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.
Despite Monday's Tasering incident, Student Government's speakers bureau will continue to operate normally, a top official with the organization said Tuesday.
Opinions bombarded the UF Office of University Relations after University Police Department officers Tasered telecommunication senior Andrew Meyer on Monday.
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.
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.
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.
One Andrew Meyer didn't get Tasered or arrested on Monday. He wasn't even at Sen. John Kerry's speech.
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:
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
Contrary to reports circulating in southern Florida, wide receiver Deonte Thomspon seems to be content in Gainesville, Gators coach Urban Meyer said Monday evening.
At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, UF President Bernie Machen said he was "embarrassed" by the events at Sen. John Kerry's speech Monday.
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.
On Tuesday, Andrew Meyer rested. His attorney, Robert Griscti, said the stress of being tackled, Tasered and jailed took its toll on the UF telecommunication senior.
Kyle Jackson has gotten second, third and fourth chances - and maybe even more.
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 administration is in trouble.
Videos and online coverage of the Tasering and arrest of UF student Andrew Meyer have fueled a firestorm of controversy, prompting mixed reactions from UF students about the incident and the national attention surrounding it.
Tasers may only be used in "specific circumstances," UF President Bernie Machen said Tuesday at a news conference.
Solutions by The State News
