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Congressman Bob Etheridge (D), who represents the second congressional district in North Carolina, was caught on tape losing his cool with someone videotaping him on the street.
The edited video was posted on a right-wing Web site affiliated with Andrew Breitbart.
In the video, a man, who says he is a student, asks Etheridge if he agrees with the "Obama Agenda." Etheridge becomes visibly annoyed and then appears to knock the camera out of the taper's hand, and grabs and holds his wrist while demanding to know who he was.
"I have a right to know who you are," Etheridge exclaimed. (While it is generally understood ethical protocol for journalists to identify themselves, there is no law stating that someone with a video camera has to identify themselves.)
Etheridge today released a statement apologizing and expressing "regret" for his "poor response":
"I have seen the video posted on several blogs. I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved. 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."
Members of Congress have to understand that this in this environment in which anyone with a camera can post their videos to the Web in a matter of minutes. They need to understand they can't take the bait.
Leave a Comment:
I see... James O'Keefe can't play a pimp anymore so now he's a 'student'! LOL! Was his 'honey' the one doing the filming?
Feisty,
I as just thinking shades of ACORN. Why would a responsible journalist not ID themselves and why is the face of the so called student blurred????
This world is going crazy!!!!
True that Veteran!
Why wouldn't a 'real' journalist reveal his face? If you're man enough for the ambush then why isn't he man enough to show the world who he is?
Indeed the world is resembling the looking glass & mad hatter more with each passing day! Me? I'm trying my best to avoid the rabbit hole... LOL
Democrats specialize in destroying the lives of regular Americans. Maybe he was remembering Joe the Plumber and didn't want the DNC, Moveon, ACORN, ext harassing him.
Do you really think that was a reasonable response to such a simple question? This makes Etheridge look crazy. Except to the apologists apparently. I doubt you were sympathetic to George Allen.
Thats exactly what i was thinking and what student uses the term obama agenda...thats a republican talking point if i ever heard one and what was this a democrat crossing zone how many other senators did the question
Don't you just love the sensationalism of the media....Assults is in the headlines and all he did was hold his wrist...USA media is all emotion and unfortunately most in USA only read headlines...if they read at all!
Yea...maybe he was a student and that is why his face is blurred out...maybe he was a student and that is why he did not identify himself as a reporter...and maybe the left is trying to spin this to make the situation look like it is being handled by the right...and maybe this Senator really is just an A$$...
The senator is an ass for doing what he did. He took the bait and it was definitely bait.
(Not bait for him to actually grab the guy.)
His usage of the term, "Obama Agenda" easily identifies what he is all about. What the senator should have done was ask the kid to define Obama agenda or simply just told him what he is about.
Regardless, the senator's actions were completely inappropriate.
Kiss his butt goodbye. It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad as to how the loons from the left once again try to excuse the inexcuseable behavior of one of their degenerates. Way to go First Read!
I agree, that it does seem like a right-wing stunt, but that doesnt excuse Congressman Etheridge. Regardless of intent - the congressman was wrong - end of story. Its actually kind of sad to see people here trying to spin it any other way. If the shoe were on the other foot and it was a republican congressman, all these people defending Etheridge would be setting up the pyre.
I realize that most people here are left-wingers, but seriously- be consistant. Dont excuse one idiot's actions because hes a democrat and crucify another idiot for the exact same thing (which people here would) because they are a republican. Is it a stunt - probably, but that doesnt excuse the congressman for his actions.
And people saying "he just grabbed his wrist" - i would be willing to bet if someone 'just grabbed your wrist' that you would have a problem with. I know i would, because if they 'just grabbed my wrist' i would have to 'just punch them in the face'.
Again - please be consistant- otherwise you just look like a partizan mouthpiece.
"And people saying "he just grabbed his wrist" - i would be willing to bet if someone 'just grabbed your wrist' that you would have a problem with. I know i would, because if they 'just grabbed my wrist' i would have to 'just punch them in the face'."
that goes both ways.
two strangers walk up to you on the street and shove a camera into your face while babbling BS political talking points. do you smile and take it, with a cell camera shoved between your eyes, or do you demand to know WTF is going on?
Etheridge should be praised for having enough restraint to not do what many people would do in that situation, which is to 'just punch them in the face'.
if college republicans want to act like dicks, their going to get treated like dicks. welcome to the big leagues, skippy.
The camera was not "shoved into his face". The students were polite - the Congressman was a jerk. And the Congressman committed a crime - assault and battery.
Quit apologizing for and excusing bad behavior.
Why would anyone defend this poor excuse of a Senator??
He is obviously one hell of a Jerk! - Whether it was a right wing student or a Journalist asking him questions his response was totally uncalled for! Is North Carolina really proud of this guy to represent them??
Vote the bum out !!
Dicks - the difference is - im not a congressman, im just a dude. I would honestly, just ignore the guy and keep walking, i'm from New York - im good at ignoreing people i don't know. What the Congressman should have done was ask "who are you" and when they dont answer, i would have just kept walking.
If the guy grabbed me, yes, i would hit him. But just some random guy with a camera in my face, i would keep walking. Also, i dont consider what the kids did as 'in his face'. The only reason the camera was in his face, was because the congressman got in the kids face. Had he not grabbed the kid and pulled him in, the camera would never have been right in his face.
Again - i agree with most people here it was prolly a right wing stunt -but im amazed at the blind eye being turned because the congressman was a democrat. He was wrong - thats really the end of the story. Try to look at it from a non-partizan point of view - i dont care what side of the isle your on - you cant do that. It really is sad that so many people are blind due to politics. That does go both ways, this particular situation is just highlighting the democrats being blind.
I dont know if the Senator was concerned it would be a ideological interview. He appeared quite panicked. Maybe he was stoned. "WHO ARE YOU! WHO ARE YOU"! It reminded me of the scene in "Ghost" when the ghost played by Vincent Schiavelli was teaching Patrick Swayze stuff in the subway. And then all of a sudden he freaked out and starting yelling "WHO ARE YOU!" Remember that? But anyway, I expected to see the Senator continue his rant with something like "WHO SENT YOU! WHY ARE YOU HERE! DID THEY SEND YOU! WHERE ARE THEY?", and then run away screaming. That would be funny.
But, sadly its just another democrat committing a crime, acting like a dolt, and then of course "sincerely" apologizing. Hey, hes only a democrat, its not like anyone expects anything like decorum, civility or common sense from them.
right wing ambush or not, if Etheridge can't handle a couple of kids with a camera it is no wonder that Iran laughs at us. I would hate to see him face to face with a North Korean. Us tarheels need to find a man to send to DC
rightly amused, I do think the Senator was wrong and stupid for taking the bait. But I would point out that the following apology does sound to me like it's full of decorum, civility, and common sense:
"I have seen the video posted on several blogs. I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved. 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."
Mark - i agree- his appology does seem sincere. The point im trying to make here is the fact that there are a lot of people here DEFENDING his actions. It doesnt matter who asks the questions, it doesnt matter if its a right-wing 'gotcha' job. The congressman was wrong. If he were republican and the people asking the questions democrats - it wouldnt matter either.
Im not saying - crucify the guy. Im saying to the people here - Dont give him a pass because hes a democrat because you wouldn't do that for a republican.
Be constistant with your views. Dont turn a blind eye because the guy shares your political views.
If the video is everything that actually happened he should be appropriately punished. Either criminally or by civil means. However, because the video is obviously edited in the you tube posting, I wonder what was left out. It would be more compelling if the video was from a 3rd party passer by. The people taking the video had an agenda, this was obviously not some random kid talking to a random politician. So it is hard to say that there are not mitigating circumstances that warranted the congressman's response. In any case the congressman should had used restraint.
OMG... He should be arrested for assualt and lose his 2nd amendment right, like anyone else!
People keep saying it's all because the tape is edited, as if that excuses away his actions well check these out:
Camera 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZKie0Z4kaw
Camera 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1BC34jBVo0
No edits and he still looks like a paranoid lunatic.
This is another example of how Biased MSNBC and NBC's Domenico Montanaro are...Now we are calling a interviewer a DC's paparazzi...I thought that since we pay the salary of this Democratic congressman, he has the responsibility to answer the questions or at best decline and walk off...Instead these MSNBC Biased Liberals should be asking why this paid Democratic representive attacked a interviewer...But no they continue to show their true Biased colors and tow the democrat's liberal line.
US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired,
The world is going crazy because of people like you...The question you need to ask is why this Democrat Congressman attack this interviewer...Someday, you Liberals may see the forest from the trees, but, then again a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in awhile.
I was wondering how long it would take before you guys posted this video. If it had been a Republican, it would have been posted first thing this morning and it would not have been written almost as an excuse of the Democratic congressman's actions. Pathetic!
Nancy Pelosi would have had this in conference already, voted on and the Republican convicted already!!!!!
Etheridge is a thug.
Why is he so defensive about a guy asking him if he supports the presidents agenda?
Why's the guy ashamed to show his face on the tape?
Democrats specialize in destroying the lives of regular Americans. Maybe he was remembering Joe the Plumber and didn't want the DNC, Moveon, ACORN, ext harassing him.
The simple fact is, if some one came up to me and asked for the time, I DO NOT have the right to grab them, and refuse to let them go until they tell me their name.
The simple fact is Chris - please point out exactly where I said the Congressman had a right to 'grab him'?
Oh and you mean the tax cheating Joe the phoney Plumber right? Wasn't it John McCain who mentioned old phoney Joe a dozen or so times during the debate?
While not having the common sense to wonder if Phoney Joe had actually been vetted? And somehow this is the Democrats fault... LMAO!
Nice try at the spin...
You have to be vetted to ask a question now? The important part of that exchange wasn't the man asking the question, it was Obama's response. In this story, it doesn't matter who asked the question, it's how Etheridge responds. It's clear democrat apologists are going to try to spin this that it was the bad students fault for asking him a question, but the story is him no them.
Funny you should bring up tax cheets. Tim Geithner, Nancy Killefer, Charles Rangel, Tom Daschle... Democrats love raising taxes proveded they don't have to pay them. :P
Feisty, your "blame the victim" mentality is sad. Let me guess, you also think it is OK for a woman to be sexually assaulted because she wore tight clothes. That's right, attack the victim instead of the person committing the assault. Classy.
BTW...here's another angle unedited for those that somehow think Rep. Etheridge was somehow aggressively approached (hint: he wasn't)
http://www.youtube.com/user/DCCameraGuy#p/a/u/1/nZKie0Z4kaw
TO bad the Congressman did not carry a taser. I would have let the little boy have it. With all the sensational seekers like micheal moore who post crap I am not surprised by the Congressmans reaction.
FEISTY- I hope you watch the video that Mike posted...I would like to here you defend that...
If "feisty" wants to talk about "Joe the Plumber" then we should talk about liberal and Democrat plans for taking money from people that work for it and giving it to people that don't. That's what that exchange was about - "redistribution of wealth".
And if you want to talk about tax problems, let's talk about some Obama Cabinet choices - you know - Geithner, Daschle, etc. And some Dem Congressmen like Rangel, etc.
Stick to the facts - the Congressman committed a crime and libs are excusing it. that's the bottom line here.
So......has anyone seen the unedited video? Just curious.
northtosouth, please see my posts above. They include a link to an unedited version from a different angle than the "famous" version.
Thanks.
..and this is worthy of note because? The clown with the microphone should have said who is was!..and why was his image blocked.....sounds/sounds like more Carolina shenanigans!!!!!
Chilled,
Well noted. While I do not agree that he should have made any body contact with the young man, this only plays into their hands, I suspect there is more than what meets the eye here. If you are on a public street and you do not want to be bothered by somebody sticking a camera in your face that should be respected and everbody move on. If the person agrees to be interviewed then let the chips fall where they may. People have to stop getting in each others face and call it journalism.
You can bet there is more to this that meets the eye. "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina...OMG, what am I thinking. The aggressive nature of some journalists is unprofessional at the very least. I doubt that guy was a journalist!
Are there really any journalists anymore? (Present resident company excepted, of course.)
I guess you should not choose a public life and be supported by public taxes if you don't want to have to endure the media being in your business and reporting back to the public your every move.
Y'all are freakin' sad. Here's another angle: http://www.youtube.com/user/DCCameraGuy#p/a/u/1/nZKie0Z4kaw
The only thing the kid asked was if the Rep. fully supported the Obama agenda. Nobody impeded Etheridge's path or anything of the sort. All Etheridge had to do was ignore them and keep walking. Instead he chose to physically assault the kid.
And you blame the victim for the egregious transgression of blurring his face? I sure would hate to be a female victim in a sexual assault trial with y'all in the jury as I'm sure y'all would absolve the defendant because I had worn a short skirt. Y'all sicken me.
BTW...I also find it highly likely that the only reason the assault ended when it did was because the woman in the red dress (background beginning of the footage) passed by.
BTW Vet...there is a simple solution for Rep. Etheridge not to have cameras pointed at him and questions asked of him. It's called retirement.
If you can't stand the heat, then don't be a member of the US House of Representatives, because that heat comes with the territory.
Etheridge has a history of providing large dollar appropriations to colleges. Further, he repeatedly asked which college the kid was from. If he got that info I do not think Etheridge would be calling the president of that kids college to say what a wonderful job the school was doing. As such, if my kid was on film getting attached by this type of person, I would have demanded the owner of the tape blur his image to provide some protection to the boy from 1) his college (who may loose lots of future money) and 2) the hoards of very mad DEMs. Even if this was another ACRORN type attack, assault and battery by a member of congress regardless of his/her party is truly priceless.
The "clown" with the camera is apparently an American citizen. He has every right to question any politician, and so long as he behaves respectfully, he has the right to expect to be treated with respect by that politician, not physically accosted by an egomaniac who thinks he's better than the people he is paid to represent.
What an idiot. Obviously he is not fit for office if he has no more self-control than that. Furthermore, regardless of whether the kid is a Democrat or Republican, Etheridge is supposed to represent ALL of the citizens of his state. Politicians seem to have forgotten the fact that they are supported by TAXPAYERS of both parties.
Respectfully? Did you really just say that Threepence?
Yes, respectfully: http://www.youtube.com/user/DCCameraGuy#p/a/u/1/nZKie0Z4kaw
I imagine any human being would get to the point of feeling harassed if not bothered to a degree by reporters (and perhaps non-reporters) always pushing mikes in their faces. I realize this comes with the territory but here again we are talking normal human reactions in a manner to what many would define as constant badgering. I don't know anything about Etheridge but I suppose he could have simply answered yes or no while walking away. The question then would this person with the tape have been satisfied with the answer, and if not, would he have continued his pursuit of Etheridge? I also wonder if perhaps the best approach would have been to set an appointment with this person telling him he'll answer any question he wished to ask at a time when he was able to devote to the young man the time and attention necessary to answer his questions.
But he didn't simply answer and walk away. He assaulted the kid and now everyone wants to defend the congressman?!? Sorry, but the kid has the right to do what he did on a public street. He didn't threaten the congressman, impede his path, or try to phyically touch him. He asked a question and was grabbed both by the wrists and then the back of the neck. This behavior is not okay!
He should have been proud to simply answer "yes".
Why didn't he?
Did who was asking the question really matter more to the Congressman, than the question itself?
If so, why?
The answer should have been an easy lay-up...not a thirty foot jump shot.
The democrat apologists need to turn this into a story about the students rather than Etheridge because he clearly reacted insanely to a simple question.
Bob Etheridge is the victim of driveby shooting journalism, the new norm for the lying conservative Lamestream media. So why was the young urinalist's face always covered? Etheridge had every right to ask who this little jerk was before answering any questions and just goes to show what a limpwristed conservative crybaby the little fake urinalist is. Better believe this was no student but a paid operative of Fox and Freaks or the GOP.
Sad that Bob Etheridge apologized for defending himself against a couple of young conservative thugs, still funny to see how easily he overpowered the little limpwristed conservative crybaby. I think that the media needs to investigate this sordid affront to their industry and find out just who the little fake urinalist is and show his face and tell us just who he works for.
Democrat Bob Etheridge is a Stud! Repugnant One Fake Reporter is a Wimp!
How was asking him if he supported Obama a "drive by shooting"? He could have said, yes, no, or just ignored the "drive by shooters". Instead he grabs him.
If some one came up to me and asked for the time, I DO NOT have the right to grab them, and refuse to let them go until they tell me their name now do I? I would end up in jail if I tried that.
You're way more likely to end up dead, Chris.
Etheridge is a thug...and you're a typical Lib jerk...now that school is out I guess you'll be on Mom's computer all summer ?
Eric, A STUD??? Really??? A moron is more like it. "I have a right to know who you are ..." No, dumbass, you don't. You have a right to choose NOT to answer a question, but no "right" to assault the questioner. It matters not whether the questioner be student, Republication or Rush himself. Let's see, was he ashamed to say, "Yes" he fully supported to agenda or afraid to say, "No" he didn't ... hmmmmm
Eric - i hope you never get selected for jury duty, as you prove with that statement that you cant be objective. All the Congressman had to do was keep walking, they werent in his way, they werent doing anything but standing there and asking a question. He could have chose to ignore the kids and move on.
My question to you is - what exactly was he defending himself from? They didnt block, touch, attack or impede the congressman in anyway. It was the congressman who initated contact. So please, what was he defending himself from?
If the "student" had called a policeman right then, he could have had him arrested, for it was more than just holding his wrists...he (Etheridge) held him by the neck and pulled the student to his body...then you can see he realized what a mess he was in and finally let him go. If the student would come forward, I'm sure they could still arrest him. The members of congress seem to think that saying I'm sorry is taking responsibility and clearly it is not. These over paid incompetents have so few social skills anymore because they feel they are entitled to be fawned over just because they are who they think they are: it is too bad we don't have a vote on the internet and just vote him out: be sure the representative would have called the police that moment and we would have heard how terrible the whole situation is.....there is no trust of members of congress anymore and thus the reactions..
Naw Fruty Redhead The question is Why Is the Congressman Comitting assault and battery . Nice deflection though.Truth is the dumbocraps are selfimplodng. You got Etheridge in NC and Green in SC Get out the pop corn. This is gonna be fun.
Could you imagine what they would be saying if it had been the student grabbing Etheridge like that?
Apologists, if you're such partisan hacks that this doesn't bother you at all then there is no hope. Might as well have a dictator in control because apparently your party can do no wrong.
Here we go this was extremely dumb on the senators part...but also what students do you know who wear 3 piece suits to school...LOL....ok maybe it was a school uniform but what kid says the obama agenda that sounds like a republican talking point. sounds like one of those scams that they did with the fake pimp guy and his fake prostitue and this guy fell for it...dumb
keep on trying. But, you're not going to find a way to justify assaulting another person.
You can fool some of the people all of the time, Dmont. And, sorry to say, some of them are democrats.
Etheridge should know better than let his temper fly with a camera around. Let your words be your weapon senator. This little idiot was waiting for something like this to happen. I'd like to see the whole tape that pushed the senator to this point.
But of course we'll only see the snippet that puts the senator in a bad light.
I agree i would like to see the entire video
Except that was clearly the first question they asked him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZKie0Z4kaw
Sooo, nothing pushed him to that point. He's just a paranoid and angry man.
Funny how Rachel was the only one who played the un-edited Acorn 'pimp' tape...
My my... what they can do with some creative editing these days...lol
Ill decide when i see an unedited version of this tape
Granted
Camera 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZKie0Z4kaw
Camera 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1BC34jBVo0
And if we saw the tape - how do we know it is unedited?? I can just see those splice cuttings on the floor right now!
Come on Elise... :0)))
Are you implying it might have been 'doctored' like they've done in the past?
We ALL know that Faux and Freaks always shows the whole footage and would NEVER think of using the wrong tapes to try to inflate the size of the tea bagger crowds now don't we?
Nahhh... not a fine upstanding 'news' station like the cleavage channel (thanks Drive-by LOL)
Omnivision, Elise? Imagine what you might do with that. Maybe we could start by looking at those oil industry meetings that Dick Cheney had back in 2001, and then we could move on to Iran-Contra, and then to the Iran hostage crisis, and then to Watergate, and then maybe to the S&L crisis ... well, you get the general idea. People would no doubt pay good money to see all this. Have a pleasant evening.
If you consider this video and report long enough you come to the realization just how much more important gotcha-politics has become for the left, the right, and certainly the media, versus attending to and reporting on those ideas and solutions that may help to solve or to decrease those problems this country faces today.
Ca,
Couldn't agree with you more. I noted that you said both left and right, but excluded the center, that pretty much covers politics today - no center. Given that ratings are key, on tv, radio, and let's not forget the blog, the "score" is what appears to matter, not content. Reporting the news has been lost in the concept of participating in, and guiding the news, and it doesn't matter if you're on the left or right side of the spectrum, both sides are guilty of that type of behavior. Where is today's Walter Cronkite, Chet Huntley, or David Brinkley? These people were newscasters that we trusted for an unbiased view, and a report on the news, not a spin biased by the network that they happened to work for, or for their own personal aggrandizement.
Living in LA:
The people get what they ask for. The politicans and media give back to the people what the people want. Given there were straight non-opinionated news-reporting programs today their ratings would be so low that their parent networks would be looking to drop them. When asking people what they watch or listen too in order to stay informed of poltiics, current events, national and international news they will say Matthews, Maddow, Olbermann, Shultz, O'Reilly, Hannity, Cooper, Beck, Stewart, Wallace, Limbaugh, etc. etc. Those networks or radio stations that attempt to report straight non-opinionated news find themslves at the bottom of the ratings heap. Most major news orgainzations (including radio programming) tell the listener what to believe rather than simply reporting the news and allowing listners to form their own opinions. And unfortunately the more controversial and extreme any of these people chose to be the greater their listener audience. The bottom line is that people chose to be entertained and will accept being told what to think rather than having to think on their own.
CA and L in L - Good points. It'll be interesting to see how much of the discussion on here Wednesday morning will be about what the President actually says tomorrow night vs. what the pundits tell us he said afterwards - or how he said it, when he should have said it, or whether or not he was wearing a flag pin when he said it. Personally, I can't remember the last time I watched a Presidential address - ANY President - and didn't immediately turn the tv off at the end before the talking heads could come on and try to influence my own feelings about what I just heard. I'm not the quickest wit in the world, and it takes me time to digest a speech and decide whether I agree or disagree with it, and I can't do that with a bunch of self-important know-it-alls talking over each other trying to tell me what THEY just heard.
It's kinda like trying to watch a soccer game with those thousands of vuvuzelas droning on and on. Sorry, I just now found out what they're called - but hey, maybe we have a whole new nickname for the media here?
I've made no secret of the fact that I'm a technological dinosaur. But the "mute" button on my remote is one of the first things I learned how to use.
And CA, in answer to your question about where people get their news - I can honestly say I don't get any of mine from any of the names you mentioned - too cheap to get cable. And from what I read on here every day, I'm not sure I'm missing very much. I still read the newspaper - two actually, though even they have their own biases - and I alternate between NBC and ABC's network news, sometimes switching channels in the middle. It gets harder and harder all the time to find anyone anywhere who's just reporting the news instead of editorializing.
But at the same time, I also get some of my news right here, reading the comments from both sides. It's always been said that there are two sides to every story - I've always maintained that there are actually three - mine, yours, and what really happened. (And I don't mean mine and yours personally, as we generally tend to agree, but you get my drift).
Anyway, everyone be sure to take your Dramamine before logging on here on Wednesday!
How right you are JoAnne:
We have already heard from the pundits what Obama needs to say reagarding this oil spill, how to say it, what to address and what not to address. How to apear and how not to appear. When to laugh, cry, show anger, compassion, calm, etc. If any one of these pundits had to face this problem as President and to give that speech they wouldn't have a clue what to say or what to do, but they are sure full of suggestions (and expectations) as to how someone else "should "do it.
The drink the sand not because they're thirsty, CA, but because they don't know the difference. (Michael Douglas, President Andrew Shepard,The American President). Heckuva a movie.
Dmont ~ you might "like" to see it, but how will you ever know whether you did? Or are you omniscient, just like Elise is omni ... omni ... well, she can see through walls and across time.
Bush made Etheridge do it.
Come on man nobody is blaming bush for this...this guy was dumb for grabbing the kid but you have to admit that no kid in the world would use the term obama's agenda unless they were in someway assotiated with the right or they heard it from thier parents ...thats the republican way put obamas name in front of everything obamacare obamanomics obama this obama that....classic tea party talk...im not a fan of either party but this reeks of right wing game playing
WHY DOES IT MATTER WHO ASKED THE QUESTION? He didn't have to answer, but they have a constitutional right to ASK it.
So only democrats can ask democrats questions?
Should democrats not be able to ask republicans questions? If a democrat comes up to John Boehner and asks what his thoughts are on cap and trade, is it now ok for her to grab him and demand to know who he is?
Regardless of who they were, the question is straight forward. Etheridge looks like a paranoid lunatic reacting like this to one simple question. If he didn't like the question he should have just walked away.
What would be wrong with answering Yes, no, most of it, some of it, ext. At the very least be CIVIL!
That's it, Chris-
Poke the stick into the anthill...
Then stir vigorously.
Bush made him do it...Lol!
Dmont, Ind,
Maybe he's a journalism major at a University in North Carolina. If so, he might actually be trying to pursue his chosen craft, and learning how and what to ask. Looks like he's still got some learning to do, but if he is a journalism major, give him points for trying.
Domenico,
The other day, you said that the first read team was in charge of the content of this blog not the font, size etc.
If that is the case, why do you allow eric from salinas to comment. Honest question. He is always rude, totally unrealistic about any subject and drives a wedge between people trying to have an honest debate.
Do you actually read and approve the absolute FILTH coming out of his mouth every comment?
Hard to believe you allow this......kinda hard to be THE place for news when you allow trash like him on here.
Eric, Salinas, CA, is sadly, far from the worst...his comments amount to little more than DNC daily talking points. There are others here far more obscene, far more vicious.
Of greater significance are the comments about Chuck Todd, Chris Matthews, Andrea Mitchell, and other luminaries in the MSNBC stable, that this blog seems to accept routinely.
I disagree with them on pretty much everything, but they've got a right to their opinions...especially HERE, for heavenssake!
And...so do I, by the way.
Otherwise...this is pretty typical of the level of civility you can expect at a lot of left-of-center blogs.
Sorry.
:))
You're not the first to ask, proud republican, but it never changes.
Awww how cute... looks like the right wing nuts have formed themeselves a 'play' group!
Dirt Bag - Mixed Nuts and some other moron kicking around in the sandbox! Isn't that precious? LMAO!
OMG..
Feisty, if you're already married...I apologize in advance.
But, doggone it...
I think I'm in love!
Remember, Feisty...you always hurt the one you love.
So...good news for both of us, right?
And, Feisty, my love...PUHLEESE give Chuck Todd a break, OK?
My heart is pounding...
Always...
Your own MB.
xxx!
No way the Fiesty fire crotch is married.
You mean she divorced you? What a surprise.
Feisty,
I hope nobody puts any oil in their sandbox.
YET again Mixed Nut's gives all they've got :0))) Thank goodness for the comic relief!
What's that old song about 'sand in your eyes'... :o))
Democrats may only question Democrats, and the questions must be soft-ball.
Republicans may only question Republicans, and the questions must be hard.
Otherwise, it might be a conspiracy!
Sheesh.
Mr. Etheridge lost his cool. He apologized. The student fuzzed out his face, most likely to avoid the wrath of the media and political groups. I don't blame him for that, for sure. Mr. Etheridge, like any legislator, should show respect and patience. He chose his job and he has to, in my opinion, respond to the public. It's part of the job description.
I do not like Nancy Pelosi. I completely disagree with her far left philosophy. I think she is arrogant, power-struck, and has an air of entitlement. I was sort of looking forward to seeing the video of her being heckled by her own "friendly" audience. I thought it would be kind of funny. But it wasn't. She showed some respect and a little bit of class by refusing to leave the stage, and by trying to address the concern of the heckler. (Can't believe, I just wrote that......).
Michelle Bachman runs around the country as if she is speaking for the Republican party. I tried to email her once but she only takes emails and correspondence from folks in her state, even though she's trying to be a national figure. I think that makes her a bit cocky. Mitch McConnell too. Speak for me, and you have to hear me.
If these elected officials purport to be working on behalf of the people, they need to remember they must interact with the people. And they need to remember they are held to higher standards and that there's usually a camera near by.
But again, the student can approach and ask whatever he wants. Etheridge apologized. Move on.
I was going to email Bob Etheridge today. Doesn't accept mail outside his district either. Must be a "public servant" kinda deal.
He apologized, so move on? I don't think so. I'd have the gentlemen from NC paying for my college tuition if I were in that kid's shoes. Social justice and redistribution of wealth all wrapped up in one pretty little package.
Someone probably already said this, but paparazzi culture is right ... and what's worse is somehow they think they deserve the attention. They've long since made it about them, rather than about me and you and a dog named Boo.
Etheridge is just another Democrat thug....see how you do in the next election, Gomer...
Well... I am no Democrat but the Congressman is only human. We all have out "off" or "on" moments. Give the guy a break... As for the dude with the camera... Your a jerk! You see the guy is irritated why push him? To make a name for yourself? Shame on you punk!
Honestly in the heated political world you have no idea who's coming up to you. The young man seems to shove the camera in his face. No questions of "Mr. Etheridge we'd like to ask you a few questions," no politeness, just a vocal manhandling if you will. We elect some of these people into their positions because they are like you and me, they are not used to the camera being shoved in their face unexpectedly. While I do not agree with the way he dealt with the situation, in grabbing the man, I do think he has every right to ask, nay, demand to know exactly who he's talking to. IF this is a student, I hope his collage can identify him, and further his education on how to address someone respectfully. THIS may be the age of computers, cameras, and instant gratification, but it doesn't mean you have to be RUDE!
Regardless of the students approach, It's plain battery. Since when does a US Congressman have the right to grab or touch a person. The congressman has obviously been in DC too long and has the "entitlement" attitude. The congressman should have just kept walking.
Totally irresponsible behavior of a public figure- despicable. Regardless of what these youths were up to, he had many other options than losing his temper as he did.
ANYONE puts their hands on me like that and I guarantee I'd defend myself with a left to the skull! This guy is lucky he didn't get beat down...It sure appears to me that his actions are aggressive with intent to do harm and intimidate, thus deserving a beating in self-defense!
The evidence is clear. The congressman should be arrested for assault and holding someone against their will. He is not above the law. If you or I were to walk down the street and someone asked a question and we slapped something out of their hand a grabbed them what would happen. Repub or Dem shouldn't matter.
If he was gonna get "caught on tape" I say it should have been kicking the little $$$$'S butt down the street! Too much PC talk coming from the righttrolls today!!!! Get in my face and you'll likely be handed yours -- camera and repurcussions be damned!
Mecro,
When you're a public figure these things go with the territory whether it be from the media or public in general. He has no right to accost anyone that is asking him questions about his job...anyone! He has no right touching anyone and the interviewer, or anyone for that matter, does not have to disclose who they are!
If it were me that had been grabbed & held onto like that...the old man would've ended up hurt...and it would've been completely legal as it was self-defense.
Another liberal "entitlement" attitude. If that had been on tape, the Congressman would have rightly been in jail by now, as would you if you did what you implied. My guess is you would not dare touch me first because I would take you out legally.
Where had Etheridge just come from? Where was he going? What else was happening in his life or political career? Excessively contentious day at the Ways and Means committee? I know most people like to deflect this incident according to their particular partisan proclivities but a hair trigger like this points to much more complex issues than knee-jerk analysis by the right and left.
what - another tough day talking to lobbyists? Poor baby.
As the narcissist-in-chief once expounded - He acted stupidly.