading my revolution. But that's just my opinion...Oh, and by the way, anybody who wants to taser Donald Trump has my blessing...and that's just my opinion, protected by The First Amendment.

MESSAGE TO JOHN KERRY:

a cry to cyberspace

Let Andrew Myer interview you and allow him to post the interview on his web site.

He's a kid you can handle it. Have some guts and take a chance.

Frightening that some (so many?) condemning the kid.

We rightfully ask where were the good Germans..... it's well past time to ask "where are the good Americans"?

Our constitution is a shred, our country no more, wake up Americans.

Kerry is a loser, as always. And anyone who still supports his party is a loser too..

Yeah, ets, sure.

Better that he had gone out quietly, sued, quietly, accepted a cash award along with a gag order on talking about the incident, invested his award in the stock market and got rich and lived happily ever after.

You, ets, are a typical clueless USAn.

Please read my post above again. Do you still think that the police would have reacted different had spoken his remarks and pointed questions in a "polite" manner? Weren't his questions, by their very content, "impolite"?

ets:
Do you think politeness and nonviolent resistant would've worked while Jews were boarded trains to Auschwitz? Or, would they have just been shot and rolled over with tanks?

What then?

ets

I agree that politeness is important but we are being asked to sit down and shut up while

4 million people are refugees and one million have died in an immoral war waged for profit

It may be that Bush's war will be enlarged to include Iran which might trigger a nuclear holocaust.

These are high stakes.

Yes America is crude and heartless.

(Andrew is a character, but after reading his blog, I think he has a good heart)

There is some morality that is above the law. Whether Andrew wins his case or not, he was right imo.

People are dying because the US engaged in a war for oil.

Before I made my judgment on what happened at the U.F. John Kerry speech, I looked at most (if not all) of the available videos on the Internet and read some of the print news.

We have a college student who's asking annoying questions - that's unusual - NOT! We have "jack-booted thugs" anxious to get their thrill on by using overwhelming force on an unarmed young man (6 against 1?! Good God!). We have other students observing the incident with smiles on their faces! We have a spineless Democrat standing on the stage with a MICROPHONE who doesn't use it to SPEAK UP LOUDLY to defend this young man's right to ask (annoying) questions.

This is just one more bit of evidence illuminating the death of democracy in the U.S. Dubya is isolated from all protest against his policies and Laura doesn't even realize that she's in the bubble with him; she also thinks everyone loves him. People get arrested for wearing a T-shirt touting impeachment or posting (legal) signs advertising peace rallies or for speaking up against the administration or for asking questions.

It happened then in Germany to good people and it's happening now in the U.S.

This issue is a no-brainer for true progressives. If you think for a moment that loud, obnoxious, impolite speech that addresses the issue of impeachment of a President who has committed high treason and crimes against humanity is not protected because it is delivered in a rude and impolite way, you do not understand the meaning of freedom of speech. For campus cops to taser a student who is not yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater and who is not advocating the violent overthrow of our criminal government is a violation of the U.S. constitution and if that's OK with you, you're neither progressive nor awake.

ets: Boy you sure do like to mention your First Amendment protections while simultaneously being so understanding of someone else's being removed.

Every post of yours smacks of such self-centered self-righteousness that you look like a neocon.

You are in no way special. You are no better than Mr. Meyers. Mr. Meyers is a patriot and you call it impolite.

Oh, and by the way, if politeness is a requirement to be protected by the First Amendment, you blew your protections with your little Donald Trump comment. You aren't opposed to reporting for your tasering are you? Come on over here, I'll do it myself. (I'll have to rig up a taser, but I've got years of electronic experience, you should be fine)

You say you don't want "The Andrew Meyer" leading "my" revolution. Of course you don't. You want the FU (apt name, no?) police leading YOUR revolution, right? Keeping you safe from all those who would be impolite to the rich who deserve better.

My point is, you're not winning anyone over by inferring that not being prim and proper is an illegal act deserving of restraint and force. Your (unfounded) assertation that Mr. Meyers was just trying to 'provoke' is also comming up quite empty. Just what SHOULD he have done? Not asked those questions? Tried to ask then walked away silently when it was made known that the subject matter was taboo?

That's the 'polite' thing to do right? Say 'please sir, can I have another' at the sensation of every bootfall on your face. Anything else is just provocation, right?

Where were these cops when Dick Cheney told Leahy to go F&%*K himself, or maybe Zell Miller's duel challenging?

Naomi is right, and go ahead and use the N word(Nazi)next time, it has been and getting more apropos regardless of the right's disapproval rating and recent election results. We all know what you're talking about when you say:

"using historical models to close down an open society start by using force on 'undesirables,' 'aliens,' 'enemies of the state,' and those considered by mainstream civil society to be untouchable; in other times they were, of course, Jews, Gypsies, Communists, homosexuals."

I don't want that kid to lead my revolution, either.

I, personally, think he was a jerk, grandstanding and overrriding Kerry's attempts to answer his questions, and taking more than his allotted time, but then the cops weren't angels either. They shouldn't have buzzed him (a taser is stronger and fired from a distance) since he was already down and almost out of the room by that time.

So it was a real mess at the end. Kerry was too wimpy to get things in hand, the kid was a jackass, and the cops were too handy with the stun gun.

ALL this is a symptom of our current society -- jackasses, wimps, and violence.

Where's respect, strength, and reason?

What happened to Meyers is happening all over this country; and Meyers is also represented all over this country.

A young woman recently helped leaflet a crowd of spectators in a small Barrio Parade. As she addressed a small group sitting down on the curb, a hefty woman came and told her to go away, or she would be arrested. This young woman, who is very soft-spoken, polite, and knows her rights, answered that she was doing nothing wrong and that she had the right to leaflet. Two people were on the side of the hefty woman, but all the rest were not. Had the hefty woman pressed on, believe me, the crowd would have turned on her, immediately. The big difference here is that there was no "famous" person around, with his celebrity and importance impressing the crowd into silence, and even acquiesence in what was happening to one of their own. I agree, that Kerry had the responsibility of a leader to have taken that mike and put an immediate stop to the Nazi tactics used by the college security police. Kerry has not deserved his title of political leader, and he did not deserve the "polite" ness of the crowd.

And let's all consider what happens when you dramatically increase the federal, state and local judicial budgets (more cops, more prisons, more guns) over the last 25 years, in an us-vs-them/war-on-terror enviroment. You get the same thing as a southern Kentucky town's sheriff who inherited his job from his father and now has better equipment, and better excuses. He will threaten and hurt everyone, and everyone will excuse him. How do you think a Police State works on the micro level? Watch the video and the responses.

These cops are people. We have way too many of them and they're the wrong kind of people. Our response to any conflict is force (I mean mine and yours, not just the govt), and all this discredits the few wonderful cops I know who've dedicated their life to serve and protect.

And where are many of the military/gaurd (if they come back) going to work. Yep- Blackwater and your local police station.

Was being a cop ever a good thing? I believe so, and I wish it were and I hope it will be.

Comment by Kyle Mitchell, Freelance reporter, videographer, and columnist
3 hours ago

"As more and more inquiries are being made into who Andrew Meyer really is, the picture of a young man capable and willing to manipulate this weakness of modern media becomes ever more clear.

"An avid prankster and politico, Meyer is a regular at local Gainesville political events. In the past, he has stood on a major street corner with a sign proclaiming "Harry dies" in the final book of the Potter series. His personal website lists interests that include "getting wasted."

"Moments before publicly berating Senator Kerry - who was gracious enough to allow the question beyond the allotted time available - he gave his own video camera to a complete stranger nearby, simply to ensure that the incident would be recorded. There are also some who have said that he was warned of his impending arrest, though he repeatedly asks "Why are you arresting me?" while it was happening."

"Kyle Mitchell is a graduate of the University of Florida. He has been working with The Gainesville Sun for more than four years, covering music, entertainment and news.
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&resnum=1&ct=title&ncl=1120931376&btclp=1&scoring=r

Mr. Mitchell goes on to condemn University of Flordia police in using excessive force on Meyer, and the did just that. U of Flordia police should rightly be condemned, but neither should Meyer beheld as some sort of hero of the First Amendment.

It is clear from Mr. Mitchell's account that Meyer is a provocateur.

In all likelihood, meyer is sitting in his Gainsville apartment laughing at his own cleverness.

This Article concfirms and vindicates what I posted yesterday, so here it is again....

The parallels between HITLER'S Germany and Bu$hCo Fascist America are striking…The use of patriotism, the use of religion, the use of propagandized Ultra Right Wing echo chambers like FOX, the use of National Symbols to promote nationalistic patriotism, using Military Generals to support obviously political agenda…..

If you look closely at the REAL undercurrents the list is becoming longer and longer by the day…. The good Germans were propagandized and/or pacified and/or too frightened and/or too intimidated to protest…Sounds familiar!

Why didn't the students rush in and protect one of their own???? Their obsequious response was well SHOCKING....

This Article confirms and vindicates what I posted yesterday, so here it is again....

The parallels between HITLER'S Germany and Bu$hCo Fascist America are striking…The use of patriotism, the use of religion, the use of propagandized Ultra Right Wing echo chambers like FOX, the use of National Symbols to promote nationalistic patriotism, using Military Generals to support obviously political agenda…..

If you look closely at the REAL undercurrents the list is becoming longer and longer by the day…. The good Germans were propagandized and/or pacified and/or too frightened and/or too intimidated to protest…Sounds familiar!

Why didn't the students rush in and protect one of their own???? The increased societal militancy coupled with the Students obsequious response was well....SHOCKING....

Where to start?

What should Kerry have done, or what should he do? He should not stand as a beneficiary of the Police State. He should condemn police brutality being done for his ostensible protection, and should insure that at no event in the future will it occur.

Secondly, and maybe more importantly, he needs to answer the questions: Was he in Skull and Bones, and as suggested, did he concede quickly because he never intended to win? He would most likely answer that he did so intend; fine, I hope that's a legitimate answer and he was only a wimp, not a co-conspirator. But the question is legitimate; and the tactics used to publicize that question are legitimate. I read Wasserman stuff about electoral fraud over and over on Common Dreams and NOWHERE ELSE. This kid made the news. Boys and girls, that's how you do it. That's what they did in the 60's, that's what needs to happen now. I don't have his guts; tasering has certainly upped the ante. I admire him even IF IT WAS a "publicity stunt". Publicity for himself? Likely, humans have mixed and impure motives. Publicity for the question? Let's ask it and ask it and ask it:

Senator Kerry, are you a member of Skull and Bones? Senator Kerry, did you intend to win? Senator Kerry, did you help throw the election?

If "Rent A Cops" can do this what do you think the Army will do when they are called upon to stop a protest???

I think it will be Blackwater instead of the Army. They already have bases located in the US. One in particular is just outside of Chicago.

Last Saturday the protesters got fined $45,000 for having anti-war signs. How's that for "freedom of speech/expression" in fascist America.

"
Our country is so devoid of actual dissent and activism, so filled with citizens cowed by cops and security of all sorts treating us like criminals, that stepping out of line in the smallest way or slightly breaking decorum now seems to deserve a smackdown. Acquiescence is not only expected. It will be enforced. And so many of us are willing to participate in the enforcement, rolling our eyes and laughing at those who would dare misbehave."

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/