# 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:** 22
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/421 "2010-06-17T05:03:45Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I never said you were selfish, **RR**. Oh, and btw, **RR** , please ignore this comment. I’m running a fairly high fever tonight and apparently not thinking as straight as I might. I mistakenly interpreted your comment about selfishness as relating to my own view of you, not **Dio’s**. I figured it midway into composing my post but forgot to go back and edit it out. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/422 "2010-06-17T05:26:31Z")
Careful there, **RR**. You’re masturbating so hard you’re liable to yank that little guy right off. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/423 "2010-06-17T05:37:52Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > You don’t have to harm some one to be aggressive and overstep your social bounds. You do not know what he wanted. You can not say he wanted to get mauled by the politician. Battery is not just a technical definition. it describes a person going well past the line. He should be ashamed of himself for acting that way. You should know better than to defend him. I withheld judgment when I saw the Breitbart vid, because it was so heavily edited. But the clips showed at WAPO were continuous (from 2 cameras): they were more telling. ([link](http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/06/who_tmzd_rep_bob_etheridge.html) h/t Mr. Moto) It’s possible that the Congressman had a history with the alleged college student. We can be pretty sure that young guy was lying, when he implied that he was just working on a (student) project: “Do you support Obama’s agenda?” reeks of horsepucky. And the fact that he blurs his face and won’t even respond to emails from WAPO’s conservative blogger indicates that Mr. Student is a coward, or perhaps unfamiliar with manhood. Back in the 1970s, certain workplace and recreational disagreements were settled in the parking lot. But over time, the reach of the law has crowded that out; fights are no longer tolerated either in practice or theory in most jurisdictions. I think that’s mostly for the good, though admittedly I speak from self-interest. If somebody picks a fight with me, I just as soon pass the problem on to a lawyer, rather than engage in fisticuffs. I honestly don’t know whether the Congressman technically broke a DC law during the altercation. But I think it’s fair to say that he was belligerent and that he manhandled the cowardly conservative activist. That’s inappropriate and in 2010 deserves rebuke, in my view. The apology was appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/424 "2010-06-17T12:56:38Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I’m tired of people calling me selfish because I have the temerity to make their lives better every single day. You realize, you troll, that **SA** said that because you launched sexual insults at someone’s underage daughters? Yes, that sure “makes our lives better every single day”, to know that we have a [dick-obsessed](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=567201), perverted troll on our boards. I feel better already. Mainly because _I’m not you_. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/425 "2010-06-17T13:07:49Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > And for whatever it’s worth to him, let me offer kudos also to **gonzomax** (and the other major lefties on this board) who’ve joined in condemnation of Rep. Etheridge’s behavior. There is much mutual and long-standing animus between **gonzo** and me, but what’s right is right and **gonzo** deserves recognition and appreciation for putting what’s right (and/or wrong) ahead of partisanship with regard to Rep. Etheridge. I have a somewhat related comment to make on this subject. As I’ve said above, while I agree Etheridge’s behavior was wrong, I think it’s so minimal that it really doesn’t warrant the sweeping condemnation it’s gotten here. So I don’t agree with **gonzomax** (or with you, **SA** ) on the necessity to publicly flog the man for the brief, physical but no-harm-done contact shown here. But I admire **gonzomax** ’s consistency of belief. He’s willing to condemn the Dem who did something he sees as wrong, when it would be easy to overlook it. His view is clearly based on principle, not politics, and I appreciate seeing it. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/426 "2010-06-17T13:13:41Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > There I am, going to work every day, helping people structure transactions in a more tax-efficient way, which allows them to do those transactions, which create jobs and help build buildings and infrastructure and what-not. And yet no-one’s written a folk song about you. Tragic. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/427 "2010-06-17T13:13:42Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I have a somewhat related comment to make on this subject. > > As I’ve said above, while I agree Etheridge’s behavior was wrong, I think it’s so minimal that it really doesn’t warrant the sweeping condemnation it’s gotten here. So I don’t agree with **gonzomax** (or with you, **SA** ) on the necessity to publicly flog the man for the brief, physical but no-harm-done contact shown here. > > But I admire **gonzomax** ’s consistency of belief. He’s willing to condemn the Dem who did something he sees as wrong, when it would be easy to overlook it. His view is clearly based on principle, not politics, and I appreciate seeing it. It is always that way. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/428 "2010-06-17T13:25:51Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I have a somewhat related comment to make on this subject. > > As I’ve said above, while I agree Etheridge’s behavior was wrong, I think it’s so minimal that it really doesn’t warrant the sweeping condemnation it’s gotten here. So I don’t agree with **gonzomax** (or with you, **SA** ) on the necessity to publicly flog the man for the brief, physical but no-harm-done contact shown here. > > But I admire **gonzomax** ’s consistency of belief. He’s willing to condemn the Dem who did something he sees as wrong, when it would be easy to overlook it. His view is clearly based on principle, not politics, and I appreciate seeing it. And I’d like to take the opportunity to join with **Bricker** in saying it was wrong but not grounds for major outrage. A tired, somewhat egotistical Congressman reacted badly to what he saw as provocation, and later apologized for his actions. I admire **Bricker** in taking the measured stand, that like Rex’s penis, it was _de minimis_. And to agree with all the above that consistency in principle is the proper way to go. ====== I would however like to reiterate my concern about having been push polled about it within a couple days of its having become “news” – I really suspect that it may have been ‘manufactured’ to give Etheridge’s little-known Republican opponent in November an issue to get some name recognition at his expense. Obviously, I don’t know this for a fact, but it does smack too much of coincidence that they were ready with a push poll that quickly (and to a brand-new phone number we seldom get calls on). It’s possible it’s quick reaction by the local GOP to take advantage of a situation – but I have a hunch it was a preplanned “dirty trick.” ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/429 "2010-06-17T13:27:16Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > It is always that way. And I like to think of my own approach as “always that way” too. And the reason you and I are on opposite sides the vast majority of the time comes from a basic divergence in underlying beliefs. We have, for example, dramatically different ideas of the proper role of government. So it’s not surprising that we’ll reach dramatically different conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/430 "2010-06-17T13:38:35Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > There I am, going to work every day, helping people structure transactions in a more tax-efficient way, which allows them to do those transactions, which create jobs and help build buildings and infrastructure and what-not. And I make a bunch of money doing it. And I don’t want a huge percentage of that money doing to support a bloated government. And people like you call me selfish. That’s because you are selfish. Tax lawyers are nothing but a tick on society. You produce nothing of value, and only exist because taxes are an inefficient necessary evil. If the tax codes were revised sufficiently, you’d be out of a job. > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > There you are, doing jobs that make you feel good about yourself but don’t add a lot of value… And here is where we all realize that your worldview is seriously fucked up. Helping others at personal risk and sacrifice is SELFISH? Dude, you’ve got serious problems. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/431 "2010-06-17T13:43:09Z")
I go away for a day or two and the whole fucking world is upside down. **gonzomax** agreeing with **Starving Artist** agreeing with **Dio** agreeing with **magellan**? Guess the Mayans were _almost_ right. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/432 "2010-06-17T13:44:25Z")
**Rand Rover** : The Great Uniter – \*everybody \*thinks he’s a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/433 "2010-06-17T13:45:14Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I go away for a day or two and the whole fucking world is upside down. > > **gonzomax** agreeing with **Starving Artist** agreeing with **Dio** agreeing with **magellan**? Guess the Mayans were _almost_ right. Well, they’re all agreeing that **Rand Rover** is a dick. Kinda like agreeing that “oxygen is essential for life”. Edit: See? See? Now I’m agreeing with **Jack Batty**! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/434 "2010-06-17T13:47:51Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > So what’s your favorite type of granny soap? Wow. That’s is so rude. As a person who does give bedbaths, this kind of callous comment will undoubtedly color my future interpretations of your opinions. I place a higher value on people than paperwork, so consider helping mentally ill people live independently more important that getting someone a bigger tax return. I hope that if and when you are old and bedridden, you find someone like us to give you your bedbath, and not someone like you. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/435 "2010-06-17T13:52:01Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > **Rand Rover** : The Great Uniter – \*everybody \*thinks he’s a dick. Well, you know what they say: keep your enemies close, and don’t make any friends. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/436 "2010-06-17T13:55:06Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > And yet no-one’s written a folk song about you. Tragic. _You file sixteen forms and what do you get? Another day older and bigger profits, St Peter don’t you call me 'cause I can’t go. They owe me souls at the company store._ Nope, still tragic. ☹ CMC fnord! > [@Lightnin](#): > > … And here is where we all realize that your worldview is seriously fucked up. Helping others at personal risk and sacrifice is SELFISH? … How dare you not recognize the serious personal risks **RR** takes every day … paper cuts hurt! :rolleyes: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/437 "2010-06-17T13:58:33Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But I admire **gonzomax** ’s consistency of belief. He’s willing to condemn the Dem who did something he sees as wrong, when it would be easy to overlook it. His view is clearly based on principle, not politics, and I appreciate seeing it. This +1. Good on you, **gonzomax**. Also for the condemnation of the “gaywad” term - you have come a long way since the “faggy” remark. And **Rand Rover** , I considered Pitting you, but I am off for a long weekend in Vegas shortly, so I don’t think I will have the time for a Pitting maintenance. I also usually read and, more often than not, find something to agree with in your postings, but it would work better if you didn’t attack anyone’s family (especially those under age) and also - I am not sure if I can explain this - not make _serious_ personal attacks. The Pit should be like playing the dozens - over-the-top attacks about how people have sex with underage iguanas are one thing, attacks based on someone’s life situation are another. Not that I have never done it, but FWIW. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/438 "2010-06-17T14:07:29Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The Pit should be like playing the dozens - over-the-top attacks about how people have sex with underage iguanas are one thing…Not that I have never done it, but FWIW. Yes, but what about those underage chameleons, **Shodan**? The people have a right to know! ---
**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 17, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/439 "2010-06-17T14:27:03Z")
Shodan–I have only personally attacked those who have personally attacked me. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/440 "2010-06-17T14:32:38Z")
**Dio’s** daughter posts here does she? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227.md?page=23)