Etheridge apologizes for confrontation caught on video

The Hill ^ | 06/14/2010 | Christina Wilkie

[Pyro7480]

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) on Monday apologized for behaving aggressively during a confrontation on the street with a young man who claimed to be a student.

"I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved," he said in a statement released by his office.

A video of the incident, in which Etheridge can be seen swatting at a camera and grabbing the young man by the coat collar, appeared online Monday morning.

"Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina," Etheridge said, "I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect. No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response. I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse."

[Skared2deth]

hehe... too late... its already in my video.

[chilltherats]

Yep. The NYT and WaPo would headline it every day for a month.

Anybody know what part of NC Etheridge’s district is in? Any chance of him losing the election?

[Atlantan]

Here’s info on his opponent: http://www.reneeforcongress.com/

I sent her a donation last night.

[chessplayer]

“I bet the two kids will never file or press any sort of charges.”

No way in hell will they press charges. If they tried it, being a congresscritter, he could probably make their lives pure hell. Even if they did, the cops would`nt do any more than give him a “stern” talking to along the lines of,,,”please, please with sugar on it, don`t do that again.”

[chessplayer]

“his first hold was a wrist lock”

The WaPo will say Etheridge was just concerned about the kids health and was just trying to take his pulse.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Etheridge: “ Look, I was $hitfaced. Let it go”

[stephenjohnbanker]

If that were my son in the video, I would OWN this politicians house, and his car too ;-)

[steve0]

Song right now, write now!!
Who are you! Freeeedooooommmm
Who are you! Freeeedooooommmm
I have a right to know who you are! I ammmm Freeeedooooommmm
Where are you from! Booostttoooooouuun
When were you
When were you born? 1776
Who are you! Freeeedooooommmm
Who are you! Freeeedooooommmm

Fairly good other version song on www.twitter.com/AdGo

[FDNYRHEROES]

She told us about the fact that they called them "relocation" camps instead of the "interment" camps because that was nicer. Her father was in one of those camps and he volunteered to fight for the U.S. Still she had to get her shot in.

Of course she went on to say that FDR, a DEMOCRAT, was the President of the US at the time, right? RIGHT?...

[FDNYRHEROES]

Time to remind him who he works for.

Time to remind him who he USED TO WORK FOR....

[Albion Wilde]

"I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved," he said in a statement released by his office.

"I deeply and profoundly wish to avoid a lawsuit, since I have no defense."

[Albion Wilde]

Like an appology is supposed to make us all over look that fact you are a complete asshole.

I'm not even going to ask to mods to review that remark for language, since there's no other word for it.

[Mrs. Frogjerk]

All the kid asked him was “do you support obama’s agenda?”. Wow, I can see how that would incite me to violence. You would think the guy said something about his mama.

And yes, I caught the weasel words too. Heaven forbid any of these dirt bags should actually apologize sincerely, and without still trying to place some of the blame on the victim.

And another thing, the libs are claiming that Etheridge was being jeered by a group of people as well. I saw no such people on the video nor did I hear them. So basically, I call BS on that one.

[Albion Wilde]

it's really the "tea party's" fault. Did anyone notice the release of all the death threats against Teddy K? The case against conservatives, painting us as terrorists continues to be made by the government.

If it's any comfort to you, one of those threats also included Ronald Reagan along with Teddy K. Calm yourself.

[Albion Wilde]

WaPo libtard says it was a hug, not an assault

No means no. So, it was a sexual assault.

[Mrs. Frogjerk]

The libs do seem to forget that don't they?

Just like the libs forget that it was the Republicans backing the Civil Rights movement and not the dems. I mean really, who would think that somebody like Larry “KKK” bird would have been against it?sarc

[stevie_d_64]

Here is your answer, but we already know what the real truth is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQFEY9RIRJA

[SlayerOfBunnies]

That weak-minded dworp is lucky he didn’t grab the wrist of some Aikido or (worse yet) Hapkido student. One jumpy reflex and he would have found himself munching pavement.

[SlayerOfBunnies]

You said:

I don’t understand the passivity of conservatives, either young or old, who allow themselves to be manhandled or assulted by deranged leftie socialist demoRATs. This is the 5th incident or so, I have seen of pro-lifers being assulted, TEA party members being assulted, and now this assult by a dimTURD congressman. The kid should have pummeled the old liberal geezer right there on the spot, with the camera man recording the full incident as evidence. I wish that conservatives in these situations would start to FIGHT BACK for cryin’ out loud. How in the heck can you allow yourself to be assulted without fighting back. It’s almost like the libTURD assailants can spot who will NOT fight back. I really don’t understand this type of passivity. The only way to confront a bully is to hit back hard just once...after that the bully will run away crying, but at least it will be caught on tape as evidence.

---

I say:

Amen to that! I couldn’t agree any more strongly. Submitting to a bully - even an elected one - just invites more violence.

[itssme]

This young man and his parents had better make a legal move against Etheridge...DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE BULLIED, BATTERED OR ASSAULTED. Stand up for yourself, for God's sake! Do not allow this political blowhard bully to get away with this!