# 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:** 5
**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 15, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/81 "2010-06-15T14:27:06Z")
Has he apologized? ---
**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, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/82 "2010-06-15T14:40:21Z")
I can’t wait to see this guy on Intervention. I think it would be a good fit for him. Best Intervention since Towelie. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/83 "2010-06-15T14:44:38Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Yeah, the congressman was out of line, I just wouldn’t quite call it an “attack”. It looks to me like he is trying to get the “interviewer” on camera, first by grabbing his wrist and pulling him into camera view, and then by grabbing his neck to turn him around and get his face on camera. (Not that the congressman’s actions were justified. Not sure why he thought it important to get the kid on camera.) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/84 "2010-06-15T14:44:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Washington, DC, Jun 14 - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) released the following statement on the viral video which appeared on the internet today: > > “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.” > > Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC-02) [Link.](http://etheridge.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=190412) There was a news conference yesterday - which basically took this same tone. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/85 "2010-06-15T14:45:08Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Yes, it does matter. This is not an innocent kid. This is a guy who purposely picked a fight and then filmed the reaction. You might as well rally behind Tom Green or Ashton Kutcher. Or Michael Moore, yes? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/86 "2010-06-15T14:45:45Z")
I agree with **RANATB**. Unless and until we see the entire tape, there’s nothing to react too. This is probably as fake as the ACORN tapes. It strains crecdibility to believe that he flew off the handle just because they asked him if he supported Obama’s agenda. They probably trolled him until they got the reaction they wanted. And it’s not like the guy shot them or anything. He yelled at them a little bit and put an arm around one of them. Who gives a shit? He probably didn’t give them a tenth of what they really deserved. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/87 "2010-06-15T14:47:19Z")
He should never have apologized. He had nothing to apologize for. Those little cunts got exactly what they were looking for. ---
**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 15, 2010, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/88 "2010-06-15T14:48:07Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I agree with **RANATB**. Unless and until we see the entire tape, there’s nothing to react too. Well, considering he’s apologized, I’m changing my mind. Can’t very well defend him against charges he won’t defend himself against. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/89 "2010-06-15T14:53:42Z")
I will defend him. He did nothing very noteworthy. Those kids were not in any danger, nor were they ever interested in an honest answer to an honest question. His apology won’t change anything anyway. It’s not like those who want to exploit the incident politically are going to accept an apology. ---
**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, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/90 "2010-06-15T14:58:14Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > They probably trolled him until they got the reaction they wanted. That doesn’t mean his reaction is justifiable. Understandable, certainly, _more_ than understandable, but not justifiable. His apology suggests this is exactly what happened; the twerps pissed him off with their insinuations and he reacted hotly. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/91 "2010-06-15T14:59:35Z")
What needs to be justified? He didn’t do anything to them. He just yelled at them a little. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/92 "2010-06-15T14:59:53Z")
[The Washington Post](http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/06/who_tmzd_rep_bob_etheridge.html) has different versions of videos from both cameras posted on their website - while these show the students’ faces blurred out they are longer than the Brietbart versions of the tapes and lack the added commentary. Frankly, there isn’t much difference there. Now I am certainly open to the possibility that there is more on the tapes - but I can’t see what would excuse the actions of Rep. Etheridge. The tapes show clearly that he could easily get away - he did so after the confrontation. He couldn’t reasonably claim that his safety was in jeopardy and physical contact was required. He was right to apologize, and the debate frankly ought to be whether this is enough to set right his actions. I don’t know that it is. ---
**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 15, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/93 "2010-06-15T15:01:34Z")
Doesn’t look great I’ll grant you but a few things: 1. It’s not an unedited version so we don’t know what went on 100% 2. Have these “kids” been identified? The face is blurred on the clip I’ve seen. Have they been on any show that anybody’s seen? Have they been proven to be just kids working on a project for school/college? Or are they working for some GOP operation? ---
**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, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/94 "2010-06-15T15:04:10Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What needs to be justified? He didn’t do anything to them. He just yelled at them a little. Psh. If it were just yelling, I’d be completely on board with you. Words that aren’t threats should be fought with words, not physical actions. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/95 "2010-06-15T15:04:39Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > [The Washington Post](http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/06/who_tmzd_rep_bob_etheridge.html) has different versions of videos from both cameras posted on their website - while these show the students’ faces blurred out they are longer than the Brietbart versions of the tapes and lack the added commentary. > > Frankly, there isn’t much difference there. > > Now I am certainly open to the possibility that there is more on the tapes - but I can’t see what would excuse the actions of Rep. Etheridge. The tapes show clearly that he could easily get away - he did so after the confrontation. He couldn’t reasonably claim that his safety was in jeopardy and physical contact was required. > > He was right to apologize, and the debate frankly ought to be whether this is enough to set right his actions. I don’t know that it is. Those kids could have fucked off any time they wanted. They weren’t in any danger, and he didn’t do anything to them. No crime was committed, nothing to apologize for. ---
**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, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/96 "2010-06-15T15:05:14Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Those kids could have fucked off any time they wanted. Except for when he was physically restraining one. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/97 "2010-06-15T15:06:20Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Psh. If it were just yelling, I’d be completely on board with you. Words that aren’t threats should be fought with words, not physical actions. What physical actions? He grabbed a kid’s arm to try to get him on camera. So fucking what? It wasn’t an “assault,” just a couple of punk kids trying to provoke an old man. He didn’t hurt them, and they could have easily gotten away from him if they wanted. Plus we still don’t know what they really said or did to provoke him. ---
**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, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/98 "2010-06-15T15:06:22Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What needs to be justified? He didn’t do anything to them. He just yelled at them a little. Did you see it? He grabbed the guy by his wrist and then put his arm around his neck. ---
**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, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/99 "2010-06-15T15:07:13Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What physical actiopns? He grabbed a kid’s arm to try to get him on camera. You _are_ delusional if you think these sentences are not contradictory. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227/100 "2010-06-15T15:07:17Z")
For all we know, this could have been the 131st time these guys annoyingly ambushed the congressman. Of course, we would only see the tape from the one time he lost his patience and went off on them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-attacks-student-for-daring-to-ask-him-a-question/543227.md?page=6)