Odessa

From the Gainesville Sun:

Toward the conclusion of Kerry's UF forum, 21-year-old Andrew Meyer approached an open microphone at University Auditorium and demanded Kerry answer his questions. Meyer, a UF student in the College of Journalism and Communications, claimed that University Police Department officers had already threatened to arrest him, and then proceeded to question Kerry about why he didn't contest the 2004 presidential election and why there had been no moves to impeach President Bush.

A minute or so into what became a combative diatribe, Meyer's microphone was turned off and officers began trying to physically remove him from the auditorium. Meyer flailed his arms, yelling as police tried to restrain him.

He was then pushed to the ground by six officers, at which point Meyer yelled, "What have I done? What I have I done? Get away from me. Get off of me! What did I do? Help me! Help."

Police threatened to use a Taser on Meyer if he did not "comply," but he continued to resist being handcuffed. He was then Tased, which prompted him to scream and writhe in pain on the floor of the auditorium.

I've had to deal with disruptive, ranting individuals at public forums. I have never had a situation where I would considered tasering someone acceptable - and I have dealt with far worse and longer rantings than the one of this man. This was an open forum for someone running for President, right? New strategy to win votes? I personally don't think its a winner - just my opinion.

I have also had to deal with University Police - those wannabe cops who probably can't pass the psych eval to be allowed to carry a gun. They should be ashamed of their pathetic abuse of power, but knowing the mentality of most of these misfits, they won't see anything wrong.