Manipulated by Uncontextual Video
by
Ted Slater
on Sep 18, 2007 at 4:18 PM
There's a good chance you've seen the video of the college student whose disruptive exchange with Senator John Kerry yesterday led him to be tasered and handcuffed. In case you haven't, you can view a version of it here; please note that this version of the video has been intentionally edited so as to remove the events that led up to the young man's being arrested.
Because of what I'll call inquisitiveness, I've found myself watching four different videos of the incident, and then going on to read first-hand accounts and commentary.
My personal opinion: It was a publicity stunt -- Andrew Meyers and perhaps some of his friends set out through his combative diatribe to cause a commotion that might result in his making a lot of money in a possible legal settlement.
Michelle Malkin has been documenting the unfolding of this case since it hit the news. Among other things, she has published first-hand accounts from students who were in the room when the fracas broke out.
From an eyewitness account:
There were twomicrophones placed on each side of the aisle. One on my side and the other on Andrew Meyer’s side. Senator Kerry began answering the student’s questions from each aisle. Eventually it was announced that there would only be a few more questions answered. Since Meyer and I were both in the back of each line, it did not seem likely that our questions would be answered.
However, while Senator Kerry was responding to a student’s question, all of a sudden Meyer rushed to the microphone with cops in pursuit. At that point no one knew what was going on. Could he have a gun, a bomb? Immediately, Meyer began yelling into the microphone that he had been waiting in line forever and that Senator Kerry should “spend time to answer everyone’s questions!” Senator Kerry tried to calm the student down by telling him that he would “stay here as long as it takes to get the questions answered.” The police approached Meyer who began taunting them by saying “what! are you going to taser me? are you going to arrest me?!” The police grabbed Meyer, but Senator Kerry asked the police to let him go and that he would answer his question. Senator Kerry finished answering the other student’s question and then proceeded with Meyer. (*This entire scene is not in any video I can find so far. This is why 2 cops are seen right behind Meyer at the start of some videos*).
Meyer rambles for a while, after which Kerry asks him to pose his question. Meyer becomes more agitated, gesturing wildly, and then poses his first question. During his second question, he utters a vulgarity, and so one of the police officers motions for the microphone to be cut. The microphone is cut off during his third question, at which point Meyer grows hostile. The police attempt to restrain Meyer. Meyer fights them off, again taunting them about tasering him. After continued resistance to the police, they in fact did appear to taser him. He left the room in handcuffs.
So why am I making such a big deal out of this? I'm making such a big deal out of this because I've read so many comments from people who don't know the context of the altercation. They're quick to pass judgment on the police officers for "police brutality," not understanding how Meyer had escalated the situation by breaking forum rules, behaving erratically and disruptively, and provoking the police.
Here are some questions I'm left with:
- What did you first think when you saw the video?
- Did you think that a passionate young man was hauled away merely because of his provocative questions, thus infringing on his First Amendment rights?
- And now that you know more of the story, do you think that Meyer intentionally brought this upon himself?
- Is Meyer's outrageous attitude and behavior common on the college campus?
- Why is it that we tend to sympathize with those who are resisting authority?
- And what about the manipulative effect showing a video out of context can have?
- Can you think of any other examples of how taking something out of context can leave you with an impression that's in odds with reality?
- Finally, if you were a police officer present, how would you have brought about civility in the face of escalating incivility?
1. Canadian Boy had the following to say on Sep 18 at 7:03 PM:
Wow.
I totally expected some sort of Kerry-bashing to go on in this post.
I am pleasently surprised. Have a good night Ted.
2. Chris had the following to say on Sep 18 at 7:06 PM:
What did you first think when you saw the video?
It looked like some college kid on a political rant who was too dumb to ask a question.
Did you think that a passionate young man was hauled away merely because of his provocative questions, thus infringing on his First Amendment rights?
Using the video as my only data point, yeah, it looks like it. Kerry looked very, very accommodating, so from the video it seems like he was hauled away merely for a rant. (On a side note, it's interesting to think you'd never see the President face this situation in one of his staged "forums".)
And now that you know more of the story, do you think that Meyer intentionally brought this upon himself?
If the eyewitness accounts are true, then, yes, that's a no brainer.
Is Meyer's outrageous attitude and behavior common on the college campus?
Yes and no. You always have those who make a scene, regardless of a particular political/religious/whatever belief. But I think most people are cordial, even if they strongly disagree with you. Yeah, they may boo or snicker, but they general don't stoop to the alleged behavior.
Why is it that we tend to sympathize with those who are resisting authority?
Two reasons. First, we Americans, by our very nature, are distrusting of authority and government. I personally consider this very, very, very good.
Second, given the history of scandals and abuse in our recent history (think the Duke case, Rodney King, etc.), I think people tend to automatically assume that police authority, in particular, tends to overreact. Just look at the "free speech" zones set up at political conventions or people removed from rallies for wearing a shirt with an unwanted political statement, and you can see why people feel that way.
And what about the manipulative effect showing a video out of context can have?
Interesting question. Al Gore talks about this (or at least the effect of TV) in "The Assault on Reason". We tend to respond emotionally to images, so it can have quite a large effect.
Can you think of any other examples of how taking something out of context can leave you with an impression that's in odds with reality?
That accurately describes just about every negative political ad I've ever seen.....
Finally, if you were a police officer present, how would you have brought about civility in the face of escalating incivility?
Interesting question. I think the cops did everything they could and were very hands-off until the end. They could have tasered him before he even reached the microphone.
The only thing I would have done differently is not cut the microphone or signal to cut the mike. As soon as you cut the mike, you become (at least in my eyes) a censor. It's one thing to haul off some guy acting wildly or causing trouble or speaking like a nut. As soon as you cut off the mike, however, it makes one wonder: What exactly was he saying that they didn't like? Whether he had a point or was just some jerk looking for attention, it no longer matters. You just shifted the focus to why a government agent didn't like what was being said.
3. Nate had the following to say on Sep 18 at 7:34 PM:
You could tell even from the shortened video--he was being a jerk on purpose.
4. Melissa had the following to say on Sep 18 at 7:41 PM:
What did I think when I saw the video?
Something along the lines of, "What a whiner...what a cry-baby maniac." Maybe that's harsh. I guess I should be kinder. :)
However, I fail to see how anyone watching the video could think of that guy as anything but intentionally aggravating, especially because of how his act changed from righteous guy asking tough questions to victim of the government using cry-baby voice. I tend to think that if he honestly was not trying to cause problems (going by what I saw on the linked video), he would have sounded less like an insane crazy person after he was arrested.
I belong to a demographic that tends to give police the benefit of the doubt. Nonetheless, the police seemed a lot more rational and cool-headed than the college kid did. I didn't see any police officer lose their temper, jerk the guy around, or speak to him with anything less than authoritative courtesy.
5. Jonathan from Canada had the following to say on Sep 19 at 12:02 AM:
Saw the link on Drudge soon after it popped up. I thought the tasering was unnecessary and still do. In fact, I question why he was even touched--even cops are not above the law for battery. He's going to recover a big settlement from the police on this, no question about that.
Besides, it's not the business of the cops to say when questioning is over, even if he uses heated language. It was the senator's forum. If Kerry had been bothered he (or his staff) should have asked for action. Instead, he said it was OK and he'd try to answer.
This was an act of violent police censorship of political speech. On the other hand, if Kerry had asked for him to stop and he carried on, then he would have been legitimately disturbing the peace. At that point, if the cops had been on him (but still not tased him), I would understand.
6. John had the following to say on Sep 19 at 8:11 AM:
From what I understand about this particular kid, he has a history of practical jokes and obnoxious, attention-seeking behavior. He was acting in a rude and immature manner in the presence of a U.S. Senator. I don't believe his infantile behavior is typical of today's college students (like the ones patiently waiting in line to ask their questions).
At the same time, I am one of those who is skeptical of authority. I realize that some conservative Christians practically worship "authority," forgetting that Hitler, Stalin and Mao were at oen time the "authority" also. Here in the United States we believe in checks and balances so that thugs in uniform cannot suppress individuals' rights to freedom of speech, etc. And yes, given police officers' long and sordid history of violence and oppression (against, for example, civil rights demonstrators at the Edmund Pettis Bridge, non-violent pro-life demonstrators at clinic entrances, etc.) that is a good thing. Authority unchecked equals tyranny.
That being said, the kid was out of line and the cops probably exercised a lot of restraint before hauling him off.
I would hate to live in a country where you get arrested for asking one of your betters the wrong question. That is un-American.
7. BB had the following to say on Sep 19 at 11:09 AM:
If his intentions were anything other then get something started, he would have allowed each of his questions to be answered. No, he wanted to get people riled up and create a scene. He was in no way working with the police. I recently spoke with an officer about tasers and he said they actually tell an officer in training to tase some one when they are like that. If the person does not go docile, they can easily hurt themselves. With arms behind their back, they could fall and break their arm or hit their head. The taser is actually for the safety of the person being arrested as well as the officer making the collar.
Anyone who saw the video knows what happened. The guy got what was coming to him. He could have kept yelling as long as his actions reflected cooperation. Go back and watch the 60s riots. Thats how they did it. Your points will never be heard unless you are blameless.
Judge not lest you be judged right? I've never heard anything meaningful come from Kerry but that guy was in no way able to judge Kerry in that state of mind and in that method.
8. BB had the following to say on Sep 19 at 11:27 AM:
That forum was in a professional setting meant for adults. When was the last time you went to an even and you heard a baby crying? What were you thinking? What do you think would happen if a 6 year old kid ran up to the mike and started ranting? The college student was in no way acting professionally or adult like therefore he had no place being in that building.
Right or wrong, there is a time and place for everything. Do we really want our political debates to look like that with kids screaming at those being elected? Would you learn anything from those events? How often do you think those running would attend such events? I don't think many people will be convinced no matter how much political spin is put on his performance.
9. Jesse had the following to say on Sep 19 at 1:38 PM:
What did you first think when you saw the video?
I actually heard the audio first from Mike Gallagher's radio show. Sounded interesting, especially in the context it was in a John Kerry townhall-style meeting. The video, well, it was rather quick, and the way it was edited didn't help the case either. The entire story above makes much more sense. If the guy was stupid enough (sorry, but that's about what it came to) to keep going in the face of a taser, that's his own dumb fault.
Did you think that a passionate young man was hauled away merely because of his provocative questions, thus infringing on his First Amendment rights?
In the context of the full story, no. He knew the rules. He just wanted to get exposure. Follow the rules like everybody else and nothing would've happened.
And now that you know more of the story, do you think that Meyer intentionally brought this upon himself?
Looks like it to me.
Is Meyer's outrageous attitude and behavior common on the college campus?
No idea. I'm sure we'll hear something about it in the news tonight or tomorrow..
Why is it that we tend to sympathize with those who are resisting authority?
The media does it and most people take that at face value, not reading into it or questioning anything about it. Ask for the facts people!!
And what about the manipulative effect showing a video out of context can have? Can you think of any other examples of how taking something out of context can leave you with an impression that's in odds with reality?
Not right off hand.. maybe the Rodney King beatings in LA, but that was pretty self explanatory..
Finally, if you were a police officer present, how would you have brought about civility in the face of escalating incivility?
Just tackle the guy and cuff him. There was like 8 officers there, right? That's all you need. Tasers work quite well, but the majority public opinion is against them..
10. Elizabeth had the following to say on Sep 19 at 10:04 PM:
The first time I saw the video I immediately thought that I was probably not hearing the whole story. Mind you, I tend to distrust the authority of the media much more than I do that of the police. The guy being arrested sounded, even from the short clip I saw, as though he was taunting the police and basically asking for trouble. There is no excuse for his behaviour, if indeed he was speaking the way he was. Free speech is important, yes, but if people think only of themselves while exercising their "free speech," it can easily lead to license.
11. Aelar had the following to say on Sep 20 at 9:56 AM:
My dad told us about this incident and I heard about it in class the next day from a fellow student (both thought it was hilarious). My first thought was that if the guy really didn't want to get tasered, or even arrested, why did he make such a fuss? Isn't resisting a police officer reason for arrest?
12. Jessica had the following to say on Sep 20 at 12:28 PM:
When I first saw the video, I thought they had no reason to taser him. Then I talked with my friend who is an employee at UF about it. She said that Meyer had been banned from the event and that he snuck in anyway. He wasn't even supposed to get a chance to ask a question because he'd caused such a raucous outside that they asked him to leave!
13. Cathy in NOLA had the following to say on Sep 20 at 12:42 PM:
If there were several police officers there and they were having trouble getting him to "go quietly," then why did I see a petite female officer (along with a larger male) escort him away from the mike?
The guy was acting like an absolute, raving moron who had no intention of having a civil dialogue. I'm glad I saw all these comments (about the taser rules, eyewitness accounts). The MSM did NOT report any of it. I wish they'd just stick to the facts and let me make up my own mind.
14. Steven at UGA had the following to say on Sep 20 at 3:55 PM:
At first, I genuinely wanted to side with the student. Police brutality and oppressing free speech are obviously wrong. Further review changed my mind.
One point people don't seem to be making is that his erratic actions, his shouting, his pushing to the front of the line, and all of the other things that were leading up to the incident would make me as a security personnel worried he may try to do something. Rush the stage, throw something, injure someone. In a public setting, especially a political forum, you can't be too careful. If he was acting physically aggressive (such as pushing his way to the front, resisting initial attempts to have him leave) I would certainly be concerned about safety.
This was not at all about free speech but rather erratic and unpredictable behavior. If this happened on the campaign trail or a presidential speech, the student would have been tackled to the ground and handcuffed in the first ten seconds of such rash behavior. And, rightfully so.
15. John had the following to say on Sep 21 at 1:24 AM:
Kid rambles too long at the mic, overstays his welcome, acts a little put upon when the campus rent-a-cops tell him to leave, and he's an "erratic" and "unpredictable" threat who must be TASED?
Wow, thanks for clearing up all those lies the mainstream media told me. I didn't know a five minute video with no visible edits could be so misleading.
16. Sharon had the following to say on Sep 24 at 7:56 PM:
I watched a version of this in my Popular Music class in a section my professor likes to call "American Whiners"
He wouldn't have needed to be tasered if he had responded to the police asking him to leave or at least not fought back when they attempted to remove him.
17. Justin had the following to say on Sep 25 at 8:30 AM:
My only issue is that the officers didn't need to tasor him. They had him under control. Why not an elbow to the top of his head or a quick knee to his back? That would have let the kid know who was in control It seemed they could have roughed him up without tasoring him. To me, the tasor just made the officers appear weak.
18. Adam had the following to say on Sep 25 at 8:30 PM:
From my limited point of view based on where the video started I noticed that the kid seemed nervous and cocky and only got upset when the rent-a-cops tried to silence him. At this point the kid seemed to try to get out of a situation he had no control over and the people who had control seemed terribly oppressive. He kept screaming "What did I do wrong?" when they were trying to escort him out of there and maybe I couldn't hear the audio, but they didn't seem to answer and just tried to get him out of there. The tasering was very disturbing because they did it after they had him on the ground.
I dunno, but this just kind of seems like a precursor to what the U.S. will look like when it no longer will tolerate Christians, except it could get much more violent.