VIDEO: Dem Rep. Etheridge Apologizes For "Unacceptable" Actions

RealClearPolitics ^ | June 14, 2010 | RealClearPolitics

[i88schwartz]

"I'm sorry, I apologize," Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC) said at a press conference.

"No matter how partisan politics have become, there is no excuse," he said.

He took questions from the press and apologized several times throughout the presser.

VIDEO: Dem Congressman Etheridge Assaults Student On Street

[Kartographer]

[Dayman]

He should have to appologize to the victim after his conviction for assault.

[bcsco]

"No matter how partisan politics have become, there is no excuse," he said.

But, the Democrats are saying this was a planned hit piece by Republicans. If that's true, why is he apologizing?

[Las Vegas Ron]

I wonder what would happen to a constituent who did the same thing to the Rep.?

[icwhatudo]

More violence from the left.

good thing he did not call the kid “Macaca”.

[pollywog]

So it is over? He is now cleared??
Renee Ellmer’s for CONGRESS!!!!

Support her!!! Make donations today...this could be a
Joe Wilson moment for her!!

http://www.reneeforcongress.com/

[Abathar]

I wonder if any of his staffers had the guts the look him in the eye and say “You really screwed the pooch this time Boss.”

I mean they have to know because of this they’ll be looking for a new job come November anyway...

[paulcissa]

There’s no apology here.......all this amounts to spin-control under duress. He’s sorry the video got out, that’s about it.

[ltc8k6]

Yep. Even in his apology he attacks the students and makes excuses about partisan politics.

[chris37]

Why has this criminal whose crime is on video not been arrested for assault?

[TexasCajun]

In the video Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC) declines to say whether or not his does support The Obamah Agenda.

"Yes Sir, Young Man, 100%", ...Wouldn't that have been his best answer?

Why would any Democrat not be proud to support The Obamah Agenda? ...so there's no 'gotcha moment' to be had if he'd only answered the kids question.

[Lazamataz]

Cong. Bob Etheridge (D-NC02): “It’s a sad state of affairs in this country that things have gotten so out of hand that unfortunate and regrettable responses to Teabaggers and violent people of that ilk could have impacted people in such a way that someone (usually, someone on the fringe of the hateful, gun-hugging right wing) might be offended mildly, but provoked to violent action, by this alleged act that I may or may not have had either some knowledge or involvement with.”

Besides, why should he apologize for a Republican Hatchet Job?

[Hoodat]

You can't arrest him. He was on his way to the Capitol for a crucial vote.

‹/sarc›

[mark3681]

He’s a Dem. He’ll walk on all this. Nothing to see here. Move along!

I’d have been very tempted to punch the livin’ crap out of him. But then, I would be the one in jail. After all, he’s one of the chosen ones, above it all, looking down on us rabble.

They can assault us in many ways. This is just one of the rare types. They get away with all the rest. I’m sure he’ll get away with this one too.

[ntmxx]

“…I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect...there is no excuse, I apologize…”

I can’t tell!

Now, prosecute the POS.

[fullchroma]

Answer to every question: I was goaded by intrusive partisans. I was a victim. I have apologized. Oh, and by the way, it was late in the afternoon (and everyone knows it’s okay to be drunk LATE in the afternoon.)

Funny. Didn’t sound much like an apology to me.

[Paladin2]

H\ow partisan is it to ask for Zer0 support?

[StopObama2012]

HAHAA! WASH POST is calling the attack “A HUG!”

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/06/who_tmzd_rep_bob_etheridge.html

[StopObama2012]

That video’s gonna make a GREAT campaign ad!

[Lazamataz]

HAHAA! WASH POST is calling the attack “A HUG!”

Being hugged without consent is a sexual crime.

Do they really want to go there, too?

Etheridge will end up on the Sex Offenders Register.

[airedale]

Watch the video carefully. At about 20 seconds he either knocks the microphone/recorder or camera phone from the boys hands or grabs it. Watch his left hand at about 50-55 seconds. It looks like he has the device in his hand as he turns and walks off. Did he immediately give it back? If not he’s guilty of robbery and depending on the retail value of the item it could be a felony. I know if it’s called theft if the value is less than $500 it’s a misdemeanor and $500 or more it’s a felony. But he also used strong arm tactics to take it from the boy I think it’s automatically a felony. Don’t know DC law.

If it was a pocket tape recorder/digital recorder it’s probably worth less than $500. If it was a cell phone it could be worth more than $500 at replacement cost. Even the cheapest phones are around $250 without the discounts offered by the phone companies for expending the contract or starting a new contract with them. However, it looks like a digital recorder to me by the way he’s originally holding it.

[Boucheau]

Still waiting for the video where the American sheep actually fights back.

[no dems]

He was not real convincing or clear in his “apology”. Who is his GOP opponent in November; anybody know?

[chris37]

If I was that student on the video, I would have called 911 and pressed assault charges straight off.

[no dems]

They can assault us in many ways. This is just one of the rare types. They get away with all the rest. I’m sure he’ll get away with this one too.
He won't be able to get away with it IF WE DON'T LET IT DIE!!! Someone needs to get in touch with the Tea Party Movement in his District and ride this thing all the way to November 2.

[meyer]

Who is his GOP opponent in November; anybody know?

Renee Ellmers.

[meyer]

http://www.reneeforcongress.com

[mark3681]

Taken care of.

[CremeSaver]

The media is asking him one leading question after another in an effort to help him blame Republicans. At least he is smart enough to know that there is a video and if he attempts to push this off on the kids he will engender even more scorn then he has already earned.

What an incredibly dumb politician.

[shiva]

Well here it is...Who are you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FZVD5lsAw

[Dayman]

As would I. I bet his phone has been ringing off the hook with lawyers wanting to represent him in the civil suit.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

I bet he never would have tried that stuff with Epic Beard Guy!

[richardtavor]

You are right about that. If he grabbed my wrist, he would’ve made an appointment afterwards with his Dentist.

[moovova]

Go to Bob Etheridge's "Send-A-Friend" page at his website.

You can send a customized email message to your friends that IS SENT FROM HIS WEBSITE!

Email the following links to your friends, and it will be coming FROM HIS WEBSITE!

Visit Rep Etheridge's website HERE:

http://www.etheridgeforcongress.org/tellfriends.cfm

THEN, cut and paste the following into Rep Etheridge's "Send-A-Friend" email form and send to your friends. Let them see how their Democrat representative is behaving...

The Bob Etheridge Collection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5wxCr6ZRps&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9RXyCVfeEI&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ksB3EaLsCw&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v60oNUoHBYM&feature=player_embedded

Tell your friends...

[tsomer]

Etheridge will end up on the Sex Offenders Register

There were definite sexual overtones to the way he restrained and tried to dominate the kid.

I definitely wouldn't want see him at any highway rest-stop.

[dragnet2]

Anyone notice he was a foot taller than the victim he assaulted?

In the right venue, he would have had his jaw broken.

[reagan_fanatic]

[pyx]

Watch the video carefully. At about 20 seconds he either knocks the microphone/recorder or camera phone from the boys hands or grabs it. Watch his left hand at about 50-55 seconds. It looks like he has the device in his hand as he turns and walks off.

In my opinion, you are correct. Based on the video and in my opinion, Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC) has clearly committed both aggravated assault and robbery. If I was a lawyer or could practice law in Washington, I would pursuit this assault and robbery free of charge (pro bono).

Mark Levin and the Landmark Legal Foundation should be made aware of this video as soon as possible. I suspect his group may pursuit these charges against the Congressman based on this video. Congressional representatives are not above the law and can not assault The People and rob them on the streets with impunity.

[chadwimc]

Clearly you’re not a lawyer...

[ExTexasRedhead]

Another telling moment that will not go away.

Carley for CA Senator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpU_BYI9d24

[pyx]

I am not a lawyer as I stated clearly above.

Why do you believe this is not an assault and then the Congressman grabbing the device from the student is not a robbery ?

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

When a dem apologizes, it’s over. When a Republican apologizes, it just begins - the 24/7 news coverage, the condemnations, the demands to resign.

[Sopater]

Although I do beleive that the video clearly shows that the congressman took the camera away from the student, it appears that it was somehow returned since this video was obviously taken off of that phone. However, even if the "thief" returned the phone, it doesn't mean that he didn't steal it. He forcibly removed it from the student's hand and proceeded to walk off with it. I don't know how the student got the camera back since that is not recorded in the video, but it seems obvious to me that he did.

[Nonstatist]

He should be prosecuted. I hope the “victim” doesent wimp out on this. He deserves damages, IMO.

[pyx]

No doubt you’re correct about the student getting the second camera back. However, whacking the camera and then forcefully grabbing the student’s wrist (and refusing the first request to let go) and then grabbing the back of the student’s neck would seem to me to be an assault. Congressional representatives can not assault people with impunity.

[Sopater]

Assault and Battery and perhaps felony theft.

[JSteff]

Same thing, just not as polite...

[pyx]

I would put my conclusion down to a belief that I presumed that battery had to have a higher threshold than forcefully grabbing someone's wrist or grabbing the back of someone's neck. Like I said, I'm not a lawyer but, this seems to be an assault at least and perhaps assault and battery.

[Sopater]

I would put my conclusion down to a belief that I presumed that battery had to have a higher threshold than forcefully grabbing someone's wrist or grabbing the back of someone's neck.

According to the link, "The main distinction between the two offenses is the existence or nonexistence of a touching or contact. While contact is an essential element of battery, there must be an absence of contact for assault. Sometimes assault is defined loosely to include battery."

Therefore, battery actually sounds like the correct charge.