If someone provokes an attack, when is violence a warranted response (legally)? I've heard that when someone burns a flag, someone attacking the burner can claim with some justification "provocation".
You must be in imminent apprehension of harmful or offensive contact. (In other words, if someone goes to grab you, or spit on you, you can clock him). On the other hand, being called a liar does not (legally) justify a physical response.
This is a straight-up battery case. Buzz will pay a fine (maybe), his lawyer will get the sentence suspended (probably), and the judge will ask for an autograph.