# Congressman attacks student for daring to ask him a question **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 15, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227 "2010-06-15T00:25:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/21 "2010-06-15T01:41:35Z")
The video has been taken down but from what you guys are saying, it certainly sounds like an assault. You don’t touch people you don’t know and you certainly don’t grab or restrain them in any way. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/22 "2010-06-15T01:48:23Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > This is just begging for an autotune treatment. “Who are you? Who-who? Who-who?” And, I have a musical answer lined up to your musical question… I’m an asshole ee yo ee yo 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/23 "2010-06-15T01:48:39Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > (b) beaten up by the kid he was manhandling, who would have had every right to open a can of whup-ass on him. Meh. If I’m right about his intentions suggested by “the Obama agenda,” he’s a fatuous little twit who’d wet his pants at the thought of actual confrontation. Etheridge grabbing him was probably the last thing he expected. That doesn’t make Etheridge right or his actions laudable, of course. Also, what are you guys talking about? Yeah, one video was taken down, but it was reposted a second time on the very same page, and _that_ video is still available. Scroll down moar. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/24 "2010-06-15T01:49:48Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > You don’t touch people you don’t know and you certainly don’t grab or restrain them in any way. I thought it was something more like not insistently pulling on the superflous outer garment worn by a popular ex-patriot Kryptonian, nor expectorating contra to the local atmospheric flow, avoiding revealing the identify of a covert Texas law enforcement officer, and interfering with persons known as Jim or Slim being ill advised. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/25 "2010-06-15T01:54:21Z")
Welcome to Obama’s America. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/26 "2010-06-15T01:57:50Z")
His voice sounded slightly slurred. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was intoxicated somehow. But on the other hand, I find the two students terribly suspicious. They have two cameras rolling, are dressed far more nice than is needed for a couple of students on a school project, it seems like there’s a jump in time, the one question that we do hear them ask is clearly antagonistic, and the voice of the asker is a bit rattly like he’s either nervous or chuckling. Really, we have no idea what was going on. The congressman almost certainly misbehaved, but I wouldn’t bet that he was the only one to have done so. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/27 "2010-06-15T02:00:00Z")
> [@descamisado](#): > > Did you watch the same video I did? Granted the student sticks the mike in his face to get a comment, but he grabs the kid’s wrist and holds it for quite a long time, even after the student asks him to let go. Then he grabs him by the neck _and_ restrains him by putting his arm around his shoulders AND THE STUDENT NEVER EVER TOUCHED HIM. > > I don’t necessarly blame him for being a bit wary but that was some serious paranoia and over-the-top defensiveness. Quite crying for Jesus’s Baby Children. Lesser men would have grabbed the camera and beat him with it. I’m with **Robot Arm** in that this is not the guy’s greatest moment, but damnit, sometimes I want to smack the little old lady in front of me in the grocery store line that can’t find her coupons and wants to write a check. It’s human nature to be annoyed with people that are being annoying - especially if they are _trying_ to be annoying. The congressman never went all Sean Penn on the guy. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/28 "2010-06-15T02:00:23Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Meh. If I’m right about his intentions suggested by “the Obama agenda,” he’s a fatuous little twit who’d wet his pants at the thought of actual confrontation. Etheridge grabbing him was probably the last thing he expected. > > That doesn’t make Etheridge right or his actions laudable, of course. But who cares? I think most people are scared of physical confrontation. Does that mean only strong, brawny people should go around asking questions? I mean…if you’re a politician, putting on a public face and answering the public’s questions are part of your job. It’s like becoming a doctor and getting angry that you have to examine people. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/29 "2010-06-15T02:03:29Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > But who cares? I think most people are scared of physical confrontation. Does that mean only strong, brawny people should go around asking questions? I mean…if you’re a politician, putting on a public face and answering the public’s questions are part of your job. It’s like becoming a doctor and getting angry that you have to examine people. I don’t disagree at all, and even people who aren’t scared of physical confrontation would have been shocked at Etheridge’s reaction. I’m just amused at the people saying the kid should have kicked Etheridge’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/30 "2010-06-15T02:03:33Z")
> [@Freudian Slit](#): > > I think most people are scared of physical confrontation. Last I checked, politicians were people. Two arms, two legs, that sort of thing. The congressman didn’t confront the young man. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/31 "2010-06-15T02:12:17Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I’m just amused at the people saying the kid should have kicked Etheridge’s ass. Why? He initiated hostile contact. Kid could have defended himself, had he been so inclined. ---
**Author:** ![emcee2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emcee2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emcee2k)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/32 "2010-06-15T02:16:31Z")
He reminds me of the ghost living in the subway in the movie “Ghost”. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/33 "2010-06-15T02:18:40Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Welcome to Obama’s America. Has your _Fountain Head Job_ loving stupid ass fallen so far that you have degenerated into posting trolling non-sequitors? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/34 "2010-06-15T02:20:15Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Last I checked, politicians were people. Two arms, two legs, that sort of thing. The congressman didn’t confront the young man. He assaulted him, though. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going up to a politician and asking them questions. They can say no comment if they’re not in the mood but it’s not the same, IMO, as asking a random person a question. They’ve basically put themselves in the role of representing the people–how can they get pissy when someone wants to ask them a question? To me it’s not the same as a normal person or even a celeb getting annoyed. It’s their job to deal with this kind of stuff. If this is your idea of a scary confrontation, don’t be a politician. ---
**Author:** ![Nicolas\_Bourbaki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecc23a/32.png) [@Nicolas\_Bourbaki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicolas_Bourbaki)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/35 "2010-06-15T02:22:47Z")
I was inclined to give the congressman the benefit of the doubt on this one when I first heard about it, given that Breitbart was making hay of it, but after watching the video . . . that dude looks pretty wasted. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/36 "2010-06-15T02:24:29Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Why? He initiated hostile contact. Kid could have defended himself, had he been so inclined. You’re talking permissibility, I’m talking capability. And now it feels like a bad joke I’ve had to explain too far. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/37 "2010-06-15T02:27:06Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > -how can they get pissy when someone wants to ask them a question? Because they are people? Let me follow you around with a camera and a mic and I can guarantee inside of five minutes I can annoy you enough that you will grab a blunt object and swing at me with it. Then I’ll post it on YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/38 "2010-06-15T02:34:11Z")
This is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen. Yes, there was a weird edge to the overdressed “kid”, his question was idiotic, and his persistent refusal to give his name or affiliation (make one up if you want, I’m Bob from Wossamatta U) is a little strange. But that said, he didn’t restrain or block the Congressman from continuing down the street, he wasn’t yelling at the Congressman or chasing after him, and he’s not Michael Moore. There was nothing to provoke anything more than a tense smile and a curt “Call me for an appointment” or something, while keeping on walking. There’s missing pieces here. Who were these guys and what did they want? Maybe they’d been hanging around the guys office bothering his staffers or something. Doesn’t excuse what Etheridge did, of course. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/39 "2010-06-15T02:49:55Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > … damnit, sometimes I want to smack the little old lady in front of me in the grocery store line that can’t find her coupons and wants to write a check. … That’s different. THOSE people are EVIL and must be destroyed. Mark my words. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/40 "2010-06-15T03:21:16Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Because they are people? Let me follow you around with a camera and a mic and I can guarantee inside of five minutes I can annoy you enough that you will grab a blunt object and swing at me with it. > > Then I’ll post it on YouTube. I doubt that–that’s not something I consider to be socially acceptable. Part of living in a society, IMO, is that you don’t throw things at people when they piss you off. If someone asking you questions is enough to make you attack them, then you have problems. Count me in with the rest thinking this guy was wasted out of his gourd. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227.md?page=3)