The Voice of Reason

Well, I figured I should make my point before someone chimes in to cry about the jerk in Florida who heckled John Kerry and was ultimately tasered by the police. 

This guy went to the podium in a Q & A session w/ the former Presidential candidate, possibly cutting in front of others in line for questions (according to some reports).  He asked Kerry why he didn't contest the '04 election results, then asked why he wasn't going to push for impeachment of Bush & Cheney, and apparently went on with a question about the Skull & Bones Society, a secret society fraternity that both Kerry & Bush joined at Yale.  The questions were a little harsh, but fair enough I guess.  Being a politician, Kerry either avoided the questions altogether or gave a typical 'round the way answer that doesn't really say much.  ALL politicians have a knack for that. 

Anyhow, the man was asked to sit down, and he ignored the request.  His microphone was cut off, and he began yelling.  He was asked to leave, and refused.  Officers then attempted to escort him out, and he resisted and continued shouting, making the scene that he had hoped to create.  He continued to resist (you can see this clearly on video)as officers tried to carry him out, and he was subsequently tasered by the cops when he wouldn't cooperate, even when tackled to the floor. 

Okay.  Where do I start? 

Everyone has freedom of speech, but these little "Town Hall Meetings," like real town hall meetings, have rules.  You must sit down and wait your turn, and you will be heard.  Protesters, as well as those in suits and ties must follow the same set of rules.  Without these rules, there would be no order, and NOBODY'S free voice would be heard over the others.  This clown, like so many hecklers before him, showed up with the full intention of creating a national incident, and he succeeded.  This whole idea of him being called a "victim" is pure hogwash.  He achieved exactly what he set out to achieve, and now he'll no doubt get to make the rounds of the news talk shows to tell his story of how his rights were violated.  Icing on the cake.  Before you listen to some googly-eyed civil libertarian who will no doubt decry the flagrant violation of his constitutional rights, watch the video for yourself in its entirety, if you haven't already.  That's fairly unlikely, since it's being splattered across every news outlet in the world.  (Mission:  Accomplished)

No matter what your political views may be, heckling someone and disregarding the agreed-upon rules of a discussion will not further your cause; it will damage your integrity if nothing else.  I would love for this guy to be scorned by both sides of the political world, but I know better.