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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The UF administration is in trouble.
For all of those vehemently against what happened at Kerry's speech Monday, I say this: There are two sides to every story.
Kyle Jackson has gotten second, third and fourth chances - and maybe even more.
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
I just watched the video of Meyer being arrested on CNN, and I was horrified.
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.
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.
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.
"To Surge and Project electrified probes into your body," should be the new motto for our University Shock Troopers (formerly the UPD).
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.
In Monday's opinion column, Vincent Massaro lamented the poor treatment the homeless receive from Alachua County. Without the ability to beg in the middle of traffic, and without Tent City, "Where are the homeless to go?" the column asked. The answer is quite simple, Mr. Massaro. The homeless should do like everyone else - they should get a job.
Solutions by The State News
