Former Resident Recalls Run-In With Etheridge
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Etheridge's Office Disputes Claim
A spokesman for Congressman Bob Etheridge is disputing claims made by former Moore County resident Brandon Leslie about an incident 14 years ago. Click here to read the story.
A video of Rep. Bob Etheridge physically confronting a college student in Washington brought back unpleasant memories for one former Moore County resident.
Brandon Leslie, who moved away seven years ago and is now an attorney in Oxford, Miss., said he had an encounter with the now seven-term Democratic congressman from Lillington almost 14 years ago.
In the fall of 1996, when Leslie was a senior at Pinecrest High School, he said he met Etheridge at a Pinecrest football game. Etheridge - then the state superintendent of public instruction - was challenging incumbent Republican David Funderburk for his congressional seat. At the time, Moore County was part of the 2nd District, which Etheridge now represents.
Leslie said he introduced himself to Etheridge and asked him about his stance on a particular education program. He said Etheridge didn't answer his question, so he pressed him two more times.
"And that's when he grabbed me by the shoulders, he shook me, and I'll never forget it, he said, 'Son, you need to learn to respect your elders,'" he said by phone on Wednesday. "I was just so taken aback, I think my jaw just dropped, and he walked off."
Leslie said he was angrier about Etheridge's attitude and "patronizing" tone than the physical contact.
"It wasn't to hurt me, it wasn't to harm me," he says. "It was that he was irritated and wanted to get my attention."
Leslie said the incident caused somewhat of a firestorm at the time, and he was contacted by a few newspapers, but no stories ever appeared.
That hasn't been the case with the latest incident involving Etheridge. The video - which shows an agitated Etheridge grabbing and holding an unidentified young man by the wrist, neck and shoulders after he approached Etheridge with a video camera and asked him if he "fully supported" the president's agenda - quickly went viral and became the talk of the political universe. Etheridge has since apologized for his behavior.
Leslie, a self-described Democrat who "supports the Obama agenda," said watching the video was "almost like looking in a mirror."
"He doesn't like to be pressed," he said. "He's kind of a bully."
Contact John Krahnert III by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.
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Comments
coffecreme 2 years, 11 months ago
Well Brandon was full of himself back in those days.
gardengirl 2 years, 11 months ago
Without ever meeting or even seeing Rep. Etheridge, I can only base my opinion on what I've read and seen regarding him and his record. Regardless of his politics, agendas, and purposes, I find this behavior reprehensible. NO public servant is entitled to behave in such an aloof, accostable manner. In the real world, that type of physical contact could be considered assault and charges could ensue. How unfortunate for you, Brandon Leslie, that you were the recipient of such undeserving, disgraceful, culpable conduct. What does he expect? He's an "elected" official whose sole purpose is to serve the people, not haughtily dismiss them. I've lost my respect for Rep. Etheridge and will not accept his apologies or excuses. Actions definitely speak louder than words.
coffecreme 2 years, 11 months ago
Seems Mr. Leslie has changed his party affiliations...he was a member, at the time of his confrontation with Etheridge, of the Young Republicans.
RD28327 2 years, 11 months ago
If ol' giant hillbilly Etheridge was to get his paws on me, I'd go upside his head or kick him somewheres. I wonder if he was that bigfoot creature supposedly running around between the Shelby and Morganton areas which I've been hearing about on the TV news.
clbvpm 2 years, 11 months ago
"The Pilot" is the newspaper that would cover the incident as it ocurred at Pinecrest High School. So, it is no surprise it was not mentioned in the newspaper. This is the first time "The Pilot" has even mentioned the incident in Washington. Assault is assault. It doesn't matter if you are democrat, republician, liberal or conservative. If it had been you or I who had grabbed this young man, we would have been arrested. Congressman Etheridge said it was a bad day. Wait until he is unemployed like 11% of North Carolinians. Then, he will know what "a bad day really is." Assault is a crime. Etheridge is not above the law. He should resign. This is from a liberal democrat.
coffecreme 2 years, 11 months ago
@ clbvpm
Did you forget any of your previous posts indicate anything but you being a "liberal democrat". You stated quite clearly in this post your were a liberterian. From April 6 of this year below is your post. Why do you feel compelled to lie to get your point across?
"I never listen to Rush Limbaugh, watch Glenn Beck and seldom hear Ann Colter. I am not a Republician, I am Libertarian. I will be attending the tea party in Washington. I will be traveling with my family, not with a political group. Why? I am sick and tired of the hard working middle class being shafted and pushed to the lower class of poverty by politicians who want to tax and spend so people who have not worked a honest day in their life and people who are here illegally can have something they neither earned nor deserve. Don't get me wrong. If a person has worked hard, has lost his job because of outsourcing and needs help, that is one thing. He has worked and paid into the system. But when I see people in line at the grocery store with gold hanging all over their bodies, using an Ipod and putting food (they purchased with food stamps) into a new car something is dead wrong. Our grandkids do not need the burden that has been placed upon them by these buyouts and taxes. We need to get this country back in line with Capitolism and not on the fast track to Socialism. I'm not one to drink tea or russians, but I am attending a tea party and may buy a new suit to wear if the government leaves me any money in my bank account. And, November will show there are a lot more like me. We have been the silent majority too long." Up0Posted by clbvpm on April 6, 2010 at 12:42 p.m
clbvpm 2 years, 11 months ago
I did not mean to use the word "liberal" when I posted I was a democreat. I was looking at the words I had just typed. A gross mistake on my part, I admit...However, it was a mistake. In my April post did not say I was registered as a Libertarian. I did not lie. I am a registered democrat and have voted for Etheridge in the past. That was when I first moved to North Carolina in the 90's. At that time Moore County was in district 2. I am now more literterian because neither the democrats NOR the rebublicians are listening to or working for the people they represent. Either way, I did not lie as you said. AND assault is assault and a crime.
duffy 2 years, 11 months ago
i couldn't believe what i saw when first veiwing the etheridge video wherein he blatantly assaulted a college student. i'm a reasonable and rational man, and at times when i see cameramen getting in peoples faces it aggravates me. however, because our government and, sorry, police force also, have become so out of control, i feel that its necessary to preserving what freedoms we have left in america, and even gaining some back, by sticking cameras in politicians and law officer's faces as often as we can. government should fear the people...yes it should, for it is the only way that we can preserve our repubican form government, the alternaitve to which is oligarchy. my message to bob etheridge is simple and clear: you are more of a redneck than jack knotts, and while i abhore violence and have used physical violence only as a last resort, if i had been the cameraman that afternoon, i would have put you in a hospital in self defense. and all we need is 150 million americans with a similar veiw, and we'll have our country back in no time flat. my mother lives in north carolina, and at 76 years old, she woulda done the same thing to ya, pal. YOU ARE ABOUT TO BECOME AN INSIGNIFICANT STAIN ON THE HISTORY OF YOUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY. i hope i havent offended anyone.
ButSeriously 2 years, 11 months ago
So some kids change the name of Pinecrest High School to Incest High School and this county erupts with anger and demands punishment, but when a Democratic representative physically harms a young man on a public street, the majority look away. Pathetic. How many articles did that stupid prank acquire with The Pilot? How many of you cried out calling them criminals? Where are your loud voices now when an adult physically harms a young man? I'm so tired of narrow-minded political drones that follow/defend anything related to their party. Simpletons.
coffecreme 2 years, 11 months ago
Where is the so called "young man" to press charges? Why did the Capital Police not press charges?
FaithinUSA 2 years, 11 months ago
I think Rep. Etheridge needs to have charges filed against him for assault. Then maybe he'll know who that young man is.....an American citizen who has the right to free speech and to be secure and free from harassment from a government official.
Getalife 2 years, 11 months ago
Although I hate to admit it, Mr. Leslie was very active with the Republican Party when he was in high school. I don't know whether he has changed colors, or not, but I do know that when one is involved in an incident it is almost impossible for him/her to be objective. Whereas Leslie may believe his story, it should be taken with a grain of salt. He's a lawyer..nuf said.
SCCstudent 2 years, 11 months ago
ChuckTaylor for once I have to agree with you ~ knock him out! But one must remember that Phallus Heads like him and Howard Coble know that it is a felony to assult a Congressman unless it is with money...you can throw money at them but not a knuckle sandwich.
I tryed to speak to Howard "the walking dead" Coble after a function and he looked at me like I had lost my mind ~ trying to talk to a sitting congressman with an invitation.
SCCstudent 2 years, 11 months ago
@RD28327 => he rough talked him and Big Foot left the scene. Etheridge grabbed the "little man" and roughed him around the throat with his shaky hand from alcohol withdrawal. Wonder what Etheridge would have said if “little man” would have rearranged his dental work?
RD28327 2 years, 11 months ago
I'm still surprised that those college kids have not pressed charges. Of course, if he had grabbed me, ol' Big Foot would be singing soprano! LOL
coffecreme 2 years, 11 months ago
@getalife
You are so right. He was very involved with the Republican Party at that time. He also was known to cheat in golf.
jorae 2 years, 11 months ago
Lesson in SPIN Seems an old student talked to Etheridge 14 years ago and contracted The Pilot....
Former Resident Recalls Run-In With Etheridge.. By John Krahnert III - Friday, June 18, 2010 7:42 a.m first post The former student, Brandon Leslie emailed The Pilot... http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/jun...
THE HILL.com site prints what the Hight School Principle at the time, Mr. Bed Greene said about the encounter... Principal disputes former student's allegation of run-in with Etheridge . By Michael O'Brien - 06/18/10 03:28 PM ET
"The story in today’s Pilot is inaccurate," Greene said in a statement released by Etheridge's office, referring to the paper that reported Leslie's allegation. "I witnessed the event firsthand 14 years ago. The student was in the wrong, and Bob Etheridge acted appropriately at all times." http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/104199-principal-disputes-former-students-allegation-of-run-in-with-etheridge
This is a retraction from The Pilot? It should have said, So, the Pilot starts a new thread to acknowledge the dispute, but SPINS it by not quoting the Principle, but by making it sound that Etheridge's office is making the claim, not the Principle..
Etheridge's Office Disputes Claim By David Sinclair - Friday, June 18, 2010 4:28 p.m first post
Dr. Ben Greene, who was principal of Pinecrest at the time, told The Pilot today that his recollection of the incident was a little different from Leslie’s.(RECOLLECTION - INFERS DOUBT - where the Hill.com quotes him exactly.)
“There were people gathered around (Etheridge),” Greene said. “I happened to walk by, and it caught my attention because I heard a student talking loudly. I didn’t see any shaking or grabbing.”
==================
The title of the article is where this SPIN begins....There was not need to sight Etheridge office when they are quoting the former Principle....SPIN
jorae 2 years, 11 months ago
The latest vidio first showed up on "Biggovernment.com" a very Conservative/Republican site...
It had been edited to the hilt....Playing games to distroy a person is a deal with the devil...
JIMV 2 years, 11 months ago
The Congressman is very lucky he has not encountered anyone willing to greet force with force ...
Diamondchips55 2 years, 11 months ago
Back when I was in college, I attended a College Republicans event where Dick Cheney was speaking. I asked him a question he didn't like, repeated it twice and then he grabbed my arm and punched me in the face. But WAAAAIT a minute! Oops! It turns out I can't prove that because that's a lie just like Brandon Leslie's. I'm actually a proud Liberal Democrat and have been since before I could vote, and when I lived in Durham I voted for Etheridge and helped put that lying racist scum David Funderburk out of office. Congratulations to an unarmed elderly man for standing up to a couple of young thugs with a camera on the street.
RD28327 2 years, 11 months ago
Elderly man??? Unarmed thugs? More like a giant Harnett County hillbilly Sasquatch roaming the streets of DC scaring the hell out of innocent people! LOL