I know everyone just can't stop talking about their new favorite expression, "Don't Tase me, bro." As much fun as it would be to tackle this obviously worthy issue, or not, I'm sick of it.
Andrew Meyer's arrest on Monday has no doubt sparked debate about how much force officers can use. Some believe Tasering him was out of line; others think the punishment fit the crime. But before we pass judgment on anyone, consider this snippet from Florida law:
We'd be lying if we said we weren't overwhelmed with the response to Monday's event. We're overwhelmed with the work it's generated for our newsroom, but mostly we're overwhelmed by the community's response.
The UF administration is in trouble.
Kyle Cox seems to believe he, above respected political scientists, historians and sociologists has full and perfect knowledge of those things that are acceptable to protest and those that are not.
"To Surge and Project electrified probes into your body," should be the new motto for our University Shock Troopers (formerly the UPD).
When I first saw the Andrew Meyer video, I was stunned that a conservative activist could act so foolish and immature. When it was revealed that he is actually a Kerry supporter, the whole ordeal made much more sense.
Reading all the comments people have made, whether online or in the paper, I think that people are somewhat misguided in their anger. What happened to Meyer was wrong, but what didn't happen was even worse.
I just watched the video of Meyer being arrested on CNN, and I was horrified.
UPD was most definitely justified in using a Taser on Meyer. If it hadn't, he might have overpowered those police officers. Who knows what could have happened then - he might have asked Kerry another question.
The broadcast media's spin on this situation is akin to that of a reality television show. Every video I've seen, including on CNN and MSNBC, has shown only the most controversial parts of what happened.
A Taser is hardly "vicious weaponryC as Kyle Cox's Tuesday column stated. The whole point of a nonlethal, safe weapon is to avoid bringing out the actual "vicious weaponry.C
The UF administration needs to Taser UPD after its recent display of excessive force, poor judgment and downright bullying of unarmed student Andrew Meyer. These "officers of the lawC should be ashamed of themselves.
For all of those vehemently against what happened at Kerry's speech Monday, I say this: There are two sides to every story.
The UF student's arrest brought back memories of my years at Florida and students' protests for civil rights. It seems this student was more interested in his 15 minutes of fame than in his message.
I am appalled at the aggressive tactics used by University Police Department officers to remove Andrew Meyer from the presentation by Sen. John Kerry. How does using profanity or asking why you are being arrested justify the use of a Taser gun on a defenseless college student?
The irony of the Taser incident is that it took place on Sept. 17, the day the country celebrates Constitution Day. It is unfortunate both sides could not remain calm and work to a peaceful resolution. But that could be said about anything, including our own national government.
Some people seem to be confused about Monday's events surrounding Meyer, accusing the UPD of censoring Meyer's free speech. This is not the case, so let's give credit where credit is due.
I'm writing in response to Colleen Shea's Friday column about fitness. I can't believe someone is actually complaining about fit people working out at the gym. Um, hello? How do you think they got those amazing bodies? And no, not everyone at the gym looks like bodybuilders, but at least they're trying to stay fit. If you're so insecure that you can't work out with other people, stay home.
In response to Sam Cain's Monday letter about Dr. Jack Kevorkian, I think Kevorkian did nothing to help suffering people. He killed a lot of suffering people, that's true. But he didn't help them. A doctor is successful in helping the patient if the doctor can treat or cure the patient's condition. If the patient dies, then the doctor was unsuccessful. And if the doctor kills the patient, the doctor is not only unhelpful, but also a killer.
Solutions by The State News
