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CALCAPITALEYE - > District 32 -> Andrew Meyer
Andrew Meyer
Andrew Meyer may have cut in line, gone over his time limit, asked obnoxious questions, or even planned the whole thing(which I doubt) but did he deserve to be arrested and tasered by the police? Did the police have any right to even ask him to stop talking?
    After looking at as many perspectives as possible and reading the police report I would have to say: No, the police acted inappropriately.
    It really doesn't matter if he cut in line or went over his "time limit" because as far as I know neither of those offenses warrant police intervention or arrest.  If that were the case then every politician who I have watched during a Political Debate should have been arrested and tasered and  Every "crowder" at Magic Mountain should be behind bars. 
    Lets take a look at the accusation that he when over his alloted time.  First I have heard that questioners where given either 1 minute or 1 minute and 30 seconds.  I am not sure if either is true so I will go with the shorter of the two times.  Meyer spoke at the mic for exactly 1 minute and 31 seconds. So, I think it would be save to say that he didn't exactly hog the mic.  However, If his time limit was 1 minute he did indeed go over his alloted time.  Then why did the officer ask him to move on and give up the mic at almost exactly 30 seconds? If you watch one of the videos that shows his entire question(s) you see that the officer interrupts Meyer after he has been at the mic for only 30 seconds.  This interruption caused Meyer to tell the officer he wasn't done and wanted to finish and only expected a couple of minutes.  If you subtract this interruption from Meyer's mic time you see that he was actually only at the mic for just over a minute.  While at the mic he even thanked Kerry for taking the time to speak to the students.          So what does this all mean? The Police or who ever was directing the police didn't want Meyer asking questions. 
    Now to the cutting in line accusation.  It's really not very clear if this is true or not.  Sources are very sketchy regarding this accusation.  However, I will entertain the notion that this is true.  If he did indeed cut in line why did the Police wait until he was done talking to remove him? You can see that he was waiting at the mic while Kerry was finishing answering another students question.  Then Kerry asks Meyer what what his question is.  The total time Meyer is standing silent in front of the mic waiting is 10 to 15 seconds. The police should have done something then if that was the reason this "trouble maker" was singled out.  Meyers decision to ask Kerry questions was not a spur of the moment thing.  Thus I think that it would be more logical to assume that Meyer was ready to get in line to ask Kerry questions. 
    Now regarding the Reaction of the Police.  It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I've heard many justifications for why to police did what they did but to me none of them really stick. At no time does Meyer ever make a threatening gesture or comment. The reaction of the police clearly indicates that he was to be treated as a threat from the very get go.  After they cut his mic two officers grab him by the arm and forcefully remove him from the mic.  This is interesting because Meyer had already turned to step away.  The officers had either made up their minds to make an example of this fellow or had already been directed to do so.  Meyer asked several times "What did I do?" only to be hauled away by a team of 6 or more officers. His reaction in my mind is very logical.  His actions clearly didn't warrant the reaction by the police.  He had just asked some questions and wanted to be around to hear the answers.  Kerry had even said that it was OK and that he would answer his questions. 
    The rest is to obvious to analyze.  He was subdued and then tasered after asking.... pleading with officers not to.  He even offered to leave voluntarily to avoid being tasered.
Posted in these Groups:
Topics: Andrew Meyer, tazer, Florida Student, free speech, police, John Kerry, Political Forum, student
posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 02:44 PM
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27 comments from 10 users

1

posted by Charlie3 on Sep 20, 2007 at 03:08 PM
When the police tell you to shut up and move on, you have two choices. 1. Shut up and move on.  2. Suffer the consequences of flopping your mouth and resisting arrest.  The LW libs can screech and whine all you want but it doesn't change #1&2. I think the police did the right thing and I commend them for it. Of course meyer will be a cop hater for the rest of his life and a class a looser for the same amount of time. And no, freedom of speech does not apply here.
posted by robbwillis on Sep 20, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Are you Andrew Meyer's lawyer, CALCAPITALEYE? You couldn't have put a better spin on this incident in his favor. How about a teensy bit of objectivity?
posted by TSM on Sep 20, 2007 at 03:35 PM

 

You failed to mention the part where he used profanity, was asked to stop and continued to do so.

You also forgot to mention how he was resisting the cops.

And what about his history of these kinds of pranks? And having a woman record him?

According to the cops, he was joking with them outside about the whole thing.

 

posted by TSM on Sep 20, 2007 at 03:36 PM

 

The LW libs can screech and whine

It's the conservatives screeching and whining because it happened at an event where Kerry was speaking.

The conservatives are hypocrites in that way.

 

posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 20, 2007 at 04:54 PM
    Police can't tell you to shut up and move on unless you are breaking the law such as inciting a riot or threatening someone. Neither of which he did. Watch the video.
Objectivity? I don't know the Kid, but I do know other bozos like him who annoy me. I didn't like what he said but yet I think he has the right to say it. My bias is that I believe in the constitution. Shame on me, I really need to rethink the whole "Universities are institutions of Leaning which can only take place if ideas are freely exchanged."
Profanity? Hmmm.... your right he did say BJ and when he was being unlawfully removed then pinned and latter tazed he said the F word twice.  But then again... I think the first amendment protects those word too. Remind me again why the profanity  was an issue?
Oh it was all just a prank... please... think for yourself.  Even if was a "prank" it was legal. You would probably say what Rosa Parks did was just a prank too.
Key word: "According to the Cops".  I guess if you tazed me for no reason and were still holding that tazer I'd say what ever I though would keep you from using it again.
posted by robbwillis on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Shall we just discontinue inviting people to universities to speak then? If the Andrew Meyers of the world have the "right" to fillibuster to their hearts consent at the universities, why shouldn't they be able to do it in a movie theatre? After all, he wasn't yelling "FIRE!"
posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:04 PM
Oh, I totally ignored the whole... "he got a woman to record the whole thing". 
SO WHAT. Does that mean he planned it? Like I said, If he planned the whole thing or not it still doesn't mean the police were justified.  Police are keepers of the Law not Forum etiquette enforcers. They insure safety not politeness.
I wonder how many students or citizens have had their questions muffled because they believed that a police officer would never do anything wrong.
posted by OldBlue56 on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:04 PM

As usual, when a video like this comes out, all the "experts" watch it and give an opinion. But that is all it is, an opinion. Unless you were there, involved in the situation, you really don't know the entire story. But it makes for good TV and discussion. Remember, there are 2 sides to every story, and both sides are not always 100% correct. Let's see how this all plays out.

And FYI calcapitaleye, it "tased", not "tazed".

posted by sagefever on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:08 PM
I looked at this video several times:both parties had ample opportunity to deescalate the situation. If it was me the guys with the uniforms clearly trump me, with no such authority...guys with guns win.
posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:10 PM
Filibuster? Obviously your extreme examples could be given an explanation of why someone would not be permitted to conduct themselves this way in a movie theater.  But this was a Q&A Forum and he clearly stated that he wanted at the most 2 minutes to express his questions.  Hardly a Filibuster.  If your going to give an extreme example to prove a point make sure that it fits the situation.
posted by OldBlue56 on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Hey calcapitaleye, is your first name Panfilio? You remind me of someone I know.
posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Thank you OldBlue56... the proper spelling of tased is a very important part of this discussion of which no one should form opinions about because none of us are experts.
I guess putting your hands up in the air doesn't help deescalate situations. 
posted by sagefever on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Not when you continue to fight and argue. Clearly your a fan of Mr Myer. In these public forums it is common for rules of polite behavior to be observed. Both parties could use a refresher course on how to act in public. Guy with badge and gun still wins.
posted by OldBlue56 on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:27 PM

A typo is one thing, but if you are going to be as vocal as you are on a subject, you look way more credible if you at least spell one of the main words correctly.

And the 5 o'clock news just showed a somewhat overweight cop using a taser on some gal outside a bar. I don't know exactly what happened, but in my opinion, it looks like he overdid it. But I wasn't there.

posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:34 PM
If being a "fan of the constitution and the rule of Law" means I'm a "fan of Mr. Meyers" then yes. If Mr. Meyer breached the "common rules of polite behavior" i still don't think that justifies intervention by the "guys with badges and guns".  If people just role over as you suggest then this country will soon be ruled by badges and guns and not the Constitution.
posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 20, 2007 at 05:43 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
Cops getting tased during training.... looks like it hurts. you be the judge.
posted by TangledUpInBlue on Sep 21, 2007 at 02:29 AM
Hey, the one of the most detrimental parts of the story is constantly ignored. His mic was cut and campus security attempted to arrest, and subsequenly tasered him, directly, and we're talking SECONDS, after he asked Kerry if the former presidential candidate was ever a member of skull and bones. Youtube it, there are at least a half-dozen different angles. And then, Andrew refuses to get in the elevater with the cops because he's so scared of them! Man, I would be too.
posted by robbwillis on Sep 21, 2007 at 07:07 AM

If your going to give an extreme example to prove a point make sure that it fits the situation.

Hey Mr Pot,

You mean like these:

If that were the case then every politician who I have watched during a Political Debate should have been arrested and tasered and Every "crowder" at Magic Mountain should be behind bars.

Even if was a "prank" it was legal. You would probably say what Rosa Parks did was just a prank too.

I guess if you tazed me for no reason and were still holding that tazer I'd say what ever I though would keep you from using it again.

If people just role over as you suggest then this country will soon be ruled by badges and guns and not the Constitution.

Mr. Kettle 

posted by sagefever on Sep 21, 2007 at 08:28 AM
I am just foolish this way..but when confronted with a dangerous situation I like to comply , get out in one piece and then , if my civil rights have been compromised move the matter into the courts...but then I would have to be serious and not looking for my 15 minutes.
posted by RosemarysAbortionist on Sep 21, 2007 at 08:36 AM

Can you yell "movie" in a crowded fire house?

posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 21, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Yes, just like those. Notice you made no attempt to pull apart the logic....  Rhetoric should be a mandatory course in high school.  A society full of logical thinkers rather than just thinkers, who can throw around idioms but not much else, would be nice.
posted by sagefever on Sep 21, 2007 at 08:31 PM
Logic aint everything~ as even logic lovers will tell you..but that's just my woman's intuition
posted by stickbugs on Sep 21, 2007 at 08:36 PM
I'm with you on this sage....manners would have made this a non-event.
posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Sep 21, 2007 at 09:05 PM
critiquing something one knows little about is unwise.  http://neptune.spaceports.c...
posted by robbwillis on Sep 24, 2007 at 08:45 AM
Yes, it's a shame that Andrew Meyer nearly made it to adulthood without that course in rhetoric and obviously lacks a logical bone in his head. Both would have left him better prepared for his fate and able to curb an out-of-control impulse urge. Of course, others with no rhetorical skills and similar insuficient logical abilities wouldn't have been afforded the opportunity to defend him by making this sordid affair into a free speech issue.  
posted by TomW on Sep 24, 2007 at 09:31 AM
I'll admit it was handled badly.  I've been to a lot of Q&As where these nutters get up and start their spiel.  Usually, the speaker will say that those are good questions and that they don't have time to answer them and thank you.  That said, once the police decided to get involved, he should have turned and walked out or kept his arms down and let the police escort him.
posted by CALCAPITALEYE on Oct 12, 2007 at 04:27 PM
robb... always good for a laugh.  I only wish you would address the substance of the issues and not always resort to these passive aggressive ad hominen attacks.
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