Pixiq

I live in NC but I’m not in his district. Too bad, since that means I can’t vote against him.

I hope the student goes forward with pressing charges. That congressman needs to go to jail. It’s an open-and-shut case of assault.

But more than anything, it demonstrates the fear that our “public representatives” (congress, police, etc) have of cameras as “the new gun.” And because of the politics behind this, democrats are probably going to support this thug congressman with that underlying theme in mind: that the congressman was assaulted by the “camera” (ie.: the “new gun”).

Yeah, nobody puts their hand behind my neck that doesn’t get a fist to the nose. This is a plain example of assault. Only a blind judge wouldn’t see that. But who’s got the balls to arrest a Congressman in post-1984 America? If you complained to the Police about this, this guy would “disappear” you. Good thing that student didn’t give his name. That’s the only reason he’s still amongst the living today, able to publish his story.

On the other hand, if this kid had struck the Congressman, his future would have been sealed….in prison; regardless of who struck first. You don’t #$%& with U.S. elected public officials.

Phrasing it as “the Obama Agenda”, their dress, unwillingness to identify at all who they are, all make it seem like a couple of young conservative Hannity wanna-be’s out to score a gotcha with a Democrat on the streets … but … they have absolutely every right to do that. The congressman is a jerk, and likely guilty of simple assault. The little half/hug after the confrontation was probably an afterthought so he could say later that it was just a photo-op on the street.

Now that the issue is on this Federal lawmaker’s radar, it’s probably appropriate to change the name of this blog to “Photography is not a Crime, YET.”

Really, there is so much official misconduct being exposed by the proliferation of digital cameras, it seems like it’s just a matter of time before those in power decide to restrict public photography. “For the Children” and “To Fight Terrorism”, of course.

I’m going to quibble, but if you’re using the word ‘democratic’ to describe his party affiliation, it should be Democratic.

The lower case implies a form of government, not a party. Again, just a quibble.

Yeah, I am tired of this shit….charge him with assault.
mepsipax recently posted..Defensive Driving is Donkey balls

;^) He’s kicking ass and taking names

No, if they try to ban it, it’ll be for “National Security”, these people after-all are disruption the running of the country. The fact that they’re right is just an inconvenience.

A punch would lead to him getting charged. It wouldn’t have been hard for him to put the guy into a very nasty wrist-twist in that position.
Mike T recently posted..If you have nothing to hide…

Congressman Etheridge needs a lesson in civil rights. Please press criminal charges, and if that doesn’t stick, a civil suit should serve as an example.

It would also have been legal to use common law powers if they have them in the usa to use reasonable force to arrest him themselves as well would it not.

wrist lock in .5s and 1s on the deck if it had been me and all without striking him as well.

brummie

It looks like local and national media are picking this one up.

http://news.google.com/news/more?pz=1&cf=all&ncl=d05lUxQ1U3T5XtMHiDsQ7ES...

Yeah, that little photo-op at the end was an “oh crap” come-to-his-senses moment by Etheridge.

Too bad this didn’t happen in Florida. He would have been most likely shot, and the student opening fire would have (rightfully) gotten away with it.
pod recently posted..WMC 2009

Well, its just a matter of time before some bozo pops up here and declares the videographer had NO RIGHT to photograph the congressman on the street and that said congressman was well within his rights to assault the photographer!! Anybody taking bets?

The gentleman that was assaulted by the thug Congressman showed an amazing amount of cool and restraint. He should be commended for his behavior. The assaulter should be immediately arrested just for what we see on this video. I never realized that being a photo journalist was so prone to violence by the subjects of the reporting.

They will find something to charge this kid with.

They’re from North Carolina….

I’m just surprised they weren’t all screwing animals in the street.

Don’t expect people to be able to act better than their upbringing.

This is fucking absurd. Even if you watch the unedited clips you’ll see that the two individuals are stationary as the Congressman approaches their position on the sidewalk. After a simple question, he proceeds to assault a guy who asks him a simple question. There should be no politics considered in this situation. Nail this fucker to the cross of public scrutiny and press charges.

If reasoning applys, NC will soon have a seat open in congress.

Try to remember K, that came out of YOUR mind, nobody else’s.

Cops aren’t going to arrest a congress-critter.

Why? They serve and protect.

Him. Not you.

Sadly, this is generally true, but especially so in DC.
Michaelk42 recently posted..LAPD update

“Who are you?”
“Your boss asshole, now shut the fuck up and listen to what I have to say, you congress fucktard.”
This is a perfect example of why politicians should be able to be recalled. When the revolution starts I want to see the old type axeman come back into fashion, we could line these pricks up and watch heads role all day long.
Jody recently posted..Your Money and the Greater Depression

“Who are you?
“Your boss asshole, now shut the fuck up and listen to what I have to say, you congress fucktard.”

Oh yeah, now THERE’S a basis for a rational discussion of the issue!

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20007604-503544.html

Etheridge apologized for his actions in a statement Monday.

“I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved,” he said. “Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina, I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect. No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response. I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse.”

He came to his senses, good for him.

No, his bullshit behavior was caught on camera and was therefore forced into a public apology. Nothing more.

Yeah, that’s really more like it. Political damage control.

What an incredible creep! “I have a right to know who you are.” Indeed!
Mike Gogulski recently posted..Outreach: ACLU

This is actually making me sick. No matter what major news source I go to it is all about the apology not the act. I don’t give a rats ass about him apologizing. If I was to do that to someone, I would be in jail. No apology would get me out of doing time.

I think about situations where police act as regular people in a sting and lure individual(s) into comitting a crime unwittngly. The public screams over that.

“CONSPIRACY!” “ENTRAPMENT!”

In this case, we have a “respectable and polite” approach toward an elected official, obviously by surprise, and on videotape, asking a question. Seemingly innocent enough but what was the motivation for this event? Why wouldn’t the young men eleborate on who they were? That “we have a project” simply wasn’t enough. It thwarted the fair and reasonable expectation that occurs in all social situations, that parties introduce themselves. This was a cleverly crafted set of circumstances, transparent as well, to inflame a situation.

I feel that considering Mr. Miller’s experiences, his obvious and well publicized agenda, and the many commenters both rationally and irrationally, some even with threats of violence and harm made in print online, that anyone aproached in this manner would feel threatened, much as the Miller Brigade feels their First Amendment rights are being threatened. That street incident was pre-meditated, instigatory, entrapping, conspiratorial, inflammatory, and with the agenda of causing conflict. That the Congressman responded the way he did was unfortunate, he should have had more control, but I feel that the young men in many of these videos are misguided, errant, and if they want to assure the protection of rights under the Constitution, they should use peaceful venues for that ambition, ergo, the courts where laws are adjudicated, and not on the streets where they incite negativity with their cameras. You seem to have anough footage to make the point. Why aren’t you guys in court? You all think that you have an open and shut case. Why not go for it then?

Any reasonable person accosted in that manner by strangers on the street in that sudden fashion would have reason to be concerned and threatened, especially a public official that has a reasonable concern for their safety. The Congressman may very well have a case as well.

I daresay that these misguided events with cameras will do more in the long run to damage the First Amendment rights of the American society than protect them, long after theMiller Brigade has done it’s dastardly deeds.

IGNORE

The typical criminal’s apology. “I’m sorry I got caught.”

Damn, and me out of Troll Kibble, oh well

I know, its awful!!

These cases are usually settled on behalf of the photographer before they get a chance to reach the Supreme Court.

It’s making me sick too. The evidence is clear.

I’m sure you are right Carlos, more politcal damage contro.

Well I don’t know of these cases, it would be nice to see citations, however, the big picture here is that there’s an entire country and society involved here because photographers and their minions and groupies, such as some of your above commenters that hide under rocks are, serve to aggravate the situation. I don’t feel that you’re representing my First Amendment rights at all and many may very well feel the same way as I do. A brief read of the overall comments section would reveal that there’s nothing but hostility toward the establishment there and much of it foul and libelous language also. In fact, I would presume that many citizens in America would see all of this as no more than a college frat level prank. Legally I do not see the merit of what you’re doing Sir.

A classic First Amendment case involves whether one has the free speech right to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater if in fact, there was no fire. You may have heard of that case. Consider whether or not your efforts are similar to hollering out “Fire!” I do not see where the good is coming from out of all this, especially when you’re “setting people up” to get your evidence. The pre-meditation and advertisement on these pages indicates that your free speech rights are really not what you have in mind at all.

The “citations” are all over this blog. I really don’t have the time to personally post specific links for you.

That’s your right to disagree with what I’m doing here but if you don’t see the importance of being able to film and photograph in public without being intimidated, then you, sir, are the one drinking the Kool-Aid.

The difference between the fire in a theater case and public photography is that one is illegal and the other is legal.

And Joe, you’re not the only one who disagrees with what I’m doing, but you’ll probably be surprised how many people agree with what I’m doing.

Many include actual police officers.

I’m not at all saying that there aren’t misjustices or bad behaviors, there are and on both sides of the issue. You have your flaming commenters as well stoking the flames up at every opportunity.

I feel the question of what you say is legal isn’t what I’m contesting. I have said and repeat, that your methods and the methods of the footage gatherers, for lack of a better term to define them, is misguided. That Congressman incident was really out of bounds, just like what Michael Moore did with Farenheit 911 in DC. Dude, you have to admit that you’re not only fanning the flames there you’re igniting them too and throwing gasoline on them as well. This isn’t due process, it borders on anarchy. As far as people agreeing with you, there will always be hot heads that will join any cause against the system. That’s a given and I do not see very much constructive criticism at all out here.

I’m well acquainted with the power of the pen. With your claim of being a “journalist,” I don’t see that you’re as effective as you think.

Hi, Joe!

Is this you?

http://www.myspace.com/fabricantdimage

If i had been that kid I would be in jail and the congressman would be in the hospital. End of story.

See, the silliness in that is the kid went out there with an agenda and with a plot to embarrass the Congressman. Keep in mind that the kid approached the Congressman initiating the incident. Your wrong mindedness, as it is with many of you commenters out here, will one day cause more problems than we have now. I feel that the kid is a bit un-American in that too. Just like Monica Lewinski was. She went in there with the intent to undermine the Office of the President of the United States. That was a subversive action. Unfortuately the President fell for it but if he was of another mind he could have had her arrested and in a time of war that could be labeled treason.

I would suggest that you keep these comments to yourself because under the Patriot Act you’d have more trouble that you ever dreamed of. Ask the ACLU if you doubt what I’m saying.

Mr. Miller:
You too should seriously consider the Patriot Act as a problem that you may hevb to one day deal with. read the terms, talk to an attorney, contact the ACLU. Your actions and motivations may be considered terrorism by some and then you may never get to shoot stills or video ever again.

On the way home the local AM radio news – not talk show – called it slapping at the camera. They didnt even mention that he put is hands on the kid.

It’s not illegal to be silly,
It’s not illegal to approach somebody on a public street
It’s not illegal to ask a Congressman a question
It’s not illegal to be a punk with an agenda
It’s not illegal to refuse to identify yourself to somebody who is not a law enforcement officer

It IS illegal to assault someone, no matter how simple that assault is

Oh, and DUMBASS, how fricking stupid do you have to be to go on somebodys blog and say “I would suggest that you keep these comments to yourself”.

It’s always interesting how there is somebody who will always blame the photographer for “instigating” these incidents.

In this case, the videographer asked a simple question to a public official on a public street.

The politician should have been able to handle that with ease by simply referring to his voting record, whatever that may be.

But the politician went completely overboard.

The videographer didn’t come across aggressively. He didn’t come across in a threatening manner.

If anything, he just came across as a conservative.

And you don’t only blame the videographer, you’re blaming me for “fanning the flames”?

And you’re insinuating that I’m a terrorist?

You’re too funny.

Again, is this you, Joe?

http://www.myspace.com/fabricantdimage