Student Tasered At Kerry Event Was, Naturally, A Journalist

AP/Editor & Publisher:

Video of police Tasering a persistent questioner of Sen. John Kerry became an Internet and TV sensation Tuesday, generating fierce debate about free speech and the motives of the college student involved -- a known prankster who often posts practical jokes online.

He was also, it turns out, a student journalist who has had articles published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

University of Florida President Bernie Machen said Monday's takedown, in which the student loudly yelled, "Don't Tase me, bro!" was "regretful." He asked for a state probe of campus police actions and placed two officers on leave.

Read the whole story: AP/Editor & Publisher

Comments

[urbanarpad]

It's amazing. "He deserved it." "He should've stayed in line." Follows right along with the line of reasoning that gets us to "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear."

Bottom line: this is the land of the FREE. Even the obnoxious have the right to a voice. Did he step out of line? Yes. Americans have a long tradition of stepping out of line, in case anybody has forgotten.

Was he a danger to others? No.

Did the UF security have the right to ask him to leave? Yes.

Did he deserve to get tasered after he was on the ground and subdued (or at anytime during the incident)? NO. NO. NO. NO.

Was he a journalist? Wasn't he? Does he have a website? Is he a performance artist? None of that matters! We're talking about the nature and extent of the limits on freedom.

P.S. Should Kerry have done more to stand up for the guy, being one of the chief authority figures in the room (a US Senator) - remembering his illustrious past as a dissenter? YES!!

[hjo4]

Bottom line: this is the land of the FREE
It sure is the land of "the FREE".Tell that to Amadou Diallo (shot 40 x for attempting to produce identifcation), or Sean Bell (shot 50x on morning of his wedding by police.)Eleanor Bumpers a grandmother shot so bad her breasts were disfigured.I can go on and on about being in the land of the "FREE", the police and some citizens.If you wanna live comply, complain after you're released.

[ohiomark]

He's a Journalist? Well, now it makes sense.

Keith Overbite must be his hero.

[jackjett]

That Editor and Publisher article was very biased I thought.

The comlaint that his website seem disorganized. My God at least he has the balls to ask a question and another one..and demand an answer.

Perhaps if we had him instead of Wolf (I just read the questions don't matter if you answser them) Blitzer.

The Don't Taz Me Dude is a hero....like Code Pink ,,,these people are out there doing our dirty work and we need to support them and shit on any publication that tries to make them look looney.

The lunatics have taken over the asylum already.

Jack Jett

[Ramirez]

You can get your "Don't Tase Me, Bro" T-shirts here:
http://www.atomictumor.com/2007/09/19/the-inevitable-dont-tase-me-bro-t-shirt/

[ctbutte]

All "journalists" should be tasered from time time!

[johnnyjust]

He has a website.

That doesn't make him a journalist.

[hjo4]

Next time obey, comply and don't be a wise ass when dealing with the police.That policy has kept this Black man alive and out of trouble for decades.He got what he deserved, he resisted arrest.

[Chocolate2008]

Dude,

Do you know how you sound ? That's very disturbing my brutha . I hope it was a snark.

[hjo4]

I don't care how it "sounds" thats my reality when dealing with the police.It hasn't failed me yet.Wanna take a stroll in my skin and find out for yourself.Yes,I agree it is very disturbing that the police can and will kill you.Then get acquitted.