“..he comes of (sic) as a jerk…”

Not only a jerk, I’m pretty sure that his actions were a crime. From http://www.veronbice.com/Resources/Personal-Injury_CC.shtml:

Assault and battery are often heard together; however, they are separate legal claims. An assault is putting a person in immediate fear (or apprehension) of physical injury or offensive contact. Battery is actually using force to harm another individual.

@Colby Hall – Are you kidding? This congressman who just committed assault and battery “Comes off like a jerk.” A Hero? More like a thug? What gives him the right to hit and grab someone for asking a question? Colby I have no respect for you as a person since you clearly lack intellectual honesty. Let us imagine for a moment what sort of commentary you would have if this Congressman was a Republican instead of a Democrat. You are a joke.

WOW Colby….shocking article. A hero? Well, he is a democrat, so I guess you would perceive it as thus. Where was your concern over the individual who leaked the comments that Carly made re Boxer’s hair. Why wasn’t that investigated by you to determine who violated their ethics by releasing that audio?

But these guys, students asking a congressman an “inflamatory question” such as do you support Obama’s agenda? Honestly, you folks just make me laugh. It is why I so enjoy reading this board.

At least the citizens are asking questions of democrats, which is a far cry better than anyone in the lamestream media. Except Don Lemmon, who asked the democrat candidate Green if he was “mentally impaired”.

LOL

Colby, are you serious?? You blame the partisan divide on opinion media..where do you work again? You doubt this kid was a “college” student..I doubt you’re a “journalist”. You justify yet another liberal democrats’ violent tendencies by pushing the fantasy that he was defending himself from “an army of aggressive college kids accosting public servants”. I love a good fight as much as the next guy, but the kid asked a simple question and you equate it with a violent attack..When in Rome, is that how you guys really want it? Be careful what you wish for..

I mean he did accost the congressman – I mean ask a question. And these were inflammatory and guerrilla interview tactics, I mean asking a question on a public street. And he is only partially to blame, I mean completely as he was the only person who acted in a threatening manner. Yep I see your point turdknocker, you and he are douches.

Has anyone ever seen Colby, Tommy, Reasonable lib, and King in the same room together? I’m just saying…

Comes out the hero are you truly that biased? What the congressman did was not only wrong but illegal. Your article leaves me with one question just how much violence can you defend from liberal politicians or liberal groups (the ends justify the means)?

“But little is known about these ‘students.’ The YouTube video is published under an account titled TonyManization, and even more damning is that the faces of the individuals asking the Congressman questions are blurred out.”

Damning how, Colby? Are you suggesting that because the students’ faces were blurred that the assault didn’t happen? Or are you just disappointed that you can’t identify them so that you can then mount a campaign to dig up dirt a la Joe the Plumber and the Helen Thomas rabbi? No wonder they blurred their faces.

…:well, one wonders if we really want an army of aggressive college kids accosting public servants until someone eventually loses their cool.”

Colby, did you even watch this video? The accosting was not done by the college kid, but by the democrat congressman.

In mediaite’s world, “accosting” means “asking a question” where actual accosting means “losing your cool”? Only in liberal lala land could this article have been written.

“But during a time of heated partisan divide — caused, in part, by a Balkanizing landscape of opinion media — well, one wonders if we really want an army of aggressive college kids accosting public servants until someone eventually loses their cool.”

So basically you are just blaming the college kid who asked the politician a sensible question. Once again you are showing your bias Mediaite. A private person should be able to ask a politician a question on the street, and film it as long as it is all legal. Are these politicians, regardless of (D) or (R), not accountable for their actions? I praise these citizen “reporters” since they have the guts to question our elected government officials. If the politician can’t take the heat on a public sidewalk in front of a camera, than he should simple resign.

See what I mean about my other post on Green? Since when has Mental Impairments been a problem when it comes to electing a candidate?

Liberal media demand that Alvin Greene answer the question “are you mentally impaired” because he is now a public figure, but Colby defends this public figure’s assault on a private citizen because he asked a question about Obama’s agenda. Scary stuff from the sick minds of the liberal media. I call for this congressman to step down, this kind of behavior is completely unacceptable, and it should be in Colby’s mind as well (I’m talking about the behavior of the public servant not the private citizen).

Liberty wrote the following

“If the politician can’t take the heat on a public sidewalk in front of a camera, than he should simple resign.”

One has to ask why he cannot take the heat? It seams if one was doing what was truly best for America there would be nothing to fear. I have a suggestion how about actually pushing policy to create jobs not a larger government teat of welfare and union support.

Bob Etheridge came off as a jerk. I said that in the piece. But assault? Come on. That’s a pretty namby-pamby assault.

So the Congressman is above the law

(honestly, that sort of opening question is straight from the Jason Mattera school of inflammatory interview techniques.)

ummmmmmm…..the video I watched began with the question. “Hi, Congressman, how are you?”

Scary stuff for sure. That would inflame anyone.

The congressman had the kid in headlock at the end of the video that is assault. Again you leave me with the question how much violence can you justify

nice headline! and nice explanation of how he is a hero. <—-sarcasm. colby you effin hack!

Really Colby? “namby-pamby”? Perhaps you should follow-up with the student to see how many bruises he has on his wrist and neck before you jump to a conclusion of “namby-pambiness”.

Typical liberal giving the democrat a pass — as I said, it is why I so enjoy reading this board. The excuses made for democrats has now been reduced to “namby-pamby”.

Too funny.

Colby,

The definition of Simple Assault is as follows:

“A Simple Assault is a minor attack of either a physical or verbal nature. It is an intentional act done to cause harm or distress to another.”

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. It would help your argument if you at least attempted to inform yourself.

Obama Agenda” (honestly, that sort of opening question is straight from the Jason Mattera school of inflammatory interview techniques.)

Can we assume you felt the same when Couric and Gibson asked Palin about the Bush agenda? No need to answer Colby, we can figure that one out for ourselves.

Where are all our high-minded liberal friends? Why aren’t they rushing to post here to defend the congressman..Colbys’ hero?

“Etheridge’s actions are only partially defensible” — which part are you defending? Violence is okay with you? You find grabbing & holding a person who asks you a normal question in public to be partially defensible? Then what is NOT okay in your book of morality?

Colby,

I’m leaning towards this being the most dreadful piece I’ve seen you write and submit. Of course I have not read all your work. I’ve complimented your work before so I’m confident I’m not just being unfair. It just seemed you ‘worked’ too hard to find an angle to demonize the students and not the congressman. It’s the congressman’s behavior and the fact that he is a congressman that makes it a story.

I would submit to you to take another long look at the narrative you approached..

Mediaite.com is becoming a left-wing stooge operation.

It would appear that Mr. Andrew Breitbart has REALLY gotten under the skin of those in the lame stream media. It’s very fun to watch!

“The YouTube video is published under an account titled TonyManization, and even more damning is that the faces of the individuals asking the Congressman questions are blurred out. Hmmm…nothing like the courage of the anonymous protester.”

What a bunch of idiocy.

First of all, the “accuser” was not making an accusation. He was recording documentary evidence of an event and posting it online. It is not a matter of he said/she said, so his identity is irrelevant to the veracity of the story. Perhaps if this was a site run by real journalists instead of partisan hacks, there would be no confusion about this.

Second, the victim of an assault is under no obligation to make his identity known to the world. I suppose you also cast doubts on victims of rape who do not identify themselves to the public. Considering the nastiness of the partisan atmosphere out there, it is reasonable for a college kid to not want to subject themselves to attack on the web or being attacked physically or harassed by “tolerant” liberals.

It is pretty pathetic that anyone can look at this for anything other than what it is: a Congressman at best demonstrating terrible judgement at , at worst demonstrating that his has an unstable and violent character. Step out of your partisan hack role for a few seconds and join the rest of us here in reality.

Hey Colby..can we have your address so that we can have a peaceful rally on your doorstep like your buddies at the SEIU? I’m sure you wouldn’t have a problem with that sort of ‘heroic’ action..would you?

Colby, you are a schmuck, plain and simple: a schmuck.

me1ranger, what are you talking about? Just kidding, I know, but most people won’t since Mediaite and most other media didn’t cover it. I did ask them nicely to cover it, but somehow, it wasn’t important enough. Now Carly F commenting on boxers hair was important enought to warrant 2 or 3 articles. I’m still trying to figure out their process for deciding what to cover. I think I have it narrowed down now.

“Which brings us back to Etheridge’s response. Yeah – he comes off as a jerk, but…when in Rome.”

When in Washington, treat American citizens like a pile of dog crap you’ve stepped in? As long as you’re a Democrat? Is that about it?

For those of you who don’t know what ranger is talking about, here is a portion of the email I sent to mediaite:

I’m sure you know the one I’m talking about, SEIU thugs protest a private citizens home (a Dem, btw), with only his terrified 14 year old son home. There has been some suggestion that the DC cops escorted the protesters there, but there is a debate about that. Nina Easton, who happens to live in the neighborhood writes about it:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/19/news/companies/SEIU_Bank_of_America_protest.fortune/index.htm

And Media Matters attacks.

Hit job: What Media Matters and the SEIU got wrong about Fortune’s Nina Easton

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/05/26/hit-job-what-media-matters-and-the-seiu-got-wrong-about-fortunes-nina-easton/#ixzz0p3mYuNPC

If you can tear yourself away from being outraged that fiorina would criticize boxer’s hair, it’s worth your time.

“First of all, the “accuser” was not making an accusation. He was recording documentary evidence of an event and posting it online. It is not a matter of he said/she said, so his identity is irrelevant to the veracity of the story. Perhaps if this was a site run by real journalists instead of partisan hacks, there would be no confusion about this.”

Yeah, Bob, but the kid might have been a Republican, and if we don’t know that, how do we know whether he deserved to be assaulted and battered by a Congressman?

Seriously, this piece is hackery of the highest order.

if we really want an army of aggressive college kids accosting public servants

Love that: “…..army of aggressive college kids accosing public servants”. Right out of Orwell. You should have written “swarming army of testosterone teabagging college kids”. Perhaps next time?

Accosting? An army? It was two students. I’m going to assume you wrote this to get a response?

The students were rude and should have, at the least, introduced themselves first and then asked if they could ask the Congressman some questions.

For that they can be criticized. But that is hardly an “army of aggressive college kids accosting” the Congressman. We’ve all come across rude people in our lives. And what do we do? Ignore them and go about our day.

There is no defense, Colby, for this reaction by the Congressman. The fact that you’re trying to distort this event for political reasons or to generate hits (or whatever reason) is disappointing.

Bob Etheridge came off as a jerk. I said that in the piece. But assault? Come on. That’s a pretty namby-pamby assault.

I’m sorry, Colby, which section of the code covers namby-pamby assault? Is that like when it’s not rape rape?

It would appear that Colby is

A) Hiding under his desk

B) Conferencing with Dan on how to ban conservatives from Mediaite

Colby?

If T.C. had approached John Boehner on the street and asked him the same question, only to be smacked around …would you be calling Boehner a hero?

Just curious….

“Now, Etheridge’s actions are only partially defensible.”

Wow, just wow. Which part of his actions is it that were defensible?

How dare anyone ask the Congressman if he supports the Obama agenda. It’s not like he was elected to represent a group of Americans or anything… oh wait, he was.

Mr. Hall, it is time for you to remember that Congress works FOR the people. They are supposed to SERVE the people. They are supposed to be thick-skinned enough to “turn the other cheek”.

What if this had been Sarah Palin and a female student? What would your reaction have been Mr. Hall?

The Congressman, if he has any integrity at all, should resign, then apologize.

MichelleF says:
June 14, 2010 at 9:25 am
Obama Agenda” (honestly, that sort of opening question is straight from the Jason Mattera school of inflammatory interview techniques.)

Can we assume you felt the same when Couric and Gibson asked Palin about the Bush agenda? No need to answer Colby, we can figure that one out for ourselves.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a threadwinner!!

Nice job Michelle!

C’mon. Let’s cut Colby some slack. He didn’t use his original title for the piece: “Racist teabaggers violently attack hero with unreasonable questions: a nation mourns.”

Colby, why didn’t the Congressman just walk away? Just ignore the students, smile for the camera and keep on walking?

That’s what adults do in a potentially “difficult” situation.

Asking if he supports the “Obama agenda” is hardly guerilla journalism.

Where have all the liberals gone? Long time, no see…Hello?

Perhaps Obama should be consulting with Etheridge, since he seems to know whose ass to kick.

Where have all the liberals gone? Long time, no see…Hello?

My guess is that they’re waiting until MediaMatters or another group digs up some dirt on these “students.”

Once they find out – if they do – that it’s a conservative/right group, then we’ll have the discussion turn to the behavior of the group, where they came from and who they are et cetera and away from the Congressman’s behavior.

That’s what Colby Hall is trying to do. Unsuccessfully so far.

-
-
Colby writes, “It will be interesting to follow how this story plays out in the news media. Will it be a big story? Probably not…”

Colby is correct. This will not be a big story in the MSM. In fact, Youtube has already pulled the video and damage control is in progress.

However, it WILL be a big story in his opponent’s ads. Etheridge just gave his opponent an early Christmas present. Expect to see the clip about…oh, a jillion times.

I agree that Etheridge comes across like a class A jerk. I am not sure how his (mis)behavior here is remotely heroic. The horribly provocative question is about “Obama’s agenda?” Please. I’ll bet he is forced to apologize.

being prepared for ambush interviews from eager college kids is the next phase of media training for many on Capitol Hill.

And the solution to this vexing dilemma is for the “public servant” to smile and just keep walking.

Thank you. That’ll be $2,500.

Dan Abrams has just proven once again why he is to be admired.
Abrams is the reason I first came to this site.
Good man.

Puter Boi – quit sucking up to my boss. As to your question — I’d gladly have Boehner (or anyone else for that matter) smack some sense into TC.

Well, at least the congressman didn’t call him “Macaca.” That would have been truly beyond the pale.

I’m with Colby here. These guys were guilty of inflammatory and guerrilla interview tactics. Such as merely asking, “do you agree with Obama’s agenda?” I mean, come on guys, you don’t get anymore inflammatory than that!

Colby is a joke. This congressman is a lunatic. He’s a public figure who is paid by taxpayers…I’m sorry, but when did it become a guerrilla tactic to ask if he agrees with something or not?

I’m shocked! Never thought I would want to be John Boehner for a day!

So, Colby is on the record advocating violence from elected officials against constituents. Lovely. Now, about all that right wing violence….

Memo to liberal mediots: stop posting dreck like this when others can leave comments. It really makes you look bad when page after page of commenters reams you in the @ss for making one idiotic statement after another. And this “article” is one lone idiotic statement.

BTW, I’m getting sick of youtube freezing their view counts on videos it doesn’t like so that they avoid making any lists of popular vids.

That poor Congressman, “ambushed” on the street by “guerilla interview tactics.” The man committed assault. The only reason that liberal hacks are already spinning this is because he has a “D” in front of his name. He is a criminal, and if he were an ordinary person, he would be sitting in jail right now. But he’s part of the privileged political class, so nothing will happen unless YOU make it happen.

Call his offices, contact the Office of Congressional Ethics, and forward this to everyone you know. AN ATTACK ON ONE CITIZEN IS AN ATTACK ON ALL.

SteveMG – Clearly the Congressman should have ignored the questions and walked away. His behavior reveals him to be a jerk. Its what I said in the piece. Is he heroic? no – but the ambush style of questions by anonymous individuals claiming that they are “students” who are “working on a project” clearly made put the congressman on edge. He should have behaved the way that he did, but I don’t see that as assault. I see it as a jerky and cranky old man.

As for MichelleF and TimZank — there is a big difference between a sit-down interview done by Couric and Gibson for a pre-arranged interview adn getting rushed on the street with a flipcam shoved in your face. right? Put another way, the question was innocuous but the method appeared to be threatening. Not defending the behavior, but explaining it in a larger context.

I can tell that my opinion is not shared by the legion of commenters on this post, but c’est la vie. One opinion does not a liberal make, and I’m happy to stand by record of posts (which have been, for the most part, fair and balanced)

The video is still on youtube, however they are freezing the view count. Much as they did to the ACORN video stings.

Colby?
OK….now you are being billed for a new monitor….my old one is covered in coffee….some posts need spewage alerts….it’s a rule!!!

btw: I’d clobber T.C. myself if it would get him to stop slouching….

He should have behaved the way that he did, but I don’t see that as assault.

How do you define assault? Or better yet, battery? Does it involve referring to the law?

LOL. I just saw Colby’s comment about namby pamby assault. That’s a new defense. I guess you should be able to grab strangers in the street, refuse to let go of them, wrap your arm around their head, and it’s fine and good…as long as you don’t do it too hard. Be gentle with your assault, and it’s not even assault. Cool.

“this sort of inflammatory and guerrilla interview tactics”

Hey Colby, ever heard of a show called 60 Minutes? Inflammatory and guerrilla interview tactics were the rule of the day and made them the most watched TV news magazine ever. You clearly have no idea what the role of journalism is in this country. It is NOT to suck up to politicians you agree with and promote their agendas. There will be more and more citizen journalists springing up around the country, because the “professional” one are derelict in their duties. I’m sure the gov’t will be taking over YouTube before long.

Colby Hall said:

“but the ambush style of questions by anonymous individuals claiming that they are students who are working on a project clearly made put the congressman on edge.”

Stop spinning. Your hypocrisy has no end. There is no defense for what Etheridge did here. Stop attacking the victim. Confrontational street interviews are the staple of every local news broadcast. Especially during sweeps.

Thanks for that last line colby..I just shot cereal out my nose! Fair and balanced..HA!

Colby, is your problem honestly with the process of ambush interview questions, or, simply the ideology of those asking said questions? This is a sincere question on my part, because last year when Firedoglake and Huffington Post teamed up to “ambush” Republican members of Congress on the Capitol Hill about supporting birthers, the tactic received praise across the media.

I’ll freely admit that members of Congress supporting the birther question is much more a legitimate issue than generic inquiries about the “Obama agenda.” But if you’re honestly opposed to the tactic of ambush video journalism, then I’m curious what you think about the video I mentioned: http://huff.to/qGlRG

Colby,

Your articles are largely fair and balanced. Your role as an editor? Not so much! I worry that’s ‘rubbing’ off on you and it’s disguised as click bait (or so you may think). Hell, you may not even be noticing or willing to accept your own potential transformation. It sneeks up on you!

Bob Etheridge didn’t commit assault and Roman Polanski didn’t commit “rape rape”. ahhhhh the left.

Ambush style interview? The kid didn’t run up and put the cam in his face…he was standing there peacefully, asked one simple question, as the guy walked by. You may have been confused thinking his camera was pushed into his face, as the good congressman walked up and slapped it from his hand. I can understand that confusion. About as much as I can understand the confusion over “do you agree with Obama’s agenda” is an inflammatory question.

Colby the picture you use on your posts kinda seems like someones’ ambushing you on the street, and you’re getting ready to hit his camera. So this kind of reaction from you is engrained..the left is so violent and intolorant.

-
Ann Coulter once said that the left lhas no morals of its own, the left can point out the failing of a concervative and scream about “hypocrisy.” It is a charge that can scarcely ever be leveled against a liberal because, as Ann said, they have no values to which they could be hypocritical.

Except this one.

Here’s a Dem, one of the “better than us” types, one of the “Democrats care” types, battering a student for asking a simple question on a public street.

And to Colby, this makes the Congressman a hero.

Hypocrite. If Todd Palin did this, Colby would be calling for him to be waterboarded.

Lesson 2- only reporters are allowed to ask questions of their congressmen. Citizens are to be ignored, their questions aren’t worthy of response. Especially if their mean inflammatory questions like, “do you agree with A, B, or C.” In fact, people that ask questions THAT tough shall be summarily shot by Capitol Police.

“” But somehow, one gets the sense that there are legions of viewers out there that will be happy with his reply.”"

You’re absolutely out of your fucking mind. Imagine if this were a GOP congressman..or *gasp* a Tea Partier.

Abrams must be completely embarrassed by the idiots who write for this site

From this clip, there’s no way to tell what really happened because it is so heavily edited. Did the interviewer spit on Etheridge? Try to hit him? No way this can be judged an “assault” just from this clip.

As for ambush interviewing, even Jason Mattera has enough common sense to identify himself, the merest prerequisite to asking someone on the street a question on camera.

The full video is supposedly available at Eyeblast, but the traffic appears to have crashed them.

Colby in the article:
‘Now, Etheridge’s actions are only partially defensible’

Colby in the article comments:
‘Not defending the behavior, but explaining it in a larger context.’

I agree! WTF? Colby, you did put forward a ‘defensible’ argument in the piece. See what I did there? I quoted you.

From this clip, there’s no way to tell what really happened because it is so heavily edited. Did the interviewer spit on Etheridge? Try to hit him? No way this can be judged an “assault” just from this clip.

Okay.

Yes, Tommy, I’m sure the kid spit on Etheridge. In between calling him “Sir.”

Yes, Tommy, I’m sure the kid spit on Etheridge. In between calling him “Sir.”

The other kid spit on him. There was a second spitter.

Working, of course, for Rove.

-

Actually, EyeBlast has the entire video up now, shot from two angles.

To those of you who cherish the hope that the student spit on Etheridge: You may not want to watch.

To those of us who live in reality: Have fun, here’s the link:

http://blog.eyeblast.tv/2010/06/congressman-bob-etheridge-d-nc-attacks-college-student/

Comes out a hero?

You have GOT to be kidding. If that was my kid, I’d be calling the police, writing letters, and getting that cranky ass Etheridge, who assaulted my kid fired and/or arrested.

That was outrageous. A head lock? He smacked him, grabbed him, and put him in a half headlock.

He would SO being going down if that was my kid.

(hi Treacher!)

Tommy and Colby can be in the same place at the same time..humm, oh well. But they are of the same small mind. Funny to see you trying the lie that the tea partiers spit on that lying congressman during the HCR debate, Tommy. Link us to the video that proves those bogus claims..and collect your $100,000. Straw-grasp much?

SteveMG says:
June 14, 2010 at 11:19 am

LOL!

I blame Presidunce KickAss for this culture of violence

Tommy is the same guy who ambushed Griff Jenkins for refusing to bash Fox News while Griff was being interviewed by a college journalism student. Tommy actually interrupted an interview demanding that Jenkins become a Fox News spokesperson then attacked him on this site for refusing to doing what only an official PR person should be doing. In the attack, he implied that Jenkins was guilty of something he was not. So, I wouldn’t take anything Tommy says too seriously.

Which makes me wonder…when ambushing Jenkins, did Tommy break Griff’s arm or perhaps worse- did Tommy sexually assault Griff? I mean, the video could’ve been edited, so no telling why Jenkins politely declined to become a public relations rep for the entire corporation he is a small part of. I suspect he would’ve spoken out, but fearful after being physically beaten by Christopher.

In fact, I heard that the first kid knifed the congressman. I’d be angry too if some kids who refused to answer my demands of WHO ARE YOU?! And then getting knifed like that. Heavy stuff.

Colby, I agree with you (and Tommy) on this one. A child with a Flipcam who blurs his face out seems to pass as a journalist nowadays, as far as the right is concerned. Sad.

The First Amendment applies to all Americans or legal residents here. Not just “journalists”.

In fact, we’re all expressing that right at this site.

June 14, 2010 at 11:35 am

Huh? Shouldn’t citizens be the first people allowed to ask questions? Why is a journalist only allowed to ask questions of members congress?

etheridge – “i have a right to know who you are”. anyone know if he supports arizona’s right to the same thing?

As for MichelleF and TimZank — there is a big difference between a sit-down interview done by Couric and Gibson for a pre-arranged interview adn getting rushed on the street with a flipcam shoved in your face. right? Put another way, the question was innocuous but the method appeared to be threatening. Not defending the behavior, but explaining it in a larger context.

Thanks for the liberal spin, Colby.

Abrams must be completely embarrassed by the idiots who write for this site

Why, he’s a liberal hack too. Talk about group think!

C0nstant says:
June 14, 2010 at 11:40 am

nice! I’m guessing that would be a *no*, however.

Y’know, my hunch is that if this was the head of BP (or a top executive with them) and these students (if they are students) did this, the response would be quite different.

At least from those criticizing the behavior.

And maybe from some defending it.

tjl – seems to thinks its ok to assault a kid because he has a cellphone and a different POV. Thats sad, very sad…

Steve thinks it would be fine for the BP guys to beat up anyone who dares to question them on the street? Nice spin, dude. I’m glad to hear that there are a few brave libs out there that want confrontations on politics to step it up a notch. You will be happy to find many like myself that will be more than happy to oblige..

i have twice now given my opinion that Colby hall – by defending this congressman’s assault and somehow saying that the congressman is “heroic for doing this – shows that he is much more a pro obama blogger (of the huff post style) than any kind of journalist – and twice now my comment has been removed.

how is that not censorship of an opposing idea?

So Colby hall not only is a “hack’ pretending to be a journalist – but also a censor of any opinion that questions whether he should even be employed by a website that says it is a media criticism site.

I wrote before that this congressman is of the same mind as me politically – a third way – hillary supporting centrist – but I would never defend this man for what he did – which CLEARLY was an assault and battery on the kid…

my OPINION is that Colby hall should be fired for this column and that the Congressman should be prosecuted for his indefensible attack.

Go ahead Colby – remove this comment too – but it doesnt change the truth.

You are an embarrassment to Dan Abrams and until this kind of cheerleading fanboy “hackery” is ended here – this site will never be what it could be – the best media site on the internet.

I have no sympathy for a politician, regardless of political philosophy. The Congressman was on a public street. Two individuals asked him if he supported President Obama’s agenda. The congressman got upset and agitated. He could not handle the pressure or stress that simple question created. He is no hero as the author of this article claims, or at least implies. The congressman appears to be just another politician that doesn’t like to be questioned. However, they are supposed to be accountable to the people, yet it appears many people are more than willing to look the other-way.

Also, the congressman, because the power he wields, attempts to intimidate the two individuals with questions such as “Who are you…what’s your name.” Oh and not to mention the fact that the Congressman, who supposedly represents the people of the 2nd NC congressional district, physically grabs temporarily detains two free individuals attempting to question the politician.

Steve thinks it would be fine for the BP guys to beat up anyone who dares to question them on the street?

Sorry, read my post again: I said no such thing. Nope, Not even close.

I asked the question whether those DEFENDING this action would have the same attitude IF it was a BP executive. My question was intended for those who think this was somehow appropriate.

Since I didn’t criticized the action (read my condemnation of the Congressman and of Colby Hall for defending it), I wouldn’t be defending it if was a BP executive.

The actions by the Congressman were indefensible. And they would be indefensible if it was a BP executive.
Politics should have nothing to do with it.

Good lord, how much of a far-left water carrier do you have to be to call this guy a “hero”? “inflammatory and guerrilla interview tactics”? They asked him if he supported the Obama agenda? Ooooh, tough question. Colby, you liberals are such hypocrites.

Since I didn’t criticized the action (read my condemnation of the Congressman and of Colby Hall for defending it), I wouldn’t be defending it if was a BP executive.

Correction: Since I didn’t DEFEND the behavior by the Congressman, I wouldn’t defend it if was a BP executive.

Colby calls it “namby-pamby” to use the word assault when describing his like-minded congressman. Yet, he says asking his like-minded liberal if he “supports the Obama agenda” is a guerrilla tactic and an ambush. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

It’s hard to understand the mind of a liberal.

ex political-media hack:

Thanks for bringing to attention that some of your earlier posts are now missing. I read them and did not appear to rise to the level to be deleted. In the past, over line comments I’ve observed to have Mediaite warn the commenter and/or delete their posts and ban commenter.

Removing your opinion of warning Dan and investors and firing editors seems a little chicken shit to me. Mediaite can at least ‘inform’ the rest of us to know where the line is or what line was crossed. So we can adapt.

Hey Dan..did you guys really delete Hacks’ posts? If you did, I’m going to have to take my balls and go home..

Again, I came to this site because I like and admire dan abrams for standing up against the media herd in 2001 during the recount0 and in 2008 – when he defended Hillary against the sexist attacks on Mrs Clinton…

this site is a great idea and has a great design – but the problem is that its writers are no different than the bloggers at huffpost – and this has to be the responsibility of the editor…

sometimes the pro obama bias is very, very bad 9and pretty shocking for a media critique site which should by definition – fight against any and all bias) – but its never been close to as embarrassing as this post where Hall defends not only the absolute right of “journalists” like himself to a monopoly over the right to ask Pols about their positions but goes so far as to call this thug congressman a “hero’ of some kind and his physical assault on the sir calling kid – “namby-pamby”.

be sure of this, the congressman owes this kid (and all of his constituents) an apology for this clear assault and Colby Hall owes Dan Abrams (and all this sites readers) an apology for this clearly outrageous and disgraceful column.

then I think both the congressman and the editor should do the right thing and resign.

@me1ranger I don’t, and never have, deleted a post. The editorial team makes those calls. As you can see from my comment in this section, I disagreed with the premise of this post. With that said, are people actually suggesting someone should get fired for offering an opinion that you may disagree with? Geez, if I fired someone every time there was strong disagreement with his or her post (or if listened to Media Matters and/or Newsbusters blast us for that matter), I would have no one left standing.

Chill out. Disagree, express that disagreement, even call Colby an idiot (well many have done that already apparently) but lets keep in perspective, we are talking about whether a Congressman was right or wrong to get overly angry at some people shooting video of him. That is not exactly an issue of national security.

colby needs to put down the little glass pipe and tommy needs to get on a treadmill.

Dan Abrams:
“Chill out. Disagree, express that disagreement, even call Colby an idiot (well many have done that already apparently) but lets keep in perspective, we are talking about whether a Congressman was right or wrong to get overly angry at some people shooting video of him. That is not exactly an issue of national security.”

Don’t suggest that, or else the person will get banned with no warning or explanation.

Okay Dan..thanks for that. I’ll let Hack stick up for himself. You guys have been fair to me..so I’ll butt out. But..Colby is an idiot..not that there’s anything wrong with that..

yes someone did remove two of my post criticizing Colby Hall.

In the first one I wrote “WTF?” to hall’s statement that this congressman is some kind of “semi hero” – so I understand the censor here (hall?) using that as an excuse to remove the post – but the second comment was about why I come to this site and why – even though this congressman and I are very close politically as third way – centrist – Clintonites – that defending him – even though he clearly assaulted this polite kid – was very – very wrong. In that post I put no curse words (or curse initials) and i was not abusive – just gave my opinion – and STILL it was removed…

WHY?

Ill tell you why – its because hall is editing this site like its a partisan blogsite like huffpost or kos rather than as journal that believes in being unbiased and open to all sides. Censorship is the Kossack way – is this what dan Abrams was thinking of when he created this site? I surely think not, if anyone in the country was raised to TRULY believe in free speech – it had to be Prof. Abram’s boy!.

If this site wants to live up to its potential (and simply keep alive for the long haul) the obvious juvenile fanboyish bias that Hall has fostered here at Mediaite must change and the best way to do this is to remove someone from the editors seat who would write something as clearly wrong, outrageous and insulting as Hall did today.

heck, I dont like seeing people get fired – being a lefty and all – but I heard my old pal Arianna is hiring and i think Colby would fit better in a place where his inability to be fair to all sides is considered a admirable quality. (and I think there is space there in Arianna-land for his clones here who write in exactly the same thumb on the scale style as he)

Wow ,I guess your premise is pretty much horse shit judging by the reactions, oh well suck another dong!

So much anger from the right. Seems like it’s a typical Monday around here. Bob Etheridge is a HERO!!!!

ex political-media hack… Awesome post! I hope they listen to you at Mediaite.

Roadmouth with the frothing, primitive response from the right! I love it! “Suck another dong.” How sweet your words are. Now, go pick up my dry cleaning. Thanks!

ExPoliticalHack – you had a couple of posts deleted, each of which a moderator took as ad hominem attacks and or name calling. But you have plenty of comments that exist on this post (and I’m sure, throughout the site.)

Somehow claiming that we aren’t believers in free speech and that what have a predisposed liberal bent? hmmm…I think the folks at Media Matters would take issue with that assessment (as they have often called us right wing hacks) I expressed an opinion to which you disagree. Doesn’t make me a partisan hack – just a guy that has a different opinion tan you.

-
Colby, here is a tip: Just because somebody is a lefty, doesn’t mean you have to defend the indefensible.

I am a Reaganite. Doesn’t mean that I am going to defend Mark Sanford when he added a new meaning to the words “Hiking the Appalachian Trail.”

It’s okay to tell the truth, Colby. You can say, “What Etheridge id was entirely inappropriate. He deseves what he is going to get. I am ambarrassed by him. All liberals should be.”

You don’t have to spin him as a hero.

The truth works.

Congratulations, Mr. Etheridge. You exposed these two clowns as pussies for certain. TonyManization should omit their man cards and just tag it Tonyization. As to the question, those two morons couldn’t respond to the question, “What do you think the Obama Agenda is?” without resorting to the stupidity of thier seniors and leaders about ‘marxism’ and ‘muslim’ or some other such nonsense. The political environment has been deteriorating for almost two decades and these two are that whtie stuff in the chickenshit that is the Republican party..

Dan – you and i both know that the laziest justification in the media for its bad behavior – is the “if the right is attacking us and the left is too – we must be doing it just right”.

That was basically the long running mantra for the entire DC press corps during the Clinton impeachment and the recount in 2001. It was a false analogy then and it still is now.

This column is not about an issue of national security – but this isnt that kind of site that makes those issues the center of its coverage – is it?

This site is supposed to be about the media and media coverage and so often it seems that the writers 9and your editor) seem more interested in defending the administration FROM the media than actually discussing the coverage itself.

Today’s column by Hall truly is a new low here though. I suggest you watch the tape again – this was clearly a assault on a very polite kid and this member doesnt have the control or class to be a member of Congress and Id bet the pinkslip on my boat that he wont be one this time next summer precisely because of this situation.

But somehow Hall thought this outrageous and clearly WRONG behavior was somehow…ironically… “heroic”. Wha?

I know that you would never censor or delete another opinion – but your editor did. Was it because i dared to have the effrontery to question whether he even deserved to have his position. Was that reason enough to censor and remove my comment?

Hall obviously doesntt believe this kid had the right to question the congress member and he obviously also doesnt believe that this site’s readers have the right to question his abilities, fairness or good sense.

Do you?

@danabrams: “Geez, if I fired someone every time there was strong disagreement with his or her post (or if listened to Media Matters and/or Newsbusters blast us for that matter), I would have no one left standing.”

Oh, come on Dan. There’s not a single writer or columnist for Mediaite who’s ever posted something that could even be construed as center-right. You may disagree with individual posts, but there’s no evidence that ideological diversity is treasured here.

Colby:

Why do people like you continually play the “i’m not a liberal” card. Good lord, it’s not like it’s a well kept secret. I would put the odds that you voted for John McCain somewhere near 0.001%. Good lord, just be honest. Stop trying to pretend that you are objective…you’re not.

Besideds, Rep. Etheridge has issued a comment and apologized. Apparently, not even his own P.R. team is willing to go to the lengths that you and Mr. Christopher are. Your post is really beyond words. It’s like a bad April fools joke. Do you think anyone reading thinks for a second that if it were a Republican congressman that you wouldn’t be (correctly) ripping him?

And no, Tommy, apparently, nobody “spit” on the Congressman. What would make you write that anyway? That’s simply idiotic. Surely you two understand that today’s post has certified that you are not just simply liberals but far-left extremists?

Also, this column isn’t an example of partisan hackery. It’s an example of *political class* hackery. Etheridge is part of the ruling elite. Colby Hall wants to be part of the same class. Thus Etheridge will be defended for swatting down one of the unwashed.

-
Bill Adkins says:
June 14, 2010 at 1:20 pm
_________

That was a good post. You should drink a bottle of Everclear, cut your fingers off, and then type a post more often.

“A child with a Flipcam who blurs his face out seems to pass as a journalist nowadays, as far as the right is concerned. Sad

Nobody is calling him a journalist. What is it with liberals and straw men arguments?

He is a person who does not deserve to be assaulted. Sorry that your mindless partisanship has overtaken your basic sense of decency.

so colby – the two comments that i wrote that were removed – just by Co-Incidence were about you!

Oh OK!

Sure uh huh right!

As i wrote above – there is nothing lazier and less informative and more self justifying – than someone in the media who defends their coverage by saying that since both sides are attacking me – I must be doing it just right.

What this world (and this website) needs is someone at its helm that is willing to be a actual media critic.

Hey Dan – why not give my old pal Bob Somerby a call – he wouldnt play these juvenile games like young Colby here. The media world needs a super shake up and so – for sure – does – Mediaite.

And though I wont call hall an idiot – because i dont know him only his words – i surely will call this the most idiotic piece Ive ever read here before. (and thats saying quite a bit since I read Tommy Christopher’s piece last week justifying the self involved media against Jon Stewart’s take down over the biden beach soiree )

This reminds me of that piece that Colby Hall’s great-great-great grandfather wrote back in 1865. I believe the headline was: John Wilkes Booth assassinates President Lincoln but comes out the hero because….Lincoln is a Republican!

“RJGatorEsq. says:
June 14, 2010 at 1:37 pm
-
Bill Adkins says:
June 14, 2010 at 1:20 pm
_________

That was a good post. You should drink a bottle of Everclear, cut your fingers off, and then type a post more often.”

Using you as an example that’s not working for you so I don’t believe it’ll work out for me. Of course, you’re blowing it out of your ass so it’s same shit/different day for you.

So…now according to Democrats it is socially acceptable to strike out in violence if you disagree with someone. Interesting. “Vote Democrat! Vote Violence!”. Makes a great bumper sticker.

We’ve learned a thing or two from the tea baggers, oxycon!

We’ve learned a thing or two from the tea baggers, oxycon!

Like who?

Those SEIU tea baggers, Jim.

@colby, you said this: “Bob Etheridge came off as a jerk. I said that in the piece. But assault? Come on. That’s a pretty namby-pamby assault.”

You’re right; it isn’t an assault. It is, in fact, a “battery,” which is the “unwanted touching of one person by another, sometimes resulting in bodily injury.” Battery is much worse than assault. You, Cody, are an azzclown.

In all of the articles I have read of Colby’s, I was always under the impression Colby was female. Perhaps because of the effete nature of the writing. I’m still not convinced. Has anybody else out there seen a picture?

Email from Colby to me:

your comments are verging dangerously close to ad hominem. Colby Hall

How so colby? You seem a little thin-skinned today.

http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/original/colby_hall_x200.jpg

pic of colby, jim

Congressman Etheridge reminds me of Dick Vernon from The Breakfast Club.

I’m cursious, are the rest of my conservative buddies on this thread being emailed by colby to complain about their comments, or is he just infatuated with me?

curious, sorry king!

Maybe the students should have rented the house next to the congressman and spied on his kids. Now that I think about it…..doing something like that would have been indefensible wouldn’t it?!?

tjl says:
June 14, 2010 at 2:24 pm
We’ve learned a thing or two from the tea baggers, oxycon!

Like what?

I think the Congressman fell on the sword for Team Obama. This will stir things up and keep the focus off Oil-bama’s abject failures for a few days. The deal was that Etheridge would go do something stupid and draw fire if Oil-bama promised not to campaign for him…..ever. ROTFLMAO

How does it feel to be the old farts defending the establishment, Mediaite? So unedgy…

Mediaite = FAIL.

This leftist congressman should go to jail, he held the boys arm that is assult, he refused to let the boy go so that is cruel and inhuman behavior. Who does Ethereidge think he is? Is he trying to be like BO and think he is God himslef. People this man is a bully and a person who is in love with his own position, he (Etheridge) needs to resign. Oh yes and what was that part where he pulls the kids neck and turns him around. Sue sue sue

I would have put that guy down had he grabbed my arm and refused to let me go. He was asked multiple times to let go. Imagine if men all over the country went around grabbing women in that fashion and then refuse to let them go.

Colby Hall says: “Clearly the Congressman should have ignored the questions and walked away.”

Nonsense. Ethridge is a paid public servant. He “should have” made an attempt to answer the question.

Colby Hall says: “His behavior reveals him to be a jerk. Its what I said in the piece.”

More nonsense. “His behavior reveals him to be a” violent criminal thug, posing as a public servant. And “what” you “said” is irrelevant, when “what” you “say” isn’t true..

Colby Hall says: “Is he heroic? no but the ambush style of questions by anonymous individuals claiming that they are “students” who are “working on a project” clearly made put the congressman on edge.”

Well, at least now you’ve finally admitted that a violent thug isn’t a “hero”, which you had tried to imply above.

Aside from that, Our Constitution affirms that we have a God given Right to Free Speech. Those “students” were merely exercising that right, mind you in a very polite manner, when Etheridge chose to react in a violent and wholly inappropriate manner.

With that said, considering you’re shallow and albeit weak attempt, to defend the violent actions of this thug, would it be equally defensible if I manhandled you (I assure you I’m capable of doing so) now that another one of your ludicrous propaganda driven hit pieces has “put” me “on edge”?

I really would like, and even deserve an answer to that question Colby. Feel free to answer at whatever length you choose. But be honest, rather than offering more of your indefensible Left wing spin.

Colby Hall says: “He should have behaved the way that he did, but I don’t see that as assault.”

In one sense, you’re partially correct Colby. Etheridge’s violent actions do not merely amount to “assault”. Rather, his actions conform to the legal definition of two specific crimes, “assault and battery”. See here:

http://www.nolo.com/dictionary/assault-term.html

assault

A crime that occurs when one person tries to physically harm another in a way that makes the person under attack feel immediately threatened. Actual physical contact is not necessary; threatening gestures that would alarm any reasonable person can constitute an assault. Assault is often charged with battery, which requires intended physical contact. (See also: battery)

http://www.nolo.com/dictionary/battery-term.html

battery

A crime consisting of physical contact that is intended to harm someone. Unintentional harmful contact is not battery, no mater how careless the behavior or how severe the injury. A fist fight is a common battery; being hit by a wild pitch in a baseball game is not.

Colby Hall says: “I see it as a jerky and cranky old man.”

Of course you’d like to “see it” and spin “it” away as easily as that. And I would expect nothing more from a polemic hurling amoral Leftist ideologue.

However, being that you are currently attempting to pose as a professional, and a journalist as well, some attempt at reason and objectivity, will always be required.

Colby Hall says: ” there is a big difference between a sit-down interview done by Couric and Gibson for a pre-arranged interview adn getting rushed on the street with a flipcam shoved in your face. right?”

You’re attempt to spin the entire narrative is wrong. You know as well as everyone else viewing the video that the students did NOT “rush” Etheridge, nor did they “shove” anything in his “face”.

Rather, the student calmly approached Etheridge and asked him a reasonable question from a reasonable non-threatening distance.

And let’s not fully forget that Representative Bob Etheridge is a very large, fit, and very tall man, and in his youth he was an outstanding basketball player, who attended Campbell University on an athletic scholarship.

See here: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/magazine/latest-news-fall-2009/img/joint-bd-mtg-awards.jpg

Colby Hall says: “Put another way, the question was innocuous but the method appeared to be threatening.”

More nonsense Colby. Giant aggressive athletic men aren’t easily physically “threatened”. Especially not by two small respectful students, even if they calmly asked a question of Etheridge that he felt may “threaten” his political future and ambitions.

Colby Hall says: “Not defending the behavior, but explaining it in a larger context.”

Of course you’re “defending” Etheridge’s agressive and violent “behavior”. And no amount of spin can create the false “context” you’d like to promote.

Colby Hall says: “I can tell that my opinion is not shared by the legion of commenters on this post, but c’est la vie.”

Being that you can’t possibly defend your indefensible post above, it’s best for you to quit digging as soon as possible now.

Especially considering that you’ve already put yourself into a hole of enormous size, and aren’t willing to take a step back, to view this event through anything near non-partisan eyes.

Colby Hall says: “One opinion does not a liberal make, and I’m happy to stand by record of posts (which have been, for the most part, fair and balanced)”

There are at least two “opinions” within that single sentence above. And unfortunately, for you and for all your readers as well, each is strongly and very clearly wrong.

Colby, I wondered if these were your legitimate opinions or if you were just practicing to be the first oral proctologist for the Democrat Party?

Not assault (or battery) huh? So if I decided to go up to a Democrat Congressman I didn’t like tomorrow and grab him like this, you think I wouldn’t get in any trouble?

Good job trying out for sycophant of the year. It’s early, but you’ve got my vote.

“I expressed an opinion to which you disagree. Doesn’t make me a partisan hack – just a guy that has a different opinion tan you.”

No, you claiming something that is provably untrue (that this wasn’t a case of battery) makes you a media hack. You trying to suck up to a Democrat and find a way to attack the victim is what makes you a partisan hack.

And don’t try that Left-Right crap. I am and always have been an Independent and am shocked at what contortions you’re willing to go to in order to cover for this guy. The only way you could be further to the Left is if you….actually never mind. There’s nothing you could do to sound further Left than you do. Credibility is a rare commodity in journalism today. Trust me, I’ll never bother reading you again to see if you’re trying to regain yours.

Colby Hall says: “…assault? Come on. That’s a pretty namby-pamby assault.”

Ok, so I grab your kid, wife, someone I’m big enough to physically intimidate. I grab their wrist, keep them from leaving, grab their neck to hold them, then switch to a shoulder lock to control their actions… that’s not a problem for you?

You’re ok with people being allowed to do that to you on the street whenever they choose without a problem?

Hey, this looks like fun. Can I get a when/where you walk to/from work or lunch or anywhere you regularly frequent? Free lock/hold training on Colby, he said it doesn’t count as assault and he’s cool with it…

Normally I’d be worried that this might constitute a personal attack or harassment against Colby, but since he has clarified up front that this is acceptable behavior and nothing to worry about; I think it’s good.

We’ll know how he feels based on how long this comment stays. Colby, you good with being on the receiving end of this on a regular basis?

I guess if W felt he received an “aggressive” question from Helen Thomas Colby would have no problem with him if he grabbed her around the neck and gave her a nice, namby pamby suplex.

-
I’m with ertdfg (above) when he says, “You’re ok with people being allowed to do that to you on the street whenever they choose without a problem? Hey, this looks like fun. Can I get a when/where you walk to/from work or lunch or anywhere you regularly frequent?”

I am a 6’3″ 200-pound former U.S. Army paratrooper. You seem to be cool with getting roughed up. So, after ertdfg gets done with you, my turn. Where will you be and when will you be there?

C’mon, Colby, you wouldn’t want to be a hypocrite, right?

LOL

Btw, did anyone else notice that Etheridge still had the kids phone in his hand, at the end of the video?

If he kept it, that’s strong arm robbery. If the phone is worth more than $250, he may be charged with a felony.

http://tinyurl.com/2be4a2p

Bob,

I sure wish I would have been walking by when you assaulted that young man, I would have dialed 911 and reported the attack, told the operator that I was in fear for the young mans and my safety and then used what ever force was necessary to stop the attack. After you would have woken up in a gurney, I would have immediately given my written statement to the proper authorities and called my lawyer. You my friend better start looking for employment in the private sector, you will be fired in November!!!!

Colby Hall: After reading about and finally viewing this video, I decided to try and find someone defending this Congressman. Congratulations, you’re the only one I could find so far… Do they really allow you posting privileges?

Wow! Intelligent informed public: 372, Liberal Biased Colby: 1

Rich Algeni says: “Intelligent informed public: 372, Liberal Biased Colby: 1″

Yep. And, it just keep getting better. Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/2dvocke

This is totally the college kids fault. Not the attacker. The college kids got what they asked for.

Sincerely,
Colby Hall and Rapists everywhere

This nutcase should be charged with ASSAULT! What a complete JERK! He needs to resign immediately….he is unfit to serve.

Just Tex: Priceless photo!!!!

poorsinner101′s blog

Anyone wonder why he – the Congressman – should be so uptight about being asked about the “Obama agenda”? As a Democrat he presumably voted to make Nancy Pelosi Speaker. Voted for President Obama. Guess he may be finding his votes are not so popular back home.

Just Tex says:
June 14, 2010 at 11:29 pm

Is that really the kid’s face? He’s a baby!

And talk about GROSS – Democrats actually sent out talking points to defend the guy, and place blame on the Republicans!

A national Democratic Party official e-mailed around a set of talking points about an hour ago, under the subject heading, “Etheridge Gotcha Video Background.”

Democrats are seeking to raise questions about the video, which first appeared on Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government, because of what’s widely viewed as the media’s mishandling of the ACORN story, which emerged without context from edited videos. In particular, party officials say the video was likely taken by a tracker for the Republican Party, which would explain the effort taken to conceal his identity.

The Democrats’ talking points:

1. There is always the part of the story that you can’t see in these gotcha style videos — what were these folks doing, how did they approach him, how were the cameraman and/or others off camera acting?

2. Why would any legitimate student doing a project or a journalist shagging a story not identify themselves. Motives matter — what was the motivation here? To incite this very type of reaction?

3. This is clearly the work of the Republican Party and the “interviewer” is clearly a low level staffer or intern. That’s what explains blurring the face of the “interviewer” and refusing to identify the entity this was done for. The Republicans know if they were caught engaging in this type of gotcha tactic it would undermine their own credibility — yet if it was an individual acting on his own there is no reason that person would have blurred themselves out of the video — and if it was the work of a right wing blog they would have their logo on the video and be shouting their involvement from the roof top.

4. This was a purposefully partisan hit job designed to incite a reaction for political reasons — but it is a tactic so low — the parties involved are remaining anonymous.

5. The fact that no one wants to take credit for this should raise real questions in the minds of voters and the press.

6. Push hard w/ blogs the lack of credibility inherent to anything Breitbart does/posts, given its role in the debunked ACORN videos

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0610/Dems_defed_Etheridge_attack_Breitbart.html?showall

And the HuffPo, of all places, gets it exactly right. That’s how it’s done, Colby.

Well, I’ve read all the comments, and Pablo (above) sums it all up: “And the HuffPo, of all places, gets it exactly right. That’s how it’s done, Colby.”

Since when is “Do you support the Obama Agenda” a provocation? Tha means that “Do you support the Bush doctrine?” was partial justification for Palin to go off on Charlie? Standards of behavior matter.

“Etheridge’s actions are only partially defensible.”

Actually, no Colby Hall — or should we just call you shit-for-brains — his actions were completely indefensible. Since I don’t really like you, are you saying it’s partially defensible if I assault you on the streets in public? Gimme a freakin’ break, just admit you’re a partisan hack and get over it. (But it’s Mediaite, so it’s not like you don’t have a lot of other partisan hacks to keep you company.)

NewsBusters| Mediaite’s Colby Hall: Rep. Etheridge a ‘Hero’ For Assaulting Students?
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mitchell-blatt/2010/06/15/mediaites-colby-hall-rep-etheridge-hero-assaulting-students

wow… just wow to this post. what a pathetic liberal defense. i used to think your articles were mostly even-handed colby. now i’ll read them through the correct lens

and tommy way to assume the worst of the two kids while making no comment on the outrageous behavior by etheridge…

Wow, if that is “ambush,” “gotcha” or “guerrilla” journalism, then targets of the interviews have nothing to worry about! How about a simple, “If you’d like to identify yourselves and your affiliation, I’ll be happy to make an appt. to answer your questions.” And then walk away and never follow up, of course…LOL

Seriously, I’m sure there are many people running around with flip videos hoping they get lucky and a politician says or does something untoward. That’s the climate these days. Politicians have to be sure to always parse what they say and behave impeccably in public to avoid getting caught up in a “gotcha” scheme. Shouldn’t be too difficult to do. If *that* is something they don’t have the ability to navigate, then they have no business running this country.

This congressman shouldn’t have grabbed this kid.
He apologised. Case closed.
Assult? Are you kidding?
Palin should apologise for what she and Beck said about McGinnis.

LOL. Assault….battery. Holy shiite. It strikes me that the modern conservative is such a pvssie behind closed doors. Scared of Osama, scared of this congressman. Man, u guys should read up on our storied history in Congress. Beatings like Charles Sumner.

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/The_Caning_of_Senator_Charles_Sumner.htm

Glass of whine with that wahburger…oh ya, and don’t forget.,..

“I’ll show you politics in America. Here it is, right here. ‘I think the puppet on the right shares my beliefs.’ ‘I think the puppet on the left is more to my liking.’ ‘Hey, wait a minute, there’s one guy holding out both puppets!’”
xxxbefxxx
Bill Hicks

PS-Don’t you find it odd that the video was edited and faces were blurred…come on, show yourself (see pvssies comment above…)

“the visionary says:
June 16, 2010 at 12:00 am
wow… just wow to this post. what a pathetic liberal defense. i used to think your articles were mostly even-handed colby. now i’ll read them through the correct lens

and tommy way to assume the worst of the two kids while making no comment on the outrageous behavior by etheridge…”

Bwahahahah, how do you know they are college kids? They won’t identify themselves….see pvssies comment above. What a joker you are!

Colby,
You really can’t say you’re a “fair and balanced” writer after posting a piece like this…………it’s so bad that it totally discredits you in that area. Look–if you want to be considered fair and balanced, you have to repudiate this piece, plain and simple. There’s no way around it. It’s a bizarre piece that makes you seem like a lefty hack.
Hey, can I meet you and just do a little “namby-pamby-assaulting” to you?I PROMISE it will just be the namby-pamby type; nothing really bad! Does that sound okay to you? Probably not. You are right, of course—this was a minor assault. But check it out: it WAS an assault! The descriptive doesn’t negate the action; it describes it!
My first visit to Mediaite, and this is what I find?? It’s enough to make a guy not want to come back, Seriously.
(And what’s up with that ridiculous headline? Why put “hero” in the headline if you TRULY don’t feel there was any heroism by the congressthug?? I think we know….)

Oh, and this kid looked like he was in JUNIOR HIGH (and on student council, to boot! VERY scary, this guy! Meanwhile, the congressthug looks around 6’3″ and pretty drunk; THAT might be considered a bit intimidating….
You know, this was all about arrogance. The sheer arrogance of the political ruling class.

Looking for excuses for Etheridge perpetuates the real problem. Yes, you can expect the NeoCons political operatives to target you. But Etheridge’s behavior was inappropriate and this incident cannot be compared to the Acorn Sting.

Shoot your own dog. If we fail to assert appropriate standards for ourselves and close associates then all issues are political. The larger issue is how to restore civil discourse, transparency and simple decency . We must start with our own house first. It is closer and easier to manage. Doing so builds a moral high ground on which to stand.

Etheridge’s apology is not enough. He violated the law and needs to be held accountable as an example to all in power who have ‘impulses.’

Personally, I want the whole story. The film shows Etheridge approaching, the question asked, the assault made, and nothing the kid did or said indicates he was even out of high school. The clip, which shows Etheridge turning to walk away cannot be defended. No offense was given but an assault resulted.

I wish the young man would come forward but, as a parent, I also know I might resist my child being subjected to the media storm which would result.