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‘Don’t Tase me, bro!’ from all angles

Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 3:56 PM

By Kerry Sanders, NBC News Correspondent

Gainesville, Fla. – What happened when University of Florida Student Andrew Meyer spoke at a Senator John Kerry forum in September?

After having spoken to students here, it would seem that everyone who was at the actual event saw something different. 

Adding to the confusion, those who didn't attend saw videos, but as you can see from looking at the video here, you may draw one conclusion to what happened by looking at one angle, and you may see things in a different light by looking at it from a different camera angle.

VIDEO: 'Don't Tase me, bro!' - angle 1

Each of these videos, from video cameras and cell phones was included in the just completed Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) report. The state investigation exonerated the University of Florida police of wrong doing, in part, after viewing these videos. 

VIDEO: 'Don't Tase me, bro!' - angle 2

Meyer, who yelled yelled "Don't Tase me, bro!" as he scuffled with officers during the on-campus speech last month, will not face criminal charges and has apologized for his actions.

VIDEO: 'Don't Tase me, bro!' - angle 3

Take a look at the videos yourself. What do you think?

Tune in to the Today Show on Thursday for an exclusive live interview with Meyer. In a Q & A with TodayShow.com, Meyer answered some of the questions surrounding the event.

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Comments

He is an idiot looking for attention and lookiNg to start trouble! He didn't get enough attention as a child, that's why he is still acting like one.

Joe, Moreno Valley, Ca (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 6:17 PM)

OUr country is turning into a policestate, where regular people are afraid to speak there mind with the fear that they can be arrested or even killed at the cost of thier words. Free America!!

john williams, Seattle, Wa (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 6:26 PM)

After carefully and repeatedly viewing all three camera angles, I have realized that they merely confirm the inescapable conclusion that I drew when I first heard about this story - Meyer is an idiot.

Russ Price (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 6:50 PM)

How scary! The way the officers treated this young man was frightening. What happened to asking questions that are questions most of us are asking? As soon as he asked questions pertaining to impeaching the president his microphone was cut off and he was being arrested. The tazer part was very frightening to watch, causing fear and panic along with painful screams. I really hope these officers can be fired. I wouldn't want police patroling my city that can inflict that kind of a nightmare on anyone. Remember people, we pay them to protect us and act in a reasonable manner. This is United States not some other country that can injure people because of what they say.

Wendy, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 6:58 PM)

What do I think?

That cops who carry a taser be required to take a hit from that taser every morning, as part of putting it on.

Markk Atwood, Seattle WA (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:02 PM)

Nice - three videos - three commercials.  No thanks.

stoolpigeon (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:06 PM)

He apologized for what? He didn't do anything for which to apologize. The cops ought to be apologizing to him and so should the spineless people in the auditorium who didn't help him.

Anthony Wrifford (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:17 PM)

whats going on bro

mlregister adel ga (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:17 PM)

I think he sould have been allowed to question Kerry for his traitorous remarks against the sailors, solders, and other military personnel that remained in Vietnam (I was one of them.  He probably is responsible for the lack of respect for the military, and our President in todays climate.  Kerry deserves any criticism he gets. Incidently, Kerry only was in Vietnam 4 months.  He wrote his own citations he received.

Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy Retired




Chief Petty Offcer, U.S. Navy Retired

Carl B. Huckleberry, Edinburg, Texas (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:19 PM)

The guy yelled louder BEFORE he was tazed. What a fake Will Ferrell scream. He had no ID on him. The whole thing was staged. John Kerry has been anti-war since 1971. Get a clue...BRO!

Steve Clapp (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:20 PM)

Sorry, but I see the same thing occurring in all 3 angles.

An obnoxious speaker being dragged away.
After resisting and protesting, he is forced to the ground.
Once on the ground (subdued), he is then electrocuted.

It is that last part that I have trouble with.  He was out manned, overpowered and on the ground.  Thus (to me) it seems that the final step becomes excessive.

I understand that it was a tense moment and the security had to make a judgment call, so I don't really blame them.  But I hope that (with the videos) in hindsight we can see that perhaps there were other ways to handle the situation that are a bit less totalitarian.

When we as a society become desensitized to free speech being met with force, we are just a stones throw away from become more like Myanmar.

P.F. , WPB, Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:25 PM)

I don't believe the University of Florida police should have been exonerated.  They tasered a student for asking three questions to former presidential candidate and Mass. Senator John Kerry.  Kerry said he was willing to answer the questions.  Meyer would not have scuffled with police if they didn't try to tackle him after asking questions.  What they did was totally inappropriate.

Phil, Garwood, New Jersey (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:26 PM)

I don't understand what you are driving at.  None of these videos changed my opinion at all?

James, Corvallis, OR (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:29 PM)

cops are getting all to many toys that they are over anxious to use

marion hobbs new mexico (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:33 PM)

This is one of the most blatant examples of police brutality I've seen in a long time. It also shows that free speech is for those that can afford it. If you aren't saying what the powers that be want to here you will be punished. Since when did the U.S. turn into cold war Russia

Brian Krieger, Tucson, AZ (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:33 PM)

Wow, that must be why FEMA scripted their quesnd answer session.

Anonymous, Anywhere, USA (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:35 PM)

give police a taser and they can't wait to try it out on some one.

Fred Doe, Chicago.Il (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:35 PM)

Sounds to me like he should copyright the phrase, "Don't taz me bro!"  someone will make money off it.

John Doe, Granada, MN (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:36 PM)

Another case of mistreatment of police!

Me (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:37 PM)

four cops holding the man down and still taseing him.

marion hobbs new mexico (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:37 PM)

How very sad to see police acting like animals
- did the policey apologize, they realy should.

Patti (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:41 PM)

Freedom of speech?  Just watch what you say.........oh, and don;t speak for more than 30 seconds.  Oh yeah, and don;t offend a liberal.  Other than that.... we're good to go!

Rockett, Puyallup, WA (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:48 PM)

Your right, they should not of tased him! They should of rapped him a few times in the head with night sticks!

Alan, Orlando, Fl. (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:51 PM)

Still seems like the PO'lice' caused the problem.  Whatever happened to free speech?  God Save America.

No Name (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:51 PM)

Being detained or arrested unjustly by police is the same as kidnapping. The speaker was only defending himself from being kidnapped. As we can see here, police have supreme power and are above the law. Vote freedom www.OurVote.us dont let it happen again!

Jill Parker (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 7:55 PM)

what the campus police did was wrong on major counts. meyre shouldnt have to apologise. more or less, the campus police should at least be fired. and at most should be arrested for assault and battery on an unarmed student. this is almost like kent state. another version of power abuse

ishmael (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:03 PM)

I feel that someone who is unruly at a public forum should respect the rules that are in place for such a gathering.  I also feel that the officers acted justly to tazering this student.  He should be punished somehow.

Gerald Boswell (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:05 PM)

If we're going to limit free speech, let's limit it.  If we're not, let's not.

Steve Foster, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:07 PM)

This guy is just trying to get some media attention. There was nothing wrong in what the cops did.

You can hear him say "they are going to take me away and kill me", which confirms that all he's trying to do is create a publicity stunt.

He should be prosecuted to make sure that people dont attempt stupid things like this anymore.

Alex. Los Angeles, Ca (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:07 PM)

Seems to me that the gov't has forgotten that this free land we call America wasn't founded by being silenced....by anyone!  It also appeared as if the 4+ officers had the young man well restrained and yet still found the necessity to use a taser.  As a result, there should be 4+ officers in the unemployment lines.

Anthony Tsardakas, Hamilton, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:14 PM)

Certainly, the 'questioner' was a little obnoxious and was using the invitation to ask a question as an opportunity to hijack the forum and make his own statements.  However, five police officers were able to quickly get him to the ground, could have cuffed him, and had him out of the hall in few moments.  Instead, they continued to argue with him on the floor of the hall trying to 'calm' him instead of just hustling him out of the hall.  Surely, five trained police officers could have quickly taken the unarmed college student out of the hall.  Surely, the young man abused the forum, however I don't believe a 'tasing' was at all necessary.  I think the police only aggravated the situation.

Michael Bufkin, Louisville, Kentucky (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:15 PM)

stupid. they are all the same. people are now missing the point. what is DISTURBING is that one can be arrested, detained, or silenced simply for SPEAKING. whether your tone is angry or not. we are allowed to be angry. he did nothing wrong. he brought a book, and confronted john kerry at a forum designed to allow students ask questions. he was irate, and with GOOD reason. deal with it.

joe katz, san diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:17 PM)

They say "Don't believe everything you hear, or see"....well as much of a good thing it is to read books,  don't believe everything you read either.  "Armed Madhouse" is just a book 'bro'.  Why not ask Mr. Kerry where the UFO's are too?

Scott Nichols, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:21 PM)

A good rule of thumb for the general sanctity of one's continued existence - when a cop tells you to stop doing something, repeatedly, STOP! They have two options - neither of which will be good for your continued well being. Either physically and violently restrain you, or tase you. And they are absolutely right to do so - they have no way of knowing if you're a threat to them or others.

Keats, Walnut Creek, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:23 PM)

He got his four minutes of YouTube stardom, which is all he really wanted. Nobody else cares.

Dan Hass (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:25 PM)

I see no good reason for police to have been at the function in the first place. And, apart from threat to person or property (and there was none, as Andrew Meyer thanked Kerry and everybody else profusely before speaking), theere was no constitutional premise to taser this young man. Now, if you let the police start talking, there will be a problem. Remember, they earn their living not only by thuggery, but by deceit and lies. It is in their blood. America is threatened ever more greatly by police thuggery than by outspoken concerned citizens like Andrew Meyer. I am deeply ashamed that he has apologised. It must have b een part of a brokered deal. Let them try that with me. I'm fresh out of apologies as a 57-year-old citizen, veteran, taxpayer, and knowledgeable person with regard to Government duplicity.

Philip Lundquist, Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:34 PM)

I think he is a grandstander. Charged?? Not this time. Did the police act appropriately?? Yes.  Was constantly combative and would not calm down.

He was there to make a point, not ask questions. It appeared to me he was very nervous when he approached the mike, I think he knew he was about to cause a scene.

But that's just me. I think he needs to study Gandhi more.

John Fox, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:41 PM)

Granted he was very obnoxious while asking those questions, but sometimes it takes that kind of action to get those questions out there, and to get people thinking. It was most definitely the general manner in which the questions were asked that sparked the resulting action of law enforcement. You can, however, see what appears to be an important figure nodding to law enforcement as if he's asking them to "cut him off" as a result of his controversial questions. I feel as if he was intentionally silenced to prevent controversy. If that's true, he should be awarded a medal and more should follow in his footsteps.

Kellyn, Cape Coral, Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:42 PM)

i find it disgusting that this supposed news story is no more than an advertisement for a tv show.  

a a , a a (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:48 PM)

so what do the videos show exactly that exonerated the police?? why would they not get punished for tasing someone that only wanted to ask a question of someone that was there to answer questions????

Bronwyn Llywellyn, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:53 PM)

It appears our first ammendment rights no longer apply. Boo to the "investigators" for finding no wrong doing.  I love the 300 lb cop twisting his hand behind his back while the kid is cuffed, and saying "stop resisting."  He probably beats his wife and claims "she had it comming."

Chris, Tacoma, Wa (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:55 PM)

I watched all of the video clips and arrived at the same conclusion: This man, while obnoxious, was exercising his right to free speech and was assaulted by police officers.  

From the point where they attacked him and attempted to forcibly remove him from the auditorium his rights were violated.  How anyone can defend this is beyond me.

Charlie Anderson, Boone NC (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:56 PM)

Just don't Tase me, bro!

Shawn Thompson, Dagsboro, DE (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:02 PM)

PUT A TASER GUN CAMERA ON ALL TASER WEAPONS AND THEN SEE  WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE IN CUSTODY INDIVIDUAL,ANDREW MEYER.

C GEBHART (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:04 PM)

Shame on MSNBC for presenting this as some inane "Don't tase me, bro" humor story.  Regardless of how obnoxious the college student is, the police (or campus security, whatever the case) had no right to lay their hands on him.  He was exercising his First Amendment rights and posed no threat to anyone.  The police clearly overreacted, and I would even go so far as to characterize their conduct as brutality.  

GW, Charlottesville, VA (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:06 PM)

Another example of suppressed free speech.  We might as well move to a third world country where at least there's no impression that we have the ability to speak freely. I certainly hope that he sues the UPD for bunches of money for their false imprisonment. As a UF graduate I am sickend by the actions of UPD.

John Donofrio (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:12 PM)

I've been tased.  It is an instantaneous wave of pain that subsides almost immediately after the shocking stops.  Make no mistake about it, it hurts bad.  But the yells of agony by Meyer is clearly done for the dramatic effect.  It's always a good idea to resist the police when one is being arrested......especially if one is performing for the camera in order to gain their fifteen minutes.

Baron Brown, Clarkston, MI (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:18 PM)

   It was obvious from the get go that Myers is a fledgling phoney "Journalist"....I'm sure he's earned his spurs and can now take his place amongst all the other media whores who dominate the airwaves selling toilet paper and all manner of assorted crap.

Owen Hughes - Albany NY (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:20 PM)

Another example of government opression!!! Why was he tasered when he was already in hand cuffs? Did anyone notice how the female cop did not want the cameras around? It's funny how cops hate cameras.

Another opressed US citizen, Texas, USA (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:37 PM)

...Sorry.  Don't get what it is you're trying to do here.  What do you mean "What do you think?"

gary ricin (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 9:37 PM)



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