Tonight....on a "very special" episode of "When Congressmen Attack...."

Politics 42 replies 1,336 views
fish82's avatar
fish82
Posts: 4,111
Jun 14, 2010 3:16pm
[video=youtube;_oqIP9yagkQ][/video]


Dude. :rolleyes:
tk421's avatar
tk421
Posts: 8,500
Jun 14, 2010 3:45pm
Hmm, nothing. Aw, it's okay. He's a Democrat. Obviously he knows better than that student what is good for him. The kid must have deserved it.
Mr. 300's avatar
Mr. 300
Posts: 3,090
Jun 14, 2010 4:43pm
Hmmm, will this show up on all the networks and be talked about until they force him to step down??
tk421's avatar
tk421
Posts: 8,500
Jun 14, 2010 4:44pm
I doubt it.
believer's avatar
believer
Posts: 8,153
Jun 14, 2010 4:54pm
Mr. 300;389565 wrote:Hmmm, will this show up on all the networks and be talked about until they force him to step down??
Absolutely. No wait...He's a Democrat. He had to have been provoked...right?:rolleyes:
tk421's avatar
tk421
Posts: 8,500
Jun 14, 2010 4:58pm
Don't you know you're not supposed to question your Congressman, at least not outside of a scripted press conference without the allowed questions. The guy obviously provoked the humble, hard working, honest Congressman by asking an unauthorized question.
majorspark's avatar
majorspark
Posts: 5,122
Jun 14, 2010 5:19pm
Now is not a good time to ask democrat congressmen up for re-election if they support Obama's policies.
fish82's avatar
fish82
Posts: 4,111
Jun 14, 2010 5:22pm
believer;389577 wrote:Absolutely. No wait...He's a Democrat. He had to have been provoked...right?:rolleyes:

Shockingly, the DNC is sending out fax-blasts that claim exactly that..."provoked/setup by a right-wing blog."

Sure sounds like justification for a headlock to me! ;)
believer's avatar
believer
Posts: 8,153
Jun 14, 2010 5:29pm
majorspark;389603 wrote:Now is not a good time to ask democrat congressmen up for re-election if they support Obama's policies.


Obviously not. Seriously...what was Etheridge thinking? His best response in that situation would have ben to politely say "hello" and keep on walking. The fact that he physically assaulted this kid despite 2 cameras being on him tells me this congressman thinks he's above the law.
majorspark's avatar
majorspark
Posts: 5,122
Jun 14, 2010 5:33pm
believer;389625 wrote:Obviously not. Seriously...what was Etheridge thinking? His best response in that situation would have ben to politely say "hello" and keep on walking. The fact that he physically assaulted this kid despite 2 cameras being on him tells me this congressman thinks he's above the law.

He is not alone.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Jun 14, 2010 9:12pm
Seems the Democrats are going a little testicle

Doesn’t seem like many of the Obama supporter are willing to voice their support in public anymore for Obama wonder why?
Glory Days's avatar
Glory Days
Posts: 7,809
Jun 14, 2010 9:21pm
yeah, this is nothing.
Glory Days's avatar
Glory Days
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Jun 14, 2010 10:49pm
ccrunner609;389857 wrote:Why is that? One of our elected officials assaulted a young man for no reason. I would think that its a big deal and he should resign.

hahahahahaha assault, really? come on now. a judge would laugh this case out of court for assault.
Glory Days's avatar
Glory Days
Posts: 7,809
Jun 14, 2010 11:25pm
well i am not sure about D.C. law, but here in ohio:
2903.13. Assault.

(A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another's unborn.
(B) No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to another or to another's unborn.

“Physical harm to persons” means any injury, illness, or other physiological impairment, regardless of its gravity or duration.
he grabbed the kids arm and then later pulled in him close to him. i dont see any physical harm or intent of physical harm. he didnt raise his fist in the air, try to throw the kid or push him down, didnt threaten him or anything.
majorspark's avatar
majorspark
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Jun 15, 2010 12:02am
Glory Days;389786 wrote:yeah, this is nothing.

Whether he committed legal assault or not is up for debate. Saying his actions amount to nothing is turning a blind eye to his position of power. He is a federal congressman. A common man, a mere student, dares to ask him a question and he responds with physical force. I realize it was mild but still it was inexcusable. He could have just walked away like most people do when they don't want to answer someones questions.

His actions were arrogant, shameful, and disrespectful to the federal office that he holds. Perhaps if Obama engaged in the same type of thuggery it would be nothing as well.
Glory Days's avatar
Glory Days
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Jun 15, 2010 12:10am
He is also human just like the student. congressmen and women are not superhumans or perfect(clearly or this forum wouldnt exist haha).
S
sjmvsfscs08
Posts: 2,963
Jun 15, 2010 12:47am
I like how the resident cop on the forum doesn't think that's assault.

That's what happens when you spend your days writing tickets...
dwccrew's avatar
dwccrew
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Jun 15, 2010 12:48am
Glory Days;389968 wrote:He is also human just like the student. congressmen and women are not superhumans or perfect(clearly or this forum wouldnt exist haha).

No they're not superhuman, but they should be held accountable for their actions and should be held to the same standards as common citizens in this country. It is not ok to physically grab someone (whether you are intending to hurt them or not).

The Congressman could have handled the situation much better. This goes to show the character of this man or lack of character.
tk421's avatar
tk421
Posts: 8,500
Jun 15, 2010 1:05am
Glory Days;389968 wrote:He is also human just like the student. congressmen and women are not superhumans or perfect(clearly or this forum wouldnt exist haha).

You are such an apologist. I doubt you'd be so ready to sweep this away if it were a Republican. Attitudes like this are why Congress can get away with anything it wants.
majorspark's avatar
majorspark
Posts: 5,122
Jun 15, 2010 1:28am
Glory Days;389968 wrote:He is also human just like the student. congressmen and women are not superhumans or perfect(clearly or this forum wouldnt exist haha).

Sure the student is human just like the congressman. One big difference is the congressman's position of power in society. This man wields power over hundreds of thousands of people in his district, he has a seat in the federal legislature, and his vote can have a direct affect on the whole nation.

This congressman also swore an oath to uphold the constitution. This is the oath he swore:

"I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

I would say he violated this oath by using physical force against an individual citizen exercising his right to petition his Government for a redress of grievances.

Here is the the 1st amendment of the constitution this man swore to uphold:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Although he did not vote to make a law prohibiting the questioning of a congressman, he took the law into his own hands and violated his oath by using physical force to intimidate an individual citizen who was exercising his right to to petition the government for the redress of grievances.

With great power comes great responsibility. This man violated his oath, shamed his office, and in his arrogance abused the power given to him by his constituents. If he had any reverence for the office he holds he would resign. In his arrogance he will do no such thing. It will be up to the voters of his district to to remove him from power.
Glory Days's avatar
Glory Days
Posts: 7,809
Jun 15, 2010 2:09am
sjmvsfscs08;390002 wrote:I like how the resident cop on the forum doesn't think that's assault.

That's what happens when you spend your days writing tickets...
But it’s not assault. Let me know when assault charges are brought against him.
dwccrew;390005 wrote:No they're not superhuman, but they should be held accountable for their actions and should be held to the same standards as common citizens in this country. It is not ok to physically grab someone (whether you are intending to hurt them or not).

The Congressman could have handled the situation much better. This goes to show the character of this man or lack of character.
Oh I agree that he should have acted better. But if you want to hold him to the same standards as everyone else though, forget about this incident. I have seen bouncers treat drunks 10x worse yet they arent being charged with assault etc. parents grab their kids like this and scold them everyday in stores when the kids are running around and don’t get in trouble for assault.

Does he have a history of this type of thing? I mean, one bad day and this is the worst thing he has done, I think I’ll let it pass.
tk421;390020 wrote:You are such an apologist. I doubt you'd be so ready to sweep this away if it were a Republican. Attitudes like this are why Congress can get away with anything it wants.
ummm, I am a republican. plus here is what his republican opponent said:
"Etheridge's Republican opponent in the November election, Renee Ellmers, said at a news conference that the apology was not enough but also said Etheridge deserved the benefit of the doubt."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j5otc9bnPn-ACQqLNs1oKlb9THcAD9GBCJCG6
majorspark;390039 wrote:Sure the student is human just like the congressman. One big difference is the congressman's position of power in society. This man wields power over hundreds of thousands of people in his district, he has a seat in the federal legislature, and his vote can have a direct affect on the whole nation.

This congressman also swore an oath to uphold the constitution. This is the oath he swore:

"I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

I would say he violated this oath by using physical force against an individual citizen exercising his right to petition his Government for a redress of grievances.

Here is the the 1st amendment of the constitution this man swore to uphold:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Although he did not vote to make a law prohibiting the questioning of a congressman, he took the law into his own hands and violated his oath by using physical force to intimidate an individual citizen who was exercising his right to to petition the government for the redress of grievances.

With great power comes great responsibility. This man violated his oath, shamed his office, and in his arrogance abused the power given to him by his constituents. If he had any reverence for the office he holds he would resign. In his arrogance he will do no such thing. It will be up to the voters of his district to to remove him from power.
Wow, that’s kind of a stretch. So if he was driving by in his car with the window down and the student asked him this question and he rolled up his window, would he also have been hindering this citizen’s right to question his government?
fish82's avatar
fish82
Posts: 4,111
Jun 15, 2010 9:08am
Glory Days;389885 wrote:hahahahahaha assault, really? come on now. a judge would laugh this case out of court for assault.

Some would, some wouldn't...depends on the judge.
majorspark's avatar
majorspark
Posts: 5,122
Jun 15, 2010 10:30am
Glory Days;390051 wrote:Wow, that's kind of a stretch. So if he was driving by in his car with the window down and the student asked him this question and he rolled up his window, would he also have been hindering this citizen’s right to question his government?

Not a good analogy. Now if he was driving by in his car with the window down and the student asked him a question, he stops the car, gets out an makes physical contact with the student in an intimidating manner, that would be a better analogy. Congressman should not be in the business of using physical contact to intimidate someone asking them a question. I don't give two shits whether he had a bad day. If I have a bad day and one of my customers asks me a question and I act like this idiot, I will be sued and will lose the priviledge of serving that customer and likely others as well.
Glory Days's avatar
Glory Days
Posts: 7,809
Jun 15, 2010 2:05pm
ccrunner609;390128 wrote:Glory days would be calling for heads if that was John Boehner

i guess you missed the part where i said i am a republican. i think its clear to me now how many people are blinded by the D and R.
majorspark;390191 wrote:Not a good analogy. Now if he was driving by in his car with the window down and the student asked him a question, he stops the car, gets out an makes physical contact with the student in an intimidating manner, that would be a better analogy. Congressman should not be in the business of using physical contact to intimidate someone asking them a question. I don't give two shits whether he had a bad day. If I have a bad day and one of my customers asks me a question and I act like this idiot, I will be sued and will lose the priviledge of serving that customer and likely others as well.

yeah i realized that wasnt a great analogy. my thing is, he didnt try to do any harm and he didnt say "tell me who you are or i'll break your arm" etc.
Glory Days's avatar
Glory Days
Posts: 7,809
Jun 15, 2010 2:44pm
ccrunner609;390421 wrote:^^^^^Doesnt matter, when physical contact is made and made first, doesnt matter what is said or the tone in which it is said. His actions were intimidating and excellated by him further.

ok i would give this like a 2 on an intimidation scale of 1-10. and yes, part of it does matter what is said and how it is said. an old man grabs your arm and says "who are you" and you are intimidated? come on.