Taser Kills 20-year Old

Photo from source, Frederick News Post

Yikes. This is the second time in just a couple of days I've read a story where a taser killed somebody. One was an older gentleman tasered at a Canadian airport, and this one a mere 20-year-old, tasered by police.

What will it take for police and security professionals to realize that a taser is only to be used in extreme circumstances? It's always been my understanding that the taser is there so that you don't have to shoot an actual gun. It isn't there just to take down annoying people. Don't tase me, bro!

[Excerpt]

Family identifies man who died after taser strike

A 20-year-old man died this morning after a sheriff's deputy used a taser on him to break up a fight, the Frederick County Sheriff's Office reports.

The man was identified as Jarrel Gray of Ladd Circle by his mother, Tanya Thomas, who spoke to a News-Post reporter. . .

Read more at: Frederick News Post

Andrew Meyer, Tased Student: A Better View

Just one more post about this story, because I found a video that shows the incident in a far more revealing light. Andrew Meyer may hold extreme views. He may not have presented himself in the best light.

But as this version of the video shows, he did nothing to warrant this behavior by the campus police. There is simply no reason to arrest someone and put them in handcuffs for being an activist. He did not have a gun, he did not threaten to club Kerry with his copy of Armed Madhouse.

This was a colossal overreaction, and while certainly not in scale with Kent State, it did give me that vibe, and made me wonder if another Kent State could happen if a large group of people behaved as Andrew did.

You may have already made up your mind that this kid got what was coming to him. Watch this video, and see if you still feel that way.

UPDATE: I've been hearing that Meyer is something of a prankster, and at least in part was hoping for a confrontation. That may be, but I'm not sure it changes my opinion about the police reaction. They sure did seem to be enjoying themselves, and overly eager to zap the guy.

Greg Palast's Take on Tasered Student Story

Photo from source, GregPalast.com

Since his book is what sparked (sorry) this fracas, it's only appropriate to hear what Greg Palast has to say on the matter. And any interest I can generate (sorry again) in Greg Palast's electrifying (OK, I'm not sorry, I'm just immature) is absolutely justified. It's a fantastic and enlightening (heh) book.

[Excerpt]

Student Tasered for Armed Madhouse Question to Kerry

Read the excerpt from Armed Madhouse that got Andrew Meyer’s in trouble.We warned you: ‘Armed Madhouse’ is a dangerous book. Yesterday, Andrew Meyer, a University of Florida student was attacked by five cops, zapped with tasers and arrested after demanding that Senator John Kerry answer the question. [snip]

The Washington Post reported only that Meyers was holding a “mysterious yellow book.” VERY mysterious. [snip]

I must admit I feel some appreciation for Meyers, especially because, even while he was being shot with untold amps of electricity, until he was handcuffed, he would not let go of his mysterious yellow book, ‘Armed Madhouse.’

Read the rest at: GregPalast.com

Man Tasered at Kerry Speech

Just a quick lunch-time post. I don't have a strong opinion of what happened here other than to ask these questions:

- Why would Kerry still be giving College speeches? Isn't he kinda old news?
- The kid may have been a tad obnoxious, but was it necessary to have four cops "take him down?"
- When we've gotten to the place in this country where valid questions (even if voiced in an obnoxious way) get you tasered and arrested, we're on a short trip to scary town.

I might not give this story coverage, were it not for the fact that this man was carrying Greg Palast's book, Armed Madhouse. As you can see from the post below, I'm a huge fan.

There are several versions of the video available, if this one doesn't present a full enough story.



Also, go to RawStory.com for more on the story.