Anger Rising

I have seen this video in just about every corner of the Blogosphere that I visit - mostly gunnies and libertarian-types - and every time I see it I get angry. Twitching, vein throbbing in the forehead, grab-your-torches-and-pitchforks kind of angry.

Taken at the face value of the video, there is nothing that can be said to excuse the behavior and reaction of Congressman Bob Etheridge. If you haven't seen it, take a look for yourself:



Let me tell you what I see. I see a man, so hopelessly lost in the Us and Them mentality enjoyed by so many in government, acting without concern for the law. I see a man who sees himself as above the law. A man who has no regard for public service, or the public he claims to serve. I see a man who acts as though he has somehow transcended consequence, and will do as he damn-well pleases.

Looking into the future, I see a man whose empty apology - carrying only the weight of a half-assed admission of inconveniencing his lesser - will satisfy his colleagues and ward off any further action against him.

I see all that, and I see red. Via Tam:

Can somebody explain to me why this jumped-up zoning board clerk is not up on assault charges?

Well, sadly, I can explain it, though I know a rhetorical question when I see one. The sad reality is that it is very unlikely - at least at this point - that Rep. Elderidge will see any reprimand from this incident at all.

I gotta wonder, though. I can't help but think of how this could have gone down differently. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have super-double-secret thoughts in the back of my head of an armed, or otherwise defense-minded individual being in the camera(phone)man's shoes in that video. I'd also be lying if I said I didn't enjoy those thoughts. A part of me really would have liked to have seen that asshole end up with a mouth full of ground after being told to let go.

I hate to broadcast a case of The I'das, but I'da played that one just a bit different. First, I'da likely backed waaaay off after he swatted at me the first time. When he grabbed me, the whole world would have stopped spinning for me and the Congresscritter. First words would have been more like "Let go of me right now!!!" Somewhere around "I have a right to know who you are" he would have found himself face down with 240 pounds of pissed off on his back, and his only words of comfort would have been "No you don't, and you definitely don't have a right to lay a hand on me" while the police were being summoned.

And yes, that video would have been distributed long before said police arrived.

I don't give a rotting rat's ass who you are or what you think. I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, two things: one, you have no reasonable expectation of privacy In Public; and two, you have absolutely no right to touch me whatsoever without provocation (and asking a politician what his politics are doesn't fucking cut it!!!).

More Tam-eran (Tam-eranian?) wisdom:

For that matter, is there not a bucket of tar nor a single feather pillow or fence rail to be found in all of the District of Columbia?

To any and all people who have any authority in this matter, to include Congress, Washington Metro Police Department, and the People of the State of North Carolina: do NOT let this waste of flesh and oxygen off without as severe a punishment as the cameraman would have received had he done the same thing to the Congressman.

And to Congressman Etheridge? I hope you are brought up on felony charges. I hope they stick. I hope you are branded by the Democrat Party who - God willing - turns on you and makes an example out of you. I hope you are forcibly removed from office and lose all hope of ever serving a public role ever again.

And, to quote Tam one last time, I hope you freeze in the dark.



tweaker

(h/t to Breda for being the first to bring it to my attention, Unc and pdb for the follow-ups, and Tam for callin 'em like she sees 'em.)