Why do people call America FREE when it's not?

[Koala]

Freedom of speech? Then why is this guy been roughly handle by the police for asking a couple of question to Senator John Kerry? The police has gone too far.

Student arrested, shot with Taser gun for asking a question

Student arrested, shot with Taser gun for asking a question
Wednesday September 19, 2007

A university student has been wrestled, held down and shot with a Taser gun — all for asking presidential candidate John Kerry a couple of questions.

The University of Florida's Andrew Meyer, 21, is shown in a YouTube video being wrestled by six officers and dragged towards the exit at a forum featuring Senator Kerry.

He throws his arms in the air, yelling "What did I do?", "Help" and "Get away from me" as the officers repeatedly try to remove him from the building.

When Mr Meyer finally tries to sidestep the exit and make his way back into the hall, he is thrown to the ground and held down.

"Stop resisting," a female officer demands.

"If you let me go, I'll walk out of here," Meyer replies, before pleading "don't Tase me, bro … I didn't do anything."

Then, surrounded by up to seven officers holding him to the floor, the man is hit with the Taser for two to three seconds.

Kerry, all the while attempting to continue his address, is drowned out by the man's screams and the clicking of the electrical gun.

The student's questions seem harmless enough considering the heavy police reaction.

First, he asks Kerry why he didn’t dispute the results of the 2004 election, which the Democrat lost to George W Bush.

With officers gathering behind him, Mr Meyer then asked Kerry if he was a member of the same 'secret society' as Bush.

The video has received a massive response, mostly expressing outrage towards the perceived overreaction of the police.

While Mr Meyer was charged with resisting police and disturbing the peace, many commentors believe he has the right to sue the state.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

It wouldn't surprise me. I don't think the old/disabled are treated well and it gets worse because a lot of services for deaf/elderly are being shut down now due to lack of funds

Yes, I heard about old people which is really sad but I didn't know about deaf old people. I will check this with my British friends.

Not that I have much to compaire it with as I've only lived in England apart from when I was visiting my grandparents in France but I did break my arm twice in france as well as breaking it once in England. The health services in France were so much better. It felt like being in a hotel.

Interesting, I think German health service is better than France. More clean and well care than France health service... My son had an accident in Paris few years ago. Frenchman and German lady from Disneyland accompanied us to hospitail. The atmsphsere in hospitail remind me of England. We waited for 4 hours in waiting room... finally my son got X-ray and no bone fractures on his arm... I find interesting that you compared France with England as I compared German with France.

After the way mum was treated by the National Health Services I think very little of them. My mum had a curable cancer but because of the long waiting lists she died after only 4 years.

Yes, very true... it was happened to my friends and family in England, too. They have to get surgery (including cancer etc) after long waiting list which here in Germany doesn't.

I went to offer to donate blood today but aparantly they don't want blood from a deafblind person.

This is a discrimination...

Also I think USA rehabilitation centres for the blind are better. In England it's down to the social services but they are useless. If I ever lose the rest of my sight and need to be trained to use a braille display I'd just have to travel to USA for that.

Yes, that's right - you just fresh my memory about blind organization in America. I think it's blind organization. My British deaf friend who have very short sight and visit to different states in America where the Blind group attend every year and said that she loves it and claim that US blind organization is better than UK blind organization... She was accompanied to America every year with her hearing daughter. (Opal know who they are). Anyway, she died at old age at years ago.

 

[PlateCafe]

Freedom of speech? Then why is this guy been roughly handle by the police for asking a couple of question to Senator John Kerry? The police has gone too far.


While Mr Meyer was charged with resisting police and disturbing the peace, many commentors believe he has the right to sue the state.

Yeah I know. Target stores said workers can't say Merry Christmas.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Koala, you remind me of British deaf man. It was happened to him in USA, too.

Sunshinelady, my hubby & I met British deaf man and his best friend American deaf man on their Europe vacation at month ago. British deaf man live as a legal immigrant in Florida, USA because he is student at Unvitersity for the deaf in Florida. British man told us the story about US police.

That's time he know ASL little when he first came to Florida, USA with his own motorbike at 5 years ago. He made some friends there. They rode with their motorbikes to trip on that weekend. He rode his bike and follow his US friends to... but the warning signal of speed mph saying 45 but his friends ignored the warning signal and speed 55 mph. He wish to stick the warning signal but he would lost if their friends rode away from him... he can't lost his friends to speed because he wasn't familiar with US atompshere... Suddenly, the police with motor bike stopped just him, not others... but others hurried off and leave him struggle with the police... British man tried to convince the police that he is deaf and need to follow others because he is not familiar with those country... others already gone... he is alone with cops. The cops were "panic" when he told them that he is British... want to see his ID. He did... again told them that he is lost... and don't know where he go back... Cops ignored him and pull his gun to him... and told him to lying on and then cuffed him... They were very rough on him... He was jailed for one week over that... He was panic and said to himself that he want to go back England... ASL interpreter came... but that's time he was not good with ASL... Court... found out that polices lied to court that he ignored police until 2 miles... British man swore that it's not true and said that he stopped immediately when the police stopped him, not ignored them and carry on rode until 2 miles. The court asked the police for the proof because police motorbike have camera... but the police didn't turn the camera on... so the court let him go. Guess what, they stamped as "criminal offense" on his passport... over that speed... :roll: He was in USA for 6 months then went back to England then one year later then went back to USA again for 4 years. The Airport Security saw "criminal offense" on his passport and doubt either they let him go to USA or not so they questioned him... Airport Security were like WTF when he said it's speed... so they check in the computer then let him go... *phew*

We were like wow when he told us the story because EU police only ticket us for speed or wrong car park... that's all.

 

[Reba]

Koala, you remind me of British deaf man. It was happened to him in USA, too.

Sunshinelady, my hubby & I met British deaf man and his best friend American deaf man on their Europe vacation at month ago. British deaf man live as a legal immigrant in Florida, USA because he is student at Unvitersity for the deaf in Florida. British man told us the story about US police.

That's time he know ASL little when he first came to Florida, USA with his own motorbike at 5 years ago. He made some friends there. They rode with their motorbikes to trip on that weekend. He rode his bike and follow his US friends to... but the warning signal of speed mph saying 45 but his friends ignored the warning signal and speed 55 mph. He wish to stick the warning signal but he would lost if their friends rode away from him... he can't lost his friends to speed because he wasn't familiar with US atompshere... Suddenly, the police with motor bike stopped just him, not others... but others hurried off and leave him struggle with the police... British man tried to convince the police that he is deaf and need to follow others because he is not familiar with those country... others already gone... he is alone with cops. The cops were "panic" when he told them that he is British... want to see his ID. He did... again told them that he is lost... and don't know where he go back... Cops ignored him and pull his gun to him... and told him to lying on and then cuffed him... They were very rough on him... He was jailed for one week over that... He was panic and said to himself that he want to go back England... ASL interpreter came... but that's time he was not good with ASL... Court... found out that polices lied to court that he ignored police until 2 miles... British man swore that it's not true and said that he stopped immediately when the police stopped him, not ignored them and carry on rode until 2 miles. The court asked the police for the proof because police motorbike have camera... but the police didn't turn the camera on... so the court let him go. Guess what, they stamped as "criminal offense" on his passport... over that speed... :roll: He was in USA for 6 months then went back to England then one year later then went back to USA again for 4 years. The Airport Security saw "criminal offense" on his passport and doubt either they let him go to USA or not so they questioned him... Airport Security were like WTF when he said it's speed... so they check in the computer then let him go... *phew*

We were like wow when he told us the story because EU police only ticket us for speed or wrong car park... that's all.

Of course, that's only one side of the story. I would like to know the cops' side of the story, too.

I'm surprised that you and he are not angry at the friends. Some friends! They abandoned the poor guy in the first place. Why did they speed up and get him into trouble? He should be furious with them.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Of course, that's only one side of the story. I would like to know the cops' side of the story, too.

I have to beleive him because I heard about some US cop's reputation very often here in any threads and meida as well. At first I thought it's just hollywood movie when I watch US movies until I have some true movies... Now his story is match. Lucky is the court free him instead of send him back to England or put him in jail... but just stamp "criminal offense" on his passport... I would say nothing if I know his story is skepical but his story is really clear. His American best friend was there to confirm his story as well...

I'm surprised that you and he are not angry at the friends. Some friends! They abandoned the poor guy in the first place. Why did they speed up and get him into trouble? He should be furious with them.

Oh yes, he is very furious with his friends. (I only shared bit what legal in Florida). They told him that they scared of cops. He has no understand for that and call them cowards... and don't want to do anything with them... until he noticed many people do like that is panic and run away if police comes.. and get use American's way ...

I can understand that Americans scared of police's rough behavior.....

 

[Opal]

That's time he know ASL little when he first came to Florida, USA with his own motorbike at 5 years ago. He made some friends there. They rode with their motorbikes to trip on that weekend. He rode his bike and follow his US friends to... but the warning signal of speed mph saying 45 but his friends ignored the warning signal and speed 55 mph. He wish to stick the warning signal but he would lost if their friends rode away from him... he can't lost his friends to speed because he wasn't familiar with US atompshere... Suddenly, the police with motor bike stopped just him, not others... but others hurried off and leave him struggle with the police... British man tried to convince the police that he is deaf and need to follow others because he is not familiar with those country... others already gone... he is alone with cops. The cops were "panic" when he told them that he is British... want to see his ID. He did... again told them that he is lost... and don't know where he go back... Cops ignored him and pull his gun to him... and told him to lying on and then cuffed him... They were very rough on him... He was jailed for one week over that... He was panic and said to himself that he want to go back England... ASL interpreter came... but that's time he was not good with ASL... Court... found out that polices lied to court that he ignored police until 2 miles... British man swore that it's not true and said that he stopped immediately when the police stopped him, not ignored them and carry on rode until 2 miles. The court asked the police for the proof because police motorbike have camera... but the police didn't turn the camera on... so the court let him go. Guess what, they stamped as "criminal offense" on his passport... over that speed... He was in USA for 6 months then went back to England then one year later then went back to USA again for 4 years. The Airport Security saw "criminal offense" on his passport and doubt either they let him go to USA or not so they questioned him... Airport Security were like WTF when he said it's speed... so they check in the computer then let him go... *phew*

OMG! Unbelievable!!

I was surprised to read one of AllDeaf member posting here few years ago saying the police arrest her over something else, and they check her records and told her "Your wanted by Police" she was shocked and don't know why, until they throw her in jail and hired an interpreter and find out it is because her check was bounce few years back!!!! To put her in American Jail - what a big joke! She is not a frauder.

In Aust/UK Some people's check (cheque) was bounce, and they pay for the Bank fee and no press charge against the drawer. This is nothing to do with Police, just the Banker to put you on the black list as it is, as it is getting harder to get a new loan if you apply because of bad record. If its a large sum, its up to one of us to sue them to court if its not return the goods back.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

OMG! Unbelievable!!

I was surprised to read one of AllDeaf member posting here few years ago saying the police arrest her over something else, and they check her records and told her "Your wanted by Police" she was shocked and don't know why, until they throw her in jail and hired an interpreter and find out it is because her check was bounce few years back!!!! To put her in American Jail - what a big joke! She is not a frauder.

Oh my dear!!! I really can't remember her thread because many threads about bad cops.

In Aust/UK Some people's check (cheque) was bounce, and they pay for the Bank fee and no press charge against the drawer. This is nothing to do with Police, just the Banker to put you on the black list as it is, as it is getting harder to get a new loan if you apply because of bad record. If its a large sum, its up to one of us to sue them to court if its not return the goods back.

Yes it's same with here in Germany as well.

Bank need our passport number for case... They can stop me at Airport from tempt to escape out of country if the huge sum is not paid, that's all.

 

[rockdrummer]

Why we can't use a cell phone in a car? Why children can drink alcohol and smoke in Europe, but not in USA? Why we can't own a casino or play bingo without have to be for charity reasons? Why we have to wear seat belt?
Why we can't walk around naked outside? Why we need Gun control?

Oh Lord!! you are kidding ... Right?

 

[Angel]

I hope she is.....

 

[Maria]

Why we can't use a cell phone in a car?

How come we need a cell phone in a car ? In old times, teens were able to chat with their grandmas/grandpas/parents without a cell phone, but now - know what happens ? They don't even chat with each other anymore, because of teens are usin' cell phones nowdays. Teens are chattin' with their friends, more important than their grandparents & parents. How would THAT make them to feel ?

 

[Maria]

And, I have another thing to say about the cops....

Cops are usin' tasers nowdays - not like in old times. They are usin' them to hurt American citizens if, they refused to show ID or whatever the cops ask them to. That's violatin' American citizens' Bill of Rights. The American citizens have their rights to take their 5th Amendment, if they refuse to show or tell their names.

Does that means we call this America a freedom country ? I think not. And, how much the taser's electric is now ? 50, 000 volt or more or has it been increasin' than before ?

 

[Cheri]

Heh, heh, true!

Maybe there should be one warning label that covers every situation.

"Warning! If you are too stupid to operate this equipment safely, DON'T TOUCH IT!"

Back on topic:

I don't think America is a free Country because we have some restrict freedom. It's the Republicans that fights to restrict things for Americans, that's what I believe, that's my opinion.

But we do have a freedom of Religion, We also have freedom of speech but restrictions on hate speech or fighting words, We have freedom to vote, We have freedom to attend public schools, What stores we shop, What furnitures we can buy etc.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

I can see that we begin to talk about cops here... I have another crazy new about US Police Military in caserne where I work... I learn about this few minutes ago as I was on the middle to type my thread about my son's vacation in Rome, Italy.

I am total speechless when my co-worker *G* told me at few minutes ago.

One of my co-workers who work same Divison as *G* & me is eye-withnessed this morning. One German lady, we know well work at other caserne as us. We often contact over work issues. She married to an American solider who just leave Germany for Iraq. She use her husband's car on her way to caserne where she work. Unfortunlately she speed more than 30 in the caserne. US Police Military stopped her. She accept her own responsible for ignore the speed signal. They asked her for her ID. No problem - Again, they asked her for her driving liescne... She was like and do what they say... She showed them her driving liescne... Guess what? They said that it's not American driving liescne but German driving liescne and then accused her for driving illegal on American car... This is criminal offense. She was like and explain them that she borrow her husband's car because her car is in garage and then explain again that the car is not belong US Army but her and her husband. They ignored her and cuffed her front of her co-workers... The gossip spread out real fast.. Her mother also work in the same building as us as well... Her office is few doors away from our office.

I said to her that US Police Military forget quickly that we are in Germany, not America.

I don't know what happened since one of co-worker told my co-workers... then my co-worker *G* then told me... what he eye-withness what and how US Police did to her and hear their conversation.

What an embarrassment to treat her crime like that...

 

[PlateCafe]

We shouldn't use cell phone while driving? What about the passengers?
Communication between driver and passenger(s) causes drivers to get distracted.

 

[Mistyrose]

We shouldn't use cell phone while driving? What about the passengers?
Communication between driver and passenger(s) causes drivers to get distracted.

Because they use one hand on the steering wheel and the other
hand on the cell phone, use your imagination! lol! It is against the
law here in NEW YORK use cell phone WHILE DRIVING, if you must
talk on cell phone, pull off the road. Also text messaging is WORSE!!
GOOD GRIEF!! Just recently, a town outside of Buffalo, there was a
horrific crash that killed 5 young girls who have just graduated from
high school, just because this young inexperienced girl, who was really
not supposed to drive at night cuz she has a learners permit!, was
TEXT MESSAGING on her cell phone!! she was totally distracted, of
course by the stupid text messaging, tried to pass a car and didnt
see the oncoming semi truck cuz she was sooo distracted, hence killing
her and all her 4 friends!! Now how sad is that????
So dont tell me "Why cant we use cell phone while driving".....grrr!

Communications between passengers? what is wrong with that? Thats
ok if YOU are hearing! Its hard if you are DEAF! You know what i mean?
If you are deaf, you have to use sign language/lipread, that would be
hard to do, kinda especially if YOU are the driver, heh.

 

[Maria]

I can see that we begin to talk about cops here... I have another crazy new about US Police Military in caserne where I work... I learn about this few minutes ago as I was on the middle to type my thread about my son's vacation in Rome, Italy.

I am total speechless when my co-worker *G* told me at few minutes ago.

One of my co-workers who work same Divison as *G* & me is eye-withnessed this morning. One German lady, we know well work at other caserne as us. We often contact over work issues. She married to an American solider who just leave Germany for Iraq. She use her husband's car on her way to caserne where she work. Unfortunlately she speed more than 30 in the caserne. US Police Military stopped her. She accept her own responsible for ignore the speed signal. They asked her for her ID. No problem - Again, they asked her for her driving liescne... She was like and do what they say... She showed them her driving liescne... Guess what? They said that it's not American driving liescne but German driving liescne and then accused her for driving illegal on American car... This is criminal offense. She was like and explain them that she borrow her husband's car because her car is in garage and then explain again that the car is not belong US Army but her and her husband. They ignored her and cuffed her front of her co-workers... The gossip spread out real fast.. Her mother also work in the same building as us as well... Her office is few doors away from our office.

I said to her that US Police Military forget quickly that we are in Germany, not America.

I don't know what happened since one of co-worker told my co-workers... then my co-worker *G* then told me... what he eye-withness what and how US Police did to her and hear their conversation.

What an embarrassment to treat her crime like that...

Yeah, it happens over ID or Driver's License issues - I think it is really stupid, IMO. It did happened to me ONCE ( actually it happened TWICE ) when I was hopped in a train -- goin' to Alaska's border from Yukon Territory ( up north in Canada ) and, there was an American Police checkin' everyone for their passport - he came to me, askin' me for my ID. Gee, my passport was inside my baggage and it was under my seat. Sooo, I showed him my " Alaska " ID. He looked at me and then, study my Alaska ID. He wasn't smilin'. Everyone was lookin' at me. Yikes ! He asked me where I was born from -- told him that I was born from New York City. Gee - he don't even bother to realized that I am deaf...

Now, I know what I am doin' next time. Next time if, I go over to Canada's soil and then return to America's ... I will make sure that I will carry passport with me - NOT in my baggage.

 

[Mistyrose]

Yeah, it happens over ID or Driver's License issues - I think it is really stupid, IMO. It did happened to me ONCE ( actually it happened TWICE ) when I was hopped in a train -- goin' to Alaska's border from Yukon Territory ( up north in Canada ) and, there was an American Police checkin' everyone for their passport - he came to me, askin' me for my ID. Gee, my passport was inside my baggage and it was under my seat. Sooo, I showed him my " Alaska " ID. He looked at me and then, study my Alaska ID. He wasn't smilin'. Everyone was lookin' at me. Yikes ! He asked me where I was born from -- told him that I was born from New York City. Gee - he don't even bother to realized that I am deaf...

Now, I know what I am doin' next time. Next time if, I go over to Canada's soil and then return to America's ... I will make sure that I will carry passport with me - NOT in my baggage.

Yep, the world has changed alot since 9/11, Maria..sad but true. Every
time we go to Canada, its fine but leaving Canada, its a different story!
Doesnt matter if its Peace Bridge, or Rainbow Bridge, there long long
lines of cars leaving Canada, worse than entering, ugh! One time, not us,
but my husband's cousin and his family waited 3 hours sitting at the bridge
just trying to leave Canada! All because they had to check every car,
checking everybody's ID, you name it! All because of terrorists thing...
the American side border police are fanatic to a point to make sure there
are no terrorists entering our country! Its true cuz my hubby's cousin's
daughter works at the border as a border police so we know the facts.
When my son and 2 of my granddaughters were here, we had to make sure
they had their birth certificates with us so we can go to Canada to see
the Niagara Falls, it was easy entering there but when we left, they wanted
to see the birth certificates and all! To make sure the kids are my son's
kids, period! (probably due to large number of kidnappings and all).

Well, Maria, you only need passport for Canada if you are FLYING OVER
THERE..BUT if you are just driving over there, all you need is your drivers
license, if you are taking children, you will need their birth certificates, ok?

 

[Maria]

Yep, the world has changed alot since 9/11, Maria..sad but true. Every
time we go to Canada, its fine but leaving Canada, its a different story!
Doesnt matter if its Peace Bridge, or Rainbow Bridge, there long long
lines of cars leaving Canada, worse than entering, ugh! One time, not us,
but my husband's cousin and his family waited 3 hours sitting at the bridge
just trying to leave Canada! All because they had to check every car,
checking everybody's ID, you name it! All because of terrorists thing...
the American side border police are fanatic to a point to make sure there
are no terrorists entering our country! Its true cuz my hubby's cousin's
daughter works at the border as a border police so we know the facts.
When my son and 2 of my granddaughters were here, we had to make sure
they had their birth certificates with us so we can go to Canada to see
the Niagara Falls, it was easy entering there but when we left, they wanted
to see the birth certificates and all! To make sure the kids are my son's
kids, period! (probably due to large number of kidnappings and all).

Well, Maria, you only need passport for Canada if you are FLYING OVER
THERE..BUT if you are just driving over there, all you need is your drivers
license, if you are taking children, you will need their birth certificates, ok?

Of course, I am aware. FYI, my children are fully adults and live on their own now. They know about the difference between Canada and America, if they should visit Canada.

 

[Mistyrose]

Of course, I am aware. FYI, my children are fully adults and live on their own now. They know about the difference between Canada and America, if they should visit Canada.

Oh, what i meant if anybody that have children that dont have
their own IDs, they will need to bring their birth certificates if they
are traveling to Canada, otherwise they cant enter.