2008 Woodie Awards
In the end, Meyer had it coming
Hannah Skewes
Senior Reporter
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Everyone might have heard about the University of Florida student who was tased at a forum. John Kerry was the guest speaker. The student's name was Andrew Meyer and he had the privilege of spending a night in jail for exercising his right to free speech.
I think Meyer unfortunately abused the right. He recommended a book to Kerry that he'd already read, saying that he had actually won the election. He then asked Kerry that if he was against the invasion of Iran, why he doesn't support the impeachment of Bush before we can invade. "Why not impeach Bush? Impeach Bush!" He was very energetic and they cut off his mic after he ran over his time. Kerry had said, "Let me answer his question." And that's where the insanity started.
The campus police had been told to escort him out of the building because he was "inciting a riot." He started shouting things like "What did I do?" and he jumped around and pushed the officers off of him. Eventually he was laying on the ground with a taser on his shoulder.
While I don't think the tasing of the guy was necessarily warranted, I think his reactions were a little off the wall. After they handcuffed him and walked him out, he said things like "People know I'm here, you can't kill me or anything" and "They're taking me to the government! They're giving me to the government."
As far as I know, police are supposed to let you know why you're being arrested at least during or after they put you in the handcuffs. I'm not sure how soon they told him, but watching the video, I eventually heard them say that he had incited a riot.
The tasing was unnecessary. The police officers are on leave until the investigation finishes. I don't know who authorized them to take him out of the building, the reports don't say. Being obnoxious doesn't warrant being tased.
On the other hand, the guy was acting like an idiot. Plus, he's been known for pulling pranks around campus and having a comedy site. I get the impression that he has this huge ego. That at age 21, he has all the knowledge he needs. He's studying to be a journalist which might not work well with his delusions of grandeur. One college insight isn't enough for the government to want you.
In the end, he paid for his attempt to reveal political truths and be some sort of source of intelligent debate. The police involved might end up paying as well if the investigation goes badly. I guess that's the price you pay for speaking your mind.
I think Meyer unfortunately abused the right. He recommended a book to Kerry that he'd already read, saying that he had actually won the election. He then asked Kerry that if he was against the invasion of Iran, why he doesn't support the impeachment of Bush before we can invade. "Why not impeach Bush? Impeach Bush!" He was very energetic and they cut off his mic after he ran over his time. Kerry had said, "Let me answer his question." And that's where the insanity started.
The campus police had been told to escort him out of the building because he was "inciting a riot." He started shouting things like "What did I do?" and he jumped around and pushed the officers off of him. Eventually he was laying on the ground with a taser on his shoulder.
While I don't think the tasing of the guy was necessarily warranted, I think his reactions were a little off the wall. After they handcuffed him and walked him out, he said things like "People know I'm here, you can't kill me or anything" and "They're taking me to the government! They're giving me to the government."
As far as I know, police are supposed to let you know why you're being arrested at least during or after they put you in the handcuffs. I'm not sure how soon they told him, but watching the video, I eventually heard them say that he had incited a riot.
The tasing was unnecessary. The police officers are on leave until the investigation finishes. I don't know who authorized them to take him out of the building, the reports don't say. Being obnoxious doesn't warrant being tased.
On the other hand, the guy was acting like an idiot. Plus, he's been known for pulling pranks around campus and having a comedy site. I get the impression that he has this huge ego. That at age 21, he has all the knowledge he needs. He's studying to be a journalist which might not work well with his delusions of grandeur. One college insight isn't enough for the government to want you.
In the end, he paid for his attempt to reveal political truths and be some sort of source of intelligent debate. The police involved might end up paying as well if the investigation goes badly. I guess that's the price you pay for speaking your mind.
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