Lilah Sutphen: Surrogacy Soapbox
How Young Teens Are Different From Older Millennials
Plenty of Lessons in Congressman Bob Etheridge's YouTube Moment
Filed under: In The News, Media
The video of Democratic Congressman Bob Etheridge grabbing a young student who approached him on the street for an on-the-fly interview has gone viral and will likely mar the North Carolina representative's career in Congress. But is this type of guerrilla interview style fair game for politicians? And should we encourage kids to "get answers" to their political questions by engaging in this type of reporting?
The answer to the first question, in my opinion is yes, this is fair game. Constituents have a right to access their representatives and many voters are rightfully frustrated by representatives who have refused to hold town hall meetings or return their calls. Citizens and journalists who are tired of form letters, sound bites and other "phony" communication techniques employed by career politicians will resort to these tactics.
That said, nobody enjoys a microphone being shoved in their face as they stroll to work -- especially if the reporter refuses to identify who he is. It's unnerving and annoying.
Nonetheless, there's no excuse for Rep. Etheridge's behavior. It's odd and inappropriate and there's plenty of chatter on the blogs suggesting he looks a little drunk in the footage (you decide).
The young man, whose identity is being protected for fear he may become the target of intense scrutiny and harassment, asked a fairly reasonable question: "Do you agree with the Obama agenda?" Not exactly bomb-throwing material. Moreover, to the kid's credit, he remains polite throughout the ordeal. Even as the congressman grabs him around the neck, he throws his hands up and pleads, "Sir, please, sir." This is literally child's play next to the media tactics of professional activists like Code Pink. Indeed, he could give the infamous pink ladies a lesson in civility.
I have no idea who was behind this young man's "project." It could be a school project or Rep. Etheridge's congressional opponent back home may have hired him. My own husband is currently running for Congress and has been followed by a camera toting operative from his opponent's camp. In the age of YouTube and cell phone cameras, anyone running for office knows that this is now part of the deal -- like it or not.
There's simply no getting around the fact that Rep. Etheridge acted in a way unbecoming of a congressman, and not just because he acted violently, but also because his arrogance suggests he thinks he's above such questioning.
In my kitchen table civics lessons, I'm always reminding my kids that their representatives in government work for them. That's right, I tell them, you are the boss of them. When a congressperson forgets that simple lesson, it's time for him or her to go.
Related: Have We Become Too Casual? Why I Dress My Kids Up for Church
Related: Have We Become Too Casual? Why I Dress My Kids Up for Church
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Melissa Etheridge Wants To Legalize Marijuana
Melissa Etheridge wanted you to come to her window and now she wants marijuana legalized and she even shot an advertisement to prove it. The Colorado Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol released a new radio ad featuring Grammy singer Melissa Etheridge as the latest public figure to endorse marijuana legalization.
-
Melissa Etheridge Speaks Out to Legalize Marijuana
Melissa Etheridge wrote an op ed for CNN.com supporting the responsible legalization of marijuana, saying it helped ease the excruciating side effects of chemotherapy she experienced back in 2005. She said it helped her appetite, depression and gastrointestinal side effects.
-
Melissa Etheridge, 'In House'
Melissa Etheridge speaks with Spinner about her new album, 4th Street Feeling, her childhood and politics.
-
Melissa Etheridge on Million Dollar Quartet
An interview with Melissa Etheridge during her short rehearsal with the cast of “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Nederlander Theater.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2010 @ 11:54AM
Michelle said...This guy is just a jerk, plain and simple. It's pretty obvious now that he either needs to drop out of the race or risk embarrassment--I don't think he'll get many votes! And since Rachel is a staunch Republican, I just want to stress that his actions have nothing to do with the fact that this man is a Democrat, he'd be a loser no matter what. Furthermore, will there be legal ramifications for his behavior? It seems to me this could be classified as disorderly conduct or battery.
Reply
6-16-2010 @ 1:34PM
Are you kidding? said...If this were a Republican Rachel would be singing a different tune. Actually, she wouldn't have posted at all.
And it shows real integrity for her to say he's drunk - a bit juvenille. We know, you hate democrats.
Finally, I doubt that anyone is tailing Sean from the Real World.
Reply
6-16-2010 @ 3:14PM
Leah said...Are you kidding hit the nail right on the head!! I would take Rachel more seriously if she ever thought for herself just once and didn't tow the party line. She has never, ever written a single disparaging remark against and republic or any conservative idea. The not loyalty - that's just not thinking for yourself. No one can agree w/Repulicans or Democrats 100% of the time.
I'm neither conservative nor liberal, republican or democrat - I'm a bit of everything depending on the issue as I think most citizens are. The party bashing Rachel does is old.
6-16-2010 @ 10:30PM
Sifrina said...Leah - Actually, that's not totally correct - Rachel has spoke out against some Republicans (Mark Sanford comes to mind), but yes, she generally tows the party line. I don't mind that, or even the Democrat bashing so much (it's called a race for a reason; all I ask is that you base your opposition on fact and not some moron on foxnews or talk radio) but it's Rachel's die-hard support of Sarah Palin that gives me shivers...Of course, Palin did endorse her husband's campaign and we all know in politics you "dance with the person who brought you..." Double shivers!!!
Reply
6-16-2010 @ 10:30PM
Sifrina said...Etheridge is not qualified to serve the public..period. He does appear impaired, and from where I sit he assaulted the interviewer. I agree that our elected officials need to have the right temperment for this line of work as they signed up for this. Etheridge's conduct was completely unbecoming, unjustified, and not what the taxpaying public (of NC) sent him to DC to do. But that means only NCers can "fire" him even though he actually "works" in my hometown.
Reply
6-18-2010 @ 9:05AM
Anita said...Isn't this supposed to be a column about parenting?
I appreciate and usually agree with Rachel's conservative view on most things. I love this blog and her book, a refreshing alternative to mainstream thinking.
However, I do not think that one line referring to children at the end makes this story relevant to parenting. Sorry, but I am not interested in reading stories like that here. There are plenty of outlets for political opinion.
Best of luck to Sean Duffy in November.
Reply
6-18-2010 @ 9:50PM
JohnB said...I've read News and Observer editorials on the subject and question whether they were watching the same video. The kid was polite and said he was a college student working on a project. Mr. Etheridge is supposed to be a representative of the people and public servant and being asked questions about his position should not be intrusive. For Mr. Etheridge to react the way he did was nothing short of assault. The kid would have been totally within his rights to give Mr. Etheridge a swift punch to the face after he was grabbed by the neck. Mr. Etheridge's behavior illustrates he is not worthy of public office and should step down. Likewise, I encourage the person he assaulted to file charges against Mr. Etheridge.
Reply