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 Wednesday, September 19th, 2007
...is such force really needed?Complete disappointment, revulsion, and disbelief were the instant feelings that ran through me as I watched news of a story about a college student at the University of Florida being tased by police officers for only going over his allotted time in asking a question during a political forum.Twenty-one year old Andrew Meyer prodded the speaker, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) with some questions... one on the 2004 election, why did he concede. Another question was whether Mr. Kerry and President Bush were members of the Skull and Bones secret society. When Andrew Meyer continued after his time ran out, growing impatient and a bit rowdy, police eventually subdued him. As Meyer, already cuffed, begged the officers restraining him not to use a taser...what happens? They proceed to do just that. It was hard to watch. Yet as I sat and watched, there seemed to be 2 other officers looking on as the young man was tased. John Kerry issued a statement saying, "I believe I could have handled the situation without interruption..." and he was prepared to answer Mr. Meyer's question. This is disturbing! There was no reason for Meyer to have endured being tased as he was already subdued by police officers. He was charged for "resisting arrest" and "disturbing the peace." I recall another situation that happened earlier this year where a police officer used a taser against an Iraq War Veteran, Sgt. Mark England at a Las Vegas airport. In addition to being tased, England suffered injuries from a beating by another officer during the same incident! Sgt. England's negative encounter with the officers transpired only because he wanted to ask a TSA official a question regarding the disagreement he had with one of the officers about taking a refreshment past the security checkpoint! England did not fight back and continually called the officers "Sir." Sgt. England gave the officers respect even as they continued to disrespect him. As Sgt. England was being beaten and tased, he endured ridicule as well, laughter from another officer who was watching nearby! He was charged by police for "resisting" and "violating airport rules." England is now suing the Las Vegas Police Department. This is not an example of a loving America that shows "compassion." These taser incidents bring me back to a comment uttered by President Bush as the nation was hit with the Abu Gharib situation. The President that said Abu Gharib was "... a disgusting event... it soiled our soul... it's not what America stands for." We are so concerned about how we treat foreign fighters, terror suspects in the War on Terror. We are so concerned about how we come across to other nations, concerned about the rights of people in other countries, but right here on American soil, Americans are being treated like horrible dangerous criminals for simply speaking their mind! And... for a soldier who has served his country honorably, we repay him by giving him a beat down??! That also is not what America stands for! This is truly embarrassing for America. I don't care if the student speaking his mind was a Democrat or Republican (or if he was someone who has a history of doing public pranks...as it appears Meyer has a knack for), to me, Meyer was speaking peacefully and was not an immediate threat to anyone. Both of the above situations should be cause enough for the rest of us to pause and reflect on the rampant use of unnecessary force regarding the use of tasers in relatively controlled situations. Meyer was already cuffed, and Sgt. England was not menacing or overpowering the officers. Outrageous taser incidents are not isolated. It's cause for concern as American citizens slowly watch more and more of their country's institutions gain more power and make up excuses as to why abuse of power is justified. It's a major and growing problem... sinister in nature, and it must stop. Related Reading/Video Student Tasered At Kerry Event Released: Guardsman sues Las Vegas police after altercation: YouTube: Iraqi Freedom Hero Soldier Beaten/Tased By Las Vegas Police: YouTube: Part 2 of Soldier Beaten/Tased By Las Vegas Police: Bush comments on Abu Gharib:
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