N.C. Rep. Bob Etheridge assaults student – caught on video
If you approach a congressman in Washington D.C. and try to ask them what seems to be a pretty simple question and he goes nuts, grabbing at you and demanding to know who you are … don’t answer him.
Why not answer? This guy is showing aggressive behavior and has enough power – since we gave it to them – to make your life miserable for years to come. I don’t blame the guy for not answering.
Without further comment, I give you Rep. Bob “Who are You” Etheridge (D-N.C.).
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v60oNUoHBYM
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More from Big Government…
Let’s recap what we saw on this video. A sitting Congressman–a presumed living extension of James Madison and other founding fathers–was asked on a public street whether he supported the President’s agenda. His response was to hit away a video camera and assault a student. The age of Pericles this ain’t.
It is going to be a long, hot summer. But, you’ve been given a target. Act accordingly.
Those of you in North Carolina’s 2nd District have an option this November, and her name is Renee Ellmers.
So, will House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) do anything about this assault? Does she care? I’m certain our “get in their face” president will cheer for this type of action, he’s encouraging this stuff.
Lots of writers in the last 45 minutes posting this video including Power Line, Hot Air, Atlas Shrugs and Sweetness & Light.
This guy should be toast…
Update: Totally viral now. Sister Toldjah, Gateway Pundit, Strata-Sphere, and Doug Powers at Malkin’s place all writing.
AJStrata…
Someone says “Hi Congressman” and the response is physical assault? Bob Etheridge is the epitome of our elitist, arrogant, abusive federal government. The man should be fired – and hopefully the good people of his state will do what is right. We know the Pelosi Congress will not do what is right.
Pathetic. …
For the first time in my life, I am ashamed of my government (not my country).
Update: ABC affiliate WTVD in Raleigh-Duham, N.C. got their coverage wrong and selectively edited the video footage and combined it with the anchor’s voice over to give the impression Etheridge got testy only after the do you fully support the Obama agenda question.
Here is a portion of the written text from their online article, with my emphasis in bold.
The story by Breitbart.com contributor Mike Flynn says the men were students. In the video, they ask the congressman if he supports the Obama agenda.
Etheridge’s reaction was to demand to know who the photographers were.
Bull feathers. Etheridge clearly started demanding who are you right about the time the student got the first two words of his question out.
He then got physical – grabbing the camera from one man and then taking him by the wrist.
Let’s make it clear that Etheridge got physical within six seconds from the beginning of the question, and Etheridge took three seconds from the end of the question before he started pushing. Etheridge was looking for a fight; he was mad about something before he arrived on scene.
In the video, the photographer’s faces are blurred and their identities aren’t given. They never identify themselves to the congressman other than to say they’re students working on a project.
Damn straight they didn’t identify themselves. In less than 10 seconds, this congress-critter went from a guy walking down the street to a lunatic. Would you give this obviously angry man your name or school?
When they continue to refuse to identify themselves, Etheridge grabs one around the neck and then the shoulders refusing to let him go. The man eventually slips Etheridge’s grasp and the video ends.
So this ABC affiliate suggests the students identifying themselves would have calmed this lunatic down? I don’t think so!
Etheridge has apologized. Note his staff seems to be commenting on the “viral video” in the headline of the press release. You would think this type of public display would be so embarrassing you’d withdraw from the race immediately and resign his seat, but no…
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.
Original Video 1
Original Video 2
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1BC34jBVo0
21 Comments
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Steve, could Rep. Bob Etheridge be arrested in NC for attacking someone under 18? I think, not sure, it is the case in CT. Hope this goes viral Steve.
Why does it matter who they are. The congressman's question of who are you does not make any sense.
Absolutely he should be arrested~ no question about it…. and YouTube should be ashamed of themselves for taking the video off the site….
They removed the video? The one I'm linking to seems to be working fine.
We can only hope that this student has a family member that is a better lawyer than most of these fools in congress.
Appalling. How is this not evidence of political entitlement and rising totalitarianism? This event will be ignored by most media and excused by the statists. And congresscritters wonder why Tea Party folk are angry?
Of course he should be arrested, and jailed. Of course, he won't be arrested and jailed. Royalty has privileges not afforded to us common folk, don'tch know?
This is Clearly an Assult and Battery Charge, any where in this country! . The law clearly states that you can not Physically lay your hands on anyone , for any reason, and if that takes place, you have the " Legal " right to Defend yourself. This young man showed incredible Patience, and Valour. He'll get away with , as he's a Democrat, and this is what Democrats are all about, " Fear & Intimidation " I can't wait to see how the Drive By News media Deals with this.
This man is the perfect example of the "priviledged" in our government.
How can we continue to elect these people so they can "persecute" us in this manner.
He should do time and be removed, immediately.
I hope that the student will be aided, pro bono, by the best attorney in the country.
My mother taught me right, she always said…. keep your hands to yourself
I think something is seriously wrong with this man. I'm not kidding. Doesn't it seem like he is under the influence of something? No one in their right mind would behave like that!
oh…but I'd still press charges if I were the young man!
Here is the URL posting over at Free Republic Steve. Took off right away. :)=^..^=
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2534162/…
All I can say that congressman is lucky the student wasn't me. At that age if someone had grabbed me like that I would have dropped him.
VOTE THE BUMS OUT!!!
Those students showed better restraint than I would have. I would have dropped him in self defense after the first "please let me go, sir!". It is all on tape, so it would have been an open and shut case.
Gee, tension is a little high in D.C. right now. I think it is fair for the congressman to ask who he was affiliated with. I have no problem with that as his answers would dictate who he would try to suck up to…but to use physical restraint and fly off the handle is unacceptable behavior for a so called role model and representative of the people. It just shows how insecure and paranoid some of these people are. You have Hank Johnson who thinks Guam is going to capsize and Byrd who can barely remember his name. Why for Gods sake do people vote these people in?? 2010 will be a nice slate cleaning as well as 2012. God bless the broken road.
LOL! He must be feeling all the Øbama love that is trickling down from the White House!
I believe the fine residents of North Carolina will do the right thing. The rest of us are right there with them.
Thank you Mr. Etheridge. 45 seconds to show how the Washington elite treat a fellow citizen.
Stand up or get stepped on.
I just figured out how to resolve all further issues like this: breathalyzer tests before every vote and random drug tests.
The funny thing is that if they all vote "nay", they look completely guilty. It's a win win for republicans right now (assuming repubs aren't gettin' terpsy at lunch time too).