That should play well in his re-election campaign, that is until they "O'Keefe" the students.
I knew it wouldn't take you long to seize upon this story.
The congressman's response was totally stupid. He should have just kept on walking, no matter how annoying and intrusive 'ambush interviews' may be.
However, I have two questions:
Why are the 'students' faces blurred out?
Why is the video posted anonymously?
It will be interesting to see how this story plays out, especially when the identities of the interns students are revealed.
[quote author=azbadpuppy link=topic=15723.msg167660#msg167660 date=1276556187
The congressman's response was totally stupid. He should have just kept on walking, no matter how annoying and intrusive 'ambush interviews' may be.
[/quote]
Oh I get it, it was the student's fault that this "respectable" member of Congress grabbed them after being asked, gasp, do you support Obama? Anyway, I will research this forum and look for the same righteous indignation for those "ambush interviews" committed by Michael Moore, 60 minutes, and other purveyors of that craft who have made millions.
Quote from: guido911 on June 14, 2010, 06:07:26 PM
[quote author=azbadpuppy link=topic=15723.msg167660#msg167660 date=1276556187
The congressman's response was totally stupid. He should have just kept on walking, no matter how annoying and intrusive 'ambush interviews' may be.
Oh I get it, it was the student's fault that this "respectable" member of Congress grabbed them after being asked, gasp, do you support Obama? Anyway, I will research this forum and look for the same righteous indignation for those "ambush interviews" committed by Michael Moore, 60 minutes, and other purveyors of that craft who have made millions.
Can't answer those 2 questions, can you? I know, it is peculiar that those 'students' would want to remain so anonymous. After all, they were just asking a simple question, right??
Quote from: guido911 on June 14, 2010, 06:07:26 PM
[quote author=azbadpuppy link=topic=15723.msg167660#msg167660 date=1276556187
The congressman's response was totally stupid. He should have just kept on walking, no matter how annoying and intrusive 'ambush interviews' may be.
Oh I get it, it was the student's fault that this "respectable" member of Congress grabbed them after being asked, gasp, do you support Obama? Anyway, I will research this forum and look for the same righteous indignation for those "ambush interviews" committed by Michael Moore, 60 minutes, and other purveyors of that craft who have made millions.
Does that include O'Reilly, whom you so conspicuously left off the list...oh, he's a Repub, I forgot...
::)
Like this:
What point does ambush journalism serve? It's not going to change minds. It certainly doesn't add anything to our political discourse. As far as I can see, it's only intended to get the victim pissed off, and when it does, we all act as if it's a huge character fault on his part.
Quote from: azbadpuppy on June 14, 2010, 07:13:23 PM
Can't answer those 2 questions, can you? I know, it is peculiar that those 'students' would want to remain so anonymous. After all, they were just asking a simple question, right??
Oh, now it's because they were anonymous that they deserved to be assaulted. What the heck difference does it make? For your benefit, here is an unedited version from a different camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9RXyCVfeEI&feature=player_embedded
And another thing, if he was ambushed, why did he feel compelled to apology today? Hell, even dooshbag underground is on this guy's case:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4426164
Quote from: Ed W on June 14, 2010, 08:21:22 PM
What point does ambush journalism serve? It's not going to change minds.
Well I think we learned today that being on the Obama bandwagon and getting questioned about it, even in "ambush" form, will result in the person being questioned would be willing to assault the questioner. I think that sort of thing is good to know.
And another thing, many people pi$$ me off. I do not attack them though.
Quote from: guido911 on June 14, 2010, 08:40:34 PM
Well I think we learned today that being on the Obama bandwagon and getting questioned about it, even in "ambush" form, will result in the person being questioned would be willing to assault the questioner. I think that sort of thing is good to know.
And another thing, many people pi$$ me off. I do not attack them though.
No, you just tell 'em to 'FO, you POS'
???
Quote from: guido911 on June 14, 2010, 08:40:34 PM
Well I think we learned today that being on the Obama bandwagon and getting questioned about it, even in "ambush" form, will result in the person being questioned would be willing to assault the questioner. I think that sort of thing is good to know.
And another thing, many people pi$$ me off. I do not attack them though.
He could have explained the basic principles behind having three separate and independent branches of government, each with a carefully defined purpose, and none of them subordinate to any other. That would have been instructive....and oh so very boring. But antagonize someone long enough, and he reacts very much like the rest of us. Still, ambush journalism doesn't serve a genuine purpose, except to give some of our weaker minded folks an overly broad brush to tar the opposition with. Next week, they'll complain that there's too much incivility in our modern world.
Quote from: Ed W on June 14, 2010, 09:12:10 PM
He could have explained the basic principles behind having three separate and independent branches of government, each with a carefully defined purpose, and none of them subordinate to any other. That would have been instructive....and oh so very boring. But antagonize someone long enough, and he reacts very much like the rest of us. Still, ambush journalism doesn't serve a genuine purpose, except to give some of our weaker minded folks an overly broad brush to tar the opposition with. Next week, they'll complain that there's too much incivility in our modern world.
Come on Ed, you are better than that. It was just one question and a lot of "sirs" from the kiddos after the altercation began. If the shoe was on the other foot and a tea partier had reacted like that, we wouldn't be hearing the end of it.
Quote from: guido911 on June 14, 2010, 08:38:15 PM
Oh, now it's because they were anonymous that they deserved to be assaulted.
Nobody deserved to be assaulted- I don't think anyone said that. You sure are good at putting words in other peoples mouths though. Good Job.
Credibility certainly is in question though.....
The folks who produced and distributed your original youtube video (Stage Right Show) are affiliated with the folks who brought us the now famous (and heavily edited, and ultimately very fake) Acorn video via Breitbart and gang.
Quote from: azbadpuppy on June 14, 2010, 09:36:34 PM
Nobody deserved to be assaulted- I don't think anyone said that. You sure are good at putting words in other peoples mouths though. Good Job.
Credibility certainly is in question though.....
The folks who produced and distributed your original youtube video (Stage Right Show) are affiliated with the folks who brought us the now famous (and heavily edited, and ultimately very fake) Acorn video via Breitbart and gang.
Color me shocked!
Etheridge asked a very simple question of the people who surprised him and the questioners were stonewalling him. Why couldn't they just say they were employees of BigGoverment and answered his question? He did apologize for his reactions or did you miss this. Something that puzzles me, why was the questioners face blurred? What was the originator of this hatchet job trying to hide?
Quote from: joiei on June 14, 2010, 10:02:36 PM
Etheridge asked a very simple question of the people who surprised him and the questioners were stonewalling him. Why couldn't they just say they were employees of BigGoverment and answered his question? He did apologize for his reactions or did you miss this. Something that puzzles me, why was the questioners face blurred? What was the originator of this hatchet job trying to hide?
I'd like to know though, if this were a GOP Congressman, would you still have taken the same apologist approach here?
Quote from: azbadpuppy on June 14, 2010, 09:36:34 PM
The folks who produced and distributed your original youtube video (Stage Right Show) are affiliated with the folks who brought us the now famous (and heavily edited, and ultimately very fake) Acorn video via Breitbart and gang.
Oh now I get it. Etheridge is just another poor victim of some twenty-something pranksters just like that poor ACORN woman was who gave tax advice pertaining to 13 young girls from El Salvador who were to act as sex slaves.
Quote from: guido911 on June 15, 2010, 09:51:17 AM
Oh now I get it. Etheridge is just another poor victim of some twenty-something pranksters just like that poor ACORN woman was who gave tax advice pertaining to 13 young girls from El Salvador who were to act as sex slaves.
You just now got that?
Quote from: Townsend on June 15, 2010, 10:03:10 AM
You just now got that?
I have told you before I am a bit slow on the uptake.
I'm sure if this would have been Inhofe who had a kid by the arm all you lib-tards would be just as apologetic and not out in the streets burning tires...... ::)
Quote from: Breadburner on June 15, 2010, 11:21:11 AM
I'm sure if this would have been Inhofe who had a kid by the arm all you lib-tards would be just as apologetic and not out in the streets burning tires...... ::)
He would've pulled him close and called him "tiny dancer".
Quote from: Townsend on June 15, 2010, 11:36:29 AM
He would've pulled him close and called him "tiny dancer".
You have got Inhofe and Barney Frank confused......
Quote from: guido911 on June 15, 2010, 09:51:17 AM
Oh now I get it. Etheridge is just another poor victim of some twenty-something pranksters just like that poor ACORN woman was who gave tax advice pertaining to 13 young girls from El Salvador who were to act as sex slaves.
Again, awesome with the spin.....very impressive. You must do this for a living.
Quote from: azbadpuppy on June 15, 2010, 12:48:51 PM
Again, awesome with the spin.....very impressive. You must do this for a living.
He's an attorney, it's what they do. ;)
Quote from: Breadburner on June 15, 2010, 12:09:30 PM
You have got Inhofe and Barney Frank confused......
Ever been near Inhofe when "Your Song" pipes over the speakers?
Quote from: Conan71 on June 15, 2010, 09:28:54 AM
I'd like to know though, if this were a GOP Congressman, would you still have taken the same apologist approach here?
Yes, I am not a fan of ambush interviewing. I don't care who is doing the interviewing. Lately it seems the folks that lean to the right have adopted this technique as a means of trying to get a valid interview out of someone. I don't recall too many of these interviews happening by media or "just college students" on the left. Back when 60 minutes used to do it, I disagreed with it then.
Quote from: joiei on June 15, 2010, 02:12:45 PM
Yes, I am not a fan of ambush interviewing. I don't care who is doing the interviewing. Lately it seems the folks that lean to the right have adopted this technique as a means of trying to get a valid interview out of someone. I don't recall too many of these interviews happening by media or "just college students" on the left. Back when 60 minutes used to do it, I disagreed with it then.
You're right Michael Moore, this practice is outrageous. Those right wingers have stepped over the line Morgan Spurlock.
It's a "speaking truth to power" issue. I think a politician, any politician, should be able to answer a simple question posed by anyone. I am not in favor of harassment, but when you examine the exchange that took place, it was "Hi Mr. congressman. How are you? Do you fully support the Obama agenda?"
Acceptable answers would be:
Yes.
No.
I support much of the Obama agenda, but we disagree on some things.The problem is that democrats are increasingly reluctant to share their positions and opinions with their constituency. Their constituents want them to act on their behalf, and the administration wants them to act on their behalf, which is increasingly viewed as contrary to the will of the people.
Mr. Etheridge had that classic fight or flee response. Do I give an honest answer and anger Lord Vader, or do I tow the party line and risk losing my re-election. It's obvious that he could not formulate a response that would allow him to escape a disastrous line of questioning, so an awkward and equally disastrous fight response kicked in.
I failed to really see the "gotcha" nature of this unless some inflammitory remarks from the alleged students prior to the "Do you support..." comment were edited out. Hell, even Gary Condit handled the media better when he had the Chandra Levy debacle coming down all around him and he was getting ambushed on a daily basis.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 15, 2010, 02:49:23 PM
I failed to really see the "gotcha" nature of this unless some inflammitory remarks from the alleged students prior to the "Do you support..." comment were edited out. Hell, even Gary Condit handled the media better when he had the Chandra Levy debacle coming down all around him and he was getting ambushed on a daily basis.
If the ACORN videos are any indication, there probably were some inflammatory remarks. Not that that excuses assault.
Quote from: guido911 on June 14, 2010, 09:16:52 PM
Come on Ed, you are better than that. It was just one question and a lot of "sirs" from the kiddos after the altercation began. If the shoe was on the other foot and a tea partier had reacted like that, we wouldn't be hearing the end of it.
Technically, the senator assaulted the 'student.' Still, an ethical journalist or even an ethical researcher would identify himself. These guys didn't. While that leads me so suspect their motives and intent, being rude doesn't justify assault. Perhaps it should, then we'd all be far more polite.
On balance, though, Gweed, more violent acts have come from the right than from the left in recent years.