Comments | post_ironic: don't tase me, bro.

post_ironic

don't tase me, bro.

Sep 20, 2007 15:45

all right, by now most of you with access to some sort of media outlet have seen this. i'd be interested to know everyone's reaction, since there seems to be a dearth of discussion of the matter on my friends page.

i, for one, am utterly apalled. the UPD's conduct was beyond reprehensible. the public response from the administration has been ( Read more... )

Comments 12

the_mad_laugher September 20 2007, 20:46:26 UTC

I actually did post a response on another friend's LJ, but I'm almost thinking I should write my own post ( ... )

post_ironic September 20 2007, 20:59:19 UTC

i had heard some vague remarks about Andrew Meyer's previous exploits, and read the alligator article about his past activities. it seems that the consensus is that he is, indeed, an obnoxious bastard. i am also glad that people are seeking a more thoroughly complete context for the situation. still, to my mind, this does not condone the excessive response from the University Police Department. the kid was not a legitimate threat to anyone's safety, least of all Mr. Kerry's. further, he was handcuffed and pinned down by no fewer than half a dozen police before being Tased.

as for your point about this being a sad thing for student activism to rally around, it is well taken.

please, kids, keep the responses coming in.

post_ironic September 20 2007, 21:30:48 UTC

is this the article to which you were referring?

http://machinist.salon.com/

the_mad_laugher September 21 2007, 13:24:30 UTC

Yeah... actually, look at the letters. Some of them are short and stupid, but there are other people that wrote pretty nuanced cases for and against the tasering. There's one from someone who has been trained in peaceful protest that is especially interesting (I don't have time to search through the letters right now).

littleblackcat September 20 2007, 20:54:47 UTC

I am also rage-filled at the incident in question. Firstly, the dude, as douchebaggy as he was, was obviously an unarmed, non-violent subject-- which does NOT justify tasing by any reasonable person. Second, it was UNIVERSITY police, as you said! University Police! They are not justified in doing anything besides always ticketing bicyclists on campus. Thirdly, applauding the police was the worst.

But, on another note, as a friend of mine (not in Gainesville or Florida) said, 'thinking about it, i am pretty sure that shouting "don't taser me, bro!" automatically justifies use of the taser in the state of florida.'

And I saw a kid wearing a "don't taser me, bro!" t-shirt that I covet.

post_ironic September 20 2007, 21:01:14 UTC

i think these http://www.goodstorm.com/item/dropsoul/dont_tase_me_bro_dark_brown_black_or_olive_green_t_shirt_sweat_shop_free will be terribly popular soon.

Working for the man has changed me flavobean September 20 2007, 22:07:49 UTC

I dunno.

Maybe cos I'm a black man and cops don't really need a reason to beat me stupid and leave me for dead, but I was always taught that if a cop tells you to quiet it down, then you quiet it down. If he tells you to back away, then you back away.

In my mind, this incident was this guy's own fault. When the cops showed up, it was time to get the fuck out. Don't resist, don't keep talking. Walk the fuck away.

What's powerful about many of the civil rights era TV footage is the fact the people walked away (unless of course it was a sit in or something). But the marchers were always attacked, rather violently.

Anyway, my two thoughts.

Re: Working for the man has changed me cathaarsix September 21 2007, 04:50:25 UTC

you bring up some very simple but trenchant points, and you don't even have to be a black man to realize this; it's more or less common sense (but growing up in the south doesn't hurt - i've noticed a more hands-off attitude with cops in the north, to a certain degree).

it may not be right, and the cops may wield inordinate power and use insufficient discretion with regards to the use of force, but you have to be an idiot to ignore what they say. if he was first given any kind of commands by the police which he ignored, then he did bring something upon himself. if the amount of what he brought upon himself was excessive, that's another point, but he could have avoided it.

Re: Working for the man has changed me runny_eggs September 21 2007, 14:49:32 UTC

I whole-heartedly agree with flavobean, and I love that he brings up the civil rights movement. Bravo ( ... )

cptinramius September 21 2007, 03:07:11 UTC

I'm just shocked that accent hasn't been hurt at all my this deal. They were the ones who cut Andrews mic and got to the cops to surround the kid. Thats the first thing I thought when I saw the vids. Why the heck were cops already around this dude?
All I can think is that those fraties have some serious skill at avoiding blame. Maybe their parents did teach them something.
Also my roommate used to contribute to the alligator and he totally backs up the douchbaggery of this Andrew fellow. As for begging for no taser? It just sounded like brier rabbit to me.

glengarry September 21 2007, 04:18:50 UTC

the three kids in that row on the video are all fellow urban planning students of mine. i know one of them fairly well now. (the girl, she is sort of the hardest to see, not the moon-faced guy Colbert made fun of.) anyhow, i think i would have done exactly the same. the kid was so clearly there to get attention, i am thrilled he got Tased. fulfilling a dream, i'm sure.

no, i don't think UPD should be rolling around with Tasers. but I'm glad they Tasered that guy. I'd rather have a I'd Have Tased You, Bro! shirt.