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Meyer released from jail
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| (Charles Roop/Alligator Staff) Andrew Meyer is arraigned via closed circuit television broadcasted into the Alachua County Criminal Justice Center in Gainesville Tuesday morning. Meyer was charged with resisting arrest with violence and disturbing the peace during a forum with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) at the University of Florida Monday. Meyer was also Tasered by University of Florida Police during the scuffle. |
By KIM WILMATH
Andrew Meyer, the UF student who was Tasered and arrested by University Police Department officers Monday, was released from jail at 9 a.m. today.
Meyer, a telecommunication senior, spent the night in jail but was in good spirits, said Robert Griscti, Meyer's lawyer.
Griscti said Meyer and his family are very surprised at the UPD officers' actions and do not think using a Taser was appropriate.
Meyer, a telecommunication senior, spent the night in jail but was in good spirits, said Robert Griscti, Meyer's lawyer.
Griscti said Meyer and his family are very surprised at the UPD officers' actions and do not think using a Taser was appropriate.
He said UPD has not attempted to communicate with the family.
Aside from some minor traffic violations, Meyer has no criminal record, Griscti said, adding that he would fight for complete dismissal of the charges.
Aside from some minor traffic violations, Meyer has no criminal record, Griscti said, adding that he would fight for complete dismissal of the charges.
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July 2nd, 2009 CorrectionThe UF-Georgia football game is held annually at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The contract for the game is between UF and the city of Jacksonville. An article in Tuesday’s paper stated otherwise. |
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Kevin Andrews wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:38 AM:
" As someone who was considering UF as a graduate school option, I can say definitely I have removed the school from my list. While I think Meyer's behavoir was inappropriate, not all free speech is desirable.
Shame on UF. "
Andrew Meyer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:43 AM:
" Sorry for all the problems, I should have asked my question and waited for the answer. Did Kerry ever answer my question? "
UF Alum wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:48 AM:
" Shame on the UPD. You went overboard, guys! Trying to play Mr. Macho again ... "
proUPD wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:50 AM:
" Andrew you behaved dishonorably---next time show some class and dignity "
Clint wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:52 AM:
" I am seriously tired of hearing about police from all over the country suppressing free speech under the guise of trumped up charges like disturbing the peace. These officers are nothing but hired thugs whose sole purpose is to shut us all up. You might think it Orwellian to say so, but the truth is the truth. Mr. Meyers should not only sue the University for allowing this vulgar and barbaric treatment of people who pay to go there, but he should also sue the very officers who decided to inject him with massive electronic volts to shut him up. We the people need to take our country back. "
Michael Moore wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:53 AM:
" I love UF. Get those Republicans out of our campus. This dude tried to make a scene and got burned. It's a great day to be a Florida Gator. So what fraternity is this douche in?
Word of advice Mr. Meyer... transfer. You are tarnishing the Meyer namesake... and frankly Nathan is not very happy with you. "
Eric Kinder wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:55 AM:
" When I was an 18 year old freshman at UF Bill Clnton came to speak before the '92 election. It still ranks as a seminal event on my consciousness. This guy may have been a little high strung, but isn't passion necessary to effect change and hoild our elected officials accountable. Today I'm embarrased for UF, the university needs to step up and say that this was wrong. Andrew, check out what they are saying about you on the Huffington post and take solace. "
Ross Mittiga wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:56 AM:
" It didn't seem like there was even a real problem. Mr. Meyer absolutely did get animated, but hasn't everyone gotten passionate at one point or another? The day that this country becomes a police state that stifles free speech is the day that we have truly lost the dream that this country was founded on. The sad part was that Kerry even appeared to be answering Meyer's question as the police dragged Meyer away. Although this pales in comparison, is this not remniscient of the Kent State Shootings? We need to encourage peace keeping not promote war mongering, which was exactly what the power hungry officers did as they embarrassed our University in the auditorium, in front of a senator, and now nationally as the whole country watches CNN and gets on YouTube.
I sincerely hope some kind of repercussive action is taken on the officers involved and that University P.D. responds by appropriately training their officers for future incidents. "
The World wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:01 PM:
" Ross Mittiga, not only was UF embarrassed across the United States, these actions have embarrassed the United States around the world. I don't live in the United States, but I always thought that the one nation in the world that would respect free speech would be the United States. I guess it isn't. "
Interested Observer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:06 PM:
" Mr. Meyer is described as a journalism student. Is this how they train people in the J-School at UF? Does he even realize that when he goes to interview for jobs in the future, editors and news directors are going to realize he's the "taser guy" and steer clear of him. Maybe next time, Meyer will drop the Dane Cook rant approach and learn to ask a tough question the right way: respectfully and directly. "
Dasmee Sucka wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:06 PM:
" "Help Wanted. Apply in person @UPD", in an ideal world. (A guy can dream can't he?) (Maybe not, just heard a knock at the door. Cover Me!) "
LumbeeLady wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:10 PM:
" I think that it's sad such events occur. I think it's even sadder that people post such negative comments about Mr. Meyers behavior. The only thing that was out of order was the pathetic rent-a-cops tasering and rough housing him. Mr. Meyers was expressing his thoughts, and it was a public event- he was allowed to ask whatever- so why try to hush him up? If Mr. Kerry couldnt handle the questions, then why is he in politics. The american people are slowly giving up their rights, your allowing "the man" to persuade you to do so. Mr. Meyers, I salute you for your choice and ability to think for yourself. Fight -SUE-Win "
Bernie Machen wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:10 PM:
" Let this be a lesson for all you "Rowdy Reptiles"...this university is not a democracy but a Machenship.
P.S. The brave officers that withdrew that specimen from my auditorium will be guests in the presidential booth during the Auburn game. "
Hillary Clintons Hairy Balls wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:11 PM:
" Andrew, I want you on my campaign wagon. You are awesome...you showed no understanding of how to act in public, you did not comply to requests to stop acting like a little wussy and remove yourself, hell, they turned the mike off on you and you got louder and even more juvenile. You are the outstanding symbol of what we need in America. Hey, the UPD ask you to leave, you flipped out, the put one hand in the cuffs you still flopped around like a dick with feet, they told you the taser was coming and you still did not waiver from acting like a little wussy. Yes you andy need to be on my campaign. "
Matt Marazios wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:11 PM:
" Interested Observer: I think he has a great career ahead of him. How can someone ask a controversial question in a way that will not offend the person having to answer? You cant. I think people are totally over political correctness and sugar coating issues these days. "
Way to go, moron wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:14 PM:
" Thanks for being the face of our student body, Andrew. You really know how to carry yourself with class, and express your thoughts in an intelligent manner. The taser may have been excessive, but you're still an idiot. "
Phillip Fulmer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:15 PM:
" serves you right for not filling my order for doughnuts.
"
The plain truth wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:16 PM:
" What did he do? Duh... he is a stinking obnoxious Jew. Jews always think they are the victim. But, we all know they are loud mouth, pushy, pieces of you know what. Even Jews hate other Jews. Oh, five bucks says a Jew will be in my face about this true comment. Wait, I better bet only a dollar.... after all Jews will be involved in this bet. "
Matt Marazios wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:17 PM:
" The plain truth: I exercise my free speech to call you a MORONIC LOSER. "
Heather Shepherd wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:18 PM:
" question everything.
i commend him for freedom of speech for asking questions that should be asked. for standing up and it is my greatest desire that he file a lawsuit against the State of Florida, the University of Florida, the UF Police Department, the speaker and the promoters of the speaker for violation of his civil rights.
He is allowed to ask his questions, that is what the forum was for. The speaker should have responded and taken the student's opinion. That is what he is there for and that is what the face of UF should be.
Take a stand for your society and ask the questions that should be asked.
"
Farah wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:22 PM:
" I am REALLY saddened after watching what the UF Campus Police did to Andrew Meyer.
Andrew, I hope you bring several lawsuits against them! "
I dont' know anything... wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:22 PM:
" I'm not sure the taser was appropriate (in fact it probably wasn't), but I believe he was asked to stop speaking, and he kept on going, so they were going to escort him out of the building. That's when he put up the fight. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but if you're time is up, then it's up. If they ask you to stop then stop. It would have all ended peacefully if he would have just shut up when asked.
What did you do Mr. Meyer?
1) Kept talking when your time was up and you were asked to stop
2) Put up a fight when they tried to escort you out
3) Disrupted the event by screaming and resisting arrest
Am I missing something here? "
Matt Marazios wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:25 PM:
" I dont' know anything: I think he spent about a minute asking a question. That isn't much time really. Sixty seconds asking a question, and then you get arrested for it? No, why should anyone have to obey an unlawful arrest? "
Bobby Bowden wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:28 PM:
" Coach Meyers needs to start worrying about his football team and not this. What in the samhill is he doing popping off his mouth in a church with a crat? Dadgumit? Also, anybody know where Chris Rix is - I needs a quarterback. - Coach "
Howard wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:29 PM:
" From the vido was he tasered while on the ground subdued? What is the consensus here? "
Bob Wassmer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:33 PM:
" So now we can expect instances of disorderly conduct (if that's what this was) where 6 officers surround and apprehend one unarmed man to end with the use of a high voltage shocking device? In front of an audience of seated graduate students and a former presidental candidate, yet?
The bar is being set ever lower. "
michael wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:33 PM:
" Thank you for revealing the fact that free speech is no longer allowed in this country. Kerry cannot be allowed to have tough quesitons becuase he is too important.
The police should all be fired and never allowed to carry a weapon again. "
MG wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:42 PM:
" Andrew, no one is pulling for you. The new ipods are coming out next week. "
Shap wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:46 PM:
" The Plain Truth - are you a troll or a Nazi?
Either way, do America a favor, and euthanize yourself.
That means die. "
John Kerry wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:47 PM:
" When he mentioned 'Skull and Bones', I had to give the order to taser him. "
Sam wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:49 PM:
" Free speech is alive and well at UF. Thrashing around like some brat on PCP is not the way to go. "
to andrew meyer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:53 PM:
" Unlike most journalism today, which is exactly like sports reporting, Meyer was (trying to be) articulate and was citing specific facts that Greg Palast uncovered in his investigation of the 2004 election, in order to frame a question he was asking Senator Kerry ("Now, with these 45 reasons I've shown not to concede on election day, why did you concede the election on election day?") He gave several examples from the book he was holding and referencing. He didn't have his question written down, and he did have intimidating police hovering around himj, like a pack of wolves, interupting him continually. I'd like to see you do a better job of asking a pointed and specific question from memory, with all of that harrassment taking place. He was not on a never-ending diatribe.
I know you guys that like football are satisfied from an intense post-game interview that goes like this... "How did you guys manage to pull this off??" "Well, the quarterback was throwing the ball really good today." "And what about the running game?!" "Oh, the half back was in great form, so we won!" "OK, Thanks!" In politics this goes like this, "Isn't Saddam evil?" "OH YES!" "Should we attack Iraq?" "Of course, they have WMD!" "OK, thanks! Anything else you'd like to add?" "Saddam helped with 911."
But, some people actually like real questions of substance (or one could say intellectuals have deeper questions), which a journalist/interview has to put into context so the person he is questioning can't give such a simple and meaningless answer. Meyer is accused of rambling and refusing to ever let go of the spotlight (by people with no attention span who are totally accustomed to the sport-reporting type of journalism, examples above) because he was asking real questions, and framing those questions with real and pertinenet information. Of course, the Senator, when he answered, gave a quickee answer, avoiding all of Meyer's specific points, "Oh, well, we didn't think the voting problems were enough to change the outcome."
After asking the first question, with the pack of wolves behind him seeming hungrier and more rabid by the passing of each second, he did ask his other questions more quickly, with far less framing, but those questions were never answered. And after he was done asking his questions, the pack of wolves assaulted him and rapidly escalated the assault. One second Meyer is having an intellectual dialog with another intellectual, a Senator, and the next second he is being dragged around the room (for some reason not directly out of the room, though, probably because they are Keystone Kops) and then moments later being tackled and threatened to be tased, when he's done nothing wrong, and as it must seem to him, not upset the Senator who is saying "let me answer the question." Meyer was probably under the impression that "let me answer the question" implies "while you stand there and listen" not "while you get beaten up and shoved/kicked/dragged around the room by a pack of rabid wolves (and then, as icing on the cake, tazed a couple times)." He was probably genuinely wondering why the hell they were doing this to him. He was probably genuinely hoping someone would help him when he screamed for help. You need to remember he is a journalism major, not a drama school acting major.
Just another American reporter being dragged around and tortured by terrorists, that's all it is. "
Jeff Caswell wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:57 PM:
" Yes. Sue the police department. Demand that the officers be suspended. Put the entire department through training tt some so obviously never got in their criminal justice education programs. Demand that the hiring procss screen prospective officers more closely to lessen the chance of getting cowboys on the force. And require a police officer continuing education program be put in place.
Equally important ... somehow instill in that group of seemingly apathetic students the idea that freedom and its protection is the job of every individual. There should have been an instantaneous outcry against the incident with an ongoing protest demonstration. Alas ... give young poeple a car, an iPod, a laptop, a cell phone, and a bit of booze and they're pacified indefinitely. Times have changed. "
Ryan Radcliff wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:58 PM:
" Good to see you out and safe man. Us Tampa boys got your back. "
Allan D wrote on Sep 18, 2007 12:59 PM:
" The kid isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he did not deserve to have deadly force used to make him obedient. Props to John Kerry for answering his question and for initially trying to calm things down. "
Chill Out UF wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:00 PM:
" For those of you who are claiming police brutality...maybe you should look it up. If you resist arrest or the verbal commands of the arresting police officer...they CAN taser you!!! "
Pierce R. Butler wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:02 PM:
" This is why some cops in the '60s came to be called pigs.
The John Kerry of the '60s would have come to the defense of a victim of police brutality. Thirty-plus years of Washington politics have turned a once-strong American into an empty suit. "
Ryan again wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:02 PM:
" Hey guy above me read this quote and learn something.
"Supreme courts in various states have ruled that anybody has the right to resist an unlawful arrest, even if it is made by a peace officer."
How bout them apples? "
Dr. Buttwrinkle wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:06 PM:
" I say we all take our clothes off and have a sit in a the Presidents office in protest.
"
UF, come on wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:07 PM:
" The cops shouldn't have done what they did. They overreacted, just like the LAPD did with Rodney King, and they should've tried to keep their cool. Cops have a history of being nervous whenever a VIP is giving a speech and students happen to be around. (For example: someone once threw a pie at an Israeli government official - I forget if it was Natan Sharansky or someone else - and got busted for it at Rutgers.) "
To the Plain Truth wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:09 PM:
" Shut up. Antisemitism isn't going to make the discussion any better. would you like to fast for Yom Kippur? It's coming up. "
A Democrat wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:11 PM:
" GORE WON! KERRY LOST! And Bush still has to return an election that he stole in 2000. Nuff said. "
Jack wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:12 PM:
" Hey Ryan...define unlawful arrest in this context then. How much more clearer did UPD need to make things to Mr. Meyer? This is not about supressing his speach, hell, I want to know Sen. Kerrys anwers to Meyers questions. But what if, let's say I come into your forum and regardless of topic, act like a total jagoff, you asked me leave...I won't. You turn off the mike, I get louder. You call for assistance and I go stupid and resist. I get repeatedly asked to leave and leave peacably, and I won't. What do you do? Seriously, what would you do?
I cannot believe this idiots actions are ripping through the Gator Nation like this. This is all about Meyer, nothing more, and this kid is going to laugh this all the way to the bank. "
dundergator wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:14 PM:
" Sure, whine all you want about how the government of this country and all its officials are stepping on your right to free speech, yada yada yada. Do you know what would have happened to Andrew had this been North Korea or China and he had called out a political leader? Not only would he have been removed from the assembly, but he would be dead in a ditch somewhere. Americans have no right to complain about how their right to free speech is being squelched. There are plenty of people out there who know what it's really like to live in an oppressive society. You all should thank your lucky stars that you live in the country you do. Ingrates. "
getting naked now wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:15 PM:
" I am with Dr. Buttwrinkle...TO THE PRESIDENTS OFFICE....AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! "
Ryan once again wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:15 PM:
" Jack be nimble, listen up.
Name the reason why he was arrested?
...
Silence?
Oh yeah there was no reason.
Verdict?
Verdict: UNLAWFUL "
OJ Simpson wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:17 PM:
" You guys argue over a silly incident whilst I rot in jail with no bail on framed charges. Get lives!! "
Angela wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:18 PM:
" Andrew is a good friend of mine and I think that what the UPD did to him was unwarranted and shameful. Andrew deserves to have all of the charges dropped because this situation was an unnecessary display of police abusing their power. "
Watch the video wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:18 PM:
" Personally, I also place blame on John Kerry himself. As he had the floor, and an amplified microphone, he should have told the campus police to back off and let him answer the question. This man aspired to be President of the United States of America and he couldn't take control of his own security. "
Britney Spears wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:21 PM:
" Oh come on! Getting tasered is nothing compared to getting thrown out of the Chateau Marmont for smearing food over your face and being supposedly disruptive. Those nutty waiters! Oh wait, and could I please have my kids back? I need to teach them the art of bong usage. "
FYI wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:22 PM:
" The 2007 Florida Statutes
Title XLVII
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS Chapter 943
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT View Entire Chapter
943.1717 Use of dart-firing stun guns.--
(1) A decision by a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer to use a dart-firing stun gun must involve an arrest or a custodial situation during which the person who is the subject of the arrest or custody escalates resistance to the officer from passive physical resistance to active physical resistance and the person:
(a) Has the apparent ability to physically threaten the officer or others; or
(b) Is preparing or attempting to flee or escape.
(2) The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission shall establish standards for instructing law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers in the use of dart-firing stun guns. The instructional standards must include the effect that a dart-firing stun gun may have on a person.
(3) The basic skills course required for certification as a law enforcement officer must include instruction on the use of dart-firing stun guns. The portion of the basic skills course on the use of dart-firing stun guns must be a minimum of 4 hours' duration.
(4) A law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer who has not received the dart-firing stun gun training described in subsection (3) and who is authorized by his or her employing or appointing agency to carry a dart-firing stun gun after the effective date of this act must complete, before issuance and use of a dart-firing stun gun, the 4-hour dart-firing stun gun training described in subsection (3) or an equivalent training course provided by the officer's employing or appointing agency in accordance with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission standards outlined in subsection (2).
(5) After completing the basic skills course, each law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officer who is authorized by his or her agency to use a dart-firing stun gun must complete an annual training course on the use of dart-firing stun guns. The annual training course on the use of dart-firing stun guns must be a minimum of 1 hour duration.
History.--s. 5, ch. 2006-298.
"
Jack wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:22 PM:
" Mr. Meyer was arrested for and was charged with resisting an officer with violence, a third-degree felony, and disturbing the peace, a second-degree misdemeanor. Verdict, TBD. "
Dr. Buttwrinkle to Angela wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:26 PM:
" I feel your pain. Attend the Sit In at the Presidents Office and begin the healing of this tragedy. "
SadAlum wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:29 PM:
" What a poorly acted, pansy display. There are many more mature and civil ways to speak at forums. First, pick your topic, ask the question in the allocated time frame, and wait for the answer. When you are removed from anything by police and you resist - it is called resisting and their are penalties for it. This whining attention-getter is getting what he wanted. I guess the police should have just let him monopolize the forum. Maybe he could have got on stage with Mr. Kerry and they could have sang a song together. Please, have self-respect, don't champion this hack. "
peter wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:34 PM:
" his ranting and raving as annoying as it may have been is irrelevant here. this guy did nothing illegal being passionate in front of a microphone is not against the law. you can spin this to be a resiting arrest which by looking at the video shows that he did, but this occurred because the cops decided it was time to make a confrontation, violate the well eroded first amendment right of this individual and censor him by using an already shady disorderly conduct law to initialize this violation. so yeah when the dust settles on this and "investigations" are done it will show that a text book resisting arrest did happen. what I do not see here is the 6 loser cops here being disciplined for violating this guys fundamental right to speech and there decision to confront this guy into breaking a law that is so easy to break when put in such a position. if this was a bible thumping loud mouth screaming Jesus every other word this would have never happened. but when it comes to questions of true American concerns such as Meyers, since authority is unable to answer the tough questions with a strait face this sort of thing happens. John Kerry and any other politicians out there need to know that the american public is sick and tired of being sick and tired of the obvious political climate. "
Kerry's Willing Executioners wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:41 PM:
" This incident somes up Bush-era America. A billionaire oligarch comes to talk and a student has the courage to ask him difficult -- and excellent -- questions about the assault on the democratic rights of the American people. The students running the event, trying to ingratiate themselves with the ruling class and the political establishment, try to silence him, since he's embarassing them by asking a critical, left-wing question. When that doesn't work, the cops silence him with brutal violence. Could it be any more obvious that the role of the police is to repress opposition to the ruling class?
Shame on all of you who have said he got what he deserved and have glorified the police. Such reverence for brutality and authority is the hallmark of a dirty little fascist. The support of right-wingers for the police in this incident is ample proof that they are prepared to torture and even kill political opponents who get in the way of their accumulation of massive wealth, criminals wars, and assaults on liberty and democracy.
If I were a UF professor, I would quit over this unless appropriate action is taken by the university. I hope some professors will have the courage to threaten to do so.
Every single one of those cops should be tasered, fired, and put in prison. "
Pathetic wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:46 PM:
" Nothing illegal? Pushing away the officers was the 'line in the sand' that the idiot crossed. Hasn't he ever watched the evening news or an episode of COPS? From there, it was the point of no return and led to the drama that followed. Notice that in the video, almost exactly at 30 seconds from him taking over the microphone that the officer asked him to finish. Way over 1 minute after that, he was finally rambling out his question. Obviously, the guy suffers from ADD. "
Matt Marazios wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:50 PM:
" They want to have him up on felony charges. The student body needs to (virtually) lynch these thug police officers and send a message to them that this is uncalled for. They should be the ones up on a felony, not Meyer. Send out a clear message. Remember, these aren't just Meyer's rights, but also your rights that you should be protecting. If the cops get away with this, they could use it as a license to taser you. "
Common Sense wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:52 PM:
" Whether or not it was right for him to be forcibly removed is a separate issue from him being tasered. He was physically resisting the officers and they gave him more than a fair opportunity to come along peacefully. I think tasering individuals resisting police officers is a legitimate non-lethal way to subdue them. "
This is funny wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:52 PM:
" Best part of the video, besides watching this kid scream like a little girl when getting tasered are the two guys in the audience laughing at him. With all this furor over this not one person had the nuts at the time to stick up for Andy, but after the fact the campus has turned into the Andy Support Group. A whole room full of people and no one at the time had nuts to act. What a joke. "
Tanner wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:53 PM:
" He was just getting passionate about a subject and trying to give people background info befor he got to his questions. There was no need to taser a student who was just asking a question while being passionate about the subject. Even John Kerry can be heard in some of the videos telling the cops to let him ask his question. I respect you Andrew and hopefully the bogus charges will be dropped and UF will realize that free speech is part of the constitution. "
Matt Marazios wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:55 PM:
" Pathetic: So the cops should be allowed to arrest anyone at any time for no reason whatsoever? If you think that way, perhaps you should move to China or Iran. "
Cops Fault, NOT! wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:55 PM:
" 843.01 Resisting officer with violence to his or her person.--Whoever knowingly and willfully resists, obstructs, or opposes any office FY
871.01 Disturbing schools and religious and other assemblies.--
(1) Whoever willfully interrupts or disturbs any school or any assembly MM
Watch the video, the kid is resisting. The officers had every right to not only remove the individual but also tase him. The officers gave lawful orders and he failed to comply while continuing to fight back.
In law enforcement we call this the Monday Morning Quaterback. The hypocrites that do not know the law, but want to make accusations and threats based on what they think should be the law.
As for laws on use of the Taser- FDLE Standard per use of Force Continuum.
When the subject grabs, pushes, pulls or tenses, after the officer has told him he is under arrest for disorderly conduct, he (the suspect) dictated what level of force was going to be used against him. By procedure he is an "active" resistor and the use of a taser is authorized. It is a nationally accepted standard.
Before you continue on and think the cops did something wrong, know your laws and rights! "
CJ wrote on Sep 18, 2007 1:55 PM:
" Now we can look for his ugly mug on the morning news crying about injustice and outlawing tasers....why won't he and others admit that the moment he resisted the officers, he was breaking the law...oh, that's right, we don't have to obey them anymore as a nation of "free" people. He got what he deserved and if finds himself in a similar position again and resists, we'll hear that "zapping" noise even clearer. Having participated in protests as a young man and subsequently being hauled off by the authorities, there is a line that isn't to be crossed without expecting some consequences when dealing with police officers. Grow up Andrew! "
Moses wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:01 PM:
" Contact John Kerry and remind him of his cowardice in this incident: http://kerry.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm "
George III wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:02 PM:
" Law breakers get tasered. End of story. Litterers, beware! "
Shamed liberal wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:04 PM:
" this kid's free speech may have been violated but that doesn't change the fact that this is exactly the kind of thing that makes Americans think liberals are intellectually condescending and insanely out of touch. "
Dr. Buttwrinkle wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:05 PM:
" Naked Sit In at 4:15 @ the Presidents Office. Lets bare azz for Andrew!!! "
David Byrne wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:07 PM:
" I hate people when they're not polite! qu'est que c'est... "
old school wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:10 PM:
" to the asshole anti-semite: you might like school in Idaho better; perhaps even russia would be good. you won't hear many free comments there without assasination. "
Democracy Lite wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:16 PM:
" This kid's free speech may have been violated, but he embarassed me and I really didn't like what he had to say. "
nbc6.net wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:18 PM:
" http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=157250
Watch the video of the entire confrontation... "
Bill O'Reilly wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:20 PM:
" The next time UF brings in a liberal speaker, they should just remove all security. Let the liberals show their true nature. "
Andrew M is a moron wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:23 PM:
" Andrew Mayer was completely idiotic for blowing up at a bunch of cops as he was being hauled off by their figurative cane (exit, stage...left, or something like that). Yes, he had a right to speak. Yes, the presenters had a right to say he was taking too long and to cut him off for it. Yes, the cops had the right to usher him off the stage. No, he did not have a right fo blow up all over the place, and the cops DID have to calm him down. But did they need to taser and arrest him (and to charge him with a felony)? The cops are still nuts. "
Rahn wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:25 PM:
" Andrew, The people at the Ron Paul meetup group in your area would welcome you. The best thing you can do for yourself is work for Ron Paul.
Ron Paul stands for Liberty and Freedom, these concepts have been lost in this Country. Because some people confuse Liberty and Freedom with " Sex, Drugs and Rock-n-Roll"
Those things may be someones expression of their Freedom, but they are not what Freedom is about.
Free speech was delivered another blow by the facist attitude of current American thought. No one will fight for us, we must do it ourseleves. Elect Ron Paul President is only step one.
Andrew, you are a Patriot and like all who claim the Right to be called such you may suffer, we are sorry for your sufferings but take strengh in the fact that your plight will help to unite Freedom loving Americans to TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!
Vote Ron Paul.
"
To Pathetic wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:27 PM:
" ADD? Possible. ADD sometimes leads people to have rambling thoughts (just catch my mom at any typical moment, lol), and they've sometimes been known to blow up when interrupted in the middle of something, or ticked off, or some other nonsense. "
Gud Speler wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:30 PM:
" To the Ron Paul supporter: A certain word has the difficulty of being hard to spell: "fascist". It's quite common to call it "facist" or "facism" - suggesting that the ideology has to do with people's faces, rather than strong government. In which case, we'd have to include all the supermodels as "facists", lol. "
Chiquita wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:30 PM:
" Andrew was on the floor being held down by no less than 3 police officers and clearly not being a physical threat when he got tasered. He was already under the physical control of the officers so in my opinion, tasering him was unnecesary. That excessive use of force is what I have a problem with. He should sue UPD. "
Nancy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:31 PM:
" If you're going to exercise your free speech, make sure that you have something worthwhile to say. Andrew didn't follow this simple rule. "
Gator Grad wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:32 PM:
" I don't see why four officers need a taser to subdue one man. Batons are cheaper! "
Translation wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:32 PM:
" The use of a taser on a long-winded ideologue is UF's way of saying 'Shhhhh' "
Mark wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:34 PM:
" He deserves to be charged and convicted. Just because you agree with his looney theories about the Iraq war does not change the fact that he was resisting arrest with violence - the statute is clear. "
Smelling lots of Bullshit wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:38 PM:
" This is a touchy situation but in the end it should have never happened. From what I saw on the YouTube video of the incident the entire situation was initiated by the questionable citizens that are the UPD. Was Meyer being a loud mouth? Yes. Does that give them the right to remove him from the room? No. If Meyer had no reason to be arrested in the first place the resisting arrest charge, and all the charges for that matter, is bullshit. UF is a public institution so if the only thing someone is doing is practicing their right to free speech there is NO valid reason to remove him. I don't agree with the religious fanatics in Turlington but I don't say anything because it is their right to preach BS too.
This seems to be another situation of a politician trying to pump the public full of lies. These Q&A's always have pre-screened questions and as soon as someone tries to throw a wrench in the works and really make the politician think, they try to shut him up.
The attitude of UPD shows in a general hatred for students. They are not here to protect us, they are here to control us. Fight back if you can (legal ways only please). Machen cares about the school's reputation, not the individual students and it shows in this situation.
To Mr. Meyer: I hope everything works out for you. I have a feeling you will be fine.
To the officers and the people who requested for Meyer's removal: You are the reason our current generation just lays over and takes it. You try so hard to limit our input that we eventually give up. I hope all of you lose your jobs, your reputation and your future. You are truly the scum of the Earth. "
Chiquita wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:38 PM:
" "Andrew M is a moron" said it best. Andrew should have realized (much sooner) that he needed to calm down...but the police reacted WAY OVERBOARD. Sue them! Making them pay may be the only way to ensure they do not abuse their power again! "
re: tasering laws wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:38 PM:
" "As for laws on use of the Taser- FDLE Standard per use of Force Continuum. When the subject grabs, pushes, pulls or tenses, after the officer has told him he is under arrest for disorderly conduct, he (the suspect) dictated what level of force was going to be used against him. By procedure he is an "active" resistor and the use of a taser is authorized. It is a nationally accepted standard. "
Well, with all due respect, that law is a bit overblown, making it rather idiotic in practice, even if the idea behind it might've been rational. If someone so much as lifts a finger he or she can be tasered (tensing of muscles in a finger). The law needs to be changed to reduce absurdity. "
Chill Will wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:40 PM:
" Meyer may not have deserved what he got, but he got what he was asking for. "
Cut to the Chase wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:43 PM:
" Suggestion: place electrodes in the floor in front of the microphone. If a speaker goes on too long or ticks off somebody, let the audience 'vote' by giving them a hit. None one has the right to be boring. The extent of the jolt will be governed by the number of people in the audience applying it. of course, there will be a limit (we don't want to kill anybody, just shut them up). Also, the area may need to be hosed down after a particularly grueling episode. "
Gator Grad wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:45 PM:
" Alright... I have had enough of this as I am a UF grad (2005). I have since gone on YouTube to see this so-called tasering of Meyer. And within two seconds of doing a quick search - you can tell that this was a provocation and dare I say it - the tasering is completely justified.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bVa6jn4rpE
First off - you'll notice that several videos have Mr. Meyer on camera phone - PRIOR to him even speaking. As in - he preemptively said to his buddies - "hey wait until i am up there on camera - get film of this because I'm going to spout off at the mouth." Kind of like a Terrell Owens - get your popcorn ready spiel. Because of that - any credibility of so-called free speech is out the window. His sole goal was to go up there, cause a scene, be provocative... and then when somebody called him on it by shutting off his mic - his goal was to be a complete d-bag. Mission accomplished. Here's the problem though... continue watching some of the real footage (not the cut up Fox News footage) where you see the altercation from the back of the room... where the officer says - "you are going to be tasered if you continue". Call me crazy, but if somebody told me I was going to be tasered - I'd probably go ok - goof is over... just kidding... it was just a joke people. But no - he continues to be disruptive. He even went as far as to curse at a cop. Was the tasering necessary? Probably not. Did it finally shut him up? Yes (for about three seconds) and he goes right back to being obstructive again.
I just don't get what he was trying to prove. But then again... there is a difference between him and I - I graduated... he won't. "
Megan wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:49 PM:
" I believe Meyer was insinuating the whole thing. He leaned over to his friend and told him to "get his video camera out" because he would "wanna get this" before he went up to ask his question. Then, even after being permitted to rant, he refused to follow the officers escort out of the building and decided to start screaming and making a scene. He knew this would be in the headlines today before he even went up there. I think the officers responded properly and according to their protocol. It was definitely was not police brutality. Meyer was being extremely dramatic and immature. "
Pulling for Meyer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:49 PM:
" Although I believe Mr. Meyer showed extraordinarily bad judgment in resisting arrest (lying on the floor with a Taser pointed at him continuing to scream while the cops were pleading with him to shut up and quit resisting), I do not blame him in the least for being furious about being squelched about his initial questions.
He had excellent questions, and it is very frustrating to me that over the commotion no one heard Kerry's answer.
He asked many questions that myself and many Americans share about voting machines, the Skull and Bones and the manipulation of our republic and our civil liberties. Why did this have to escalate into violence?
I think Meyer was goading the cops into zapping him on the floor, either that, or he was beside himself with anger and wanting to act out.
That's the difficult thing about this situation. There are two very valid sides. He should have been allowed to finish his speech, although he was certainly using more than his allotted time, anything would be preferable to the violence that ensued. He also should have quit fighting once he was pinned on the ground and he would not have been hurt.
Then again, perhaps he was hoping the outpouring of public sympathy would shield him from the legal consequences of resisting arrest. Maybe he had the presence of mind to think of that during drama. "
Chucky wrote on Sep 18, 2007 2:50 PM:
" Don't taze me bro!
That's funny! That should be the 21st century phrase embroidered on the Gadsen Flag replacing "Don't Tread On Me" "
Reality Check wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:13 PM:
" To everyone saying free speech is dead in America: What do you call this forum? You can say anything you want here, nothing will happen to you. You can say anything you want in class, with your friends, on the street, etc. The fact that this is such a huge story is proof that free speech is still alive and well, because when it is (wrongly percieved to be) under attack, people freak out. "
Andy Handy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:14 PM:
" When Andrew Mayer said no, he meant yes.
"Don't tase me, bro!"
translation: "Do tase me, the whole world's watching, I want to go to jail and I want to get on the 6 pm news!"
LMAO "
Barry G wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:16 PM:
" Andrew did nothing different then any one from Moveon.org, any of the "so called" peace marches, the members of the workers world party, etc. etc...
If people are sick of their banter and bs they just yell louder, make more noise, or interrupt others.
That is the new liberal play book. Don't respect anyone else unless they believe EXACTLY the way you believe.
I love how the people that scream for freedom of speech are the same people that will try and interrupt or even suppress people with opposing view points. But that is what the new left is all about! Do as I say and not as I do! "
YOU SMELL BACON?? wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:22 PM:
" WRONG! I am so disappointed at UF right now. what fools. i guess thats why they work for UPD and not the real police, they are too idiodic to know a real crime when they see one. so embarrassing...i hope andrew goes on to sue!! "
Bobby Jones wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:28 PM:
" Maybe we can get Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to swing by here when they leave the Jena, LA march on Thursday. Oh I forgot they don't march for injustice done to white kids. "
UFquietkid wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:35 PM:
" A similar incident happened at UCLA, and it didn't hurt their reputation. Months from now, no one will even remember this kid. Don't let this isolated incident fool you into thinking that UF might not be the school for you. I'm not a big fan of John Kerry, but this could have happened anywhere, as long as you have students who crave attention. "
Chucky wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:50 PM:
" I have to agree with 'Plainer truth'. The anti-semitic rant by 'the plain truth' is much more troubling than this whiny kid getting tazed. Throw in a few punches for me if the coward bothers to show up. "
Nobody wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:50 PM:
" Amazing how many attorneys there are on this site! All of you moron freshmen need to go research the First Amendment. It doesn't extend nearly as far as you think it does. This moron overstepped his bounds, they shut off the microphone (which they're allowed to do) and he continued to make a scene. The police are well within their duties to remove him. Instead of cooperating, this disgrace to UF decided to flail his arms and make an even bigger scene. At that point, it is considered disturbing the peace. He further tried to get out of police custody and clearly resisted the arrest with violence.
Leave UF. You bring disgrace to an otherwise honored institution. "
Dr. Buttwrinkle wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:50 PM:
" To the Presidents office people...we will stage a Naked Sit In until the UPD is disbanded, all charges against Meyer are dropped and the UPD officers involved are arrested.
"
Christian Duque wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:54 PM:
" While they investigate all UPD officers should be suspended WITHOUT pay.
TheRadikal.com "
Any Black American Living in the city wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:57 PM:
" Hello and Welcome to last week. "
The Management wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:59 PM:
" to Dr. Buttwrinkle...
only Tri Delts, DG's and KD's are permitted to take part in the naked sit-in.
No Phi Moo's allowed! - The Management "
Derek wrote on Sep 18, 2007 3:59 PM:
" The idiot at the top (Michael Moore) who said something about "getting republicans out of UF" is the one who should be tasered. Clearly he didn't listen to the left-wing diatribe eminating from Andrew Meyer's mouth before he posted that comment. The kid clearly isn't a Republican since the primary jist of his question was "why aren't you in office as president, and because of this, why aren't you making more of an effort to impeach Bush?"
In either case, I support Andrew. Shame on the thugs at UFPD for being so hasty to use force in a situation that Kerry self-admittedly declared he could have resolved from the podium, just as the town hall meeting was designed to do. Although all parties could have handled themselves better (save Kerry, this is the first time I can admit to being impressed with him), UFPD was clearly in the wrong here. Andrew, sue the hell out of the university...even as a conservative who loves watching democrats take a beating, in this case I'm 100% behind you! "
Plainest Truth wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:00 PM:
" This kid was asked to leave and did not. I think I'll go crash Congress, and tell them to all go to hell. Maybe I'll go check out a Democrat's function and tell them they are all communists and love terrorism. According to most of the (ill-informed) hippies on this site, I can do that and nobody can stop me. "
Benji wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:09 PM:
" this is EXACTLY like what happened at UCLA last year... except here you can't even use charges of racism against rent-a-cops who went overboard. now i value campus safety, and understand that tasers may be necessary, but once again, the student was ON THE GROUND before he was shot... unnecessary abuse of power. the officers need to be fired and sued. they have brought disgrace to UF. "
Ron Burgundy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:22 PM:
" Dude, you clearly elevated the situation with your behavior. Take your punishment like a man. "
Reply to Benji wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:22 PM:
" Simple-minded much? Just look at the video! They told him to stop moving. Repeatedly. He kept flailing his arms while on the ground. There were only two cops on him at that point, with three surrounding. They had to get him into cuffs. He continued to resist. I don't know about you, but when a cop threatens me with a tazor, I'm backing down. I've had a cop look me directly in the eyes and tell me he was going to tazor me if I didn't leave. Being a person of average-to-above-average intelligence, I got the hell out of there. People that get tazored usually deserve it. This is one of those cases. "
Doug Michaud wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:26 PM:
" Watching the video made me sick. I am a security officer and those police went WAY too far. That is police abuse, plain and simple. Andrew, Make sure you sue All the police involved, the department, and the university. Those police should be fired and tasered too. That police department should hang their heads in shame. What a disgrace. "
democracy my ass wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:30 PM:
" anyone who does not believe that we are ever getting closer to the words of the book 1984 is in a real state of denial. you all wonder why when we start to preach democracy around the world that no one takes us seriously unless of course its by the barrel of a gun. shame on all of you who accept some code compliance literature written by fascists law makes as justification to confront and censor someone for being loud which is not against the law. "
wipedistoo wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:35 PM:
" well I come to read da paper and see you deleted my coment bout dis evnt nice to kno dat sensor ship exists in your paper as well as your auditoriums. goto history class dumarsses and perhaps u'd see it beginning to repeat it self!!! taser everyone who questions authority!!!! "
just an observer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:37 PM:
" i'm glad someone just made the connection to the ucla case last semester. from what i've seen on the videos, both cases are repellent. agree or disagree with mr. meyer, agree or disagree whether he "resisted arrest" - if a half-dozen cops need to taser an immobile guy while he's on the ground, then U of F should seriously reassess their minimum requirements for hiring campus security. sheesh.............. "
re Nobody wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:44 PM:
" get your facts straight and watch the entire video and not the edited version that the news agencies are showing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaiWCS10C5s Andrew Meyer has clearly stepped away peacefully from the microphone said “thank you for cutting off my microphone” and taken several steps when he is grabbed by several police officers and for what? Speaking to John Kerry after John Kerry has made it clear that he wants to answer AM’s question. The police caused the disturbance not Andrew Meyer. "
Ryan Banfill wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:52 PM:
" I saw this video from former Alligator editor/UF grad Ron Sachs very critical of UPD and wanted to share it with you. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM_bfTAbY8s
"
NFL wrote on Sep 18, 2007 4:54 PM:
" We have reason to believe Bill Belichick taped the entire event, we will begin our investigation immediately. "
WMO wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:03 PM:
" Meyer appears to have been asking a tendentious question that wore on the patience of the audience (though not on the patience of Senator Kerry). I've attended many such events at my institution and there are always students (and not a few faculty) who ask drawn-out questions. That's their prerogative as students and members of a university community. It's also the prerogative of others in the audience to razz and cajole them. All of this is part of the give and take of free speech.
Free speech should be least restrained at a university public forum of all places. Thus, the arrest of this student is particularly disturbing. Some may fault Meyer for not complying with the university police who stepped in to shut him up. But he was doing nothing wrong-- he was a student asking a tendentious question at a public forum. I find Meyer's resistance at that point absolutely appropriate. Obnoxious as he may have been, Meyer stood up all at that moment who value discourse over coercion.
The contrast could not have been more stark: the physical coercion of the police-- their strong arming and violent stunning and incapacitation of the student-- and Meyer's attempt to engage in civil (if irritating) discourse. Much is at stake here. Our universities must remain places where Americans can engage in civic discourse on difficult and divisive issues. We must support this principle with no equivocation. "
Tim wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:14 PM:
" I just found this 'don't taze me bro t-shirt on cafepress:
http://www.cafepress.com/donttazemebro "
Jim wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:21 PM:
" Sorry folks, following a few simples rules (that we all should have learned in Kindergarten) helps to make a meeting go smoothly and productive, and allow everyone to leave under their own power.
- one person talk at a time
- don't raise your voice
- follow the guidelines, rules or whatever you call them
- listen as much as you talk
If I were to loose control of myself at the mic during a public meeting, act as if I were trying to incite the crowd, raise my voice at the hosts and a U.S. Senator, refuse to desist, and resist a law enforcemetn officer, I would expect to be restrained by force.
Having traveled to third world countries where there was little law enforcement, let alone honest LE, I appreciate every moment of the day the people who lay their lives on the line daily to keep me and my family safe.
(I am on a roll here ). If you don't like our goverment and LE, please consider moving to Zimbabwe. If you have an opinion, pls express it in a way so we can really hear what you were saying.
Respectfully, Jim
"
Mitch in WI wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:23 PM:
" Questions:
Uh, when was the policy adopted that made weapon-carrying police the arbiters of the "time limit" in any political discussion or "town meeting"?
I'm certain that the UF police have been under a lot of strain after the VT/Cho shootings. My sympathy tells me they've been "on" ever since: high alert. That's gotta be some strain. But haven't you yourself been entirely unable to resist using a new tool or toy? Hell, I get a new drill and I find myself making up unnecessary projects that require the drill. I'm told that, if you're not a smoker, you can SMELL when an armed officer is excited to use their weapon.
Last question: Who, other than Andrew himself, had a better view of the entire incident than Sen. John Kerry? Who had the central mic with the big amplifiers? Yet he just stood there. Sure, he said "I'll answer his question..." Whatever. Kerry had center stage; he had the floor; he was MC. He declined to take command, to take leadership. I voted for Kerry in 2004. This incident makes me sad for the pathetic choices we Americans have for our representative leaders. "
Let's make it fair. wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:28 PM:
" If students get physically removed and tasered for going over their time, then candidates of national debates should have the same treatment. "
Attendee wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:29 PM:
" He resisted the cops and even after being told to cooperate he pulled his hands free and said "Get the F*CK off me" Force was the only measure considering these cops carry dangerous weapons and the suspect was out of control, he's lucky they didn't nail him with a baton. "
he's an idiot wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:30 PM:
" I believe when the Meyer mentioned clinton getting a bj, his journalistic integrity was out the window..give me a break, ranting and asking a question are two different things. taze on "
z wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:35 PM:
" What? Clinton DID get a bj. Monica Lewinsky's dress proves it. that being said, Andrew Meyer was a ranting idiot. "
quiet now wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:36 PM:
" lol screamed like the loser he is.... should have kept calm and did what was asked...wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..nooooooooooooo dont tazerme........ hmmm
"
Buzz wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:38 PM:
" Robert Duvall played a character in a movie who said "Ah Napalm! There is nothing like the smell of Napalm in the morning."
To paraphrase and as an educator who has attended his fair share of political spews (from both sides of the asile) in countless auditoriums, I would like to add...
"Ah Tazers....There is nothing like the smell of Tazers in the auditorium during political assemblies! "
other countries wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:38 PM:
" if this occurred in other countries we would see it sprayed all across CNN but here it is here and CNN gives the edited clip. "
Mitch in WI wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:46 PM:
" Oh, Nooos! Somebody broke "Jim's Kindergarten Rules of Order" and MUST be tazed. Armchair bravado, Jim. Pathetic. Your moral compass seems to have been degaussed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degauss "
G wrote on Sep 18, 2007 5:52 PM:
" That guy got what he deserved....He basically took control of the Q & A Session without giving John Kerry at least a chance to answer his question (although he would have taken 20 minutes and still not answered the question). But instead he kept ranting and raving. The Police did the right thing to remove this guy and when he was resisting the police putting the cuffs on him, deserved to be shot with a taser.
Any ACLU member who defends this guy....should also be shot with a taser. Because they're going to shout Freedom of Speech. But it is not aboslute. You can not say whatever you want whenever you want. You can say whatever you want--but there are limits to when you can say it. "
What is appropriate??? wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:02 PM:
" The problem I have with this whole situation is what the appropriate way to handle this is.
The person standing near Meyer informs the police that Meyer needs to be removed--not the police. Meyer breaks away from the two police officers and later escapes from another office only to be wrestled onto the ground. Meyer has shown that he will not listen to police or obey orders. He is then on the ground fighting police officers from putting handcuffs on him. If you are a police officer, what do you do in that situation?
If six people wrestle with him, there is a strong chance that someone sustains some form of bodily harm--Meyer might end up with a broken arm fighting handcuffs. If he is tasered, a large portion of students scream bloody murder. What could the police do? "
Wayne Partridge wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:07 PM:
" As an American grad student at Oxford University, I have a hard time convincing my fellow (international) students that America is a beacon of hope and freedom when a student at a major American university is silenced by stun gun when asking a politician a question about politics. All I can do is shake my head, throw up my hands and say that I am embarrassed. Sure, he resisted arrest. He had every right to. Why should he surrender to thugs acting as the thought police? "
Fred Meyer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:09 PM:
" What a dumb turd, he's probably really enjoying HIS fifteen minutes of "fame." Nobody went to go see Andy Meyer give a speech, the police were trying to remove a noisy troublemaker, if I went there and started yelling "white power" nobody would be feeling sorry for me getting tasered. Who cares about Andy Meyer's politics? The guy didn't leave when asked by police, he then resisted the officers who were trying to pull him away, then he was trying to kick the police off himself while on the ground. Enjoy your time in the limelight loser! Bet he thinks he's going to win a big lawsuit and become a politician. "
What Education? wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:14 PM:
" You gotta be kidding me, you guys. You're really going to defend the hysterical rantings of this jerk for his 15 minutes of "fame". This was by his own design, and he deserved everything he experienced and was charged with. "
Mary wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:35 PM:
" gone in turn for the world screaming democracy, is this your democracy? "
UF Student wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:41 PM:
" It's high time to kick Bernie Machen out of UF. He has turned UF into a dump. A slip in the rankings, higher tuition, lower financial aid, less resources for students, tasered students, faculty leaving, colleges in debt, etc, etc. Bernie is not earning his pay and he is destroying UF. "
police brutality wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:43 PM:
" He had the right to ask that question. Fine, maybe he was obnoxious and maybe he was doing it for attention, but that does not excuse the police behavior. All he said was "thank you for cutting my mic" sarcastically and the then police proceeded to arrest him. The police are required by law to inform a person of why they are being arrested. He asked what the reason was and no one told him. The police are excused from telling him if the circumstances make it impossible to do so. He asked, they grabbed him and tried to drag him out. Its no surprise that he resisted, which, I admit is against the law. The police broke thei law as well. Tasering him was not necessary as he was physically subdued. The police actions are disgusting. "
Connie wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:50 PM:
" Why didn't Andrew simply show respect for the campus authority. All this could have been avoided and an answer to his questions much more forthcoming had he acted like a civilized human being. "
BEM wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:52 PM:
" The Florida Senate Interim Project Report on Stun Gun use (found here: http://www.flsenate.gov/data/Publications/2007/Senate/reports/interim_reports/pdf/2007-109cj.pdf) states that the "Use of Force" curriculum, which all Florida Law Enforcement candidates are taught, instructs them to use stun guns when a suspect escalates his or her level of resistance from Passive Physical to Active Physical. In layman's terms, this entails verbally refusing to comply with an officer and then physically preventing the officer from controlling you. As is shown in the videos, Meyer demonstrates this escalation by first verbally refusing the officer who asks him to leave and then pushing himself away from officers who attempt to escort him out. However, the report also cites the opinion and interpretation of the Supreme Court in "Graham vs. Connor," concerning use of force by the police. The opinion, which is federal law by virtue of judicial review, states that officers must use force only when it is reasonable. "Reasonableness" is recognized as a "fluid concept," but is interpreted by some courts as dependent on the need for force, the amount of force to be used, and the extent of injuries caused by use of force. Furthermore, the "Use of Force" curriculum instructs officers to assess the totality of the situation, including the physical aspects of the suspect, the seriousness of the crime, and the availability of weapons. In addition, Florida Statute 943.1717 states that officers should only use stun guns when a suspect escalates from passive physical resistance to active physical resistance AND "has the apparent ability to physically threaten
the officer or others" or "is preparing or attempting to flee or escape." Given the specific language of the "Use of Force" curriculum and Florida law concerning use of stun guns, the use of a stun gun in this situation was inappropriate. As illustrated by the number of police present and the fact that Meyer was pinned to the ground during the Tasing, Meyer presented no physical threat to those around him or to the officers. His crime was not serious; he was obnoxious and refused to leave a forum. He had no weapons available to him when he was Tased because he was pinned to the ground. It is not apparent from the video if he was attempting to escape or flee. It seems like he was not considering how determined he seemed to get an answer.
In short, Meyer's behavior could be considered obnoxious. However, pursuant to Florida and Federal Law, Meyer's actions did not satisfy all requirements to warrant use of a stun gun. "
Megan wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:03 PM:
" I believe Meyer was insinuating the whole thing. He leaned over to his friend and told him to "get his video camera out" because he would "wanna get this" before he went up to ask his question. Then, even after being permitted to rant, he refused to follow the officers escort out of the building and decided to start screaming and making a scene. He knew this would be in the headlines today before he even went up there. I think the officers responded properly and according to their protocol. It was definitely was not police brutality. Meyer was being extremely dramatic and immature. "
goof_chewy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:05 PM:
" My condolences to the UF student body: to have a self-publicizing idiot like Andrew Meyer representing your fine school is an embarrassment no university deserves.
"
hahaha wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:11 PM:
" this kid got in trouble for mentioning secret societies... they really should drop the charges and the campus police shouldnt have been hovering over him to begin with "
Reply to BEM wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:11 PM:
" My question is that the felony charge against Andrew is for resisting arrest with violence. I imagine that one of more of the officers have marks caused by Andrew resisting them: bruises, scratches, something of that nature. Does that change the use of the Taser? Andrew's actions may have already injured an officer, however minor. Also, it doesn't look like Andrew is under control when he was Tased because he had not been handcuffed and was still trying to free himself from the officers "
REAL TRUTH wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:15 PM:
" Morons, the police report is out. He spurred it on himself, acting only when the cameras were around, even asking if cameras would be at the jail. He even was quoted as telling the officers, "you didn't do anything wrong... you were just doing your job".
The truth is, had he not been tasered to gain control of his other hand, physical control may and probably would have led to serious injury to his arm.
I've been fully tasered, it aint that bad. Meyer WAS NOT fully tasered. It only hit a one inch spot on his chest. It doesnt hurt.
Now why dont you silver-spoon cry babies get back to school- what your parents paid for. "
goof_chewy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:17 PM:
" hahaha wrote: "and the campus police shouldnt have been hovering over him to begin with "
The campus police were "hovering over" Meyer because Meyer had barged in ahead of all the other students who were waiting in line. "
First Ammendment wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:34 PM:
" These pigs should join the National Guard and then they can go to Kent State and actually kill the students. Fucking pigs. "
True Citizen wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:38 PM:
" I feel so disgusted seeing how police in our country acts. Not only they are misusing their power, many of these police officers are paid thugs who think they rule us. They forget that they are servant of the society and they are here to serve the society.
I call for a much stricter punishment for any police officer who commits a crime than a crime committed by a normal citizen.
I always wonder why someone killing (or sometimes attacking) a police office gets killed within hours or days by the police calling it “an attack on one of their own” but an attack on a normal citizen gets months and years to resolve (and sometimes do not even get resolved)?
Another example of 'Double standards' in American!!! "
James wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:47 PM:
" As a print journalist, I'm appalled by his belligerant behaviour which can only be equalled to Fox News' "interview" style. I have never seen other journalists or even journalist students act in this manner out in the field. When his series of questions turned into nonsensical ramblings, it was within reason to stop him (to allow Senator Kerry to answer the question) - otherwise Mr. Meyer himself is censoring the Senator. Mr. Meyer refused to stop asking questions, refused to step down, and refused to leave the hall. He has every right as a citizen for free speech, but in a town hall meeting-style with Q&A, he wasn't having a dialogue - it was a monologue.
Should Mr. Meyer have been stopped? Yes. Tasered? No.
However, if you ever do some field reporting out on the streets, people are tasered for far less offences. I have no pity for Mr. Meyer; he only stains our profession. "
Maxy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:52 PM:
" Andrew did not physically resist until the little short fat cop to Andrew's right i escalated the situation. He employed a pretty painful looking joint lock to Andrew's right arm. Andrew snatched away and began hopping around and flailing his arms. He was probably confused and piss'd as to why he was being hurt and treated in the manner the cops chose to. The cops then got even rougher. They then had him down and subdued. It did not look like like the tazer was necessary at that point. Several cops... and one loudmouth punk? Come on now!
I hope Andrew gets really good legal representation to Nail Those Cops Balls To The Wall. They need to lose their jobs and the University needs to be held accountable also. "
FROM ANDREW'S FIRST COLUMN: wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:53 PM:
" I've finally done it. I angered enough people to have an entire letters-to-the-editor section all to myself (http://www.alligator.org/edit/opinion/issues/stories/040722letts.html#1), full of PO'D readers who just put down my column. Truth be told, I agree with all of them. The letter to the editor I got for my first column was BS, but these people hit the nail on the head. Calling my 'campus lacks intelligence' piece self-centered and obnoxious was precisely what it deserved, and these people gave it to me right between the eyes...And all of this is exactly the response I hoped for. I knew this is how my column would be received, and I'm glad. What I wrote was pompous, contradictory, and self-congratulatory. And it put my name out there. People were undoubtedly talking about what I wrote. At least four were angry enough to write those letters. I wrote something that would be controversial on purpose; I wanted people to read something, ANYTHING that I wrote. Because while the public might completely hate what I had to say, they might at least get a kick out of what they were reading at the same time; maybe even enjoy my writing style, and look for my name in the future. "
First Ammendment wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:56 PM:
" OK, upon reflection, my earlier comment was WAAAAY out of line. My apologies. But man, this story makes me angry. Sorry for being over-the-top. "
REAL TRUTH wrote on Sep 18, 2007 7:56 PM:
" Maxy,
When you resist an officer and pull away, it escalates the force used. Andrew was given ample time to leave on his own accord before he was began to be physically escorted out. He resisted. I can guarantee no officer's will lose their jobs. You are ignorant of the facts and will clearly believe whatever the idiot box tells you. "
BREAK OUT MORE PITCHFORKS!!! wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:03 PM:
" What a terrible attempt at publicity at the expense of our excellent University that has been riding at the top for a very long time now!!!! SHAME ON HIM. We are now a worldwide mockery until this blows over. http://www.freewebs.com/newforum/feedback.htm ....SCROLL TO THE BREAK OUT THE PITCHFORKS COLUMN " "
The Les man wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:05 PM:
" My initial reaction to this story was that it was a gross miscarriage of justice...and I still do feel that to a point, however, it truly does seem like this guy was just out for publicity and to make a "name" for himself. That being said, the actions of the UPD were excessive. I have a thought provoking question for everyone who screams about the right for free speech: if he had been saying something that most people find reprehensible like "white power" (just an example) would we still be defending his "right" to free speech? Honestly, I don't think that we would. "
Maxy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:23 PM:
" They did not have the right to Harm the young man because he did not stop talking and leave.(1st amendment) The joint lock caused a physical reaction by Andrew. He was just jabbering unitl that moment. So, it's ok for the cops to evoke a physical reaction, then become overly abusive to a student? "
Maxy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:26 PM:
" The REAL TRUTH is you're pretty ignorant in general to think this kind of reaction to a student on campus expressing his views in an open fourm is ok. "
just an observer wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:31 PM:
" so meyer was an "idiot." so what? given the logic i've seen in some of these posts from people who support the tazing, shouldn't the vast majority of the public be tazed at one point or another? what really scares me is that many of you readily accept such excessively violent "solutions" to routine problems. i know the job's incredibly difficult (i have friends and family who are police), but i also know that even rodney king (who makes meyer look like a saint) didn't deserve the beating he got. "
gators wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:34 PM:
" do we still have tebow?
all will be right in the world.
next week Andrew Meyer will only be known on blogs in Tennessee, Georgia, et. al. "
The fair guy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:36 PM:
" Did you see the size of that black cop? He certainly could have handle that white boy by himself. Nonetheless, the group of cops around him could have sat on him. But no, the taser is a bit easier, eh! Too bad for the abundance of camera's these days.
Someone should have tasered OJ!
"
to "the les man" wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:36 PM:
" actually, screaming "white power" is defensible free speech. while i clearly can't defend it (nor would i want to), it is - typically - defensible under the first amendment. what's not defensible is screaming "fire" in a crowded theater. limits on free speech tend to include the potential for (physical) harm which would ensue from the utterance. "
Maryland wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:40 PM:
" When I went to google news - there was a youtube video by: wcvbtv. Made your heart race. I want to applaud the simple concept of youtube. Every news article from the Gainesville Sun, to an obscure paper in New Zealand covering the story, had a different and strong *spin* on the story. Youtube lets people form somewhat of a more informed opinion before putting *their own* spin on the story.
Andrew: one
renta-cops: zero
"UF, come on": true words
students' apathy in the auditorium that day: sad "
Chainsawmom wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:43 PM:
" When a college suppresses the Constitutional right for freedom speech with neo-nazi police tactics, it becomes apparent that the terrorists have won. Is it University of Florida or University of Afghanistan? Stick to football UF...leave the cognitive endeavors to schools that appreciate intelligence. "
Chainsawmom wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:44 PM:
" When a college suppresses the Constitutional right for freedom of speech with neo-nazi police tactics, it becomes apparent that the terrorists have won. Is it University of Florida or University of Afghanistan? Stick to football UF...leave the cognitive endeavors to schools that appreciate intelligence. "
Joe T wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:46 PM:
" I am generally no fan of the UPD, but this moron got what was coming to him. He didn't just ask a tough question like a good journalist should, he went through a diatribe and was being disruptive. The online clips don't generally show the audience applauding when the mic was shut off or when he was asked to leave, just when the taser was used. He refused to leave, he refused to follow police instructions, and even struggled with police, swinging his elbows and flailing in an attempt to run back into the auditorium, where he was going to attempt who knows what with a sitting US senator. The police used the proper amount of force with an idiot who was potentially dangerous. He's lucky he was only tasered and not shot. This is yet another case of someone who doesn't think he's bound by the same rules as everyone else. And no, I'm not some republican gun nut, I'm a die-hard liberal democrat grad student at UF who is tired of the lack of personal responsibilty for one's actions, especially here in Florida. "
Time Factor wrote on Sep 18, 2007 8:56 PM:
" To all of you who say that Andrew was "rambling on" and wouldn't let other people have their chance. Have you actually looked at the footage? If you have, did you realize that time period between him taking the microphone and the first time he is harassed by police officers was approximately 33 seconds. Yes, I said seconds. And do you also realize the time between him taking the microphone and him being wrestled away was approximately 1 minute and 33 seconds. Go to this link and check the times on the bottom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CheY0jYXJjY
I agree his questions weren't very good, but he was obviously flustered because he actually cared about what he was talking about and not just spouting off talking points. He should have been allowed to ask and have answered at least one question before being wrestled away from the microphone. Also, the only reason they had a problem with how long he was talking was because they didn't like what he was saying. It had nothing to do with him taking too long, since he was on the microphone for less than 1 minute when they initially asked him to step away. It was an effective attempt to stifle his freedom of speech and silence him. It was nothing more and it was nothing less.
"
Murph wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:09 PM:
" If this guy were African American, instead of Jewish, it wouldn't have even made the news. They would have thrown him in jail, without a thought. "
Joe T wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:09 PM:
" Every talk I've seen at UF, be it politicos like RFK, Jr., or comedians like Mo Rocca, someone feels the need to cause a scene or to disrupt the event. Sorry, but thirty seconds fumbling at a mic without getting to a question IS a long time. Unfortunately, Mr. Meyer got just what he went looking for- recognition. "
the big picture wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:14 PM:
" Why is everyone from Huffington Post to Fox News getting so riled up by this whole incident? Wake up! It's time to stop taking freedom for granted. When we allow the govt. to blur the distinction between dissent and criminal behavior, we start down a slippery slope. I think many people are responding so negatively to Myer's case because they themselves are too scared to do something similar-they'd rather dissent from the comfort of their own home than risk a little (or in this case a lot) discomfort. Well, we are the morons in this case because our rights are being taken away daily. "
apefist wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:14 PM:
" Does anyone have Meyer's website url? Rumor has it that he talked about making a stunt at the Kerry thing prior to going. I mean, pick your battles, dude. The cops were out of line, but when 5 cops surround you and insist you go, that's a bad time to strugle with them physically. If he wanted to protest his treatment, he could have sat down and refused to move, rather than struggling to escape. Non-violent protests usually result in less physical harm, though there are exceptions. But he was just one guy. Solidarity with others who share your views make you seem like less of self-promoting dick. "
UFAlumn wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:32 PM:
" The idiot got just what he deserved; he should still be in jail. "
Mortimor Sacamoco wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:38 PM:
" The taser should have been connected to a large generator instead of a small battery.
Next time allow the public to conduct meetings without attempt to hijack the floor or be prepared to conduct electricity!
Screw him! "
BEM to replier wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:44 PM:
" Perhaps causing a bruise may qualify Meyer for posing a physical threat. If that's the case, the police did not break the law by Tasering Meyer. That will all depend on how the courts define a physical threat. Some might interpret it as a threat to life, others as physical harm of any kind. However, more general laws regarding the use of force as well as the training received by all Florida law enforcement requires assessment of the necessity of force for any given situation regardless of the statute regarding stun guns. It is up to the courts to decide whether the decision to use a Taser was reasonable or necessary. It seems like the police were able to drag Meyer pretty far from the stage before the Tasing occured. Why couldn't they continue to drag him outside or to a police car? It's not a question of whether Meyer deserved it for resisting the police. I think it will be hard to prove that Tasing was either necessary or reasonable regardless of whether or not Meyer inflicted any bruises or scratches on an officer. "
Joe T wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:46 PM:
" Mr Meyer's First Amendment rights do not include being physically confrontational with the police. If he really cared to hear what the Senator had to say, he would have asked his question and sat down. He WOULD have had the right to write a letter to (or column for) the Alligator or another newspaper, or post a story on his website. He chose not to do this. I abhor the clamping down of rights under the Bush Administration, but this is NOT the same thing. "
AbdulTheProudGator wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:54 PM:
" Oh Great!I just saw Andrew\'s arrest replayed on ALJAZEERA! Their agenda has been to show that America\'s freedoms deteriorating. In this case, Andrew\'s freedom of speech being stifled and TAZZZZERED. Great job UPD, your ACTIONS has made ALJAZEERA!! "
Read the F*ing Bill of Rights wrote on Sep 18, 2007 9:56 PM:
" To all of you idiots who actually think Andrew Meyer deserved to be tazered and jailed. Read the Bill of Rights, you know, that section of the constitution where it states in the First Amendment that we as Americans have the FREEDOM of SPEECH. And there is no reason to comply for unlawful arrests. This incident makes me f*ing sick, and I hope the ACLU is all over this. F*ck University Police on their f*ing power trips. More power to ya Andrew!!! You have the support of several RCAD students in Sarasota. **PS To all of you UF students at that forum who just sat on your lazy arses and watched this go down, you're useless. There is no doubt that I would have punched a cop for this BS and I'm a chick. "
Midnight Ryder wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:12 PM:
" LMAO! I just saw the video. They should have tasered his @ss long before they did. "
To BEM wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:18 PM:
" Thanks for the response. I think it is of note that the two suspended officers are those who fired Tasers at Mr. Meyer. The one who fired the Taser that deployed properly was the female officer who was one of the two officers that initially tried to escort Mr. Meyer out of the auditorium. I am not sure about who fired the first taser that did not deploy. "
Pro-Nazi wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:19 PM:
" I say it's about time we started to supress the free speakers in this country! If people will teach thier children to conform, we will have an easier time doing away with the malcontents and undesierables in this country! "
Kipkemboi wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:20 PM:
" My God, is that the supposedly "Land of the Free and the Brave". I am shocked with what goes on in America. It just beats me why he Police acted they way the did. There was no Free exchange of ideas in that hall at all. It seemed the police were there to intimidate. That was police action I would expect to see in Uganda or Kenya but not in USA. Sad day for America, University of Florida, the gator family and all that wish to pursue an education in UF. The whold UPD needs to be resensitized. I also feel for Mr. Kerry he seemed so powerless. "
uppitywoman wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:23 PM:
" Only 2 cops suspended? Suspend all involved! Then taser them. Only the ones who don't say 'ouch' get to come back on the force. "
REAL TRUTH wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:31 PM:
" Well as I've done on and off all day, I've again looked up facts:
In the state of Florida, a taser is defined as an "intermediate weapon" used by the police. This line of weapons (along with spray and a baton) can be used, at bare minimum, when a subject provides active resistance. THIS MEANS, the mere act of resisting arrest, (which as liberal as you all are, can surely concede he did) qualifies him for this category. I've now watched two seperate videos. He was not tased while his hands were cuffed. He was tased for not relinquishing his other hand.
Instead of commenting on things you all know nothing about, spend some time on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's website. LEARN and RESEARCH.
Someone dropped a silver spoon on the floor, by the way. "
About Tasers wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:47 PM:
" FYI, it is likely that both suspended officers have already been Tasered. Many police departments require that officers are Tasered in training. I know people talk about Tasering the police. They've already done that to themselves. This isn't a rogue department trying out new weapons. I am pretty sure they know what Tasers do and how much they hurt. "
lou dobbs wrote on Sep 18, 2007 10:50 PM:
" Not the right thing to do to this student.
Even Kerry told them to stop .
The cops were in the wrong and they
broke the law.
They should all be fired.
Thank you. I'me a 62 year old dad from Michigan. "
Al Alumnus wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:03 PM:
" Thanks Joe T, I am in complete agreement with all of the views you've expressed throughout these comments. "
Doug wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:29 PM:
" Welcome to the greatest democracy in the world, hahahahahahaha.
P.S.
Mr. Kerry, you really served in Vietnam? Why didn't you stop these cops? "
Illusionist wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:30 PM:
" He resisted arrest. We've all seen COPS. What happens when someone resists arrest on COPS? They get tazed. Why is everyone so shocked by this?
Surely no-one really believes that freedom of speech is still a right in America? Those that do should try exercising that right and see what happens. Not only did Andrew Meyer try it, he did it in an aggressive manner. More fool him. Maybe he's never seen COPS.
"
Christopher Brown wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:33 PM:
" Hi, (forgive me for my spelling errors, I'm just not that smart.)
how is it that when someone attempts to bring up a "controversial" topic in a public place for "public" discussion, that everyone who "doesnt" want to hear, or "doesnt" want to agree, or "doesnt" want to even "fathom" the possibilities that what this person is saying may be correct, or "on-point." "why", because Ear-muffs have never gone out of style, locks on the doors of peoples minds have never been removed from prior generations, therefore, if one attempts to open their mind, all they can see is the little tiny
light on the other side of the door, that appears from the door opening just enough so that the chain lock can crush your dreams of ever seeing what is on the other side, the real part of life, where your mother and father arent hovering over you. this is what college is all about, the possiblities, the adventure, the "free Speech" the drinking, the crazy dudes on the side of the road who ask you for money, and you have to come up with a clever way of telling them you dont have change for the hundred dollar bill you have in your pocket that your parents sent you because you lied to them when you talked to them on the phone a month ago telling them you had no money. When in reality you werent lying, you just told them you spent it on books, when the truth was that you bought a bag of Contraband.( you all know what I'm talking about, especially you JOHN KERRY") A big fat box of Stinky smelly, sticky, illegal Contraband. You are a college student, act like one. Stand up for your rights, even if you dont know what they are, if that doesnt make sense to you than you dont belong on this earth. To clarify my ridiculous and non-existent point, how can we call our-selves a democracy, when we mock what we are and what we see, which usually turns out to be you and me. And please, please, if politics isnt your bag, than dont grab the handle, and also, if your not informed, dont ask the question and expect to understand the response.
To Andrew:
it looked like fun, the taser part, not so much, be proud though, most would crumble in the face of such adversity, keep on truckin.
Maybe you'll be in politics one fine day.
"
Maxy wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:34 PM:
" He was not resisting the cops unitl he was in the joint lock. In one of those videos you saw, I'm sure it can be seen as plain as day. The short fattie cop put Andrew's arm in the lock and dropped his weight. Dropped his weight so low that his chin was touching Andrew's arm . If someone inflicted this kind of action on your arm, you would pull away too, if you knew that you had not done anything illegal or severe enough to deserve this kind of treatment. Only law enforcement types and facist fucks will try to defend what those cops did to that young man. Think about this people -for your own sakes. "
Mari wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:42 PM:
" What the police officers did was not necessary! Andrew Meyer should definitely sue! "
Ray-Ray wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:43 PM:
" The short fat cop looked like the one that tazed him also. He looked happy about doing it. What a sick fuckker! What is that guy's law enforcement background anyway? "
reread wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:08 AM:
" Will everyone please reread the damn articles? This guy has been revealed as a prankster and a known opportunist. He completely changed his demeanor once away from cameras and insisted a girl in the audience should record what he was about to do. This guy wanted this and most of you have fallen for it. "
appalled wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:10 AM:
" I hope he gets expelled for his immature behavior. States have similar laws resisting arrest disorderly conduct, inciting a riot, he clearly didnot act like a student representing the university of florida should. expell his sorry butt. "
Luke Wallis wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:17 AM:
" You can't sue the University for that kind of abuse. What a disgusting facility, I'll be sure never have my kids go there. "
Elizabeth Lozano wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:23 AM:
" i read about this article this morning and though it was absolutely ridiculous what those cops did, then i saw the videos on youtube.com and now I find it even more ridiculous. As big as that police officer was, did they really need to taser him. i mean come on, What was that cop big for then? It was clear that Kerry was going to answer his question! Yes, he did go overboard with the way he stated the question but things could have been so much simpler then using a taser and creating a bigger commotion. "
To Kevin Andrews wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:25 AM:
" How can you say shame on UF for one student's behavior? This university is full of many different students with many different opinions. Things like this can happen anywhere-even the school that you may be considering to attend! So shame on you for being so close minded. "
To any one who doesnt like UF now wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:28 AM:
" You people use one persons behavior as pertaining to the University's behavior. i for one would definitely not have acted in such a manner so stop bad mouthing our university as if all UF students are the same!!!! "
Annika wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:33 AM:
" First, I would like to make an apology to Mr.Meyer for any name calling or wrong impressions of the situation that I commented on earlier. I applaud you for asking questions that I, too would like answers for. I never did find out if Mr.Kerry answered your questions. I am, in general, disgusted by the lack of an attention span and active intellect of most of Americans. The apathetic reaction to something as important as violation of civil rights and constitutional disregard by so many in power. At least you had the guts to ask the questions and resist being dragged down for doing nothing wrong.
I'm sorry for what I said.
I'm not sorry for being angry at the lack of intelligence on the part of so many in America who would rather get back to watching the whole Brit Spears drama and the dope that the media feeds them than engage in questioning the erosion of Americas rights. Those that are playing armchair attorney or trying to decide if you are a jerk that deserves what you got or not or trying to figure out how this is at all important to football. Thank you for shaking things up. Way to go sheeple, do you even have a pulse????
BTW, I live in Idaho at the moment, so I'm used to stupidity from the masses, but please don't compare ALL of us to Nazis and religious nutters ok? "
evilgator wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:42 AM:
" taze the crap out of myers lawyers and
put that on utube brose!! "
to kevin andrews wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:46 AM:
" you know what...we dont need people like you in this school so kick rocks! IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!!! "
ra wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:59 AM:
" It is every citizen's duty to resist false arrest
There is no such crime as "resisting arrest." This is a fictitious crime dreamed up by law enforcement to accuse a citizen of a crime when they refuse to surrender to the illegal demands of the police.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on numerous occasions that resisting a false arrest is not merely a citizen's right, but his duty! In fact, the Supreme Court has gone so far as to rule that if a law enforcement officer is killed as a result of actions stemming from a citizen's attempts to defend themselves against a false arrest, it is the fault of the officer, not the citizen.
"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).
"Each person has the right to resist an unlawful arrest. In such a case, the person attempting the arrest stands in the position of a wrongdoer and may be resisted by the use of force, as in self- defense." (State v. Mobley, 240 N.C. 476, 83 S.E. 2d 100).
Not one person attempted to rush to the aid of Meyer who was screaming "HELP! HELP ME!" Do individuals have the right to come to the aid of another citizens being falsely arrested? YES!
"One may come to the aid of another being unlawfully arrested, just as he may where one is being assaulted, molested, raped or kidnapped. Thus it is not an offense to liberate one from the unlawful custody of an officer, even though he may have submitted to such custody, without resistance." (Adams v. State, 121 Ga. 16, 48 S.E. 910).
And on the issue of actually killing an arresting officer in self defense:
"Citizens may resist unlawful arrest to the point of taking an arresting officer's life if necessary." Plummer v. State, 136 Ind. 306. This premise was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in the case: John Bad Elk v. U.S., 177 U.S. 529.
http://www.newstarget.com/022041.html
"
Carol wrote on Sep 19, 2007 2:54 AM:
" The worst part of this charade is Myer got exactly what he wanted in the way of reaction and publicity. Seems to me anyone that support his behavior would support the monkeys taking over the zoo. Does UF want to be a zoo? Just asking. "
Gary wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:24 AM:
" I am a retired attorney and expert in First Amendment law. ra is CORRECT---you do have a right to kill an officer falsely arresting you. That is unwise, however,, if there is ANY alternative. This whole case turns on the unlawful arrest. IF the arrest was lawful, so was the tasering because Andy was not submitting. BUT the arrest weas CLEARLY unlawful. Kerry WAS answering his Q---Andy was NOT advancing on the speaker; his mic was cut off; the incident was OVER at the time of the alleged arrest. I own the book (by Greg Palast et, al) Andy was carryying. It PROVES that Ohio was stolen in 2004 by Bush just like FLORIDA was stolen in 2000. Kerry was indeed a WIMP for not fighting like Gore did; on the other hand, unlike Gore, Kerry did NOT stop Congress from investigating the Ohio electors when the electoral college votes were counted (remember the sad scene in Farhenheit 911 when NO senator would allow the Florida electors to be challenged as requuired by the Rules).
Andy was only guilty of asking a long-form Q that required a predicate. That is NOT unethical for journalists, much less ordinary citizens---altho it IS unusual. Again, the ARREST WAS ILLEGAL
(NOTE--I apologize for the "Andy" nickname in the event that Meyer doesn't use the diminutive. "Andrew" is too long to type repeatedly. Most Andrews use "Andy" but some are called "Drew" and others insist on the whole name!) "
Boomer wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:40 AM:
" The saddest part of this is how the other students first APPLAUDED, then SAT on their ASSES while their classmate was assaulted. That would not have happened at UMASS in the 1980s where I went. We would have descended on those crazy cops. Your average American is not just ambivalent about the boot of fascism invading their lives, they are WELCOMING and APPLAUDING it... "
REAL TRUTH wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:41 AM:
" Dear Idiots,
Get educated. The ENTIRE video has been deleted from all websites, as I have found. The original shows Meyer rushing the stage. Had Secret Service been present, he would have had several guns drawn. The video presently shown plays from the moment he asks a question, which leads to law enforcement officers escorting him away.
Are you so daft, so stupid as to believe that the question is what began the problem in question. If you are, God help you. Why don't you do some research instead of commenting on something you know nothing about.
I am speechless on the amount of people who would comment on so little facts, especially on the "lawyers, the cops, the students..."
I'm neither. Just a person fact finding. I'm disgusted.
"
REAL TRUTH wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:45 AM:
" And to Gary wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:24 AM,
How dare you for speaking such trash. You are wrong, and I hope that people who read your incorrect statements understand that you speak with no knowledge.
"
REAL TRUTH wrote on Sep 19, 2007 4:45 AM:
" On top of that, Gary, something tells me you're a 17 year old loser who hasn't graduated high school. You know nothing about law. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about law can realize the arrest WAS lawful, that is, if you have seen the BEGINNING of the video.
Yes, you pompous human POS. He rushed the stage. If you had any experience in law, you would know to get your facts straight before you posted on a site such as this. You, and all of the other inexperienced people need to rethink their thoughts on this.
I wish I could judge each of you at your jobs when I had no experience in that field. I'm glad that I am seemingly the last person not in the law enforcement field who can see things objectively, and not believe every last thing the media says. "
Jiles Samson wrote on Sep 19, 2007 9:54 AM:
" As a reader from out of state and a father of college age children, this whole affair has convinced me that I my kids will NOT be going to the University of Florida for the following reasons: 1) The comments on to this editorial show significant lack of thinking and historical understanding 2) The comments to this editorial show the substandard educational preparation and environment that most of the students there seem to posses 3) Every logical fallacy possible is proudly on display in these comments: ad-hominem, Straw-man, Slippery-slope, Association. 4) The students appear to be driven by emotion and "group-think' versus independent, analyitcal, fact-based analysis. Thank you for eliminating a sub-par choice. I'll let you get back to football and protesting against the establishment and I'll get back to looking at St. Johns, Hillsdale, Grove City and University of Missouri-Rolla. When you finally grow up, get married (yes to someone of the opposite sex), and have children, you will look back on this with completely different eyes. Then you too, will steer clear of schools that accept and produce clods like yourselves. " By the way, if you really want to live in a facist state go to your buddies like Iran or North Korea, then come back and compare. I mean really do it before you open your mouth about what you know nothing about. "
To Jiles Samson wrote on Sep 19, 2007 10:41 AM:
" "The comments to this editorial show the substandard educational preparation and environment that most of the students there seem to posses". Funny, there are 224 comments to this story and over 50,000 students at the university. I would seriously doubt that these people account for the majority. If you want to send your children to another university then more power to you but don't make ignorant statements based upon emotionally charged situations in which anyone can reply, not only students, to base your "overall" opinion about our school. If you'd like to have a look around sometime at one of the top 20 public institutions in the country I'd be happy to show you around. "
Bill C wrote on Sep 19, 2007 12:49 PM:
" Interesting how people say he was disruptive, causing a major disturbance. Watch the full video carefully. Kerry adresses him by going "Sir". It's an invitation for him to speak his mind. The guy took 1.5 min. to ask questions at which point Kerry never had a problem answering him. Annoying yes but they had no right to involve the cops as it was an invitation by Kerry to speak. Was there a time limit? Maybe they should have made the time limits clear on questions!
"
raleigh wrote on Sep 19, 2007 2:19 PM:
" Andrew Meyer is a loser and anyone outraged should grow up "
Chuck wrote on Sep 19, 2007 2:52 PM:
" Meyer is a tool looking for attention. Anyone who just burst "
Jiles Samson wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:35 PM:
" If you extrapolate the emotionally charged, factually ignorant comments on this board re: Facism at UF, Facism in the USA, Conspiracy Theories, Toture, Sue the UF , to the full 50,000 student population, it is a scary notion of what a so-called "top 20 public institution" is turning out. To be fair, there are a few posts that actually employ critical thinking and logical analysis, even some whose opinions I disagree with. However, unfortunately, they are in the vast minority. You can go back to numbing your minds with alcohol and football now, this too will pass. "
SOR_AWC wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:39 PM:
" Meyer is a Douche Bag...and not in a good way.
In Chicago he would still be recovering from " accidental " night stick applications.
He needs to grow up and get a job. "
Anonymous wrote on Sep 19, 2007 7:28 PM:
" That's good to hear that he's ok and will try to get the charges dropped. But he should sue and plea his case. But as to getting those officers fired, I think might be a bit much. IF the mistake is on their part than they should be reprimanded for their actions. The question is have those officers been in same sort of confrontations before and how those situations went about. They were trying to do THEIR job that they have went through MANY hours of training to help protect the community. They are human beings and do make mistakes too, it's just I think we (society) expect more from them but we dont give them enough credit to do a job like theirs. "
intrpdvygr wrote on Sep 19, 2007 8:54 PM:
" I would like to join with others, and assist in funding a federal civil rights lawsuit against both UFG and the individual officers involved, in what appears to be both a crime of violence, and a suppression of first amendment rights. Will those legal minds who are on the scene locally, and focusing on civil rights violations in this case, please act as co-ordinators? Some of us out here in the larger world would like to support the Bill of Rights with our wallets (and purses). Perhaps gratuitously-violent police officers should be bankrupted civilly, or put behind bars with their fellow criminals. Or perhaps not. But let's not allow what appears to be a case of official violence, to fall by the wayside for lack of funding. "
Dana wrote on Sep 19, 2007 11:19 PM:
" I'm an ASU student and I think what happened to Meyer is disgraceful. and for that person talking about UF J-school. meyer did not do anything but speak, and if speaking should be responded to in that manner, then you should re-think what Journalism is all about.
everyone saw the video, he did not do anything that would justify turnning off his Mic and taking him away and tasering him.
"
reason wrote on Sep 20, 2007 12:31 AM:
" Whoever made those Kent State flyers for the rally should be tasered.
That's absolutely ridiculous, and not even close to being in the same league.It's disugsting. "Don't taze me bro!" Shut the hell up. In two weeks, no one is going to remember that self-righteous prick squirming on the floor. "
gator bait -- taser bait wrote on Sep 20, 2007 5:41 AM:
" http://www.zazzle.com/uf_gators_taser_bait_shirt-235250439280950879 "
To Jiles Samson wrote on Sep 20, 2007 10:46 AM:
" Is UF really a "so-called" top 20 public institution when rated number 17 in the U.S. World News Report? I guess if you actually did some research instead of blanket generalizations you would know this to be fact. Use whatever reasoning you care to use for the purpose of backing up your claim that the education one receives at the university is sub-standard, but use it somewhere else. You sir are the individual that lacks the ability to employ critical thinking and logical analysis to compose a somewhat intelligent argument. Have a good day sir and I hope your children enjoy their education at St. Johns, Hillsdale, Grove City or the University of Missouri-Rolla. We'll be fine at the University of Florida without them. "
RE: Doug Michaud wrote on Sep 20, 2007 10:56 AM:
" to DOUG MICHAUD - I too am a security officer, the largest male on my team. I am always the one called in to subdue uncooperative citizens like Andrew Meyer in such situations. sometimes I have to club a guy a couple dozen times to get the cuffs on, but at least I don't taser (that would be cruel.) Now they tell me I cant use my billy club either ... NUTZ, who is going to want to be a cop? I really thought this job was going to be a service to the public. I didn't want to have to wrestle crazy people. "
Supporter of Law and Order wrote on Sep 20, 2007 2:35 PM:
" Perhaps many of the posters here should take a breath and actually READ the laws covering resisting arrest, use of tasering. The students, who, one would hope are intelligent enough to understand law and order, or at least are capable of reading, should know better and better represent themselves, and their university. Their behavior puts a shameful light on this fine university.
We are a nation of LAW, not an insane free-for-all, do-as-you-want, foul-mouthed, memorial desecrating mob. The fact that many of them can't express a view without childish emotion and cursing speaks volumes. Your parents should be proud.
I saw one quote that said it all. “If Meyer’s parents had disciplined him properly earlier in his life perhaps he would not have put himself in the position to be tasered today.”
Bravo to the UF police for protecting the speaker, the audience, themselves, and even the shamefully misbehaving Meyer. They should get medals from the university president.
"
Shane Gressett wrote on Sep 20, 2007 6:01 PM:
" As does the Texas Department of Corrections states in the Policy & Procedure, Use of Force can be used with the same amount of Use of Force to control the situation. If you place the same scenario as the offender being pepper-sprayed when four bosses were there on camera controlling the problem...
The offender now has the right to sue the TDCJ for excessive use of force. I was not a wimp in school nor was a whipped up on growing up. These officers that arrested the student are the wimps if you ask me. Probably the ones that now think they are some badasses for using a weapon. "
lena wrote on Sep 20, 2007 9:11 PM:
" Public Relations 101
The other lesson is how Accent and others manufacture fake democracy in these town hall type meetings by pre-selecting softball questions from tame questioners while simulating an open forum..
This is SOP in modern politics:
Here is the playbook...........................................
1) You announce that the question time is limited, reducing expectation and giving the moderator total control of the schedule. ............................................
2) You have people tell the moderator's floor team what the gist of their question is, to supposedly get on "the list".,,,,,,,,,,,
3) You note the "crazies", who are actually the only people on any list here.
4) You select the sheep one by one for the "privilege" of asking a question.
5) Meanwhile you make eye contact or chat with each of the crazies now and then to reassure them that you haven't forgotten them and their turn will come soon..........
6) You suddenly close the debate, thanking the speaker for taking time from his busy schedule etc.
Everyone leaves
.they train for this in Public Relations. it works every time........................ but not this time as Meyer obviously knew the game and wished to play on his own book. So he made some serious noise during Step 5 above, and forced Kerry into giving him a question at the mike.
At this point the Kerry handlers, cops and Accent guy are having palpitations, lose the plot and Meyer makes history.
Make no mistake, this is history.
If you want to see how this method works, and that it was applied by Accent to manufacture this event, read the police reports, they describe exactly the text book set up by Accent, down to the announcement of the limited questions.
http://www.nbc6.net/news/14148108/detail.html "
C Wood wrote on Sep 21, 2007 9:45 AM:
" Andrew,
Sue UPD/UF to death.
Get those officers in some serious trouble for what they did, if not fired.
"
Brad wrote on Sep 21, 2007 9:52 AM:
" Andrew kicked punched and scratched Police officers doing thier job. They should sue him.
At no point did the police do anything to stop him from talking. His free speech rights were not effected.
Andrew ruined the event and the chance for free speech from most of the people there. They should sue him.
His mic was cut off by the folks holding the event, not the police. He was removed at the request of those holding the event, not the police. "
Jiles Samson wrote on Sep 21, 2007 11:24 AM:
" I used the "so-called" top 20, not because I was unaware, but because I do not accept U.S. News methodology in total. I am not the only one. Many universities object to the 25% weighting given to the category "reputation". This is very subjective and not only that, even their objective criteria do not, in my opinion, necessarily correlate to quality higher education. My point is that UF, like many major campuses are being intellectually lazy and a entitlement mindset with emotional overtones is taking the place of fact-based, logical thinking. The posts on these boards so very much support this. "
To Jiles Samson wrote on Sep 21, 2007 1:52 PM:
" Unfortunately you are correct that many major university campuses are being intellectually lazy and have developed this entitlement mindset. I just believe that it is incredibly reckless to say the majority of students and staff at UF employ this mindset based upon the idiocy of some comments on this page considering many of the posts are made by people who do not attend the school. You are entitled to have your opinion of the school I just ask that you do not form your opinion blindly. It was great chatting with you, now I'm off to "numb my mind with alcohol and football". It is the weekend after all...ha. "
Hey dumbass wrote on Sep 21, 2007 6:31 PM:
" You deserve what you got. Resisting and then hitting an officer. If you had a brain this wouldn't have happened. Follow the rules. I agree with the cops, I would have used the night stick and beat the living crap out of you. Then tasered you. "
shary wrote on Sep 21, 2007 6:36 PM:
" one thousand tons of human flesh piled on him and you say he was not frightened? "
wanl wrote on Sep 22, 2007 11:36 AM:
" not that i'm supporting meyers for his actions but i think the officers used too much force to handle someone deliberately acting the fool.
officers are suppose to be trained professionals that know how to handle situations that are getting out of hand. he was asking provacative questions. it doesn't matter which political side it is that he may be coming from. but our constitutional rights give us the freedom to ask the people in office questions. how else is the democratic system suppose to work?
"
lena wrote on Sep 22, 2007 2:49 PM:
" " Accent, as is normal in "town hall meeting forums", have sophisticated techniques to preselect softball questions and exclude any real debate, while keeping up the facade of an open discourse.
........... .................... ................. ................................................................................
From the various reports of the events including the police reports, it is clear that Meyer and Accent had already had heated discussions over his right to ask a question, before the tapes we have seen begin. Accent called in UPD to enforce Accent's request that Meyer remove himself from the event. SOP. However at this point Meyer managed to get Kerry's attention, and was invited by the Senator, to take the floor. From this moment, the previous discussions between Meyer and Accent/UPF became redundant and Meyer was suddenly just a student with the right to be there and ask a question. Accent/UPD were no longer in charge. This is why Max Tryoler and another suit are standing behind Meyer looking aggravated as Meyer asks his question. UP are pumped, naturally in adrenalin mode, as you and I would be. Meyer is also naturally pumped. This is why his delivery is over excited. ...............................................................................................................................................................All understandable except for Tryoler and the other Accent guy who are angry because Meyer has outwitted them and Accent has failed to stage manage the "discourse" as planned. At this point Accent, as the responsible authority, should have taken a breath and regrouped, instead they instruct UPF who have properly remained in arrest mode, given the potential security issues, to remove Meyer.
...........................................................................................................................
This is the crucial mistake. Mayer, having been given the floor has a legal right to be there and to speak, and an a reasonable expectation not to be manhandled without first being requested to leave verbally. ...............................................................................................................................Accent and specifically Max Tryoler, and probably the older man seen quickly slipping out the side door behind Tryoler (in one angle) issued the irresponsible and probably illegal order to UP that provoked this situation.
............................................................................................................................................................
Don't blame the police, it was the Accent guys had called them into their stage managed situation in order to enforce their sham discourse. Once Meyer was invited to speak Accent lost their right to remove him, without a verbal request. Accent then acted out of anger, cut the mike and unleashed the charged up police team, to punish Meyer for outwitting them. "
Who is the older guy who slips out the side door?...............................................................................................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J5jLJvkHTk
at 01:57 "
sharon lyn wrote on Sep 23, 2007 5:28 AM:
" University police only have jurisdiction on campus. They would have to turn their detainees over to the city police. An uf officer would have to make a complaint/warrant against Andrew Myers. It will have to be up to that officer to prove what Myers did was unlawful. With all the video evidence I believe that Myers attorney will get him off free with no charges. I believe the officer's warrant/complaint has been made and it does not collaborate the video evidence. Myers cannot probably sue the state but he can sue that UF police officer for filing a false warrant for arrest. I believe that Myers was only being passionate in his quest to let what some of public might not know about Kerry. I fault Kerry for not standing up for this kid. "
sharon lyn wrote on Sep 23, 2007 5:36 AM:
" Lena, I was wondering who the suits were. They are the ones telling the ufp what to do. Thanks for informing us. I saying you are right on track! "
Sharon Lyn wrote on Sep 23, 2007 6:04 AM:
" ACCENT Speaker's Bureau, the largest student-run speakers bureau in the nation, has been bringing prominent speakers to the University of Florida since the 1960s. (352) 392-1665 ext. 306 Ask for ask for Max Tryoler, he was one of the suited guys who gave the order "
jen wrote on Sep 23, 2007 1:38 PM:
" Imagine this in front of a jury.
Lets see, white guy tazered for asking why black people's votes were not counted?
Do I hear 100 million dollars? "
Jimmy wrote on Oct 12, 2007 3:33 PM:
" YEah you the man meyers!!! sue the police department woo hoooo!!!!!! oh yeah! "
Plainer truth wrote on Dec 31, 1969 7:00 PM:
" To the bigot arsewipe called the plain truth: meet me in front of the former AEPi house tonight at 8PM. I will beat you within an inch of your worthless life with my mezzuzah for your idiotic comment. You g a speech and students happen to be around. (For example: someone once threw a pie at an Israeli government official - I forget if it was Natan Sharansky or someone "
Matt Marazios wrote on Sep 18, 2007 11:37 AM: