The Spectacle Blog
Etheridge Apologizes
Reported by Raleigh-Durham ABC affiliate WTVD.
Reported by Raleigh-Durham ABC affiliate WTVD:
“I have seen the video posted on several blogs. I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction and I apologize to all involved. Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina, I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect. No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response. I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse.”
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Teflon93 | 6.14.10 @ 1:25PM
"No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response."
Well, at least he's not blaming the kid he assaulted!
WJ| 6.14.10 @ 1:42PM
What a bunch of hooey, this is a CYA apology.
We all saw the real side of this Democrat in that video.
ncatty| 6.14.10 @ 1:43PM
Etheridge is a beautiful example of what the NC Democratic party stands for. He started out as some sort of education administrator, then ran for State Superintendent of Education and won. In the meantime, we have had one Democratic "Education Governor" after another while our education system remains one of the most ineffective in the nation. Based on these "accomplishments" he ran for Congress and won. Now he goes to Pelosi fundraisers in DC while playing the "aw shucks good ole boy" back home. But every once in a while the mask slips, and we see the self-entitled, go-along-to-get-along, statist underneath.
Ken (Old Texican)| 6.14.10 @ 2:02PM
Sadly,
most NC voters will vote "straight ticket" D for Democrat. That way they won't have to touch the cockroach on the Ethridge lever in November.
Grzmlyk| 6.14.10 @ 2:03PM
Ncatty, GREAT comments.
And of course if this incident hadn't been caught on film, you can bet no apology would have been forthcoming.
How hollow.
That's liberalism: If a liberal punches somebody off camera, it's not violence.
but if a conservative doesn't punch somebody at a tea party, it's still a sign of violent intent.
Nate| 6.14.10 @ 2:42PM
The apology is all well and good. But this man should be turned out of office. This behavior is unacceptable. (I write this as a Democrat.)
However, an elected official has no business assaulting a college student on a public sidewalk. This video seems to me evidence of a CRIME, not just of bad behavior. The man should be turned out of the Congress.
Nate| 6.14.10 @ 2:45PM
Swatting and grabbing at this young man seems like an assault to me. (That's why I said it seems like evidence of a crime above.)
They should kick him out of office and a DA somewhere should be filing charges. I don't give a damn what party he belongs to. This behavior is outrageous.
TomP| 6.14.10 @ 3:36PM
This sort of thing happens when you are walking back after a long lunch at the Monocle or Market Inn. Etheridge, like all democrats thinks he will be there for life and he well may be. NC is still a place where a $20. bill will make your arm pull democrat if the devil himself were on the ticket.
Nate| 6.14.10 @ 6:29PM
TomP --
I don't think Republicans are exactly immune to the kind of haughty presumption you correctly identify in Etheridge, and there are plenty of Democrats in office who are good, decent people who would never do this sort of thing. Generalizations are often (not to generalize) less than accurate.
But I share the outrage at this Congressman. He needs to be dismissed from office.
cats1cowboy| 6.14.10 @ 7:39PM
Are politicians immune from arrest for assault? What is up with that?