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Is this not some form of assault? Is this congressman above the law or will he face legal trouble like the rest of us would in this situation?

I’m hearing reports on twitter that this video has been removed from youtube already (see the second update). I guess UFC claimed copyright infringement? Regardless The Right Scoop saved this one from going down the memory hole and posted it up on Eyeblast.

Frankly if I were the student being assaulted in this video I would press charges against this nut. Of course if this student chooses not to press charges this congressman should be forced to publicly apologize and leave office in disgrace. This is despicable behavior from an adult let alone a congressman.

UPDATE: Here is the full video all the way through from both cameras (via DCCameraGuy and Moe Lane)

UPDATE: A couple of things.

1. Congressman Etheridge issued a statement on his attack of these kids:

“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.”

2. Turns out that the video which was originally posted on Youtube was actually removed by the people at Big Government, who actually created the edited video by combining the two full versions, because there was a typo. So it was Big Government and their sister site Breitbart.tv who originally broke this story.

3. For some odd reason some liberal bloggers are claiming that I am one of the students in the video. Not sure why they think that or why they never bothered to even attempt to ask me if its true. However, I can assure you that I am not in that video and have no connection with it other than writing about it.

Trust me. If that was me being attacked in the video you would surely know. I would press charges if I were attacked like that.

Posted by Stephen Gutowski

This entry was posted on Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 10:00 am and is filed under Liberals Behaving Badly, Online Video, Politics, SkewTube. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Guest

Oh my all the student was speaki and ask him about something to do with Obama. Etheridge is from my state and apologies would not be enough if he were to do this to a child of mine. Mr. Ethridge if you have this kind of temper what would you do if something really did happen. You don't only need to apologize but you need to resign or someone put you out of office. Just think this is some of the people who are making decisions for us.
Kisersosa

PIG !!!
Mann Idtheft

This goes beyond usurping ones authority and being egregious. This is DISGUSTING BEHAVIOR and should NOT be TOLERATED ANY level.
Talk about being obtuse, arrogant, Who ARE YOU BOB?

What tail end of a DOG did you fall out of?
You are a PUTZ!!!!!!

You're sorry alright, just like the so called wanna be excuse for a president we have.
Ktrentc

Well now.I guess we know who he is don't we??
Norrisp45

This Senator is the prime example of what American Politicians have become.The attitude that they (Politicians) are above us, the Low-lifes.If we do nothing this November than we deserve the fate that we are handed by our own disregards of our childrens futures.Get out and vote against the politicans that want to infringe upon our rights and freedoms.The same freedoms that so many have worked and died to give each of us.We have choices ,we have rights, we have freedoms but they come with a price .Get involved ,get out and vote after you find out what the candidates stand for.If you dont care about freedom .Stay at home and keep you head in the sand ,Maybe it will all just get better .Or even better yet it will CHANGE.
Norm Turner

I should have said that "battery" is the harmful or offensive touching of the person of another. Same effect. It is a crime.
Norman Turner
Dan S

sure looks like he stole the phone too
fsum242

Sweeet!!!!! Big F-in deal!! So what... grab my hand like that, see what happens - bet you never grab another person again!.. b/c your don't have any arms left! lol - little shit like this isn't worth my time.
concernedcarolinian

After reviewing both videos, I conclude that Ethridge's actions were not founded on a feeling of assault (at least not physical) as he did not move back at all from the man asking the questions. When someone gets a bit too close, moving away is the most natural and automatic reaction. On the contrary, he moved into the student's personal space to assault him. Furthermore, the student tries to back off and continue to record the event when Etheridge continues his aggression toward the interviewer by illegally confiscating his phone and holding him against his will!
Citrixguru

I hate this Dem and Rep bs......I call a spade a spade ....this guy needs to be giving his walking papers and let the business of the people continue !!!!!! we need to wake up and get some new blood in those hollow halls in DC......people need to wake up we are losing are footing in this world and need to regain it quickly ...we need new fresh blood
Ken Stepp

This is the trickle down THUG mentality that is in Washington now. This piece of crap thinks he's above the law. A decent attorney (and I'm sure there are plenty) wanting to make a quick buck should have this guy arrested and then sue the pants off of him. It was assault AND kidnapping (holding someone against their will). Torch this guy kid.
Thebornkamps

Bob Ehteridge needs to be punished for his outrageous behavior....
Sick and Tired

This isn't the first time a liberal has tried to muscle someone asking questions. They can't take the heat - that's why they cancelled their townhalls.
Remember how they demanded townhall participants show picture ID but they still oppose anyone having to show picture ID at the ballot box?
THROW THESE BUMS OUT.
Pissed Off Voter

Another example of a light-weight empty suit politician drinking in the afternoon
WakeUp

The bottom line is that the kid was assaulted. No politics, no "If this were a *insert useless political party here * congressman..."

The kid was assaulted. The end. Stop seeing everything through the political prism and open your eyes. Republican, Democrat, or Other...this behavior is beyond unacceptable and should be treated as such without the slightest consideration of one's political affiliation.
mike

Time for you to go now Congressman. Maybe Barry could kick your butt?
Pdiddy

Another Politician who says he is fair and honest.....but really is not
Ron

Imagine if the students were black - holy hell would break loose!!!
Robert

Outrageous behavior. Have this clown arrested and if he doesn't resign, remove him from office.
STEW

Congressman or not, I would have punched Estheridge right in the nose. These punk ass congressmen forget who they work for. How dare he grab that kid/student like that. I wish I was there to protect that kid from that assault. The kid was just asking a simple question. YOU ARE WRONG BOB ESTHERIDGE. WAY WRONG, NOW I AM GOING TO HELP FUND YOUR OPPONENT THIS ELECTION CYCLE.
SandraT

Given the number of so called journalist running around pretending to be reporting on issues, I can't say I blame him for wanting to know exactly who is asking the question. The fact that they did not identify themselves before asking questions pretty clearly indicates that they were looking for a controversy to exploit, not a legitimate questions for school. What a bunch of bunk......
assault

So it's ok for the guy to grab the kid? What if the situation where reversed and they grabbed the congressman? They would be arrested. They don't have to identify themselves. Do paparazzi tell actors who they are before they take photos or video of them? People have a right to ask their government reps questions...the government works for us. We don't work for the government. Have you forgotten that?
Mandatory 2 term limit on all members in the government, congress, judges, etc! if it's good enough for the prez, why not for everyone else?
rckmom47

If you really believe that, then go live somewhere where they don't have our freedoms!!
mikejpss

So, he apologized to the young men. This means even HE knows he was wrong. Obvious next step: arrest him for assault. After he makes bail, even I would like to interview him with a camera and mic on the street. ;-)
Kstephen

if it was you id have smacked the shit out of you too. get out of my face asshole! people need to learn jamming their cameras in other peoples faces with the attept to irritate gets them slapped.
smv

Think about if this happened to you: you'd want to know who was taping you and why. Even Congressman have a right to this type of information. If it was totally legit and the guys had nothing to hide, why didn't they give their names, tell their college(s), and state the project they're working on? It doesn't excuse that Etheridge grabbed the guy's wrist or neck, but if his questions had been answered it probably wouldn't have escalated. Makes me wonder why the questions weren't answered. So, yeah, Etheridge's actions were wrong, but the guys taping were wrong, too.
Restlessnatives

he's lucky I wasn't the student - I would have kicked him in the nuts and he would have been on the ground.
Walrus9000

kidnapping, snatch ((law) the unlawful act of capturing and carrying away a person against their will and holding them in false imprisonment)

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=kidnapping
SteveC

Actually, it's assault and battery. If he threatened to hit or shove that would be assault. To grab on to the kid and refuse to let go is battery. I'm sure it's a low level misdemeanor, but it was definitely a textbook case of a criminal act.
concernedcarolinian

For those trying to dismiss this by questioning the validity of those assaulted as being students (which makes no difference anyways), The word student is etymologically derived through Middle English from the Latin second-type conjugation verb studēre, meaning "to direct one's zeal at"; hence a student could be described as "one who directs zeal at a subject".

In its widest use, student is used for anyone who is learning. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Also Compact Oxford English Dictionary - 4 a person who takes a particular interest in a subject.
mrlabguy

He's wasted drunk. It's obvious from his speech, reactions and facial expressions.
Molotov

This guy obviously has a vicious neurotic mental illness of some kind. It's all here on display. One wrong word and the guy goes postal. He shouldn't hold public office. He's ill.
ncvol

If that was my kid, legal trouble would be the least of his worries. Of course, under Obamacare, I guess he would be covered. Despicable conduct unbecoming a holder of high office.
Trueamerican

Drunk with power, thinks he can do anything. These people think that they are in power to control us, they forget why they have the positions they have. It is because of us, they have abused us for far too long. It is time to rid ourselves of this trash and send a message.
Reb

You know, in Oregon, if you prevent someone from moving away from you by way of violently grabbing a hold of them while in an agitated state of mind, you've committed the crime of kidnapping. Wonder if the law is the same in NC?
Laxdevil91

Give him what Congressman Massa (NY) got.
HRM OKeefe

Flush the Drunk
Reb

Let me see if I understand the law now. If a stranger I pass by on the sidewalk asks me my opinion on a political issue, I'm allowed to batter them while demanding their identification?
Nobody

Fire his AZZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Larry

Etheridge is a criminal, pure and simple. He is guilty of aggravated battery, conduct unbecoming a member of Congress and simple assault at the very least. He must resign NOW, and should be charged IMMEDIATELY.

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