Student assault

Shocking video of student's arrest and assault at Florida University

Commentary by Greg Palast

"[Palast] said you won the 2004 election - isn't that amazing?
There were multiple reports of disenfranchising of Black voters on the day
of the election in 2004 in Florida and Ohio. ... How could you concede the
election on the day?"

We warned you: 'Armed Madhouse' is a dangerous book. Yesterday, Andrew
Meyers, a University of Florida student was attacked by five cops, zapped
with tasers and arrested after demanding that Senator John Kerry answer the
question.

Meyers, just released from jail and now facing five years in prison for
resisting arrest, held up a copy of the book and began,

Student to John Kerry: "I want to recommend a book to you. It's called
'Armed Madhouse by Greg Palast.' He's the top investigative journalist in
America."

Kerry: "I have the book. I've already read it."

Student: "... In this book, it says there were 5 million votes and you won
the election. ... How could you concede the election on the day?"

Meyers, a telecommunications student at the Gainesville campus, asked
related questions including a query as to why Kerry refused to vote for
impeachment. When he passed his alloted one minute mic time, five cops
jumped him, threw him to the ground, shot him with taser shockers.

Kerry, true to character, stood immobile.

Now, I've given many talks. And some questioners have taken too long at
the mic. But I've never done the Stalin thing of cops and electronic
beating to limit the discussion. (Yes, it's true that Randi Rhodes
recently threatened me with a taser when I've monopolized the mic in
her studio.)

The Washington Post reported only that Meyers was holding a "mysterious
yellow book." VERY mysterious.

I would note that enchained student was busted in Alachua County, Florida,
where, six years ago, I uncovered massive, systematic and utterly illegal
disenfranchisement of Black voters - ordered by Gov. Jeb Bush's office just
before the 2000 election. ("Florida's Disappeared Voters," February 2001,
The Nation.) Alachua remains under federal scrutiny for its long history of
racial bias against Black voters.

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.'

Hear the update live tonight on the new "Palast Report" on Air America
Radio. The Palast Report will now broadcast every Tuesday night, at 9:30pm,
on Richard Greene's new weeknight show, "Clout."

And get America's most SHOCKING book, the New York Times bestseller, ARMED MADHOUSE: From Baghdad to New Orleans -- Sordid Secrets and Strange Tales of a White House Gone Wild (Penguin 2007).